13287 - Medieval Latin Literature (1)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students know the outline of the history of Middle Latin literature and have the ability to analyze, from a literary point of view, texts both in original language and in Italian translation.

Course contents

The course is divided in two parts. In a first section, it will provide a general overview of the historical development of Medieval latin literature between the 6^th and the 13^th century. In this part of the course, we will examine the general trends of development of Medieval literature in different times and contexts, and the birth and evolution of the literary genres constituting it. In the second section, my classes will focus on the main features of the Latin literature of the Tenth and the Eleventh century, with special reference to historiography and (auto-)biography. The texts will be selected in order to allow students to get to know and appreciate the characteristics of the literature written in Latin before and after the "Year 1000", and particularly the role of individuality and collectivity.

Readings/Bibliography

- General introduction: students may choose between one of those handbooks: C. Leonardi et al. (a cura di), Letteratura latina medievale (secoli VI-XV), un manuale, Firenze 2002; E. D’Angelo, La letteratura latina medievale: una storia per generi, Roma 2009 (si veda in particolare il capitolo "Storiografia", p. 175-215); P. Chiesa, La letteratura latina del Medioevo, Roma 2017.

- Special section (10th-11th century literature): P. Stoppacci, Il secolo senza nome. Cultura, scuola e letteratura latina dell'Anno Mille e dintorni, Firenze 2020.

- Students must read one of the following texts: 1) Liutprando da Cremona, Antapodosis, a cura di P. Chiesa, Milano 2015; 2) Rodulfus Glaber, Storie dell'Anno Mille, a cura di G. Cavallo e G. Orlandi, Milano 1996; 3) Raterio, Phrenesis, ed. P.L. Reid, Turnhout, 1984.

Further readings will be indicated during the Course.

Teaching methods

Classes (30 hours). Classes will consists of introductory lessons given by Prof. Ventura, and of close discussions on the translation, the comment, and the interpretation of the selected texts.

Assessment methods

The exams will consists of an interview. Student will be examined in their skills to

- identify and describe the historical and typological development of Medieval latin literature, as well as the main steps and phases of its history;

- describe the main characteristics of Latin literature between the Tenth and the Eleventh century;

- translate, discuss, and comment upon the selected texts.

Strong emphasis will be given when evaluating the students, to their skills in describing the cultural phenomena and the specific attributes of both authors and texts discussed during the Course.

Students who attend classes may choose between two different options: 1) take the oral exam, and answer questions put by Prof. Ventura; 2) select a topic connected with the Course content, and prepare an exposé they will present during the exam; if they chose this option, students must fix a subject in agreement with Prof. Ventura at least 30 days before the examination date.

Student who cannot attend classes are kindly requested to contact Prof. Ventura in time, and fix an appointment for a meeting with her, in order to prepare themselves for the exam.

Teaching tools

During classes, I will provide students with further readings. Besides, the first part of the course will include an overview of the research tools (manuals, editions of Medieval texts, bibliographies etc.) concerning the history of Medieval latin literature.

The Latin texts discussed during the Course will be uploaded on the "Virtuale" platform provided by the University of Bologna.

Office hours

See the website of Iolanda Ventura