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 will be divided into three parts. In a first section, a general overview of the history of Medieval Latin literature will be offered, with special attention to the most representative authors.

During the second part of the Course, we will focus on the topic of women's writing, and on the presence of women as authors across the main literary genres of Medieval Literature.

Finally, we will deal with the perception of the female body by Medieval medicine, and read some texts concerning gynecology.

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.

The overview of the women's writing during the Middle Ages will be based on the volume: Scrittrici del Medioevo. Un'antologia, ed. E. Bartoli et al., Roma 2023.

As for the third section of the Course, our basis will be represented by the volume: rotula. Un compendio medievale di medicina delle donne, a cura di M.H. Green, Firenze 2009.

Further readings will be indicated during the Course. All Latin texts read during the Course will be uploaded on the "Virtuale" platform.

All student who are affected by learning disability (DSA) and in need of special strategies to compensate it, are kindly requested to contact Prof. Ventura, in order to be referred to the colleagues in charge and get proper advice and instructions.

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;

- recognize the trends of women's literature and the characteristics of the medical culture dealing with the female body;

- 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 (an author, a text, a literary genre) related to the Course program, and prepare an exposé to be presented 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 will answer questions dealing with one of the above-mentioned handbooks, with two female authors of their choice. At any rate, they 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.

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

Office hours

See the website of Iolanda Ventura