90242 - Medieval Latin Literature (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students know the history of Medieval Latin literature, and, more specifically, the history of the Latin literature produced in Italy during the Middle Ages. They are able to analyze both content and language of some selected texts, as well. Finally, they have a good command of tools and strategies allowing them to perform a philological analysis of the same selected texts.

Course contents

The Course aims to analyze the development of the literary genre of encyclopedias and the strategies of transmission of scientific and philosophical knowledge during the Middle Ages.

Special attention will be paid to the most representative Latin encyclopedias of the 13th century, viz. Bartholomew the Englishman's De proprietatibus rerum, Thomas of Cantimpré's De natura rerum, Vincent of Beauvais' Speculum maius, and to their relationship with Vernacular encyclopedic works, such as Brunetto Latini's Tresor.

Readings/Bibliography

General Introduction: students should read one of the following handbooks: C. Leonardi et al. (eds), Letteratura latina medievale (secoli VI-XV), un manuale, Firenze 2002; E. D’Angelo, La letteratura latina medievale: una storia per generi, Roma 2009; P. Chiesa, La letteratura latina del Medioevo, Roma 2017.

Texts (selection): Bartholomaeus Anglicus, De proprietatibus rerum, ed. B. Van den Abeele et al., Turnhout 2007-2023; Thomas Cantimpratensis, Liber de natura rerum, ed. H. Boese, Berlin-New York 1973; Vincentius Belvacensis, Speculum maius, Douaci 1624 (repr. Graz 1964).

Bibliography (selection): Encyclopédire : formes de l’ambition encyclopédique dans l’Antiquité et au Moyen Âge, ed. A. Zucker, Turnhout 2013; Encyclopédie médiévale et langues européennes : réception et diffusion du "De proprietatibus rerum" de Barthélemy l'Anglais dans les langues vernaculaires, ed. J. Ducos, Paris 2014; Dante e le enciclopedie medievali : atti del Convegno internazionale di studi, Ravenna, 9 novembre 2019, a cura di G. Ledda, Ravenna 2023.

Further readings will be presented during the Course.

Students who cannot attend classes are requested to contact Prof. Ventura in order to receive further instructions concerning the preparation of the exam.

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 consist of introductory lessons given by Prof. Ventura and concerning each author we will focus upon, and of close discussions on the translation and interpretation of the selected texts.

Assessment methods

The exam will consist of an interview. Students have two options; they may:

- prepare a short lecture on a text related to the topics discussed during the course and selected by them, and present it by using the bibliography put together with the assistance of Prof. Ventura at least one month before the exam (this option is reserved to attending students);

- undergo an interview and answer the questions put by Prof. Ventura.

Whatever decision they will make, students should demonstrate that

-they are able to outline the main elements of the historical development of Medieval Latin and Vernacular encyclopedic literature;

- they are able to interpret and present the main characteristics of the text discussed during classes correctly.

Teaching tools

All readings will be uploaded on the UniBo-platform "Virtuale". Further bibliography will be provided during the Course.

Office hours

See the website of Iolanda Ventura