76233 - History and Documentation of Manuscripts Collections

Learning outcomes

The course aims at the knowing of the principles that guided the formation over time of collections of manuscripts and their history with regard to the institutions of conservation. Methods and tools (letters, archival documents, ownership notes, manuscripts) are also a main topic of the course.

At the end of the course the student is able to know the sources of specific documentation and is capable of enhancing the manuscript collection in the broader context of the library.

Course contents

The topics are intended to illustrate and reconstruct the historical and cultural dynamics that led to the formation of the manuscript collections between the Medieval and Modern age with the support of the historical sources, the literary testimonies and the documents.

Readings/Bibliography

D. Nebbiai Dalla Guarda, I documenti per la storia delle biblioteche medievali (secoli IX-XV), Roma, Juvence, 1992.
G. Lombardi, D. Nebbia Dalla Guarda, Libri, lettori e biblioteche dell'Italia medievale (secoli 9.-15.): fonti, testi, utilizzazione del libro: atti della tavola rotonda italo-francese (Roma, 7-8 marzo 1997), Roma - Paris, ICCU-CNRS Edition, 2000 (3 essays at the choice).
Other materials discussed in class are avalaible in the website of the University at the link Teaching materials.

Students unable to attend are requested to contact the techer for specific readings.

Teaching methods

Lectures alternating with  seminars on specific subjects discussed and illustrated  on the basis of the bibliography provided in class.

Assessment methods

Oral assessment of the  knowledge of topics discussed in class and of the recommended bibliography.

It will be evaluated very positive the student's ability to demonstrate the acquired knowledge in a personal and critical way, using an appropriate language.

The oral exam aims at assessing the critical knowledge of the recommended readings as well as of the topics discussed during the lessons.

More than sufficient will be evaluated the mnemonic knowledge, expressed with conciveness, in a correct language but not very appropriate.

Sufficient will be evaluated the basic knowledge expressed with inappropriate language.

Insufficient will be evaluated the incomplete knowledge of the readings, the incorrect and inappropriate language, the inability to manage bibliographies and texts analized during the lessons.

Teaching tools

Power point and internet to access the digitised manuscript collection.

Office hours

See the website of Paola Degni