90423 - Written Culture of the Medieval West and Humanism

Learning outcomes

The course aims to develop knowledge and understanding of literature written in Italian and Latin during the Middle Ages and Humanism. By the end of the course, students will therefore be able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the most important literary generes and trends of the period; appraise literary sources in relation to different methods of texts production and diffusion; students will also develop their skills in the area of textual and bibliographical research and enquiry.

Course contents

The course will consist of three sections. The first part will outline the development of Latin language during the Middle Ages. The second section will offer an overview of the history of Latin literature between the 6th and the 15th century. Finally, the third section will focus upon some Latin texts witnessing diffusion and dissemination of written texts and culture between Middle Ages and Humanism. The Latin texts analyzed in this part of the course will be put at the students' disposal through the online platform IOL.

Readings/Bibliography

For the first section, students may refer to following works: P. Stotz, Il latino nel Medioevo: guida allo studio di un'identità linguistica europea, Firenze, SISMEL, 2013; D. Norberg, Manuale di latino medievale, Cava dei Tirreni, Avagliano, 1999.

For the second section, students may rely upon following writings: C. Leonardi, Letteratura Latina medievale, Firenze, SISMEL, 2002; P. Chiesa, La letteratura latina del Medioevo: un profilo storico, Roma, Carocci, 2017.

The Latin texts we will analyze during the third section of the course (e.g. Richer of Rheims, Historiae, Lupus of Ferrières, Epistulae, or Ambrogio Traversari, Epistulae) will be uploaded on the online platform IOL.

Non-attending students are kindly requested to read, in addition to the other texts, the chapter "Il Rinascimento", in L.D. Reynolds-N.G. Wilson, Copisti e filologi. La tradizione dei classici dall'Antichità ai tempi moderni, Padova, Antenore, 2016, pp. 115-154.

Teaching methods

Classes (30 hours). As for the first two parts, classes will consist of introductory lessons given by Prof. Ventura. On the other hand, the third section will include some common readings, discussions, and interpretations of the selected Latin texts involving students.

Assessment methods

The exam will take place in form of interviews. During the exams, students shall show their skills in

- understanding and present the ways in which Latin language evolved during the Middle Ages;

- outlining the main trends in the development of Latin literature between Middle Ages and Humanism;

- commenting upon the selected Latin texts and derive from their witness the ways in which written culture circulated and was disseminated between the 6th and the 15th century.

 

 

Teaching tools

The Latin texts selected for the third section of the course will be uploaded on the IOL platform. In case students will not be able to access the selected readings in consequence of the present situation, Prof. Ventura will offer alternative solutions in order to permit them to prepare the exam.

Students who cannot attend the course are kindly requested to contact Prof. Ventura.

Office hours

See the website of Iolanda Ventura