31219 - Germanic Philology 1 (M-Z)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will possess the theoretical and material fundamentals in order to understand the Germanic languages, literatures and cultures (which must be intended like corpora indipendently from their literary value) from their proto-historical past to the end of the Middle Ages, in other words the cultures that Germanic peoples starting from the prehistorical period. The Middle Ages will be at the centre of investigation because in that period the common Germanic cultural milieu is more evident through the large number of sources and documentation in Old Germanic languages and literatures. The student will be able to read, translate and give a philological and linguistic comment to a short passage in an Old Germanic language

Course contents

Module A (30hrs):

Fundamentals of Germanic Philology

The course offers a wide overview on the cultural peculiarities of the Germanic peoples and on the phonetic and morpho-syntactical characteristics of the main old Germanic languages.

Module B (30hrs):

Beowulf

This module is dedicated to the only heroic poem which has been handed down to us in Old English: Beowulf. The poem narrates the story of the hero of the Geats, slayer of terrible creatures. Beowulf was written by an unknown Christian author for a Christian audience and it presents an ancient heathen warrior society. The main critical issues of the poem, which will be read in Italian, will be dealt with in the course.

Readings/Bibliography

Module A:

Teaching materials on disposal on the web page of the course;

Marco Battaglia, I Germani. Genesi di una cultura europea, Roma, Carocci, 2013, pp. 109-112, 117-124; 131-147; 149-181; 199-213; 249-262; 282-294; 317-326.

Vittoria Dolcetti Corazza, Introduzione alla filologia germanica, Alessandria, Edizioni dell'Orso, 3° ediz., 2009, capitolo V (pp. 83-110).

Module B:

Beowulf, a cura di Giuseppe Brunetti, Roma, Carocci editore, 2003.

Robert E. Bjork, “Digressions and Episodes”, in A Beowulf Handbook, Robert E. Bjork and John D. Niles (eds.), Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press, 1997, pp. 193-212.

Edward B. Irving Jr., “Christian and Pagan Elements”, in A Beowulf Handbook, Robert E. Bjork and John D. Niles (eds.), Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press, 1997, pp. 175-192.

Eric Gerald Stanley, A Collection of Papers with Emphasis on Old English Literature, Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, 1987, “Beowulf”, pp. 139-169 e “The Narrative Art of Beowulf”, pp. 170-191.

NO attending students:

Students who do not attend the course have to learn also following textes:

Module A

M. Battaglia, I Germani. Genesi di una cultura europea, Roma, Carocci, 2013 (lettura integrale).

Anna Maria Luiselli Fadda, Tradizioni manoscritte e critica del testo nel Medioevo germanico, Roma, Laterza, 1994, pp. 113-135.

Maria Vittoria Molinari, La filologia germanica, Zanichelli, 1987 (lettura integrale).

Herwig Wolfram, I germani, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2005.

Module B

Robert E. Bjork and John D. Niles (eds.), A Beowulf Handbook, Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press, 1997, capitoli 1, 2, 9, 10, 11 e 14.

Edward B. Irving Jr., A Reading of Beowulf, New Haven - London, Yale UP, 1969.

Teaching methods

Lecture

Assessment methods

The exam consists in an oral interview on both modules, which can not be shared into separated moments. During the interview the methodological and critical skills acquired by the student will be evaluated. The student will be invited to discuss the texts covered during the course and to move within the sources and bibliographical material in order to be able to identify in them the useful information that will enable him/her to illustrate the similarities and cultural areas of the discipline. The achievement of an organic vision of the issues addressed during the classes and their critical use, which demonstrate ownership of a mastery of expression and specific language, will be assessed with marks of excellence. Mechanical and / or mnemonic knowledge of matter, synthesis and analysis of non-articulating and / or correct language but not always appropriate will lead to discrete assessments; training gaps and / or inappropriate language - although in a context of minimal knowledge of the material - will lead to votes that will not exceed the sufficiency. Training gaps, inappropriate language, lack of guidance within the reference materials offered during the course will lead to failed assessments.

Teaching tools

Lectures notes provided by the teacher.

Office hours

See the website of Davide Bertagnolli