11379 - Medieval History

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student is able of a critic analysis about themes concerning history and structures of the Middle Ages by means of reflection about historiographer and documental sources; he knows, besides, chief themes, events and phenomenons of medieval world. He is able to place specific problems in wider contexts and to value with scientific judgements the results of acquired notions. He is able to orient himself into time and space, and has principal instruments for information and research on line too. He reads historiograpgher texts in another language besides italian and is able to communicate orally using subjct's technical terminology. The student shows a good knowledge of chief themes, events and phenomenons of roman world.

Course contents

First part (30 hours) - We will study, however in general terms, medieval history, in Europe and in Italy, with critical and bibliographical adjournments. The arguments will be: the decline anf fall of the Roman Empire, the arrival of barbarian peoples, the Christianity, islamic civilization, Byzantium, carolingian world, Holy Roman Empire, the growth of XI and XII centuries, the crusades, the birth of national kingdoms, urban and communal civilization in Italy, religious movements, crisis of fourteenth century, new settlements of fifteenth century.

Second part (30 hours)- By means of tools and methods of medievistic historiographer and with specific focuses, we will study how the concept of Middle Ages, in the common sense and in the image proposed by mass-media and school too, is full of commonplaces and not veritable.

Readings/Bibliography

Part A:
It is very much recommended A. CORTONESI, Il Medioevo. Profilo di un millennio, Roma, Carocci, 2014 (Ia edizione 2008). For every other handbook it is compulsory to agree with professor.

Part B: 
 Middle Age and its commonplaces. Text: G. SERGI, L'idea del Medioevo fra storia e senso comune, Roma, Donzelli, 2005; Moreover: P. DELOGU, Introduzione allo studio della storia medievale, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2003 (and eventual following editions) (only chapters I -till Ludovico Antonio Muratori included-, II, IV).
It is also compulsory to study: L. MASCANZONI, La crociata contro Francesco II Ordelaffi (1356-1359) nello specchio della storiografia. Exurgant Insuper Christi Milites, Bologna, Pàtron Editore, 2017.

All the students who don't attend lessons must study: A. TENENTI, L'Italia del Quattrocento. Economia e società, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1996 and 2004 (second edition) (original title and edition: Les hommes et leurs cités part third of book L'Italie de la Renaissance. Un monde en mutation (1378-1494), di Christian Bec, Ivan Cloulas, Bertrand Jestaz, Alberto Tenenti, Paris 1990, Librairie Arthème Fayard); C. WICKHAM, Sonnambuli verso un nuovo mondo. L'affermazione dei comuni italiani nel XII secolo, Traduzione e cura editoriale di L. Provero, Roma, Viella, 2017 (ediz. orig.: Sleepwalking into a New World. italian City Communes in the Twelfth Century, Princeton, Princeton University Press 2015).

Lessons will start on monday 29 january 2018; monday h. 11-13 Hall "Fumagalli" DSCC; wednesday h. 11-13 Hall "Fumagalli" DSCC; friday h. 15-17 Hall "Capitani" DSCC. Academic quarter of an hour is expected.

The students will be received on monday, office 6, II floor, DSCC, h. 15-17.

Teaching methods

The teacher will make frontal lessons.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of an oral test on both parts that cannot be divided. The oral examination is meant to value critical and methodological skills of the student. The student should be able to consult the sources and bibliography in order to underline the most important aspects of the subject. The abilities of the student to know the sources and the bibliography in order to draw useful informations about the subject will be very appreciate. A deep knowledge of the subject, a critical overview of it and a specific language will bring to excellent marks. A summary knowledge of the subject, a moderate synthesis and an approximate language will bring to good marks. Formative gaps and unappropriate language will bring to sufficient marks. Formative gaps, unappropriate language and unhability to consult the sources and bibliography will bring to insufficient marks.

Teaching tools

As direct help for didactics there are essential and traditional tools. As indirect help the use of pc will be useful through slides projection.

Office hours

See the website of Leardo Mascanzoni