B5042 - Medieval Latin Literature (1)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students know the outline of the history of Middle Latin literature and have the ability to analyze, from a literary point of view, texts both in original language and in Italian translation.

Course contents

Medicine in the Middle Ages: a History through Texts.

The course will offer an overview of the history of medicine and medical literature from the 5th to the 14th century. It will deal with the most representative texts, addressing questions such as their theoretical background, their vision of medicine and its branches (anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, surgery), and their manuscript tradition. Through that selection of texts, we will explore the development of medieval medicine, its relations with Ancient medical culture (Hippocrates, Galen), and its evolution as a professional and academic branch of knowledge. In particular, we will examine the role of medicine in Late Medieval universities.

The course will be held in English.

All students welcome (recommended for international students)

Readings/Bibliography

- F. Wallis (ed.), Medieval Medicine, a Reader, Toronto, University of Toronto Press, 2010;

- W. Black (ed.), Medicine and Healing in the Pre-Modern West, Peterborough, Ontario, Broadview Press, 2020;

- La Medicina nel Basso Medioevo: tradizioni e conflitti. Atti del atti del LV Convegno storico internazionale,Todi, 14-16 ottobre 2018, Spoleto, CISAM, 2019.

Further literature will be given during the course, and uploaded on the Virtuale platform.

Teaching methods

Lectures and seminars involving class discussion and text analysis

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) and with the professor in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Assessment methods

The exams will consists of an interview. Student will be examined in their skills to

- identify and describe the historical development of Medieval Latin medicine, as well as the main steps and phases of its history and its representative texts;

- recognize the different perspectives and orientations of Medieval medical literature;

- translate, discuss, and comment upon the selected texts.

Strong emphasis will be given when evaluating the students, to their skills in describing the cultural phenomena and the specific attributes of the texts discussed during the Course.

Students who attend classes may choose between two different options: 1) take the oral exam, and answer questions put by Prof. Ventura; 2) select a topic (an author, a text, a branch of Medieval medicine) related to the Course program, and prepare an exposé to be presented during the exam. If they chose this option, students must fix a subject and submit a bibliography in agreement with Prof. Ventura at least 30 days before the examination date.

Student who cannot attend classes will answer questions related to texts and topics concerning the history of Medieval medicine. At any rate, they are requested to contact Prof. Ventura in time, and fix an appointment for a meeting with her, in order to prepare themselves for the exam.

Teaching tools

During classes, Prof. Ventura will provide students with further readings.

The Latin texts discussed during the Course will be uploaded on the "Virtuale" platform.

Office hours

See the website of Iolanda Ventura