Comparative Romance Languages and Literatures
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course aims to enable students improve their knowledge of Romance languages and literatures in medieval Europe, accessing their works, authors, contexts and genres in a comparative perspective, through the most advanced tools of philology.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the participants will know extensively the production, circulation and reception dynamics of medieval literary works in Romance Europe; they will also master the most up-to-date methods of historical linguistics and textual criticism, applied to the manuscript and print tradition of texts.
Furthermore, the students will be able to translate or paraphrase accurately works written in different Romance languages, to relate them to each other and to analyze them autonomously, both from a linguistic and from a literary point of view, in light of the most recent developments of criticism; they will also be able to place them in the context in which they were created and to reconstruct their textual and paratextual history, with particular attention to codicological and decorative data.
In addition, students will sharpen their skill to evaluate scientific bibliography independently, observing the development of the critical discussion, and will enhance the ability to expose clearly and properly their knowledge
Furthermore, the students will be able to translate or paraphrase accurately works written in different Romance languages, to relate them to each other and to analyze them autonomously, both from a linguistic and from a literary point of view, in light of the most recent developments of criticism; they will also be able to place them in the context in which they were created and to reconstruct their textual and paratextual history, with particular attention to codicological and decorative data.
In addition, students will sharpen their skill to evaluate scientific bibliography independently, observing the development of the critical discussion, and will enhance the ability to expose clearly and properly their knowledge
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Lessons will be held through the Teams platform, mainly in synchronous form; some lessons (approximately one every two weeks) will be held in presence; all lessons will be and the recording of them will be made available for those who could not attend.
The precise schedule of the lessons will be published by the teacher on the Ariel teaching website; all students are recommended to enroll in the course through the EasyLesson app.
Students will be able to find all the information to access the lessons (links etc.), any changes to the program and any changes in the reference material (bibliography, etc.) on the Ariel teaching website.
If it is not possible to carry out the exam in the manner provided for in the Syllabus, the exam will take place in Teams in the manner that will be communicated on the Ariel teaching site at the end of the course.
The precise schedule of the lessons will be published by the teacher on the Ariel teaching website; all students are recommended to enroll in the course through the EasyLesson app.
Students will be able to find all the information to access the lessons (links etc.), any changes to the program and any changes in the reference material (bibliography, etc.) on the Ariel teaching website.
If it is not possible to carry out the exam in the manner provided for in the Syllabus, the exam will take place in Teams in the manner that will be communicated on the Ariel teaching site at the end of the course.
Course syllabus
The course, entitled «Itineraries of Marco Polo and his book» , consists of the following three parts, which will be addressed in sequence: A) Marco's mosaic: tiles for a portrait; B) In the furrows of the «Devisement du Monde); C) Tradition and rewriting of a multifaceted book.
The exam provides 9 credits; those who intend to acquire only 6 credit will prepare parts A and B.
Part A will put together the data useful to trace Marco Polo's profile, drawing on the archive papers as well as on the pages of his work. Part B will focus on Marco's work in its original form, examining the combination of models and materials that have found a place there. Finally, part C will examinate the multiform legacy of the «Devisement du monde», through very different languages and phases.
The exam provides 9 credits; those who intend to acquire only 6 credit will prepare parts A and B.
Part A will put together the data useful to trace Marco Polo's profile, drawing on the archive papers as well as on the pages of his work. Part B will focus on Marco's work in its original form, examining the combination of models and materials that have found a place there. Finally, part C will examinate the multiform legacy of the «Devisement du monde», through very different languages and phases.
Prerequisites for admission
The course presupposes the competences in comparative historical grammar of the Romance languages, in history of medieval Romance literatures and text criticism which are provided by the courses of Romance Philology (basic and advanced) of the three-year degree.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods: lectures; translation, commentary and critical discussion of texts; direct, even autonomous, examination of digital reproductions of documents by students, medieval manuscripts and prints, with their decorative apparatus, made available through the course website on the Ariel online educational platform (https://lsacchillnc.ariel.ctu.unimi.it); since both materials are complex subjects of study, written in different languages, attendance is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Part A
Students will combine their notes with Giuseppe Gullino, «Marco Polo», «Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani», 84 (2015), on line, available at the adress http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/marco-polo_%28Dizionario-Biografico%29/; further bibliography will be indicated later.
Part B
At the beginning of the unit, students will be provided with a booklet, with excerpts from the «Devisement du monde» to be translated and commented in class and further materials; the reference edition is Marco Polo, «Milione. Le Divisement dou Monde. Il Milione nelle redazioni toscana e franco-italiana», a c. di G. Ronchi, introduzione di Cesare Segre, Milano, Mondadori 2000; students will also study Simon Gaunt, «Marco Polo's «Le Devisement du Monde»: narrative voice, language and diversity», Cambridge, Brewer. Further bibliography will be added later.
Part C
At the beginning of the unit students will be provided with a booklet, which will contain extracts from the «Devisement du monde» and its Romance translations to be commented in class with comparative materials. Further bibliography will be added later.
As a support to the study of the texts in the booklet, students will study Ch. Gadrat-Ouerfelli, «Lire Marco Polo au Moyen Âge. Traduction, diffusion et réception du "Devisement du monde"», Turnhout, Brepols, 2015; Andreose, Alvise, «Tradizione e fortuna del "Devisement dou monde". Note di lettura su "Lire Marco Polo au Moyen Âge" di Christine Gadrat-Ouerfelli», in «Romania», 134, 2016, p. 228-246; Alvaro Barbieri, «Quale Milione? La questione testuale e le principali edizioni moderne del libro di Marco Polo», in «Studi mediolatini e volgari», 42, 1996, p. 9-46.
Students will combine their notes with Giuseppe Gullino, «Marco Polo», «Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani», 84 (2015), on line, available at the adress http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/marco-polo_%28Dizionario-Biografico%29/; further bibliography will be indicated later.
Part B
At the beginning of the unit, students will be provided with a booklet, with excerpts from the «Devisement du monde» to be translated and commented in class and further materials; the reference edition is Marco Polo, «Milione. Le Divisement dou Monde. Il Milione nelle redazioni toscana e franco-italiana», a c. di G. Ronchi, introduzione di Cesare Segre, Milano, Mondadori 2000; students will also study Simon Gaunt, «Marco Polo's «Le Devisement du Monde»: narrative voice, language and diversity», Cambridge, Brewer. Further bibliography will be added later.
Part C
At the beginning of the unit students will be provided with a booklet, which will contain extracts from the «Devisement du monde» and its Romance translations to be commented in class with comparative materials. Further bibliography will be added later.
As a support to the study of the texts in the booklet, students will study Ch. Gadrat-Ouerfelli, «Lire Marco Polo au Moyen Âge. Traduction, diffusion et réception du "Devisement du monde"», Turnhout, Brepols, 2015; Andreose, Alvise, «Tradizione e fortuna del "Devisement dou monde". Note di lettura su "Lire Marco Polo au Moyen Âge" di Christine Gadrat-Ouerfelli», in «Romania», 134, 2016, p. 228-246; Alvaro Barbieri, «Quale Milione? La questione testuale e le principali edizioni moderne del libro di Marco Polo», in «Studi mediolatini e volgari», 42, 1996, p. 9-46.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is individual, and includes questions asked by the teacher, interactions between the teacher and student, and the translation and commentary of one or more excerpts from the works read during the lectures. The interview has a variable duration depending on the number of parts taken by the student; it aims to verify the knowledge relating to the historical-cultural context, the history of the works and their manuscript and printed tradition, as well as the ability to translate (or paraphrase) and comment on the texts read, as well as the ability to expose, the precision in the use of specific terminology, the capacity for critical and personal reflection on the proposed themes. Marks are out of 30, and the student has the right to refuse the proposed mark (in this case it will be verbalized as «withdrawn»).
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher early. The assessment procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be discussed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher early. The assessment procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be discussed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
Unita' didattica A
L-FIL-LET/09 - ROMANCE PHILOLOGY AND LINGUISTICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-FIL-LET/09 - ROMANCE PHILOLOGY AND LINGUISTICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-FIL-LET/09 - ROMANCE PHILOLOGY AND LINGUISTICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
By appointment only, wednesday 10.00-13.00
Teams class "Ricevimento Luca Sacchi"