Medieval History | Università degli Studi di Milano Statale

The aim of the course is to provide the broad outlines of medieval history, as well as the tools necessary to critically understand the main political, economic, social and religious elements visible during the centuries of the late ancient age to the early Renaissance.

Expected learning outcomes

By the end of the course the student will have acquired the knowledge of the political-institutional, socio-economic and cultural development of Medieval history, from 5th to the 15th centuries. They shall also be able to place the most representative events and figures in their chronological and geographical contexts. The student will be able to use language tools (language properties, correct specific lexicon) to express, in a clear and effective form, concepts of a political, institutional, economic, and religious nature; they will be able to read critically historiographical works and use the main tools, including digital tools, for the research and analysis of sources. These skills will be acquired through a direct and continuous meeting with the instructor in the classroom. The discussion around the proposed sources will be an essential moment of critical reflection and methodological learning. Participation in meetings and seminars organized within the Department of Historical Studies will also be of great importance. Students opting not to attend the lessons will be able to make use of the educational tools provided by the instructor on Ariel, deepen their knowledge of main topics through special readings with the agreement with the instructor, and of course contact the instructor either by e-mail and during office hours

Lesson period: Activity scheduled over several sessions (see Course syllabus and organization section for more detailed information).

Lessons timetable

Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi

Exams calendar

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.

Search a single course

Course syllabus and organization

I semester A-L

Responsible

Grillo Paolo

Lesson period

First semester

Syllabus
Course structure

Course syllabus

Title of the course: Society and environment in the Middle Ages
Part 1: Medieval History
Part 2: Medieval History: sources and methods
Part 3: Society and environment in the Middle Ages

Prerequisites for admission

There are no specific requirements different from those requested for the degree admission.

Teaching methods

Attendance to classes is strongly recommended although not compulsory. The teaching is delivered through frontal lectures aimed primarily at the acquisition of knowledge, competence and specific language of the subject. Discussion with the teacher in the classroom is integrant part of the didactic method and aims at promoting a critical attitude and the capacity to apply the acquired competence and knowledge.
The teaching is also based on didactic and multimedia material provided on Ariel.

Teaching Resources

Attending students:
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (modules 1 and 2)
Textbook: P. Grillo, Storia Medievale. Italia, Europa, Mediterraneo, Pearson ed.
Knowledge of one of the following volumes:
D. Abulafia, Federico II. Un imperatore medievale, Torino, Einaudi
A. Barbero, Carlo Magno: un padre dell'Europa, Roma-Bari, Laterza
D. Boquet, P. Nagy, Medioevo sensibile. Una storia delle emozioni, Roma, Carocci
A. Demurger, Crociate e crociati nel Medioevo, Milano, Garzanti
J. Haldon, L'impero che non voleva morire, Torino, Einaudi
F. Menant, L'Italia dei comuni (1100-1350), Roma, Viella,
R. Rao, I paesaggi dell'Italia medievale, Carocci ed.
- Programme for 9 cfu:
- Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (modules 1, 2, 3)
- Textbook: P. Grillo, Storia Medievale. Italia, Europa, Mediterraneo, Pearson ed.
- Knowledge of one of the following volumes:
D. Abulafia, Federico II. Un imperatore medievale, Torino, Einaudi
A. Barbero, Carlo Magno: un padre dell'Europa, Roma-Bari, Laterza
D. Boquet, P. Nagy, Medioevo sensibile. Una storia delle emozioni, Roma, Carocci
A. Demurger, Crociate e crociati nel Medioevo, Milano, Garzanti
J. Haldon, L'impero che non voleva morire, Torino, Einaudi
F. Menant, L'Italia dei comuni (1100-1350), Roma, Viella,
R. Rao, I paesaggi dell'Italia medievale, Carocci ed.
- And one of the following volumes
G. Albini, Poveri e povertà nel medioevo, Roma, Carocci
A. Cortonesi, Il Medioevo degli alberi, Roma, Carocci
S. Gasparri, C. La Rocca, Tempi barbarici. L'Europa occidentale tra antichità e medioevo (300-900), Roma, Carocci
N. D'Acunto, La lotta per le investiture. Una rivoluzione medievale, Roma, Carocci
P. Grillo, Manfredi di Svevia, Roma, Salerno
A. A. Settia, Castelli medievali, Bologna, Il Mulino
Non-attending students:
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Textbook: P. Grillo, Storia Medievale. Italia, Europa, Mediterraneo, Pearson ed.
Knowledge of: P. Grillo, Le porte del mondo, Milano, Mondadori
And one of the following volumes:
D. Abulafia, Federico II. Un imperatore medievale, Torino, Einaudi
G. Albini, Poveri e povertà nel medioevo, Roma, Carocci
A. Barbero, Carlo Magno: un padre dell'Europa, Roma-Bari, Laterza
A. Demurger, Crociate e crociati nel Medioevo, Milano, Garzanti
J. Haldon, L'impero che non voleva morire, Torino, Einaudi
P. Grillo, Nascita di una cattedrale. Le origini del Duomo di Milano, Milano, Mondadori
P. Grillo, Manfredi di Svevia, Roma, Salerno
F. Menant, L'Italia dei comuni (1100-1350), Roma, Viella
- Programme for 9 cfu:
- Textbook: P. Grillo, Storia Medievale. Italia, Europa, Mediterraneo, Pearson ed.
Knowledge of: P. Grillo, Le porte del mondo, Milano, Mondadori
- One of the following volumes:
D. Abulafia, Federico II. Un imperatore medievale, Torino, Einaudi
G. Albini, Poveri e povertà nel medioevo, Roma, Carocci
A. Barbero, Carlo Magno: un padre dell'Europa, Roma-Bari, Laterza
A. Demurger, Crociate e crociati nel Medioevo, Milano, Garzanti
J. Haldon, L'impero che non voleva morire, Torino, Einaudi
P. Grillo, Nascita di una cattedrale. Le origini del Duomo di Milano, Milano, Mondadori
P. Grillo, Manfredi di Svevia, Roma, Salerno
F. Menant, L'Italia dei comuni (1100-1350), Roma, Viella
- And one of the following volumes:
D. Boquet, P. Nagy, Medioevo sensibile. Una storia delle emozioni, Roma, Carocci
A. Cortonesi, Il Medioevo degli alberi, Roma, Carocci
N. D'Acunto, La lotta per le investiture. Una rivoluzione medievale, Roma, Carocci
S. Gasparri, C. La Rocca, Tempi barbarici. L'Europa occidentale tra antichità e medioevo (300-900), Roma, Carocci
R. Rao, I paesaggi dell'Italia medievale, Roma, Carocci

Assessment methods and Criteria

- Method: oral exam
- Type of examination. Oral exam.
- Evaluation criteria: capacity to demonstrate and elaborate knowledge; capacity for critical reflection on the completed work; quality of exposition, competence in the use of specialised lexicon, efficacy, clarity.
- Type of evaluation method: mark in 30s
- NB: one elective mid-term evaluation (at the end of the second part of the lecture term) will be organised on behalf of the attending students only. It will consist of a 45 minutes written test with both multiple choice and open questions, and it will be on lectures and textbook. The final evaluation will comprise by the average of the marks of mid-term evaluation and final exam.
- Method of communication of the assessment results of mid-term evaluation: Ariel site.

The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant office.

Unita didattica A

M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3

Lessons: 20 hours

Professor: Grillo Paolo

Unita' didattica B

M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3

Lessons: 20 hours

Professor: Grillo Paolo

Unita' didattica C

M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3

Lessons: 20 hours

Professor: Moglia Maddalena

I semester M-Z

Responsible

Covini Maria Nadia

Lesson period

First semester

Syllabus
Course structure

Course syllabus

Teaching content - Middle Ages: society, economy, politics and culture
I Part: From Late Antiquity to Middle Ages. Cristianity and Islam.
II Part: Carolingian states, seigneurial society, medieval monarchies. Italian Communes and political developments in the Late middle Ages
III Part: European expansion: wars, crusades, commercial expansion. Culture and medieval universities.

Prerequisites for admission

No specific requirements except those requested for the degree admission

Teaching methods

The lessons, together with the textbooks, are intended to transmit the knowledge, skills and language of the discipline. The discussion in the classroom with the teacher is an integral part of the teaching method and intends to promote in the student the critical spirit and the ability to apply the skills and knowledge acquired.
To support the lessons, slides, texts, images and other materials will be provided on the ARIEL platform.

Teaching Resources

This programme is shaped on two categories of students, attendand and non attendand students .
Mandatory text (for everybody)
P. Grillo, Storia medievale. Italia, Europa, Mediterraneo, Pearson, Milano-Torino 2019
and
G. Sergi, L'idea di Medioevo: fra storia e senso comune, Roma, Donzelli (recent editions).
Attendant students will work on content of lessons, on slides, texts and other materials provided on Ariel site (together with the two mandatory texts indicated above).
Non attendant students will choose one more text (for 6 CFU) or two more texts (9 CFU) from the above list (see the title "materiale di riferimento Italiano")
International or Erasmus incoming students can schedule an interview for an alternative exam program, possibly in English.

Assessment methods and Criteria

The exam consists is an oral interrogation.
Evaluation criteria: capacity to demonstrate and elaborate knowledge; capacity for critical reflection on the topics studied; quality, linearity and clarity of the exposition, competence in the use of specific lexicon.
Type of evaluation method: mark in 30s.
Mid-term assessment will be reserved to attending students. The written exam may consist of open questions about the subjects of the lessons.
The assessment results will be published on Ariel site.
The exam is oral, but, only in case of crowded sessions, a written test of 20 minutes can be requested (concerning principal events of Middle Ages, chronologies, definitions).
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor. Any problems or personal difficulties that may affect the exam can be reported to the teacher, before the exam, in a private interview.

Unita didattica A

M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3

Lessons: 20 hours

Unita' didattica B

M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3

Lessons: 20 hours

Unita' didattica C

M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3

Lessons: 20 hours

II semester A-L

Responsible

Pagnoni Fabrizio

Lesson period

Second semester

Syllabus
Course structure

Course syllabus

Title of the course: Medieval worlds
Part 1: The transformation of the Late-Antiquity
Part 2: New European and Mediterranean order
Part 3: Growth, crisis, change

Prerequisites for admission

There are no specific requirements different from those requested for the degree admission.

Teaching methods

Attendance to classes is strongly recommended, although not compulsory. The teaching is delivered through frontal lectures aimed primarily at the acquisition of knowledge, competence, and specific language of the subject. Discussion with the teacher in the classroom is part of the didactic method and aims at promoting a critical attitude and the capacity to apply the acquired competence and knowledge. The teaching is also based on didactic and multimedia material provided on Ariel.

Teaching Resources

ATTENDING STUDENTS
Program for 6 cfu
-Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (modules 1 and 2)
-Textbook: P. Grillo, Storia Medievale. Italia, Europa, Mediterraneo [Pearson]
-Knowledge of one of the following volumes:
- S. Gasparri, C. La Rocca, Tempi barbarici. L'Europa occidentale tra antichità e medioevo [Carocci]
- C. Azzara, A. Rapetti, La Chiesa nel Medioevo, Il Mulino [Il Mulino]
- D. Abulafia, I regni del Mediterraneo occidentale dal 1200 al 1500. La lotta per il dominio, Laterza [Laterza]
- F. Menant, L'Italia dei comuni (1110-1350) [Viella]
- M. Mallett, Signori e mercenari. La guerra nell'Italia del Rinascimento [Il Mulino]

Program for 9 cfu
-Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures.
-Textbook: P. Grillo, Storia Medievale. Italia, Europa, Mediterraneo [Pearson]
-Knowledge of one of the following volumes:
- S. Gasparri, C. La Rocca, Tempi barbarici. L'Europa occidentale tra antichità e medioevo [Carocci]
- C. Azzara, A. Rapetti, La Chiesa nel Medioevo, Il Mulino [Il Mulino]
- F. Menant, L'Italia dei comuni (1110-1350) [Viella]
- D. Abulafia, I regni del Mediterraneo occidentale dal 1200 al 1500. La lotta per il dominio, Laterza [Laterza]
- M. Mallett, Signori e mercenari. La guerra nell'Italia del Rinascimento [Il Mulino]

-And the knowledge of one of the following volumes:
- P. Brown, Il mondo tardo antico. Da Marco Aurelio a Maometto [Einaudi]
- H. Keller, Gli Ottoni [Carocci]
- N. D'Acunto, La lotta per le investiture. Una rivoluzione medievale (998-1122) [Carocci]
- E. Orlando, Le repubbliche marinare [Laterza]
- L. Provero, Dalla guerra alla pace. L'Arazzo di Bayeux e la conquista normanna dell'Inghilterra (secolo XI) [Firenze university Press]
- I. Lazzarini, L'Italia degli Stati territoriali [Laterza]

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
Program for 6 cfu
-Textbook: P. Grillo, Storia Medievale. Italia, Europa, Mediterraneo [Pearson]
-Knowledge of the volume: V. Fumagalli, Storie di Val Padana [Il Mulino]
-Knowledge of one of the following volumes:
- S. Gasparri, C. La Rocca, Tempi barbarici. L'Europa occidentale tra antichità e medioevo [Carocci]
- C. Azzara, A. Rapetti, La Chiesa nel Medioevo, Il Mulino [Il Mulino]
- F. Menant, L'Italia dei comuni (1110-1350) [Viella]
- D. Abulafia, I regni del Mediterraneo occidentale dal 1200 al 1500. La lotta per il dominio, Laterza [Laterza]
- M. Mallett, Signori e mercenari. La guerra nell'Italia del Rinascimento [Il Mulino]

Program for 9 cfu
-Textbook: P. Grillo, Storia Medievale. Italia, Europa, Mediterraneo [Pearson]
-Knowledge of the volume: V. Fumagalli, Storie di Val Padana [Il Mulino]
-Knowledge of one of the following volumes:
- S. Gasparri, C. La Rocca, Tempi barbarici. L'Europa occidentale tra antichità e medioevo [Carocci]
- C. Azzara, A. Rapetti, La Chiesa nel Medioevo, Il Mulino [Il Mulino]
- F. Menant, L'Italia dei comuni (1110-1350) [Viella]
- D. Abulafia, I regni del Mediterraneo occidentale dal 1200 al 1500. La lotta per il dominio, Laterza [Laterza]
- M. Mallett, Signori e mercenari. La guerra nell'Italia del Rinascimento [Il Mulino]

-And the knowledge of two of the following volumes:
- P. Brown, Il mondo tardo antico. Da Marco Aurelio a Maometto [Einaudi]
- H. Keller, Gli Ottoni [Carocci]
- N. D'Acunto, La lotta per le investiture. Una rivoluzione medievale (998-1122) [Carocci]
- E. Orlando, Le repubbliche marinare [Laterza]
- L. Provero, Dalla guerra alla pace. L'Arazzo di Bayeux e la conquista normanna dell'Inghilterra (secolo XI) [Firenze university Press]
- I. Lazzarini, L'Italia degli Stati territoriali [Laterza]

International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan (available in English) for exam preparation.

Assessment methods and Criteria

-Method: oral exam.
-Type of examination. Oral exam.
-Evaluation criteria: capacity to demonstrate and elaborate knowledge; capacity for critical reflection on the completed work; quality of exposition, competence in the use of specialized lexicon, efficacy, clarity.
-Type of evaluation method: mark in 30s.
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant office.

Unita didattica A

M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3

Lessons: 20 hours

Unita' didattica B

M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3

Lessons: 20 hours

Unita' didattica C

M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3

Lessons: 20 hours

II semester M-Z

Responsible

Gazzini Marina

Lesson period

Second semester

Syllabus
(active tab)
Course structure

Course syllabus

Title of the course: The Crusades: history, myth and memory
Part 1: The Early and High Middle Ages
Part 2: The Late Middle Ages
Part 3: Monographic lessons : The Crusades: history, myth and memory

Prerequisites for admission

There are no specific requirements different from those requested for the degree admission.

Teaching methods

Attendance at classes is strongly recommended, although not compulsory. The course consists of lessons aimed primarily at acquiring the knowledge, skills and language of the discipline. This is complemented by a space dedicated to memes, produced by the students, to test the level of understanding of the subject within the class. Finally, the course uses teaching materials (audiopowerpoints, maps, videos, timelapses) uploaded onto the ARIEL platform.

Teaching Resources

ATTENDING STUDENTS

Programme for 6 cfu (units A + B)
Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures
Textbook: Andrea Zorzi, Manuale di storia medievale, 2nd EDITION 2021

Programme fro 9 cfu (units A+B+C)
Besides the programme for 6 cfu, it's requested the knowledge of the topics taught in lectures
Knowledge of one free choise volume among
- Antonio Musarra, Le crociate. L'idea, la storia, il mito, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2022
- Fulvio Delle Donne, Federico II. La crociata della pace, Roma, Carocci, 2022
- Franco Cardini, Antonio Musarra, Il grande racconto delle crociate, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2019

In case of doubts about terminology and historical and geographic details, it's high recommended the use of the following dictionaries:
- Enciclopedia del Medioevo, Le Garzantine, Milano: Garzanti, 2007
- A. Barbero, C. Frugoni, Dizionario del Medioevo, Roma-Bari: Laterza 1994

NON ATTENDING STUDENTS

Programme for 6 cfu (units A + B)
Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures
Textbook: Andrea Zorzi, Manuale di storia medievale, 2nd EDITION 2021
- The volume: G. Sergi, L'idea di medioevo. Fra storia e senso comune, Torino: Donzelli, 2005 (also in digital edition)

Programme for 9 cfu (units A+B+C)
Besides the programme for 6 cfu, it's requested the knowledge of two free choise volume among
- Antonio Musarra, Le crociate. L'idea, la storia, il mito, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2022
- Fulvio Delle Donne, Federico II. La crociata della pace, Roma, Carocci, 2022
- Franco Cardini, Antonio Musarra, Il grande racconto delle crociate, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2019
- Antonio Musarra, Gli ultimi crociati. Templari e francescani in Terrasanta, Roma, Salerno editrice, 2021

In case of doubts about terminology and historical and geographic details, it's high recommended the use of the following dictionaries:
- Enciclopedia del Medioevo, Le Garzantine, Milano: Garzanti, 2007
- A. Barbero, C. Frugoni, Dizionario del Medioevo, Roma-Bari: Laterza 1994

Assessment methods and Criteria

- Method: oral exam
- Type of examination: oral interrogation
- Evaluation criteria: capacity to demonstrate and elaborate knowledge; capacity for critical reflection on the completed work; quality of exposition; competence in the use of specialised lexicon; efficacy; clarity.
- Type of evaluation method: mark in 30s.
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant office.

Unita didattica A

M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3

Lessons: 20 hours

Unita' didattica B

M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3

Lessons: 20 hours

Unita' didattica C

M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3

Lessons: 20 hours

Professor(s)

Covini Maria Nadia

Reception:

see italian version - Please send a mail message in advance

Settore B - Aula B 23 or Platform Microsoft Teams - team Ricevimento Covini code ekuhtqk

Reception:

Monday 09:00 - 10:30 (please send an email in advance)

Settore B - Aula B 23

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