Civilization and Culture in the Middle Ages
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The objective is twofold: on the one hand it is to offer a general summary framework for the contents of political communication in the Middle Ages (and therefore on the societal ideals that the different political actors cultivated) and on the other to investigate the characteristics and effectiveness of each communicative medium (written word, oral tradition, rituals, images). The course also aims to provide lexical and conceptual tools suitable for both scientific and popular historical communication relating to medieval civilization.
Expected learning outcomes
The course aims to introduce participants to the historical reflection on political communication in the Middle Ages, opening them to the use of published and unpublished sources and essential printed and online bibliographic tools. Through the analysis of concrete examples, students will be introduced to different methodologies of historical investigation and the study of documentation. At the end of the course students will be able to critically read primary sources and scientific texts relating to the historical period under consideration and develop independent reflections on the main historical and historiographical issues of the Medieval period. These skills will be acquired through a direct and continuous comparison with the aid of the instructor in the classroom: in particular, through critical reflection on proposed texts for individual study and participation in seminar activities. These will be expressed during the course, through presentation and discussion by the students - individually or in groups - of readings suggested by the teacher.
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 suggested of the instructor, and of course contact the instructor either by e-mail and during office hours.
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 suggested of the instructor, and of course contact the instructor either by e-mail and during office hours.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Title of the course: La comunicazione politica nel basso medioevo
Part 1: The High Middle Ages
Part 2: The Communal period
Part 3: The Later Middle Ages
Part 1: The High Middle Ages
Part 2: The Communal period
Part 3: The Later Middle Ages
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific requirements different from those requested for the admission to the MA degree in historical sciences
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.
In addition to frontal lectures, team works and/or individual presentations are envisaged
The teaching is also based on didactic and multimedia material provided on Ariel.
In addition to frontal lectures, team works and/or individual presentations are envisaged
Teaching Resources
Attending students:
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (Parts1 and 2)
Knowledge of one of the following two volumes:
- A. Gamberini, La legittimità contesa. Costruzione statale e culture politiche (secoli XII-XV), Roma, Viella 2016
- Q. Skinner, Le origini del pensiero politico moderno, I, Il Rinascimento, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1989 e ss.
- Programme for 9 cfu:
Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (Parts 1, 2, 3)
Knowledge of both the following volumes:
- A. Gamberini, La legittimità contesa. Costruzione statale e culture politiche (Lombardia, secoli XII-XV), Roma, Viella, 2016
- G. Ortalli, La pittura infamante. Secoli XIII-XVI, Roma, Viella, 2015
Non-attending students:
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Knowledge of two of the following volumes (one in list A and one in list B)
List A
A. Gamberini, La legittimità contesa. Costruzione statale e culture politiche (Lombardia, secoli XII-XV), Roma, Viella, 2016
Q. Skinner, Le origini del pensiero politico moderno, I, Il Rinascimento, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1989 e ss.
List B
G. Milani, L'uomo con la borsa al collo. Genealogia e uso di un'immagine medievale, Roma, Viella, 2017
G. Ortalli, La pittura infamante. Secoli XIII-XVI, Roma, Viella, 2015
C. Frugoni, Senza misericordia. Il «Trionfo della Morte» e la «Danza macabra» a Clusone, Torino, Einaudi, 2016
- Programme for 9 cfu:
Knowledge of three of the following volumes/texts (one in list A, one in list B and one in list C):
List A
A. Gamberini, La legittimità contesa. Costruzione statale e culture politiche (Lombardia, secoli XII-XV), Roma, Viella, 2016
Q. Skinner, Le origini del pensiero politico moderno, I, Il Rinascimento, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1989 e ss.
List B
G. Milani, L'uomo con la borsa al collo. Genealogia e uso di un'immagine medievale, Roma, Viella, 2017
G. Ortalli, La pittura infamante. Secoli XIII-XVI, Roma, Viella, 2015
C. Frugoni, Senza misericordia. Il «Trionfo della Morte» e la «Danza macabra» a Clusone, Torino, Einaudi, 2016
List C
Le Forme della propaganda politica nel Due e nel Trecento, a cura di P. Cammarosano, Roma 1994 (5 saggi: quelli di Andenna, Zorzi, Artifoni, Donato e Bartoli Langeli). Free download at https://www.persee.fr/issue/efr_0000-0000_1994_act_201_1
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.
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (Parts1 and 2)
Knowledge of one of the following two volumes:
- A. Gamberini, La legittimità contesa. Costruzione statale e culture politiche (secoli XII-XV), Roma, Viella 2016
- Q. Skinner, Le origini del pensiero politico moderno, I, Il Rinascimento, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1989 e ss.
- Programme for 9 cfu:
Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (Parts 1, 2, 3)
Knowledge of both the following volumes:
- A. Gamberini, La legittimità contesa. Costruzione statale e culture politiche (Lombardia, secoli XII-XV), Roma, Viella, 2016
- G. Ortalli, La pittura infamante. Secoli XIII-XVI, Roma, Viella, 2015
Non-attending students:
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Knowledge of two of the following volumes (one in list A and one in list B)
List A
A. Gamberini, La legittimità contesa. Costruzione statale e culture politiche (Lombardia, secoli XII-XV), Roma, Viella, 2016
Q. Skinner, Le origini del pensiero politico moderno, I, Il Rinascimento, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1989 e ss.
List B
G. Milani, L'uomo con la borsa al collo. Genealogia e uso di un'immagine medievale, Roma, Viella, 2017
G. Ortalli, La pittura infamante. Secoli XIII-XVI, Roma, Viella, 2015
C. Frugoni, Senza misericordia. Il «Trionfo della Morte» e la «Danza macabra» a Clusone, Torino, Einaudi, 2016
- Programme for 9 cfu:
Knowledge of three of the following volumes/texts (one in list A, one in list B and one in list C):
List A
A. Gamberini, La legittimità contesa. Costruzione statale e culture politiche (Lombardia, secoli XII-XV), Roma, Viella, 2016
Q. Skinner, Le origini del pensiero politico moderno, I, Il Rinascimento, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1989 e ss.
List B
G. Milani, L'uomo con la borsa al collo. Genealogia e uso di un'immagine medievale, Roma, Viella, 2017
G. Ortalli, La pittura infamante. Secoli XIII-XVI, Roma, Viella, 2015
C. Frugoni, Senza misericordia. Il «Trionfo della Morte» e la «Danza macabra» a Clusone, Torino, Einaudi, 2016
List C
Le Forme della propaganda politica nel Due e nel Trecento, a cura di P. Cammarosano, Roma 1994 (5 saggi: quelli di Andenna, Zorzi, Artifoni, Donato e Bartoli Langeli). Free download at https://www.persee.fr/issue/efr_0000-0000_1994_act_201_1
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 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
- 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.
- 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
- 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
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
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
by appointment to be fixed via email
Department Chair's Office, History Courtyard, 1st Floor