Historical Methodology: Interpreting Medieval Sources

The course aims to offer the necessary tools to analyze, provide the knowledge of the main forms and the most important editions of the sources of Medieval History. The course also aims to provide lexical and conceptual tools suitable for both scientific and popular historical communication.

The course aims to introduce participants to historical reflection of sources for the study of Medieval History, opening them to the use of the main documentary collections published and unpublished and the printed and online bibliographic tools essential for the study of the Middle Ages. Through the analysis of concrete examples, students will be introduced to different methodologies of historical investigation and the study of archival 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 documents and texts proposed for individual analysis and participation in seminar activities. These will be expressed during the course, through presentation and discussion by the students - individually or in groups - regarding documents proposed by the instructor.
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.