This course is a general introduction to the political, economic, social and cultural aspects of the medieval millennium in Italy, Europe and the Mediterranean area. Taking this course should allow students to achieve a decent level of understanding of the principal cognitive tools involved (historical research methods, use and role of sources, historiography) and the fundamental themes that characterize the study of this period. Particular attention will be placed on the concept that history is not simply a consolidated description of facts to memorize, but rather a continuously evolving reflection on things that happened, even if a long time ago, which in reality still condition our present.

This course presents diachronically some macro-themes of medieval history, for example: the passage from antiquity to the middle ages, Islam, empire, the Church, government institutions, environmental, social and demographic evolution, the city, the economy, the concept of the Middle ages, gender history. The course will also involve reading and comment on some medieval sources. The syllabus will be handed out during the first lessons and will be published online.

Knowledge and understanding
Students should obtain knowledge and understanding of the primary historical processes that took place from the V to the XV centuries in Italy, Europe, and the Mediterranean, mastering the discipline to include a post-secondary level of understanding of the primary methods of historical research and its interdisciplinary dimensions.

Applying knowledge and understanding
Students must be able to apply their knowledge and understanding of historical processes so as to demonstrate a professional approach to their work - that is, the applicability of the study of medieval history to the contemporary world. The must also possess adequate skills in creating and sustaining arguments as well as in asking and possibly resolving questions in the field of medieval history.

Making judgements
Students must develop the ability to collect and interpret data provided during the course of the lessons, from bibliographic texts as well as from sources, so as to be able to make individual judgements about the political-institutional, socio-economic and cultural phenomena of the medieval period.

Communication skills
Students must develop effective communications skills so as to be able to communicate with both specialists and non-specialists about topics and events pertaining to medieval history - including areas of methodology, epistemology and communications that characterize the discipline of medieval history.

Learning skills
Students must develop learning skills necessary for undertaking self-directed further study in the area of medieval history.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Power Point presentations; visits to conservation institutes; Blended Learning.

Teaching

Lectures; meetings with specialists. Meetings with the professor are advised for asking questions or requesting clarification.

Attendance

Attendance is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended.

Course books

a) A medieval history textbook.
Suggested book: M. Montanari, Storia medievale, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2010 [or any earlier edition]

b) Student's choice from one of the following:
M. Bloch, Apologia della storia o mestiere di storico,Torino, Einaudi, 2009]
P. Delogu, Introduzione alla storia medievale, Bologna, il Mulino, 2003
T. di Carpegna Falconieri, Medioevo militante. La politica di oggi alle prese con barbari e crociati, Torino, Einaudi, 2011 [or the  French, or the Spanish e
S. Tramontana, Il medioevo. Le fonti e i temi, Roma, Carocci, 2005

c) Student's choice from one of the following:

M. Bloch, The Royal Touch [any edition]
G. Duby, The Legend of Bouvines [any edition]
A. Gurevic, Categories of Medieval Culture [any edition]
E.H Kantorowicz, Frederick the Second [any edition]

Assessment

Oral exam. This exam consists of some questions (usually three) about the texts and the topics discussed in class. The questions are general in nature and posed in the form of a conversation.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

As well as the three books that attending students must read, non-attending students must also study the sources examined in class; they can find them on the the Blended Learning platform. The must write a term paper of 25,000 characters on a topic to be agreed upon with the professor. The paper should be sent to the professor at least one week before the exam.

Course books

Same as for attending students.

Assessment

Oral exam as for attending students, and evaluation of the term paper.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Professor's web page: www.tommasodicarpegna.it