Using three of the primary narrative sources of the Italian 14th century, the course is structured to help students acquire a deeper knowledge of the fundamental themes that characterise the Medieval period. As well, it allows them to become familiar with the primary cognitive tools of contemporary historiography of the Middle Ages.

The course is divided into two parts.  The introductory part will present various types of historical source materials produced during the Middle Ages. – with particular attention to narrative source materials.  The second part of the course will focus on the critical interpretation of three of the Italian Middle Ages’ most important sources: the Chronicle of Dino Compagni (1255-1424), the New Chronicle of Giovanni Villani (1276-1348) and the Chronicle composed in the language of the city of Rome by an anonymous author living in the mid-14th century.  The analysis of some chapters of these chronicles will allow immersion in the world of the Italian and European later middle ages, and through the sensitivities of their extraordinary authors will expose greatly important themes, e.g. the production of historical memory.  The syllabus will be handed out during the first lesson, then available online.

Prerequisites: it is advisable to have taken the three-year undergraduate course exam in Medieval History.

Knowledge and understanding
Students must demonstrate knowledge and understanding that extends beyond and reinforces that typically associated with the three-year undergraduate programme and that permits the student to develop and apply original ideas, including research ideas, in reference to content, methodological and applied content regarding medieval history.

Applying knowledge and understanding
Students must be able to apply their knowledge, understanding and problem-solving skills to new and unfamiliar topics in broader interdisciplinary contexts associated with the study of medieval history.

Making judgements
Students must have the ability to integrate their knowledge and manage complexity, as well as make judgements on the basis of limited or incomplete information, including reflection on the social and ethical responsibility connected with the application of their knowledge and judgement in full awareness of the fundamental importance of the use and public role of History.

Communication skills
Students must know how to communicate clearly and succinctly their conclusions, their knowledge and the reasoning behind these to specialists and non-specialists. They must be able to evaluate maturely information related to both themes and events of medieval history as well as methodological, epistemological, communicational, social and ethical problems related to the discipline of medieval history.

Learning skills
Students must have developed learning, analytical and applied skills that allow them to continue to study autonomously and thus permit access to the third cycle of university study or other specialized levels as well as to the world of professional work.

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; Blended Learning.

Teaching

Lectures and thematic seminars, held by the professor and guest speakers; attending students will carry out short research projects and present their results.

Attendance

Attendance is not mandatory, but it is recommended.

Course books

a) One of the following Medieval history textbooks:

• G. Vitolo, Medioevo. I caratteri originali di un'età di transizione, Milano, Sansoni, 2000
• M. Montanari, Storia medievale, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2002
• C. Warren Hollister, Medieval Europe: a Short History, McGraw-Hill Europe, 2005 10th
• G. Piccinni, I mille anni del medioevo, Milano, B. Mondadori, 2007

b) One of the following medieval sources:

• Anonimo romano, Cronica. Edizione critica a cura di Giuseppe Porta, Milano, Adelphi, 1979 [or the editio minor edited by Porta, Milano, Adelphi, 1981].
• Giovanni Villani, Nuova Cronica. Edizione critica a cura di Giuseppe Porta, Parma, Guanda, 2007 (solo il primo tomo, libri 1-8; only the first volume, books 1-8)
• Dino Compagni, Cronica. Introduzione e commento di Davide Cappi, Roma, Carocci, 2013 [or the edition edited by di Bezzola, Milano, Rizzoli, 1982; or the Luzzatto edition,, Einaudi 1968]

NB: The online editions are also acceptable: there are a number of free downloadable copies.  The editions of Anonymous and Villani must follow the Porta edition; the online edition of Compagni can be the Luzzatto’s one (Einaudi 1968).

c) One of the following books:

• T. di Carpegna Falconieri, Cola di Rienzo, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2002
• F. Ragone, Giovanni Villani e i suoi continuatori. La scrittura delle cronache a Firenze nel Trecento, Roma, Istituto storico italiano per il medio evo, 1998
• G. Seibt, Anonimo romano. Scrivere la storia alle soglie del Rinascimento, Roma, Viella, 2000
• B. Smalley, Historians in the Middle Ages, Thames & Hudson Ltd , 1974 [or any other edition]
• Le cronache volgari in Italia: Atti della VI Settimana di studi medievali (Roma, 13-15 maggio 2015), ed. by G. Francesconi and M. Miglio, Roma, Istituto storico italiano per il medio evo, 2017]

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.

Attendance

Non attending students must write a term paper of approximately 25,000 characters on a topic of medieval history to be approved with the professor.The paper should be sent to the professor at least one week before the exam.

Course books

The same as for attending students.

Assessment

Oral exam 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 website: www.tommasodicarpegna.it