The course aims to deepen the theoretical aspects and practical solutions relating to the critical edition vulgar for which the stemmatic method (also called Lachmann's method) proves ineffective or unenforceable. This course aims to make students aware that philological work does not coincide with the mere mechanical application of a method but with the editor's ability to make choices motivated critically, varying from time to time, depending on the text and the author at hand. At the end of the course, the student must properly know the main problems connected with poetical texts by analyzing specific cases.

In the first part of the course, the basics of the stemmatic method will be briefly recalled as an essential premise of the course topic. Subsequently, the tradition of the text of the Decameron will be analyzed, and the main editorial solutions adopted since the discovery of the autograph manuscript (Berlin, Hamilton 90) until the recent text review carried out by Maurizio Fiorilla. The last part of the course will be focused on the Novella di Ippolito e Leonora, an interesting case study both from the point of view of the tradition and the controversial attribution to Leon Battista Alberti. Under the teacher's guidance, the students will be invited to discuss the evidence of the manuscript tradition to propose appropriate philological solutions.

Having passed an exam of Italian Italian philology during the BA curriculum is highly recommended.

Students are to show possession of mastery of basic knowledge about the genesis and the functioning of the stemmatic method, with particular reference to the stages of recensio, collatio, eliminatio codicum descriptorum and constitutio textus, including the creation of critical apparatus and eventually of the apparatus of sources.

-Students are to demonstrate an understanding of concepts and theories learned during the course and discuss the main limits of the stemmatic method. They are supposed to know and use alternative methods to produce a critical edition. He/she has to be able to analyze the case study proposed in class concerning the problems faced by publishers in connection with the applicability of the stemmatic method.

- Students have to achieve the ability to use knowledge and concepts that allow them to proceed according to the logic of the discipline. In particular, they also have to become able to analyze and interpret literary texts on a philological basis, read modern critical editions, and be able to produce new ones. Students are also required to know and use the main bibliographical entries of the discipline.

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

Teaching

Classes, seminars, practical exercises, guided tours. 

Students may be required to read during the course to attend some lessons with the proper preparation. Teaching materials (such as slides, lecture notes, and tutorials) and specific teacher communications can be found within the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it. Students will be required to test (online by Moodle) their knowledge of the discipline during the first class.

Innovative teaching methods

Cooperative learning. Students will be asked to complete collation essays at home in groups, using materials provided by the lecturer. The results will be discussed in class and used to make choices for the critical edition.

Attendance

The knowledge of the Latin language is highly recommended, though not compulsory.

Compulsory attendance for the 80% of the class hours amount (29 hours).

Course books

In addition to all materials and texts that will be distributed in class, the examination will require knowledge of the following:

1. PASQUALE STOPPELLI, Filologia della letteratura italiana. Nuova Edizione, Roma, Carocci, 2019, only pp. 17-150 or another handbook in agreement with the teacher.

2. LEON BATTISTA ALBERTI, Istorietta amorosa, in ID., Opere volgari, a cura di C. Grayson, Bari, Laterza, 1973, vol. III, pp. 273-87, 401-25 [available in moodle].

3. LORELLA BADIOLI, La novella pseudo-albertiana di Ippolito e Leonora, in "Interpres. Rivista di studi quattrocenteschi", XXIII 2004, pp. 204-216 [available at Library San Girolamo].

4. Boccaccio, a cura di M. Fiorilla e I. Iocca, Roma, Carocci, 2021, pp. 293-356 chapters by Monica Bertè, Luca Azzetta, Marco Petoletti.

Assessment

Oral examination and evaluation of seminarian works carried out during the classes (as indicated in the course program).

Oral examination. This choice was made to enhance the oral argumentative skills of individual students concerning a highly technical discipline that requires the possession of a specific lexicon.

"Excellent" mark: the student must show possession of good critical and in-depth skills; the ability to orient with sure mastery of the subject within the main themes covered during the lesson, also establishing, if necessary, links between different fields and themes of the discipline; outstanding ability to use the technical lexicon of discipline.

"Good" mark: the student must demonstrate possession of a mnemonic knowledge of the main contents of the discipline; minimal critical and linking capacity between the main themes of the discipline with the use of the philological lexicon.

"Sufficient" mark: the student must demonstrate minimal knowledge of the fundamentals of the discipline, even if there are some educational gaps, as well as the use of language that is not entirely appropriate.

"Negative" mark: the difficulty of the student's orientation for the topics dealt with in the exam; training gaps; the use of inappropriate language and/or the inability to use the technical lexicon of the discipline.

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

Self-directed learning

Course books

The examination will require knowledge of the following:

1. PASQUALE STOPPELLI, Filologia della letteratura italiana. Nuova edizione, Roma, Carocci, 2019 another handbook in agreement with the teacher.

2. FRANCESCO BAUSI, Leggere il 'Decameron',  Bologna, Il Mulino, 2017 [available at the Biblioteca di Area Umanistica].

3. MAURIZIO FIORILLA, Per il testo del 'Decameron', in «L'Ellisse», V, 2010, pp. 9-38 [available on Moodle].

4. LEON BATTISTA ALBERTI, Istorietta amorosa, in ID., Opere volgari, a cura di C. Grayson, Bari, Laterza, 1973, vol. III, pp. 273-87, 401-25 [available on moodle].

5. LORELLA BADIOLI, La novella pseudo-albertiana di Ippolito e Leonora, in "Interpres. Rivista di studi quattrocenteschi", XXIII 2004, pp. 204-216 [available at Library San Girolamo].

The above texts refer to the content of the syllabus taught in class to compensate with self-study for in-person teaching and promote complete understanding by non-attending students.

Assessment

Oral examination. This choice was made to enhance the oral argumentative skills of individual students concerning a highly technical discipline that requires the possession of a specific lexicon.

"Excellent" mark: the student must show possession of good critical and in-depth skills; the ability to orient with sure mastery of the subject within the main themes covered in the course books, also establishing, if necessary, links between different fields and themes of the discipline; outstanding ability to use the technical lexicon of discipline.

"Good" mark: the student must demonstrate possession of a mnemonic knowledge of the main contents of the discipline; minimal critical and linking capacity between the main themes of the discipline with the use of the philological lexicon.

"Sufficient" mark: the student must demonstrate minimal knowledge of the fundamentals of the discipline, even if there are some educational gaps, as well as the use of language that is not entirely appropriate.

"Negative" mark: the difficulty of the student's orientation for the topics dealt with in the exam; training gaps; the use of inappropriate language and/or the inability to use the technical lexicon of the discipline.

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.

SUGGESTED BIBLIOGRAPHY (not mandatory)

- La critica del testo. Problemi di metodo ed esperienze di lavoro. Atti del Convegno di Lecce, 22-26 ottobre 1984, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 1985.

- Storia della Letteratura Italiana diretta da E. Malato, vol. X: La tradizione dei testi, coordinato da C. Ciociola, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2001.

- P. ITALIA-G. RABONI, Che cos'è la filologia d'autore, Roma, Carocci, 2010.

- G. INGLESE, Ecdotica e commento ai testi letterari, in «La Cultura», XLIX, 2011, n. 2, pp. 277-283.

- La Tradizione dei Testi. Atti del Convegno, Cortona, 21-23 settembre 2017, a cura di C. Ciociola e C. Vela, Firenze, Società dei Filologi della Letteratura Italiana, 2018.

- Boccaccio, a cura di M. Fiorilla e I. Iocca, Roma, Carocci, 2021.

- F. BAUSI, La filologia italiana, Bologna, Il Mulino 2022.

- Filologia della letteratura italiana, a cura di G. Ruozzi e G. Tellini, Firenze, Le Monnier, 2024.