Modern humanities

Introduction to the study of the philology of Italian literature. We begin with basic informations on the materiality of the texts (manuscripts, prints, scripts, language) and move on to the modes of transmission of texts and the problems of critical edition. The characteristics and peculiarities of the texts of Italian literature and their tradition are highlighted (multiplicity of reworkings, proximity of specimens to the author's desk, etc.) and specific publishing problems are addressed through the study of exemplary cases, taken from the works of the protagonists of literature (Petrarch, Boccaccio, Ariosto, Manzoni, Calvino). Specific issues related to the philology of copying, the philology of the original and the philology of printed texts are addressed. The analysis of texts and discussion of problems is made more effective by the opportunity to study these issues on (reproductions of) manuscripts, incunabula and prints.

Knowledge of Italian and a basic knowledge of Latin is required. The course is aimed at those who are inexperienced in philology so that they may acquire notions, methods and tools to be able to critically approach texts of Italian literature

The student have to study handouts which contain the texts treated in class and the materials necessary for their analysis, their commentary and their translation. Reference bibliography is also included. To study the general principles and fundamental aspects of the discipline the student have to use a philology manual of the Italian literature, for example G. Inglese, Come si legge un’edizione critica, Roma, Carocci, 2016 (6a 2022) or P. Stoppelli, Filologia della letteratura italiana, Roma, Carocci, 2019 (5° 2022); or A. Stussi, Introduzione agli studi di filologia italiana, Bologna Il Mulino, 2015.

Attendance is recommended due to the work that takes place in the classroom with the collaboration of all students

the exam is oral. The student will have to demonstrate to understand and examine the contents and formal choices, contextualize, and interpret some passages of the texts included in the program. The student must demonstrate knowledge of the concepts learned during the course and individual study and be able to explain them with sufficient clarity. The student must possess the elementary notions of philology and the knowledge of the methods and tools for reading a critical edition (also of the critical apparatus), especially the texts discussed in class. To pass the exam it is necessary to obtain a mark of not less than 18/30. To achieve a score of 30/30 laude, the student must instead demonstrate that he has acquired an excellent knowledge of all the topics covered during the course, being able to connect them in a logical and coherent way.

The lessons are about reading, analyzing, and commenting on texts and deepening case studies. The reading is also carried out on reproductions of manuscripts and incunabula to learn how read critically a text, to know the main issues of philology and to put into practice through direct experience methods and tools of philology, to acquire the skills and technical skills necessary to read and prepare the edition of texts.

The course will be divided into two parts. Part I (approximately 20 hours). Introduction to ecdotics: theory and practice of editing texts from the Italian literary tradition, with a general historical and cultural overview. Part II (approximately 22 hours). The case of Giovanni Boccaccio's Decameron: analysis of the history of the manuscript tradition, the relationships between the most important witnesses, and editorial issues, with an illustrative reading of some of the novellas. Students will be required to participate actively and will also be asked to familiarise themselves with the most important codices that transmit the work, in particular the autograph (Berlin, Staatsbibliothek-Preußischer Kulturbesitz, Ham. 90).

Some of the texts and bibliography covered in the lectures will be uploaded in the form of handouts on the lecturer's web page on the Sapienza website at the beginning and during the course (those marked with an asterisk): - M. Berté - M. Petoletti, La filologia medievale e umanistica, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2019 (the appendix with the anthology of texts is optional for attending students, but reading it is recommended, while it is compulsory for non-attending students). - *Giovanni Boccaccio, Decameron. Testo critico e Nota al testo a cura di M. Fiorilla, edizione rivista e aggiornata, Milano, Rizzoli, 2017, pp. 109-24. - *M. Fiorilla, Sul testo del Decameron: per una nuova edizione critica, in Boccaccio letterato. Atti del Convegno Internazionale, Firenze- Certaldo, 10-12 ottobre 2013, Firenze, Accademia della Crusca, 2015, pp. 211-37. - *M. Fiorilla, Tra ecdotica e lessicografia: esperienze boccacciane, «Ecdotica», 21, 2014, pp. 247-68.

Attendance at the course is highly recommended. Non-attending students must contact the lecturer before taking the examination.

Students will be required to answer a series of questions on the subject and on the texts covered in the course to demonstrate that they have read and understood the bibliography included in the examination programme and the material presented by the lecturer during the lessons.

- M. Berté - M. Petoletti, La filologia medievale e umanistica, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2019 (the appendix with the anthology of texts is optional for attending students, but reading it is recommended, while it is compulsory for non-attending students). - *Giovanni Boccaccio, Decameron. Testo critico e Nota al testo a cura di M. Fiorilla, edizione rivista e aggiornata, Milano, Rizzoli, 2017, pp. 109-24. - *M. Fiorilla, Sul testo del Decameron: per una nuova edizione critica, in Boccaccio letterato. Atti del Convegno Internazionale, Firenze- Certaldo, 10-12 ottobre 2013, Firenze, Accademia della Crusca, 2015, pp. 211-37. - *M. Fiorilla, Tra ecdotica e lessicografia: esperienze boccacciane, «Ecdotica», 21, 2014, pp. 247-68.

The course consists of lectures (42 hours). Students will be tested to assess their learning.