Modern humanities

Return to the classics The course explores the radical renewal of the textual repertoire that was a decisive factor in the rebirth and broadening of cultural horizons between 1300 and 1500. The transmission, transcription, and cultural diffusion of a large number of ancient authors and works are explored, above all the new acquisition of Greek culture. Lessons focus on case studies and the reading, analysis, and commentary of selected texts by of the humanist culture (Petrarch, Boccaccio, Bruni, Valla). The study of these texts, in manuscripts, incunabula and prints, highlights their characteristics and distinctive features (with particular attention to language and tradition), and allows for the effective approach to specific editorial issues.

Knowledge of Italian and a basic knowledge of Latin.

The preparation of the exam includes the study of a monographic part and an institutional part (general principles and fundamental aspects of the discipline). The student have to study handouts which contain the texts treated in class with all 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) oppure P. Stoppelli, Filologia della letteratura italiana, Roma, Carocci, 2019 (5° 2022); oppure A. Stussi, Introduzione agli studi di filologia italiana, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2015; M. Berté- M. Petoletti, La filologia medievale e umanistica, Bologna, il Mulino, 2017.

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

the exam is oral. the student must demonstrate to understand and examine the content and formal choices, contextualize and interpret some passages of the texts included in the program. the student must demonstrate knowledge and be able to explain with sufficient clarity the concepts learned during the course and in the individual study. the student must possess the elementary notions of philology and knowledge of the methods and tools for writing critical texts and must be able to read a critical edition (even the critical apparatus), in particular 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 cum 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 participatory frontal 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 medieval and humanistic 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 medieval and humanistic texts.