Linguistics

The course presents case studies selected from the works of leading figures in humanist culture (Petrarch, Boccaccio, Bruni, Bracciolini, Enea Silvio Piccolomini, Valla) to highlight the characteristics of the texts and their tradition (language, multiple redactions, original presentation, proximity to the author, etc.) and to analyze issues of philology applied to humanist texts. The analysis of the questions under examination and the application of methods and tools are enhanced by the opportunity to work in class on (reproductions of) manuscripts, incunabula, and prints, preparing a critical edition, thus addressing specific editorial issues and putting philological methods and tools into practice.

Knowledge of Italian and a basic knowledge of Latin is required.

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, 1983 (6a 2025); M. Berté - M. Petoletti, La filologia medievale e umanistica, Bologna, il Mulino, 2017.

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 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 first part of the course is dedicated to reading, analysis and commenting on texts in order to identify the characteristics and particularities of humanistic literature and the most appropriate publishing methods and techniques. The reading is also carried out on reproductions of manuscripts and incunabula, to learn how to critically read a text and know the main issues of humanistic philology. The second part is dedicated to putting into practice methods and tools of philology through the preparation of a specimen of critical edition to acquire the skills and technical skills necessary to prepare the edition of humanistic texts.