Historical Studies

The course is designed to provide advanced training for young historians and palaeographers specialising in the medieval period. The history of documentary practices in the medieval West and the phenomenology of pragmatic writings preserved for this period will be addressed through the critical analysis of documentary texts (provided in digital image format) selected to represent both the typical forms of the medieval period (in its broadest chronological extension) and the more complex and apparently unique forms, also with regard to their transmission. The exercise of criticism includes the professional reading of any critical editions of the texts under consideration. The examination is conducted in the classroom with the involvement of the students. At the beginning of the course, a detailed syllabus will be distributed to attendees, with a calendar of lessons, indications of topics and references or locations of the documents and manuscripts covered in each session. A seminar on a specific type of document and a visit to a conservation institution (archive or library) are planned.

Knowledge of at least Latin among the ancient languages is essential, as is a good knowledge (ability to read and understand critical essays) of at least one of the following modern foreign languages: German, French, English, as well as proficiency in reading writings in the Latin alphabet from late antiquity to the early modern age, for texts in Latin and vernacular languages.

1) Paolo Cammarosano, Italia medievale. Struttura e geografia delle fonti scritte, Roma, Carocci, 2016 2) Olivier Guyotjeannin, Jaques Pycke et Benoît-Michel Tock,Diplomatique médiévale, 3. ed. revue et corrigée, [Turnhout], Brepols, 2006 [disponibile in internet all’indirizzo: . 2) Thomas Frenz, I documenti pontifici nel medioevo e nell'età moderna, ed. it. a cura di S. Pagano, Città del Vaticano, 1989 or Th. Frenz, Papsturkunden des Mittelalters und der Neuzeit, Stuttgart, Franz Steiner Verlag, 2000. 3) Alessandro Pratesi, Genesi e forme del documento medievale, Roma, Jouvence, 1979 (e rist. succ.), soltanto il cap. XIII: "Gli usi cronologici nei documenti latini medievali", pp. 111-123. Only certain chapters of manual no. 2 on the list need to be studied; these will be indicated during the lessons. Please note: the list does not cover the entire exam bibliography. Additional bibliography will be indicated and discussed during the lectures. Recorded in detail in a list that will be made available to attending students at the end of the course, this additional bibliography is to be considered an integral part of the exam programme, together with digital reproductions of the documents analysed and other material distributed during the lectures.

ARegular attendance is strongly recommended in order to achieve the stated objectives, and also because the ongoing assessment and interview focus on the cases discussed in class. Important notice: those who know they will not be able to attend regularly are asked to contact the lecturer at the beginning of the semester, or as soon as possible during the semester.

Ongoing assessment: consists of the transcription and written interpretation of one of the documents examined, to be submitted before the end of the course. Final oral assessment: the oral interview will cover all the documents examined in class and the texts included in the syllabus.

1) P. Cammarosano, Italia medievale. Struttura e geografia delle fonti scritte, Roma, Carocci, 2016 2) Olivier Guyotjeannin, Jaques Pycke et Benoît-Michel Tock,Diplomatique médiévale, 3. ed. revue et corrigée, [Turnhout], Brepols, 2006 [disponibile in internet all’indirizzo: . 2) Thomas Frenz, I documenti pontifici nel medioevo e nell'età moderna, ed. it. a cura di S. Pagano, Città del Vaticano, 1989 (e ristampe successive): si consideri l'apparato iconografico del volume (le illustrazioni) come parte integrante del libro di studio.

Traditional lectures will feature the method of teaching, alternately with tutorials and collegial readings and discussion, where students will take an active and responsible role by preparing written exercises.