Corso di laurea in Lettere

The course is an introduction to medieval Romance literature, studied with a comparative approach and special focus on the epic genre. At the end of the course, students will be able to trace an outline of medieval Romance epic poetry, retracing some of its essential features and knowing how to place the texts addressed in the course.

The course contributes to the methodological and historical training in philological and linguistic studies, which is part of the training programme of the degree class. At the end of the course, students should be able to:

1) be familiar with the topics covered in the lectures and in the materials indicated in the bibliography;

2) be able to read and interpret the proposed literary texts, placing them in the appropriate historical and literary context;

3) possess and know how to use the terminology of the discipline.

The course will be divided into three parts. 

The first part will set the reference framework for understanding medieval Romance literatures. We will investigate the genesis and development of those literatures and place them in the appropriate historical, linguistic and cultural context. Particular attention will be paid to the unity and variety of the literary experience of the Romance Middle Ages (critical analysis of the opposition-complementarity between the concepts of "medieval Romance literatures" and "medieval Romance literature").

The second part will deal with the system of literary genres in the Romance Middle Ages. Starting from the definition of 'literary genre', the main genres in medieval Romance literature will be presented, highlighting their innovative aspects, developments and fortunes in the centuries following the Middle Ages.

The third part will explore the epic genre in depth, with the reading and commentary of texts from Old French (Chanson de Roland, Chanson de Guillaume), Spanish (Cantar de mio Cid), and Occitan literature (Rollan a Saragossa, Canso de la crozada).

Lectures lasting a total of 36 hours (6 CFU). The content will be presented orally with the support of digital materials uploaded onto the Moodle platform.

Attendance is not compulsory but strongly recommended.

Expected knowledge and skills will be tested by means of an interview with three to four questions. Preparation will be considered adequate if the student will demonstrate:

1) critical knowledge and understanding of the topics;

2) ability to apply the acquired knowledge;

3) presentation skills, with vocabulary property (specialist and non-specialist lexikon);

4) ability to provide definitions.

The finale grade is expressed in thirtieths.

- the acquisition of an analytical view of the topics dealt with in class, together with a good critical understanding, proficiency in expression and specific language, will be assessed with very good to excellent marks (28-30 cum laude);

- a predominantly mnemonic or not well matured acquisition of the contents, as well as linguistic and logical skills that are not always adequate, will be graded from fair (21-24) to good (25-27);

- a minimum level of knowledge of the course content, combined with formative gaps or inadequate linguistic and logical skills, will lead to a pass mark (18-20);

- the absence of a minimum level of knowledge of the course content, combined with inadequate linguistic and logical competence and formative gaps, will lead to an assessment of insufficient (<18/30)."

For students with SLD or disabilities, please see the University's support [1] and assistance [2] arrangements ([1]https://www.unito.it/servizi/lo-studio/studenti-e-studentesse-con-disturbi-specifici-di-apprendimento-dsa/supportoopen_in_newopen_in_new, [2] https://www.unito.it/servizi/lo-studio/studenti-e-studentesse-con-disturbi-specifici-di-apprendimento-dsa/supportoopen_in_newopen_in_new), and in particular [3] the procedures necessary for support at the time of examination ([3] (https://www.unito.it/servizi/lo-studio/studenti-e-studentesse-con-disabilita/supporto-studenti-e-studentesse-con).

Attending students will study:
1) the volume by A. Limentani, M. Infurna, L'epica romanza nel Medioevo, Il Mulino, 2007 (in full);
2) the volume by E. Burgio, Filologia romanza. 3. Analisi letteraria, Le Monnier, 2022, as indicated during the course;
3) the parts indicated during the course of the volume by A. Varvaro, Letterature romanze del medioevo, Il Mulino, 1985 (and subsequent reprints);
4) lecture notes;
5) a folder of texts (prepared by the lecturer and made available digitally).

Any further readings will be indicated during the course.

Non-attending students must contact the lecturer to discuss a syllabus and receive guidance.

The course will be in presence and the examination will be held in Italian.

Students are invited to register to the course page and its Moodle page. Moreover, students are invited to regularly check the notices on the lecturer's personal page and the e-mail as well.

Non-attending students must contact the lecturer to discuss a syllabus and receive guidance.