Medieval History LM. Advanced Course – Mod. A – 2024-2025

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Teacher: Prof. Sandro Carocci
E-mail: carocci@lettere.uniroma2.it
CFU: 6
Course code: 804002391 (Mod. A, 6 CFU) – 804002394 (Mod. A + Mod. B, 12 CFU)
Degree: Master’s Degree “Scienze della Storia e del documento”
Course delivery modalities: In-presence
Language
: Italian

Pre-requisites: Basic knowledge of medieval history Attendance: Optional
Assessment method: Oral examination
Period: 1st  term
Starting day: 
Class hours
Tuesday, 9.00 a.m. – 11.00 a.m., T27
Wednesday, 9.00 a.m. – 11.00 a.m., T26
Thursday, 9.00 a.m. – 11.00 a.m., T21
Program:
Kings, aristocratic powers and rural societies in Southern Italy (1000-1400)

The course deals with innovative approaches to the power of nobility, rural societies and monarchic policy in Southern Italy (1000-1400). Peasant worlds of hitherto unsuspected dynamism are at the heart of this course, as well as kings determined to curb the aristocratic authority and nobles forced to adapt their seigneurial power to both the forces at work in rural societies, and royal policy. Kings, nobles and peasants began to play a complex game by means of laws, violence, feudal relations, economic investments, and by debating freedom and serfdom and exploiting men and natural resources. The course presents the story of an almost unknown Mezzogiorno: between the eleventh and the early fourteenth century, the Italian South was a complex and dynamic region in which only slowly a series of negative factors that in later centuries would delay its economic and civil development began to surface.
During the course, some sessions will be dedicated to the figure of Emperor Frederick II, through seminar work and discussion around the book by David Abulafia, Federico II. Un imperatore medievale, Torino, Einaudi, 2015 (also in the original English edition, published in 1988).
Students who are unwilling or unable to take part in the seminar meetings should study the book independently and discuss them in the exam.

Text books:
  1. S. Carocci, Signorie di Mezzogiorno. Società rurali, poteri aristocratici e monarchia (XII-XIII secolo), Viella 2014: chapters 1-6, 8 and 13.
  2. D. Abulafia, Federico II. Un imperatore medievale, Torino, Einaudi, 2015.
Bibliography:
  • Storia del Mezzogiorno, a cura di G. Galasso e R. Romeo, II/1, Napoli, Edizioni del Sole, 1988.
Educational goals and expected learning outcomes:
A) Learning Outcomes: Students will acquire an in depth knowledge of the topics covered treated during the lectures.
B) Knowledge and Understanding: During classes, the student will learn the fundamentals of historical research methodology, with particular reference to the field of medieval history, becoming familiar with a specific vocabulary and conceptual tools peculiar to that discipline.
C) Applying Knowledge and Understanding: The consolidation of the fundamental principles of the historiographical method will be useful for the student to profitably pursue his or her course of study and then spend his or her skills both in research and teaching and in other professional fields.
D) Making Judgements: The student will be asked, both in classes and in examinations, to develop his or her ability to critically evaluate the topics discussed and the texts analyzed.
E) Communication Skills: In the course of lectures, students will be called upon to actively participate, with the aim of strengthening their ability to expound informations, argue his or her positions and exchange views with the lecturer and colleagues; these communication skills will be part of the final assessment in the examination.
F) Learning Skills: The teaching module will provide the tools for understanding the topics covered and the critical study of textbooks.
Methods and criteria for verifying the learning:
The exam assesses the student’s overall preparation, the ability to combine knowledge about each part of the syllabus, the coherence of argumentation, the analytical ability, and the autonomy of judgment. In addition, the student’s command of language and clarity of presentation are also assessed, in adherence with the Dublin descriptors (1. knowledge and understanding; 2. applying knowledge and experience; 3. making judgments; 4. learning skills; 5. communication skills).
The final grade will be based 70% on the student’s depth of knowledge and 30% on the student’s ability for expression (written and oral) and independent critical thinking.
The exam will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
– Failed: significant deficiencies and inaccuracies in the knowledge and the understanding of the subject matter; poor analytical and synthesizing skills, recurrent generalizations, limited critical and judgmental skills; the arguments are exposed inconsistently and with inappropriate language.
– 18-20: Knowledge and understanding of topics barely adequate, with occasional generalizations and imperfections possible; sufficient capacity for analysis synthesis and autonomy of judgment, the arguments are frequently exposed in an incoherent manner and with inappropriate/non technical language.
– 21-23: Fair knowledge and understanding of the subject; proper analysis and synthesis skills with coherent, logical argumentation, but with language that is often inappropriate/non technical.
– 24-26: Moderate knowledge and understanding of the subjects; good analytical and synthesis skills with arguments expressed rigorously but with language that is not always appropriate/technical.
– 27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the subjects; remarkable analytical and synthesis skills. Good autonomy of judgment. Topics expounded rigorously and with appropriate/technical language.
– 30-30L: Excellent level of in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subjects. Excellent skills in analysis, synthesis, and independent judgment. Arguments are expressed in an original way and with appropriate technical language.
Teaching methods:
Lectures with PowerPoint presentations; collective work on reading and commenting sources; class discussion on specific readings and themes.
Attendance modalities:
Attendance, which is optional, is strongly recommended.
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