COMPARATIVE HISTORY OF THE GERMANIC LANGUAGES MOD. 2

This module contributes to the development of critical and analytical skills through the study of Medieval Germanic languages and their textual traditions. The module is entirely taught in English.

Student Learning Objectives (SLO):
To acquire knowledge and understanding in the main topics regarding the Völsung-Nibelung cycle in its different dimensions (manuscript studies, historical background, Old and Middle Germanic languages conveying it), as well as cultural and literary studies, by being exposed to both the current theoretical debate and its applications in the field of Germanic Philology. This knowledge and understanding will be founded upon and will extend that typically associated with the first cycle; it will also provide a basis for originality in developing and/or applying ideas, often within a research context;

To apply their knowledge and understanding, and problem solving abilities in new or unfamiliar environments within broader contexts related to Germanic Comparative Linguistics, as well as Germanic Philology (e.g. textual criticism and literary reading skills applied to Germanic medieval texts);

To have the ability to integrate knowledge and handle complexity, and formulate judgments with incomplete or limited information about their object of study (this is a typical situation in the philological field). The ability to formulate judgements will include reflecting on social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of their knowledge (e.g. the educational and social impact of philological studies);

To be able to communicate their conclusions, and the knowledge and rationale underpinning these, to specialist and non-specialist audiences clearly and unambiguously, using the appropriate language register;

To be able to represent course content organically and critically consult reference texts;

To acquire the learning skills that should allow them to continue to study in a manner that may be largely self-directed or autonomous (e.g. through individual independent reading on philological issues, as well as practice exercises on linguistic theories, models and forms).

No specific prerequisites are required. The basic notions necessary to tackle the main topics listed in the content section (see below) will be provided by the teacher at the beginning of the course. However, students are reminded that this is an advanced MA course, so the teaching will be organized in regular lectures combined with team as well as independent work.

The Völsung-Nibelung cycle: the legendary matter within its medieval cultural context;
Nibelungenlied and Klage: manuscript tradition;
Linguistic introduction;
Analysis and commentary of selected excerpts;
Reception of the cycle and modern rewrites.

Compulsory readings:
Pp. 3-13 and 101-129 from: Edward R. Haymes and Susann T. Samples. 1996. Heroic Legends of the North, an Introduction to the Nibelung and Dietrich Cycles, Garland.
Chapter 5 from: Joseph Salmons. 2012. A history of German, what the past reveals about Today’s language, Oxford University Press.
Materials uploaded onto the moodle classroom

Reference bibliography for the team work:

Raffel Burton. 2006. Das Nibelungenlied: Song of the Nibelungs [0-300-11320-X; 1-281-73096-3]
Ulrich Mueller, Frank Gentry, Winder McConnell, Werner Wunderlich. 2002. The Nibelungen Tradition: An Encyclopedia.
For students who can read Italian: Davide Bertagnolli. 2020. I Nibelunghi, La leggenda, il mito, Meltemi.

Students who are not able to attend classes are kindly asked to contact the lecturer in order to receive further bibliographic indications about supplementary materials.

During the oral interview, content questions will assess the acquisition of knowledge and comprehension skills, while analysis exercises will be proposed to test the application of knowledge and comprehension skills. The oral interview is also aimed at examining critical thinking and independent judgement.

Lectures, teacher-led discussions, team work.

English

oral