MEDIEVAL HISTORY I

The course is part of the integrative disciplines of the Bachelor’s degree programme in Humanities. The disciplinary and methodological purposes of this course are to provide students with knowledge of the history of medieval Europe from the crisis of late antiquity to the rise of the early modern period (centuries V-XV), with particular reference to cause-and-effect links. Again, the main and most up-to-date historical tendencies in interpreting the main phenomena and topics related to the Middle Ages will be discussed, as well as the basic methodology of the discipline and its historiographic lexicon. Further purposes are to assure competences in the interpretation of the main aspects of the medieval period, bringing students to obtain an awareness of the socioeconomic, political, religious and cultural dynamics (artistic and literary) stemming from this historical period, while consciously taking into exam critical literature, and conducting an actual identification and interpretation of the various primary and secondary sources useful for the reconstruction of the phenomena behind the Middle Ages. Finally, the course aims to teach how to communicate the acquired knowledge through several communication media, while adopting the scientific vocabulary of the discipline.

These objectives will help students build the cultural, disciplinary, and methodological knowledge they need to pursue their training efficiently in the Master's Degree programme related to the Bachelor's degree in Humanities activities.

Attending this course and/or conducting individual study sessions concerning its contents will allow the students to obtain:

1) Knowledge of
-the main events of medieval history, from the crisis of the ancient world to the rise of the early modern period;
-the links between cause and effect and the current lines of interpretation;
-the historiographical methodology, in particular through the reading and interpretation of sources useful for the study of the Middle Ages;
-the historiographical lexicon and the main telematic tools regarding scientific communication of the discipline,

2) Capacity to:
-identify and discuss causes and relapses also of long-term events/phenomena of the medieval millennium;
-interpret the report of witnesses from the period investigated to frame the main aspects of the medieval period;
- to critically employ historiographical studies to better investigate specific essential themes;
- focus on unresolved relevant questions, trying to stress simple but sustainable solutions to them;
- to deal with matters that are to be considered relevant to the present day, identifying possible connections and differences from past to present.

3) Skills in:
- taking notes in class;
- organising the obtained data hierarchically;
- sharing information by collaborating with fellow students;
- communicating the acquired knowledge with the correct terminology.

4) Capacity for critical thinking within the discipline throughout the entire training program.

There are no disciplinary prerequisites. However, a good knowledge of the Italian language is required to follow the course.

The course considers the main aspects and most relevant events of the history of medieval Europe (V-XV centuries), specifically focusing on the fundamental changes brought about by this period:
- the transition from late antiquity to the early Middle Ages;
- the outlines of a Byzantine East;
- the struggles among and with the Germanic peoples;
- the rise and expansion of Islam;
- the Carolingian period;
- the Post-Carolingian period (political fragmentation and local powers, developments in Christendom)
- the growth of the West between the eleventh and twelfth centuries and the Feudal Society (economic and demographic growth, rebirth of the city and urban autonomies, expansion of Christendom, feudal powers);
- the Crisis of the Fourteenth century, and the recovery and the rise of the Early Modern period (demographic crisis and economic changes, decline of the universal power, State formation, the Italian Signorie and the rise of State powers)

The main socioeconomic, political, and religious dynamics are examined from diachronic and synchronic perspectives, while referring to the cultural contexts of the period considered. The investigation into the medieval millennium is conducted through written sources and with references to the historiographical debate concerning essential issues stemming from the Middle Ages.

Bibliography:

A) Personal lecture notes

OR, IN ALTERNATIVE: F. Senatore, Medioevo, istruzioni per l'uso, Milan, Pearson, 2018 and G. Sergi, L'idea di medioevo. Fra storia e senso comune, Rome, Donzelli, 1998-2005

B) Materials (sources and contributions) - to illustrate and deepen the historical frameworks of reference - and uploaded on the moodle platform.

C) A textbook of your choice from:
G. Albertoni-T. Lazzari, Introduction to Medieval History, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2015;
P. Grillo, Medieval History. Italy, Europe, the Mediterranean, Milan-Turin, Pearson, 2019;
G. Piccinni, I mille anni del medioevo, Milan-Turin, Pearson, 2018;
L. Provero-M. Vallerani, Storia medievale, Milan, Le Monnier-Mondadori, 2016;
A. Zorzi, Manuale di storia medievale, with the collaboration of Francesco Mores [Turin], UTET università-Novara, De Agostini, 2021 (or previous editions).

- Erasmus students willing to follow this course must get in touch with the lecturer to agree on a different bibliography depending on their needs.

The examination consists of a WRITTEN EXAM.

1) It aims to verify the acquisition of essential knowledge of the medieval millennium, in particular the essential aspects and pivotal events of medieval history, considering the cause-and-effect links as well.

2) It is also intended to ascertain the ability of:
- applying the methodology of the discipline
- providing efficient and correct written communication and synthesis (as regards, specifically, the choice of contents and information, the use of suitable terminology, argumentative aptitude);
- framing complex questions of a different nature.

Students must answer THREE questions (open-ended).
Final result: each answer is evaluated in thirtieths, and the final grade is the average of the scores obtained in the individual answers.


Pay attention: during the course, a SPECIALIST TUTORING service will be activated for practising the written test. All necessary information will be provided at the beginning of the course and on the Moodle platform. The service is open to everyone; it is not compulsory, but is strongly recommended.

written

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

Grade 18-22: just sufficient/sufficient knowledge of the pivotal events of the medieval millennium, also through the proposed coeval testimonies, of the current interpretative lines referred to, of some central questions still unresolved; ability in written production (critical re-elaboration of the acquired knowledge and information and exposition in a correct form, using the historiographical vocabulary).
Grade 23-25: discrete knowledge of the pivotal events of the medieval millennium also through the proposed coeval testimonies, of the current interpretative lines referred to, of some central questions still unresolved; ability in written production (critical re-elaboration of the acquired knowledge and information and exposition in correct form, using historiographical vocabulary).
Grade 26-28: good knowledge of the pivotal events of the medieval millennium also through the proposed coeval testimonies, of the current interpretative lines referred to, of some central questions still unresolved; ability in written production (critical re-elaboration of the acquired knowledge and information and exposition in a correct form, using the historiographical vocabulary).
Grade 29-30: excellent knowledge of the pivotal events of the medieval millennium also through the proposed contemporary testimonies, of the current interpretative lines referred to, of some central questions still unresolved; ability in written production (critical re-elaboration of the acquired knowledge and information and exposition in correct form, using historiographical vocabulary).
Grade 30L: excellent knowledge of the pivotal events of the medieval millennium also through the proposed contemporary testimonies, of the current interpretative lines referred to, of some central questions still unresolved; written production skills (critical re-elaboration of acquired knowledge and information and exposition in correct form, using historiographical vocabulary).

Regular classes.
Sources and other materials presented in class are available on the Moodle e-learning platform of the University.

The course is reserved for Humanities, Conservation of Cultural Heritage and Philosophy students who intend to take a 6-credit examination in Medieval History, with surnames starting with M-Z.

For further information on the subject and the examination, please contact the lecturer by e-mail (nicolo.zennaro@unive.it) or during office hours.

Literature, Cultural Heritage Conservation and Philosophy students who wish to take a 6-credit examination in Medieval History, with surnames starting with A-L, must opt for the other course. Please do not send any requests to lecturers regarding this matter. The 12-credit course in Medieval History (Medieval History I and II) is intended exclusively for students who wish to take 12 credits (and is taught in the a.y. 2026-2027 by Prof. Francesco Borri and Prof. Anna Maria Rapetti, whom you are advised to contact for further clarification or information not available on their online page).

Ca’ Foscari abides by Italian Law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) regarding support services and accommodation available to students with disabilities. This includes students with mobility, visual, hearing and other disabilities, and specific learning impairments. If you have a disability or impairment that requires accommodations (i.e., alternate testing, readers, note takers or interpreters), please contact: disabilita@unive.it.