Social history of Middle Ages (2007/2008)

Learning outcomes

competence in the interpretation and in the analysis of the organisation of society in the Middle Ages, in its main aspects (Institutions, Economy, Law, Culture, Religion)

In particular, students schould acquire:

a)Guide-criteria for the historical analysis of the society in the Midle Ages;
b)Fundamental topics on specific social figures as the knight, the merchant, the beggar, and so on.
c)A fundamental knowledge of the historical problems connected with the status of women in a subordinating society

For goal a) it is necessary to go through the Medieval History programme again, if already done; if not, it is necessary to study the following topics: The passage from the Ancient World to the Middle Ages; Christianisation; Church Organisation; Barbarian Invasions; Latin Monasticism; The Lombards; The Arabs; The Francs, and the Carolingian Empire; The Crusades; The Italian City States; The Crisis of the Trecento and the Black Death (in the current handbook: P. GOLINELLI, Breve storia dell’Europa medievale, alle pp. 33-69, 71-76, 79-91, 111-124, 126-132, 150-155, 157-158, 164-171, 206-213). This part must be completed by the students themselves.

For goal b) you can follow the lessons. If you can’t follow the lessons, you can read J. LE GOFF (ed. by), L’uomo medievale, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1986 (other editions): Introduzione, pp. 1-38; il guerriero, pp. 81-123; il contadino, pp. 125-154; il cittadino, pp. 155-200, il mercante, pp. 271-317; la donna, pp. 319-349; l’emarginato, pp. 391-421.

The third part regards: c) The Main Course: Donne contro. (Women against …), to prepare with notes from the lessons, and the study of the medieval sources introduced to the students, during lessons.

FOR EVERYBODY: for a detailed study of medieval woman, chose one of the following books:

F. CARDINI, Giovanna d’Arco, Milano, Mondadori, 1998;
J. DALARUN, Santa e ribelle, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2000;
C. FRUGONI, Una solitudine abitata. Chiara d’Assisi, Roma – Bari, Laterza, 2006;
P. GOLINELLI, Matilde e i Canossa, Milano, Mursia, 2007;
G. LOBRICHON, Eloisa, Roma, Donzelli, 2005;
G. G. MERLO, Streghe, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2007 and M.G. MUZZARELLI, Un’italiana alla corte di Francia. Christin de Pizan, intellettuale e donna, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2007,
L. MURARO, Guglielma e Maifreda, Milano, La Tartaruga, 2003.

Oral exam.