Module ITAL3211: Mediterranean Crossroads in Italian Medieval Literature 

Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (Italian)

ITAL3211: Mediterranean Crossroads in Italian Medieval Literature 

Prerequisites

• Italian Language 2B (ITAL2031) OR Italian Language 2A (ITAL2111) or an equivalent qualification to the satisfaction of the Chairman/woman of the Board of Studies of MLAC or his/her representative. 

Corequisites

• Modern Languages, Combined Honours and all Joint and 'with' Programmes: Italian Language 4 (ITAL3021). Others: see Chairman/woman of the Board of Studies of MLAC or his/her representative 

Excluded Combination of Modules

• N/A

Aims

• To examine the multifaceted influences of Byzantine, Hellenic, Arabic, and European cultures on Italian literature between the 13th and 15th centuries 
• To contextualize the multicultural interactions that shaped Italian literature of the Middle Ages  
• To enhance understanding of literary geography through the lens of key Italian texts of the Italian Middle Ages 
• To explore the interdisciplinary connections between literature and other cultural artifacts, such as maps, art, and architecture

Content

• The module explores Italian literary culture from the 13th to the 15th centuries within a broad Mediterranean context. By unravelling the Byzantine, Hellenic, Arabic, and European threads intricately woven into the fabric of Italian medieval and humanistic literature, the module aims to present Italy as a vibrant hub of multicultural exchange. While the module’s content may vary depending on the instructor’s specialization, essential readings consistently feature works from the Sicilian School of Poetry, , exhibiting a fusion of Arabic and European poetic traditions reflective of the Mediterranean's diverse cultural mosaic; the expansive travelogues of Marco Polo, showcasing Venice's trade and diplomatic ties to the far east; Dante's “Comedy” and its worldly and otherworldly geographies; epic and chivalric literature stretching from Petrarch’s “Africa” to Boiardo’s “L'inamoramento de Orlando”; Boccaccio’s multicultural landscape in the “Decameron” as well as in his works for the French-influenced court of Naples and later humanistic writings. Readings will be in Italian and/or English.

Learning Outcomes

• demonstrate an advanced ability to critically analyse the broad spectrum of multicultural influences that shaped Italian medieval and humanistic literature;   
• Evaluate and interpret the portrayal of geographical space in literature, understanding how places are constructed and represented in key texts of the Italian medieval literary repertoire;   
• Identify and assess the interdisciplinary connections between literary works and contemporary cultural artifacts, such as maps (including portolan charts), visual arts, and architectural advancements of the time; 
• Place Italian literary works within their broader historical and socio-political contexts, recognizing the impact of Mediterranean trade routes, political dynamics, and cultural exchanges on the production and themes of literature during the medieval era

• dissect and interpret medieval and humanistic texts, recognizing the nuanced influences of various cultures and identifying the intertextual references and figurative rhetoric common in this period’s literature. 
• Place literary works within their historical, cultural, and geographical context, understanding how the societal norms, political climates, and cultural exchanges of the time influenced literary production. 
• Integrate knowledge from different disciplines, such as history, art history, and cartography, to form a holistic view of the period’s literature, understanding how these fields interact to deepen the interpretation of texts.  develop research skills, particularly in handling primary sources of diverse nature, such as manuscripts, maps, and early printed books, and learn to synthesize this information to support literary analysis and critical argumentation. 

• Employ effective research strategies to gather, synthesize, and integrate a variety of sources into written and oral work, ensuring depth and breadth of analysis. 
• Articulate ideas clearly and persuasively in both written essays and oral presentations, using appropriate academic language and adhering to disciplinary conventions. 
• Organize thoughts in a logical and coherent manner, ensuring that arguments in essays and presentations are well-structured, evidence-based, and culminate in a convincing conclusion. 
• Critically assess the credibility, relevance, and reliability of sources, integrating them effectively into essays and presentations without resorting to plagiarism

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The module will be taught over Term I and Term II  
• Weekly lectures will deliver key information about the module  
• A weekly seminar with smaller groups will allow for individual presentations and active discussions  
• This format responds to student feedback gained in SSCC and NSS responses  

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University