Teaching code

4S003493

Teacher

Anna Cappellotto

Coordinatore

Anna Cappellotto

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

L-FIL-LET/15 - GERMANIC PHILOLOGY

Period

II semestre (Lingue e letterature straniere) dal Feb 13, 2023 al May 27, 2023.

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars

Learning objectives

The course is an Introduction to Germanic Philology. It aims at providing basic knowledge on multi-disciplinary topics, such as historical linguistics, palaeography, codicology, textual criticism (including basic knowledge for the analysis of texts and manuscripts by means of Digital Humanities tools and methodologies), and cultural history characterizing this discipline. Expected Outcomes At the end of the course the student will have to prove: - to have acquired basic knowledge of methodologies and cultural contents which are necessary to analyse and interpret Germanic linguistic and literary traditions; - to have acquired proficiency in the correct specialized vocabulary related to every field of the discipline; - to be able to apply autonomously the knowledge and contents acquired in the different specialized fields of Germanic Philology, mainly focussing on historical linguistics and textual criticism (also by means of Digital Humanities tools and methodologies), in order to write contents and analyse texts, in compliance with the general learning outcomes of the study program.

Prerequisites and basic notions

Knowledge of at least one modern Germanic language (e.g. English, German) is not mandatory, but advisable.

Program

The course will offer the basics for the study of Germanic Philology in its multi- and interdisciplinary aspects of cultural, linguistic and historical-literary nature.
The first module will trace the birth and development of the discipline up to the present day. The so-called ‘Germani’ will be described through the direct reading of the sources, in particular of some passages chosen by Tacitus’ Germania, which will allow to reconstruct the social, political and cultural institutions of the Germanic peoples (family, assembly, military associations, role of women, religion, writing). The fundamental stages of their history, of conversion to Christianity and of the development of literacy will be retraced.
A second module will address essential issues concerning historical linguistics, framing Germanic first in its evolution from Indo-European as well as in its main features and also with regard to individual language families (with particular attention to West Germanic).
The third module will be devoted to the study of textual criticism within the Germanic vernacular traditions. Essential knowledge of book history, codicology and paleography will be imparted through the analysis of exemplary manuscripts building up the most significant cultural heritage of the Germanic traditions. The analysis will lead into the historical recovery of the text through the principles of textual criticism (meant in its evolution from the genealogical method to the so-calle New Philology).
The last module will concern the birth of the Germanic vernacular literatures on the example of early representative eschatological texts. The Old High German Muspilli, some stanzas taken from the Old Norse Prophecy of the Seer (Völuspá, Poetic Edda, I) and some excerpts from Gylfi’s Deception (Gylfaginning, Snorri’s Edda) will be analyzed starting from the manuscripts in which they are preserved. The module includes reading, analysis (linguistic-philological and historical-cultural) and translation of the texts, which will be taken into consideration starting from the manuscripts in which they are preserved.
The above mentioned readings will be accessible on the Moodle platform, whereas for the other exam texts indicated in the bibliography, please refer to the University Library Catalogue.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

As indicated by the University for the academic year 2022/2023, the course will be in presence. Any changes will be announced before the start of the course on the instructor's web page and on the Moodle platform, to which everyone is required to sign up. The course materials for attending students consist of the selected bibliography in Leganto, the lectures and other materials that will be available on Moodle. The program for non-attending students must be agreed in advance. Non-attending students are supposed to contact the instructor via email (please use your institutional address @studenti.univr.it) to arrange a meeting. The selected bibliography in Leganto will be further dretailed at the beginning of the course.

Teaching support (also for Covid-19 positive self-certified students):
Supplementary teaching materials will be uploaded on the Moodle platform.
The instructor is also available for support during office hours, which can also be agreed via ZOOM where necessary.

Learning assessment procedures

There will be an oral exam following the official schedule published by the University. For those attending there will be a pre-call to be agreed during the course. For non-attending students the exam will be oral and will follow the same criteria.

Evaluation criteria

The exam aims both to assess the knowledge acquired during the course and the ability to address the topics and establish connections among them. Part of the evaluation will also concern the correct presentation as well as the appropriate use of the philological language.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The final assessment is expressed out of 30/30 (min. 18/30) and it is to be understood as an overall evaluation of the achieved results.

Exam language

Italiano (on request English).