Teaching code

4S012300

Teacher

Mariaclara Rossi

Coordinator

Mariaclara Rossi

Credits

6

Also offered in courses:

• Christianity and forms of religious life of the course Master's degree in Philosophy
• Hystory of Christianity and of the Churches (m) of the course Master's degree in History of the Arts
• Medieval History, History of Christianity and Churches [Sede VR] - STORIA DEL CRISTIANESIMO E DELLE CHIESE of the course Master’s degree in Historical Studies (interuniversity)

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

M-STO/07 - HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY AND OF CHURCHES

Period

Sem. 2A dal Feb 16, 2026 al Mar 26, 2026.

Courses Single

Authorized

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

To deepen one or more aspects or specific subjects related to the medieval society through readings and comments, oral or written, of sources of different kind and through the reading and discussing of important historiographical texts. To give students methodological and critical tools in order to enable them to conduct autonomous researches. Acquisition of capabilities in order to correctly and successfully complete researches in History of Christianity and of Churches and to tackle the critical exegesis of the related sources.

Prerequisites and basic notions

Pre-requisites
Even elementary knowledge of Latin and the chronological development of medieval history and Christianity is required

Program

Course syllabus
The course aims to explore the role played by the religiones novae and Mendicant orders in spreading new forms of religious life centered on the Gospel message and poverty. Particular attention will be paid to the Christian proposal of Francesco d’Assisi, the development of the Ordo Fratrum Minorum, Chiara d’Assisi and the sorores minores, but the ‘other’ mendicant orders that developed in the 13th century will also be explored. Starting from the general framework of reference, the various topics of the course will be addressed through the analysis of sources and in light of the most recent trends in historiography.
Reference bibliography for attending students
Grado Giovanni Merlo, Frate Francesco, Il Mulino, Bologna 2017.
Maria Teresa Dolso, Gli ordini Mendicanti. Il secolo delle origini, Carocci, Roma 2021.
Maria Pia Alberzoni, Chiara e il papato, Edizioni Biblioteca Francescana, Milano 1995.
Sorces:
Francesco d’Assisi, Scritti, Testo latino e traduzione italiana, Editrici Francescane, Milano 2002.
Parts to be agreed with the teacher
Fontes Franciscani, a cura di S. Brufani, E. Menestò, G. Cremascoli, E. Paoli, L. Pellegrini, S. da Campagnola, G. Boccali, Edizioni Porziuncola, Assisi 1995.
Parts to be agreed with the teacher
Fonti Clariane. Documentazione antica su santa Chiara di Assisi. Scritti, biografie, testimonianze, testi liturgici e sermoni. Edizione aggiornata e ampliata, a cura di G. Boccali, Editrici Francescane, Padova 2015.
Parts to be agreed with the teacher
Reference bibliography for non-attending students
Grado Giovanni Merlo, Frate Francesco, Il Mulino, Bologna 2017.
Maria Teresa Dolso, Gli ordini Mendicanti. Il secolo delle origini, Carocci, Roma 2021.
Maria Pia Alberzoni, Chiara e il papato, Edizioni Biblioteca Francescana, Milano 1995.
Sources:
Writings of Francesco d’Assisi:
-Il testamento di Francesco d’Assisi
-Regola non bollata
-Regola bollata
The sources are published in Francesco d’Assisi, Scritti, Testo latino e traduzione italiana, Editrici Francescane, Milano 2002.
Writings of Chiara d’Assisi:
Forma di vita dell’ordine delle sorelle povere (detta regola di s. Chiara)
Testamento
Both sources are published in Fonti Clariane. Documentazione antica su santa Chiara di Assisi. Scritti, biografie, testimonianze, testi liturgici e sermoni. Edizione aggiornata e ampliata, a cura di G. Boccali, Editrici Francescane, Padova 2015, pp. 64-87.

Didactic methods

Teaching methods:
For students attending the course the main teaching methods will be the traditional lecture, interspersed with seminar type discussions where students will have an opportunity to raise particular questions and issues. In this course there will also be a mid-course evaluation consisting of a paper/presentation to be given by the student on the topics developed in the lectures. During the lectures a collection of sources will be distributed and examined which will constitute part of the programme. Other bibliographic references useful for an exploration of the topic will be provided over the course of the lectures.
Activities supporting the teaching: seminars, meetings and conferences on the topics of Christianity recommended or organized by the teacher.

Learning assessment procedures

Examination methods:
Oral interviews. The oral exam will be an interview covering the topics that were dealt with during the lectures and expanded on in the study manuals. The interview will aim to determine:
-the students’ knowledge of the topic,
-their ability to use a specialised language,
-their ability to make connections between various arguments and to argue points in an appropriate manner,
-their ability to read and contextualize an archive source.

Evaluation criteria

Assessment Criteria
To pass the examination, students must be able to develop individual arguments from a source. They should contextualise the source by presenting it with appropriate vocabulary and link it to the general theme of the course and the bibliography.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The grade will be composed on the individual evaluation criteria

Exam language

Italiano