Teaching Workshop: the Art and the Document. How to Interpret the Middle Ages from Sources
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide the broad outlines for employing the sources to understand the main political, economic, social and religious elements visible during the centuries of the late ancient age to the early Renaissance.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course the student will have acquired the the essential tools to carry out research in medieval history, with particular reference to the medieval period:
-building a bibliography through the available research tools (catalogues and online repertories, dictionaries, databases);
-knowing the main types of medieval sources: reading published records and finding the way through the unpublished
-building a bibliography through the available research tools (catalogues and online repertories, dictionaries, databases);
-knowing the main types of medieval sources: reading published records and finding the way through the unpublished
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Workshop Title: The Art and the Document. Interpreting the Middle Ages from the Sources
Number of available spots: 24
Semester of performance: First
Location:
- Classroom activities: Via Noto, 8
- Off-site visits in Milan: museums, archives, and libraries.
Applications for admission should be sent by email to the titular lecturer (folco.vaglienti@unimi.it) and should indicate the degree program and academic year of enrollment. Based on the number of applications received and their correspondence with the recommended prerequisites, the faculty member will confirm or deny enrollment to applicant students.
Applications can be submitted starting July 1, 2025, and will be accepted until September 23, 2025, or until all available seats are filled.
Number of available spots: 24
Semester of performance: First
Location:
- Classroom activities: Via Noto, 8
- Off-site visits in Milan: museums, archives, and libraries.
Applications for admission should be sent by email to the titular lecturer (folco.vaglienti@unimi.it) and should indicate the degree program and academic year of enrollment. Based on the number of applications received and their correspondence with the recommended prerequisites, the faculty member will confirm or deny enrollment to applicant students.
Applications can be submitted starting July 1, 2025, and will be accepted until September 23, 2025, or until all available seats are filled.
Prerequisites for admission
The workshop is open to students in their second or third year of a Bachelor's degree program and to students in their first or second year of a Master's degree program in the Department of Cultural and Environmental Heritage.
The workshop will be held in Italian.
A basic knowledge of Latin is desirable.
The workshop will be held in Italian.
A basic knowledge of Latin is desirable.
Teaching methods
Class attendance is mandatory. The laboratory consists of lectures designed to provide students with the basic tools necessary for conducting research in the humanities. These lectures focus on:
- understanding the linguistic complexity and historical variations of specialized vocabulary;
- selecting and organizing information in a relevant and systematic way;
- identifying the relationship between a document and the historical, cultural, and artistic milieu in which it was produced.
Critically evaluate texts from different periods and genres.
- Consciously using discipline-specific terminology.
Expound the results of research in an appropriate and logical manner.
Choose bibliographical tools and sources in the discipline, evaluating their reliability and appropriateness.
Develop an awareness of the value of an interdisciplinary approach.
Students will acquire these skills firstly through practical exercises on research tools and sources, and secondly through guided tours of archives, libraries, and museums. Discussing the material with the lecturer during lectures is an integral part of the teaching method that aims to foster a critical spirit and the ability to apply acquired skills and knowledge in students.
The workshop makes use of teaching materials uploaded to the MyAriel platform, including slides, texts, videos, and documents.
- understanding the linguistic complexity and historical variations of specialized vocabulary;
- selecting and organizing information in a relevant and systematic way;
- identifying the relationship between a document and the historical, cultural, and artistic milieu in which it was produced.
Critically evaluate texts from different periods and genres.
- Consciously using discipline-specific terminology.
Expound the results of research in an appropriate and logical manner.
Choose bibliographical tools and sources in the discipline, evaluating their reliability and appropriateness.
Develop an awareness of the value of an interdisciplinary approach.
Students will acquire these skills firstly through practical exercises on research tools and sources, and secondly through guided tours of archives, libraries, and museums. Discussing the material with the lecturer during lectures is an integral part of the teaching method that aims to foster a critical spirit and the ability to apply acquired skills and knowledge in students.
The workshop makes use of teaching materials uploaded to the MyAriel platform, including slides, texts, videos, and documents.
Teaching Resources
Materials, such as slides, studies, videos, and documents, will be indicated during the meetings and uploaded to the lab's MyAriel portal.
Motivated students can explore topics covered in class by reading F. Gallo, Diplomatics: The Science of Reading Medieval Documents. A Handbook, Milano University Press 2024.
IInternational and Erasmus incoming students are encouraged to contact the course instructor in a timely manner to arrange the program, which can be done in French if desired.
International or incoming Erasmus students are invited to contact the course instructor in a timely manner to arrange the program, possibly in French.
Motivated students can explore topics covered in class by reading F. Gallo, Diplomatics: The Science of Reading Medieval Documents. A Handbook, Milano University Press 2024.
IInternational and Erasmus incoming students are encouraged to contact the course instructor in a timely manner to arrange the program, which can be done in French if desired.
International or incoming Erasmus students are invited to contact the course instructor in a timely manner to arrange the program, possibly in French.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Modalities: The final assessment will be based on attendance, active participation in discussions, and performance on assigned tests, such as transcribing documents or creating short educational dissemination papers (or videos).
The assessment parameters are the ability to demonstrate and elaborate on acquired knowledge and the ability to critically reflect on the work done.
The final grade will be an "Approved/Not Approved" judgment with no possibility of rejection.
Assessment methods for students with disabilities must be agreed upon in advance with the teacher and the relevant office.
The assessment parameters are the ability to demonstrate and elaborate on acquired knowledge and the ability to critically reflect on the work done.
The final grade will be an "Approved/Not Approved" judgment with no possibility of rejection.
Assessment methods for students with disabilities must be agreed upon in advance with the teacher and the relevant office.
Professor(s)
Reception:
By appointment agreed by e-mail
Entrance E, 3° floor, room 3010 (B24). Remotely on the Microsoft Teams platform