From the common source of the Medieval Latin Literature, this course offers a wide panoramic approach to the Medieval European Latin Literature. By the survey of the most significant periods and the most prolific genres, they will be examined the birth and the posterior development of the national literatures together with the study of the the presence of the main literary genres in the most characteristic Medieval Latin works. As a complement of the panoramic approach, they also will be read non-Latin works in order to understand the Literary History of the period.

Capabilities of the module (M24 module: European Literature and Culture):

CM01: Ability to situate historically and in the context of European Culture the different manifestations of the national literatures.

CM02: To relate the literary specific knowledge with other artistic and humanistic areas.

CM04: To read compressively, to explain orally, to discuss, to evaluate critically, and to argue brief and well-structured speeches on issues related to the topics of literature, culture, and European philosophy.

CM05: To develop his/her own project from academic and professional diversity, gender equality and multiculturalism.



Capabilities of the Grade (Philology Studies):

G002: To use orally and in writing complementary language(s) and to learn about their cultural context.

G004: To know and to interpret the culture and literature, their historical evolution and the methodological and theoretical currents of literary criticism.

G006: Ability to search, to make critical assessment and to manage PHILOLOGICAL information (bibliographies, databases and other sources) through traditional means and those of the NICT.

G007: To communicate the acquired knowledge and to apply them to teh teaching of linguistic, literary and cultural knowledge.

G008: To relate specific Philological knowledge with other areas and disciplines.



Basic MECD capabilities:

MEC1: Students have to have demonstrated knowledge and understanding in an area of studies, that departing from the basis of the general secondary education, is often found at a level that, while supported in advanced textbooks, also includes some aspects that involve knowledge from the forefront of the field of study.

MEC2: The students have to know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and to have the skills which are often to be demonstrated through the preparation and defense of arguments and the resolution of problems within their area of study.

MEC3: The students have to have the capacity to collect and interpret relevant data (normally within their area of study) to make judgments which include a reflection on relevant social, scientific or ethical topics.

MEC4: Students will be able to convey information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

MEC5: The students have to develope the neccesary skills to undertake the subsequent with a high degree of autonomy.

1. Introduction: The literary life of the Middle Ages. The main characteristics of the Medieval Latin Literature. Birth and development of the national literatures.

2. Epic and Romance. The Medieval Epic and the Chivalric Romance. The main themes and the different kinds of epic poetry.

3. Poetry. Lyric poetry: Latin and Vernacular. Other poetic genres.

4. Drama. Liturgic Drama and the development of the theater in vernacular. The sources of the Humanistic Comedy and its impact on other literatures.

5. Short stories. Didactic narrative. Further developments, both in Latin and vernacular.

6. From the Middle Ages to Humanism. The rediscovery of the ancient genres.

- Explanation and reasoning of the theoretical contents of the programme.

- Reading comprehension and comparative analysis of Medieval Latin texts and of some from the Vernacular Literatures which illustrate such contents.

- Discussion and interrogation in order to stimulate reflection on the value of the Medieval Latin Literature and its reception in the Vernacular Literatures.

- Individual reading of representative works of the Medieval Latin Literature and representative Vernacular works of the period.

- Preparation of a brief guided essay and its oral presentation in the classroom with the support of audiovisual media.

• Continuous Assessment System
• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 100

Number of competency: MEC4, CM01, CM02, CM04, CM05, G002, G004, G006, G007, G008, MEC1, MEC2, MEC3

Assigments: Final written exam.

Methods of assessment: Level of understanding and depth in the critical analysis of texts. Stylistic correction, reasoning and knowledge.



Number of competency:CM01, CM02, CM04, G004, G008, MEC2, MEC3

Assigments: Paper.

Methods of assessment: Depth in the commentary, personal contribution, stylistic correction, reasoning and knowledge.



Number of competency: CM04, G008, MEC2, MEC3

Assigments: Oral presentation.

Methods of assessment: Fluency, speech construction, distribution of time, appropriate use of electronic resources.



Number of competency: CM04, G008, MEC2, MEC3

Assigments: Fulfillment of tasks.

Methods of assessment: Participation in the classroom, motivation, fulfillment of tasks.



The students unable to attend class regularly, in addition to justify it properly, have to get in contact with the teacher at the beginning of the course or when this situation occurs.



The student who does not fulfill all the mandatory tasks will be able to obtain only the percentage of the final mark for the tasks fulfilled, for example, if a student does not perform the exam, he or she will obtain at most the 50% of the final mark.

Final exam for the 100% of the final mark.

- A Selection of Medieval Latin and Vernacular works (to be specified at the beginning of the semester).
- Information deposited in EGela.
- Theoretical presentations in classroom.

Basic bibliography

-Riquer, M. de Valverde, J. M., Historia de la literatura universal, Madrid 2007, I.

-Curtius, E. R., Literatura europea y Edad Media latina, México 1981.

-Highet, G., La tradición clásica. Influencias griegas y romanas en la literatura occidental, México 1986, I.

In-depth bibliography

-Alfonsi, L., La letteratura latina medievale, Milán 1988.
-Brunhölzl, F., Histoire de la littérature latine du Moyen Âge, Turnhout 1991-1992.
-Cavallo, G. - Leonardi, C. - Menestò, E., eds., Lo spazio letterario del Medioevo, I. Il Medioevo latino, Roma 1992-1998, I-V.
-Dronke, P., La lírica en la Edad Media, Barcelona 1978.
-Dronke, P., Las escritoras de la Edad Media, Barcelona 1995.
-García Gual, C., Primeras novelas europeas, Madrid 1974.
-Koenigsberger, H. G., La Edad Media. 400-1500, Barcelona 1991.
-Leonardi, C., cur., Letteratura latina medievale. Un manuale, Florencia 2003.
-Lida de Malkiel, M. R. La tradición clásica en España. Barcelona, Ariel, 1975.
-Pastore Stocchi, M., Esempi di prosa latina medievale, Padua 1975.
-Raby, F. J. E., The Oxford book of medieval Latin verse, Oxford 1984.
-Vàrvaro, A., Literatura románica de la Edad Media, Barcelona 1983.