Unit HISTORY OF POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE MIDDLE AGES
- Course
- Italian, classical studies and european history
- Study-unit Code
- A002649
- Curriculum
- Storia europea
- Teacher
- Stefania Zucchini
- Teachers
-
- Stefania Zucchini
- Hours
- 36 ore - Stefania Zucchini
- CFU
- 6
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2026
- Offered
- 2026/27
- Learning activities
- Caratterizzante
- Area
- Discipline storiche, filosofiche, antropologiche e sociologiche
- Sector
- HIST-01/A
- Type of study-unit
- Opzionale (Optional)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa monodisciplinare
- Language of instruction
- Italian
- Contents
- The course examines the main institutions and political structures of the Late Middle Ages, with a focus on Italian communal and seigneurial cities (11th–14th centuries) and an in-depth exploration of the concept of liberty.
- Reference texts
- MAIN REFERENCE TEXTS:
1) Chris Wickham, Le due facce del Comune. Governare ed essere governati nell'Italia comunale, 1150-1225, Roma, Viella, 2026
2) An essay chosen from among those contained in “Libertas e libertates nel tardo medioevo. Realtà italiane nel contesto europeo”, ed. by Andrea Zorzi, Firenze, Firenze University Press, 2024.
In addition, only for ATTENDING STUDENTS: lecture notes
In addition, only for NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS:
3) Massimo Vallerani, Gli assetti istituzionali delle città comunali: forme, lessici e funzioni dal XII al XIV secolo, in Il Comune medievale. Istituzioni e conflitti politici (secoli XII-XIV), a cura di Lorenzo Tanzini, Bologna, Clueb, 2023, pp. 7-67.
Specific information related to the course and teaching materials will be available on the Unistudium platform: https://www.unistudium.unipg.it/unistudium/login/index.php on the page dedicated to the course “Storia delle Istituzioni politiche nel Medioevo”.
Texts 2 and 3 will be made available in digital format.
Students with disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) and/or ADHD or ADD who have uploaded a regular certification into SOL can apply for the compensatory tools provided by current regulation (e.g., textbooks in accessible digital format; study materials in accessible formats: presentations, handouts, and exercises, provided if necessary in advance of lessons; see https://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa).
For further information, please contact the Department Referent (prof. Alessandra Di Pilla: alessandra.dipilla@unipg.it). - Educational objectives
- - In-depth knowledge of the main institutions and political structures of late medieval Italy;
- knowledge of the main historiographical tools and of the evolution of historiographical interpretations of the structures and forms of power in the transition from the late Middle Ages to the early modern period;
- command of the specific vocabulary of the discipline and ability to navigate the different types of sources relating to the topics of study;
- ability to formulate questions and solve problems through the interpretation of the topics studied.
Guidance will also be provided on how to explore the course topics in greater depth and approach historical research.
The learning outcomes are consistent with the Dublin Descriptors relating to knowledge and understanding, applying knowledge and understanding, making judgements, communication skills and learning skills. - Prerequisites
- A general knowledge of the political, socio-economic and cultural history of the medieval West is required. The course offers an in-depth study of the historiographical interpretations of the Italian communes; knowledge of the fundamental events of the medieval period is therefore an indispensable prerequisite for students wishing to follow the course and pass the exam successfully.
- Teaching methods
- Lectures on all topics of the course, with reading and commenting of sources in Latin or in translation. Lectures will be supported by PowerPoint presentations. If possible, some lectures will also be held at the State Archives of Perugia, allowing students a direct approach to medieval manuscript sources.
For working and non-attending students, the teaching materials presented in class will be made available on the Unistudium platform, on the page dedicated to the course.
Students with disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), after consulting with the professor, can request accessible teaching materials (presentations, handouts, exercise books), provided in advance of the lessons if necessary, as well as the use of other technological facilitation tools during the study phase. For general information, refer to the University Services page at https://lettere.unipg.it/home/disabilita-e-dsa and contact the Department’s Representative (prof. Alessandra Di Pilla: alessandra.dipilla@unipg.it).
Students who believe they meet the University requirements for access to synchronous distance learning (DaD) are invited to consult the eligibility criteria and procedures at: https://www.unipg.it/didattica/didattica-telematica-sincrona - Other information
- Attendance is optional but strongly recommended.
Prof. Zucchini holds office hours every week; to arrange an appointment (in person or remotely through the Teams platform), please write to the following email address: stefania.zucchini@unipg.it
Students with disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) and/or ADHD or ADD: for any information on the University’s dedicated services, please consult the page https://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa and contact the Department Referent (prof. Alessandra Di Pilla: alessandra.dipilla@unipg.it).
Students who believe they meet the University requirements for access to synchronous distance learning (DaD) are invited to consult the eligibility criteria and procedures at: https://www.unipg.it/didattica/didattica-telematica-sincrona
Specific information related to the course and teaching materials will be available on the Unistudium platform: https://www.unistudium.unipg.it/unistudium/login/index.php on the page dedicated to the course “Storia delle Istituzioni politiche nel Medioevo” (Prof. S. Zucchini). - Learning verification modality
- The exam consists of a single test: a final oral interview with open-ended questions and answers, consisting of a discussion of the topics covered during the course and studied in depth in the reference texts. The exam takes place on the dates scheduled in the Department's exam calendar, at the end of the course.
The purpose of the test is to verify the level of knowledge and the ability to understand and synthesize that the student has achieved; the interview between the student and the teacher will allow the student to demonstrate, in addition to their knowledge, their command of the specific vocabulary of the discipline and the maturity gained through critical study.
Duration: the oral exam will last a maximum of 45 minutes, varying depending on how the test proceeds.
Assessment: the grade, expressed on a 30-point scale, will take equally into account the knowledge acquired as well as the skills, command of disciplinary terminology, and logical-critical abilities the student has demonstrated. The exam is considered passed with a mark of 18/30 or higher.
Working and non-attending students will take the oral exam on the syllabus designed for them (see “Reference texts”), which includes the study of Massimo Vallerani's essay in place of the lecture notes.
Students with disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) and/or ADHD or ADD who have uploaded a regular certification into SOL: for examinations, they may request the compensatory tools, dispensatory measures, and inclusive technologies provided for by current regulations (see https://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa), to be agreed with the professor well in advance of the exams, by contacting the Department Referent (prof. Alessandra Di Pilla: alessandra.dipilla@unipg.it). - Extended program
- The course addresses the main institutions and political structures of the late Middle Ages, with a focus on the concept of liberty in the Italian communal and seigneurial cities.
Specifically, the following macro-topics will be covered:
- The city in central-northern Italy in the 11th century: from civitas to commune;
- The initial institutional arrangements of communal governments;
- “Comuni” and “signorie”: forms of coexistence of powers and institutional change (13th–15th centuries);
- Liberty in Italian communal and seigneurial cities (the different meanings of liberty; liberty and tyranny). - Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile
- Goals 4 and 5:
- Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all;
- Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.