Translating the Past

A Workshop on Medieval and Renaissance Sources devoted to
Art, History, and Literature
Second Edition
PALAZZO RUCELLAI (JUNE 2011)

Introduction - Presentation - Courses - Time table

This program aims to introduce graduate students to the following subjects: philology, diplomatics, codicology, paleography, translation theory and practice. Its nature will be primarily practical, as students will be taught to read, describe and edit Latin and Italian vernacular sources from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance (ca. 1200-1600). Toward this end, lectures will alternate with visits to archives and libraries in Florence. All classes will be taught in English. Since knowledge of Latin and Italian is a prerequisite to the study of the disciplines mentioned above, students will practise translating documents and printed texts from these languages into English. To better contextualize their work, they will also be expected to attend lectures on topics related to medieval and Renaissance culture, such as history, art and architecture, economics, patronage, philosophy, reception theory, and literature.

Organizing institutions:
The Institute at Palazzo Rucellai
Istituto Storico Italiano per il Medio Evo

In collaboration with:
The Charles Singleton Center (Johns Hopkins University)
Georgetown University at Villa Le Balze
Istituto Universitario Olandese di Storia dell’Arte
Provincia di Firenze (Progetto “Knowledge Sharing”)
The Society for Renaissance Studies
Villa I Tatti (The Harvard Center for Renaissance Studies)

Advisory Committee:
Tommaso Astarita (Georgetown University), Stefano U. Baldassarri (The Institute at Palazzo Rucellai), Andreina Bianchini (The Institute at Palazzo Rucellai), Christopher S. Celenza (The American Academy in Rome), Samuel Kline Cohn Jr. (University of Glasgow), William J. Connell (Seton Hall University), James Hankins (Harvard University), Michael Kwakkelstein (Istituto Universitario Olandese di Storia dell’Arte); John E. Law (University of Wales, Swansea; Society for Renaissance Studies), Stefano Lorenzetti (Conservatorio di Musica di Vicenza), Giuseppe Mazzotta (Yale University), Massimo Miglio (Istituto Storico Italiano per il Medio Evo), Fabrizio Ricciardelli (Georgetown University).

Coordinator:
Stefano U. Baldassarri (The Institute at Palazzo Rucellai).

Instructors:
Antonella Ghignoli (Università di Firenze: Paleography and Diplomatics), Paul Gwynne (The American University of Rome: Philology), David Marsh (Rutgers University: Translation Theory and Practice), David Rundle (University of Oxford: Codicology and Incunabula).

Visiting Lecturers for June 2011:
Nicoletta Baldini (Università Bocconi, Milan), Christopher S. Celenza (The American Academy in Rome), Edward Goldberg, Massimo Miglio (Istituto Storico Italiano per il Medio Evo).

Course description and schedule:

A total of 104 hours throughout June 2011 scheduled as follows:

a. Morning: 48 hours (9.00 am -12.00 pm, Mon.-Thurs. at The Institute at Palazzo Rucellai) + 16 hours (9.00 am-13.00 pm on Friday four times a month to visit archives, libraries and museums in Florence).

Topics:

b. Afternoon: 32 hours (3.00 pm-5.00 pm, Mon.-Thurs. at The Institute at Palazzo Rucellai) + 8 hours (3.00 pm-5.00 pm on Friday four times a month: lectures by visiting professors on topics relevant to morning classes to be held at Georgetown University at Villa Le Balze, The Institute at Palazzo Rucellai and the Istituto Universitario Olandese di Storia dell’Arte).

Topics:

Fees: US$ 4.000,00 (tuition + housing: US$ 750 deposit by 25 March 2011, US$ 3.250 by 10 May 2011). Housing will be in shared apartments located in downtown Florence specifically selected for the workshop students

Application procedure: By 25 February 2011 have the following materials sent by email or by air mail to Prof. Stefano U. Baldassarri, c/o The Institute at Palazzo Rucellai, Via della Vigna Nuova 18, 50123 Florence, Italy (sbaldassarri@palazzorucellai.org): cv, list of publications (if any), a one-page statement of purpose, two letters of recommendation by professors who have known you as a student.

Requirements: By the end of the workshop, students will have to submit a short essay on either philology, translation theory and practice, codicology or paleography previously discussed with the instructors as evidence of the skills they have acquired.

The organizing institutions will furnish all materials necessary to support participating students’ request for credit from their home universities.

Upon completion of the course, students will be awarded a certificate issued by the Istituto Storico Italiano per il Medio Evo and The Charles Singleton Center (Johns Hopkins University).