Translating the Past

A Workshop on Medieval and Renaissance Sources devoted to Art, History, and Literature
Third Edition (PALAZZO RUCELLAI, Florence: June 1-30, 2013)

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:
Antonio Artese (The International Studies Institute at Palazzo Rucellai), Tommaso Astarita (Georgetown University), Stefano U. Baldassarri (The International Studies Institute at Palazzo Rucellai), Andreina Bianchini (The International Studies Institute at Palazzo Rucellai), Christopher S. Celenza (The American Academy in Rome), Samuel K. Cohn Jr. (University of Glasgow), James Hankins (Harvard University), Michael W. Kwakkelstein (Istituto Universitario Olandese di Storia dell’Arte), John E. Law (University of Wales, Swansea), Stefano Lorenzetti (Conservatorio di Musica di Vicenza), Giuseppe Mazzotta (Yale University), Massimo Miglio (Istituto Storico Italiano per il Medio Evo), Fabrizio Ricciardelli (Georgetown University at Villa Le Balze).

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

Instructors:
Antonella Ghignoli (Università di Roma “La Sapienza”: Palaeography and Diplomatics), Paul Gwynne (The American University of Rome: Philology), David Rundle (University of Oxford: Codicology and Incunabula).

Course description and schedule:

A total of 72 hours of class and related activities throughout June 2013 scheduled as follows:

a. Morning: 40 hours (9.00 am – 12.00 pm, Mon.-Thurs. at The International Studies Institute at Palazzo Rucellai) + 12 hours (9.00 am-13.00 pm on Friday three times a month to visit archives and libraries in Florence).

Topics:

• Paleography and diplomatics
• Codicology and incunabula
• Philology

b. Afternoon: 20 hours (3.00 pm-5.00 pm, Mon.-Thurs. at The International Studies Institute at Palazzo Rucellai).

Topics:

• Paleography and diplomatics
• Codicology and incunabula
• Philology

Further activities: The program will also include a visit to Villa I Tatti (The Harvard Center for Renaissance Studies) and its library. On that occasion, students will be given a talk on web resources for the study of incunabula and sixteenth-century printed editions.

Fees: US$ 4.000,00 (tuition + housing: US$ 750 deposit by April 20, 2013, US$ 3.250 by May 30, 2013). Housing will be in shared apartments located in downtown Florence specifically selected for the workshop students.

Application procedure: By March 31, 2013, have the following materials sent by email or by air mail to Prof. Stefano U. Baldassarri, c/o The International Studies 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).