Translating the Past, Firenze, giugno 2010

Translating the Past: A Workshop on Medieval and Renaissance Sources devoted to Art, History, and Literature

This program aims to introduce graduate students to the following subjects: philology, diplomatics, codicology, paleography. 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, translation theory, 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, The Society 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 (Johns Hopkins University), Samuel Kline Cohn Jr. (University of Glasgow), 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), John Monfasani (The Renaissance Society of America), Fabrizio Ricciardelli (Georgetown University), Bruno Wanrooij (Georgetown University).

Instructors: David Marsh (Rutgers University: Philology), Andrea Gáldy (Fairfield University Florence Campus: Latin), Antonella Ghignoli (Università di Firenze: Paleography and Diplomatics), David Rundle (University of Oxford: Codicology and Incunabula).

Visiting Lecturers: Stefano U. Baldassarri (The Institute at Palazzo Rucellai), Alison Brown (Royal Holloway, University of London), Humfrey Butters (University of Warwick), Samuel Kline Cohn Jr. (University of Glasgow), William J. Connell (Seton Hall University), Francesca Fumi (Università di Siena), Michael Kwakkelstein (Istituto Universitario Olandese di Storia dell’Arte), Edward Muir (Northwestern University), Fabrizio Ricciardelli (Georgetown University).

Course description and schedule. A total of 116 hours throughout June (beginning June 2010) scheduled as follows:

a. Morning: 48 hours (9.00 am -12.00 pm, Mon.-Thurs. at The Institute at Palazzo Rucellai) + 12 hours (9.00 am-12.00 pm on Friday four times a month to visit archives, libraries and museums in Florence). Topics: Latin, Paleography and diplomatics

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: Italian (late medieval and early Renaissance),  Philology and translation (theory and practice),  Codicology and incunabula

Fees: US$ 4.000,00 (tuition + housing: US$ 750 deposit by 1 April 2010, US$ 3.250 by 15 May 2010). Housing will be in shared apartments located in downtown Florence specifically selected for the workshop students. Successful applicants for the workshop are invited to seek advice on sponsorship.

Application procedure: By 1 March 2010 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, 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).