Ateneo - UPO

In the Year of Francis: Archaeology and Architecture of the Mendicant Orders in Medieval Piedmont

Recommended readings:
1) M.T. Dolso, "Gli ordini mendicanti. Il secolo delle origini", Roma, Carocci, 2021.
2) "La città medievale è la città dei frati? Is the medieval town the city of the friars?", Sesto Fiorentino 2021 e in particolare: S. Beltramo, "La città e i frati. La committenza e i conventi mendicanti tra Duecento e Quattrocento nelle province del Nord Ovest", pp. 93-125 https://www.insegnadelgiglio.it/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/archimed-1-ebook-CORR.pdf
3) S. Caldano, "Ordini mendicanti e urbanistica nel tardo medioevo: il caso di Vercelli", in "La città globale: la condizione urbana come fenomeno pervasivo / The global city: the urban condition as a pervasive phenomenon", a cura di M. Pretelli, R. Tamborrino, I. Tolic, AISU (Associazione Italiana di Storia Urbana), Torino 2020, pp. 125-135 https://www.academia.edu/62168209/_Ordini_mendicanti_e_urbanistica_nel_tardo_medioevo_il_caso_di_Vercelli_
4) "L’officina dello sguardo: scritti in onore di Maria Andaloro", vol. 1-2, a cura di M-L. Fobelli, G. Bordi, I. Carlettini, M. R. Menna, P. Pogliani, Roma, Gangemi, 2014, part. L.C. Schiavi, "I domenicani a Vercelli: l’articolazione duecentesca della chiesa di San Paolo", pp. 535-540.

In coerenza con gli obiettivi del Corso di Studio enunciati nella SUA-CdS, con specifico richiamo all'area storica, geografica e del patrimonio culturale, il Laboratorio si propone di:

** Livello base
OF1 (conoscenze e competenze) – Fornire le conoscenze fondamentali relative alle principali caratteristiche archeologiche e architettoniche dei complessi degli Ordini mendicanti e ai criteri per la loro lettura attraverso l'osservazione diretta delle evidenze materiali.
OF2 (capacità di applicare conoscenze e comprensione) – Sviluppare la capacità di riconoscere le discontinuità nelle murature, distinguere i materiali da costruzione e individuare il rapporto tra i complessi mendicanti e il tessuto urbano, mediante l'osservazione diretta dei casi studio affrontati durante il Laboratorio.

**Livello avanzato
OF3 (conoscenze e competenze/capacità di applicare conoscenze e comprensione) – Sviluppare la capacità di interpretare criticamente le evidenze archeologiche e architettoniche osservate sul campo, riconoscendo le relazioni tra organizzazione degli spazi, tecniche costruttive, trasformazioni degli edifici e loro inserimento nel contesto urbano medievale.
OF4 (abilità trasversali) – Sviluppare la capacità di documentare e comunicare le osservazioni svolte durante le attività sul campo, utilizzando la terminologia propria dell'archeologia e dell'archeologia dell'architettura.

I 3 CFU maturati durante l'insegnamento sono così ripartiti:
1 CFU di didattica interattiva (DI) (18 ore di attività in presenza);
2 CFU di elaborazione individuale.

interest in the practical applications of archaeological research methodologies.

Teaching and learning activities are conducted through:
- an introductory meeting dedicated to the historical background of the Mendicant Orders and the main archaeological, architectural, and settlement characteristics of conventual complexes;
- educational field trips to Piedmontese mendicant complexes, conducted within an experiential and interactive dimension, aimed at the direct observation and archaeological reading of standing structures, conventual spaces, masonry, construction techniques, building materials, and the relationship with the urban fabric;
- teacher-led field discussions and debates among students and with the teacher, dedicated to interpreting archaeological and architectural evidence and comparing different case studies;
- independent study and elaboration of the acquired contents, with the aid of materials assigned by the teacher.

The documentation used during the Laboratory will be made available on the DIR platform. Active participation in field activities forms an integral part of the educational pathway. Furthermore, interactive discussions will take place during field activities, aimed at consolidating content comprehension, developing independent judgment, and enhancing presentation and communication skills.

The Laboratory will consist of an introductory meeting at the University, followed by 2 separate full days on-site, between October and December 2025. Please refer to the Laboratory's DIR webpage for practical arrangements. The Laboratory, aimed at Bachelor's and Master's degree students in Humanities, Philology and Cultural Heritage, and all interested students, is seminar-based and involves predominantly practical activity; regular attendance is therefore highly recommended. The Laboratory is included among the “Other Activities” (Ulteriori attività). Students who have these activities in their study plan for a year other than 2026-2027 can still take the Laboratory during this academic year, earning the relevant credits by advancing the activity and notifying the Student Registry. The Laboratory can also be taken to acquire extra credits (cfu sovrannumerari) for those wishing to deepen their practical experience in archaeology.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/servicesstudents- physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The Laboratory provides a final assessment graded as pass/fail (idoneità/non idoneità).
The examination consists of a written report in which students must illustrate the contents learned during the activities and regarding the case studies addressed, connecting them with the topics covered in the introductory meeting. The essay must be between 10,000 and 12,000 characters (including spaces) in length and must be accompanied by an appropriate iconographic apparatus.

A pass grade is awarded upon achieving an 80% positive evaluation, demonstrating the attainment of the Educational Objectives, with particular regard to the capacity for direct observation, archaeological reading of standing structures, interpretation of material evidence, report organisation, and the correct use of the discipline's specific terminology.
The assessment will be based on:
- knowledge of the topics covered. Evaluation weight: up to 25%;
- the ability to analyse the evidence observed during field activities. Evaluation weight: up to 25%;
- the ability to develop a critical reading of material evidence, distinguishing the main construction phases and building transformations. Evaluation weight: up to 20%;
- the ability to structure the report clearly, organising the text coherently, independently re-elaborating the observations carried out during the Laboratory, and using subject-specific terminology. Evaluation weight: up to 30%.
To achieve a pass grade (idoneità), students must demonstrate a knowledge of the foundational content of the laboratory, recognise and describe the main characteristics of the observed buildings, discuss the major issues addressed, and present them correctly using the basic terminology of the discipline.

The Laboratory focuses on the core themes and methods of the archaeology of architecture applied to the study of medieval mendicant settlements.
Learning Unit 1: Introduction to the history of the Mendicant Orders, their expansion in north-western Italy and particularly in Piedmont
Learning Unit 2: Field trip to the complexes of San Paolo and San Francesco (now S. Agnese in Vercelli) and observation activities regarding the technical and structural characteristics of the buildings and masonry
Learning Unit 3: Field trip to the complex of San Francesco in Alessandria and observation activities regarding the technical and structural characteristics of the buildings and masonry

"Integration of the Gender Dimension"
Gender-related themes will be addressed during the introductory meeting (Learning Unit 1) and within the analysis of the case studies, focusing on the planimetric, organisational, and spatial layout peculiarities of female mendicant communities (Poor Clares and Dominican nuns) in comparison with male ones.

Upon completing the course, in alignment with the contents of the SUA-CdS, students will have achieved the following learning outcomes and will be able to:
** Basic Level
RAA.1 (Knowledge and understanding) – Demonstrate knowledge of the history of archaeology, the main methods of archaeological research, and the tools for survey, excavation, documentation, dating, analysis, and enhancement of archaeological heritage.
RAA.2 (Applying knowledge and understanding) – Recognise methodologies, contexts, structures, artefacts, and archaeological documentation covered during the course, describing their main characteristics and identifying the most appropriate investigative methods for study.
RAA.3 (Transversal skills) – Compare the main historical positions discussed in class (with particular reference to the concepts of transformation and continuity), present the acquired archaeological contexts in a clear and orderly manner using the foundational vocabulary of the discipline, and use course texts and materials to independently organise their own study.

** Advanced Level
RAA.4 (Knowledge and understanding) – Critically understand the main methods of archaeological research, interpreting archaeological evidence through survey, excavation, documentation, dating, and analysis techniques, and evaluating their potential, limitations, and fields of application in light of the main methodological trends of the discipline.
RAA.5 (Applying knowledge and understanding) – Contextualise methodologies, sites, structures, artefacts, and archaeological documentation within the broader historical and scientific framework of archaeological research, developing comparisons between different case studies and different territorial contexts.
RAA.6 (Transversal skills) – Critically compare the main solutions currently adopted, with particular reference to stratigraphic excavation, archaeological documentation, and dating methods; organise a coherent and well-structured presentation using the specialised vocabulary of the discipline with propriety; independently identify bibliographical tools useful for deepening specific topics and connecting contexts, materials, and historical phenomena.