Prognostication in the Middle Ages: Philosophical Strategies to Deal with Uncertainties ~ UNIPI

Language: English

Period: 5 – 8 February 2025

Deadline: 20 November 2024

ECTS: 5

Tuition fees: 250€

Program Intensity: Full-time

The Winter School “Prognostication in the Middle Ages: Philosophical Strategies to Deal with Uncertainties”, organized by prof. Stefano Perfetti (University of Pisa), is part of a co-research initiative within a PRIN PNRR (Research Project of National Interest, funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research). The project focuses on “Social, Political, and Religious Prognostication and its Roots: Philosophical Strategies for Coping with Uncertainties and Planning the Future”, prot. P2022BMJ5A.

The scientific committee of the school includes the heads of the affiliated units from various Italian universities (Florence, Foggia, IMT-Lucca, Naples l’Orientale, Pisa, Siena, and Trento).

The invited speakers, who are independent of the PRIN units, are prominent scholars in the field of Medieval Prognostication. They include (in alphabetical order):

Lisa Devriese (KU-Leuven);
Gianfranco Fioravanti (University of Pisa, emeritus);
Matthias Heiduk (Leibniz-Zentrum für Archäologie-Mainz);
Christopher David Schabel (CNRS/University of Cyprus);
Meryem Sebti (Centre Jean Pépin, Villejuif);
Stefano Simonetta (University of Milan);
Maaike van der Lugt (Université Paris Diderot);
Oleg Voskoboynikov (University of Bologna).

The Winter School will last four days and each day will feature three two-hour seminars delivered in English by renowned international scholars specializing in medieval thought. The sessions will explore the notion of prognostication and its connections with dreams, prophecy, astral signs, determinism and contingent futures, medicine, physiognomy, politics, and social uncertainty.

Students whishing to earn 5 ECTS credits must submit a written report on a topic agreed with the coordinator by March 10, 2025.

The Winter School will be held on campus, in Pisa, at Palazzo Boilleau, via Santa Maria, 85.

Aim

The main goal of the Winter School is to offer young scholars a platform for discussion, dialogue, and training in an international research environment, hosted by the University of Pisa.

The School aims to showcase the latest developments in the study of medieval methods for predicting or modeling the future. These include conjunction astrology, geomancy, prophecy, medicine, and their connections to political events and eschatological expectations. These topics will be explored from a multicultural perspective, examining various medieval linguistic and religious contexts.

Who can apply

The Winter School is open to PhD students, early career researchers, and master degree students in philosophical, historical, and literary disciplines who wish to experience a full-time program of training and discussion within an international scientific context.

Participants will be given the opportunity to present their research and discuss it with the many specialists in medieval culture present during the working days.

Application

Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to submit a curriculum giving evidence of proficiency in medieval studies (philosophy, history, literature, humanities).

Important notice:

The Winter School will be activated with at least 8 students
The maximum number of participants is set to 25 students.

Required documents

Identity Document (*PASSPORT in case you are a foreign student*)
Enrolment Form
Curriculum Vitae
Degree certificate (with final mark)
Transcripts of exams
Motivational letter
Evidence of B2 (or higher) of English knowledge is highly recommended.

All the documents must be in pdf format, in order to upload them on the portal when required.

Application has to be submitted via Alice portal following the instructions of the “How to apply” page.

Important deadlines:

10 November 2024: Early bird application deadline: Two scholarships, each covering the full amount of the tuition fee, will be awarded to the applicants with the two most outstanding CVs among those who apply by 10 November 2024.
20 November 2024: General application deadline.
22 November 2024: Notification of admitted participants and scholarship recipients.
26 November 2024: Deadline for fee payment.
By 6 December 2024: Participants may exercise their right of withdrawal without penalty and without providing any reasons. Withdrawal must be communicated to both the Winter School scientific coordinator and the Winter School operational manager by e-mail. If the withdrawal is exercised as described, any amount paid will be refunded.
From 7 to 20 December 2024: Withdrawal is allowed with a penalty of 60% of the registration fee already paid.
After 20 December 2024: Fees are non-refundable.

Fees

Tuition fees: 250€

Pay fees by Debit/Credit Card or PayPal online using the following: Payment Form.

Notice:

Tuition fees include educational materials, coffee breaks, light lunches, and a social dinner.
International students without Italian Tax Code: please tick the box ‘Anonymous’ in order to disable the field ‘Italian personal ID/VAT number’.
Please type your NAME and SURNAME next to the pre-filled text of the field ‘Reason’
Please pay only after receiving the admission letter.

Refund policy:

By 6 December 2024: Participants may exercise their right of withdrawal without penalty and without providing any reasons. Withdrawal must be communicated to both the Winter School scientific coordinator and the Winter School operational manager by e-mail. If the withdrawal is exercised as described, any amount paid will be refunded.
From 7 to 20 December 2024: Withdrawal is allowed with a penalty of 60% of the registration fee already paid.
After 20 December 2024: Fees are non-refundable.

In case of cancellation of the Winter School, fees already paid will be refunded, net of bank charges.

Fundings

Two scholarships, each covering the full amount of the tuition fee, will be awarded to the applicants with the two most outstanding CVs among those who apply by 10 November 2024.

Attachments:

Contacts

Scientific Coordinator

Prof. Stefano Perfetti

stefano.perfetti@unipi.it

Operational Manager

Dr. Amalia Cerrito

ama.cerrito@hotmail.it

Summer/Winter School Office

support.summerschool@unipi.it

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Prognostication in the Middle Ages: Philosophical Strategies to Deal with Uncertainties

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