28929 - Sociology of Literature (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students will have gained a basic knowledge of the functioning of literary institutions, of the relationship between text and context, of the dynamics of literary communication and its political, ideological, socio-economic and editorial influences. Students will also learn how to use critical tools of sociology of literature, with a special focus on the thematic and sociological components of literary texts.

Course contents

Myths of today: literature, bourgeois culture, demystification

Between 1954 and 1956, Roland Barthes wrote several essays on the "myths of French daily life": soaps and detergents, toys, Citroën, divas and movie stars, the Tour de France, etc. His explicit purpose is to demystify the "ideological abuse" that these signs conceal, as they confuse "Nature and History". He explicitly confesses to using a certain "sarcasm" as a language strategy. Even Umberto Eco, introducing the second edition (1975) of Diario minimo, defines his essays published in 1959 and thereafter as "parodies inspired by current events". The course will investigate the process of demystification of "petty-bourgeois" myths operated by Barthes and Eco, addressing in particular the essay and rhetorical strategies used by both authors. In this way, Barthes and Eco's analyzes will be retraced to popular works such as Cuore by De Amicis and Vingt mille lieues sous les mers by Verne. From a theoretical point of view, the issues of the arise of the cultural industry will be addressed through the studies of the Frankfurt school, Gramsci's reflection and that of Eco himself on the figure of the "superman" and his relations with class representations. Finally, we will discuss the permanence in our postmodern imagination of cultural goods - for example in the graphic production of Zerocalcare - and we will ask ourselves about the role that more recent cultural myths, such as those of the 1980s and 1990s, occupy in today's writing.

Readings/Bibliography

See the Italian program.

Teaching methods

Traditional lectures.

Assessment methods

Students will be assessed by oral examination.

The evaluation of the competences acquired during the course consists of an oral interview which has the aim of appraising the students’ critical and methodological abilities. Students will be invited to discuss the texts included in the teaching programme. Students will have to show an appropriate knowledge of the bibliography detailed in the reading list.

Top marks will be awarded to students showing a wide and systematic understanding of the issues covered in class, but also capable of using these notions critically to elaborate clear and relevant analyses through an appropriate vocabulary.

Average marks will be awarded to students showing a mostly mnemonic knowledge of the subject matter, a moderate ability to summarize and elaborate on key topics and using a correct vocabulary, though not always relevant.

A superficial knowledge and understanding of the primary sources and related bibliography, accompanied by scarce analytical and expressive competences, will be rewarded with a pass mark or just above.

Students showing significant gaps in their knowledge of the subject matter and related bibliography and/or expressing in a confused and inappropriate way will not be given a pass mark.

Teaching tools

Video projector, overhead projector, videos, web resources.

Office hours

See the website of Guido Mattia Gallerani