28991 - Contemporary Italian Literature (LM)

Learning outcomes

The student has an in-depth knowledge of the text , the main authors and the general lines of the critical debate of literature in the Italian language in the contemporary context. They know and know how to use methodologies for the analysis and interpretation of literary texts.

Course contents

Contemporary Italian literature between arts and media

The course will focus on certain aspects that characterise the relationship between literature, cinema, television and new media in the construction of narratives that appeal to transnational audiences and create imagery characteristic of the global age.

During the course, we will analyse a number of case studies that allow us to reflect on how different media, and different relationships between media, give rise to a shared imaginary, which also takes shape from global bestsellers born in the specific context of contemporary publishing.

Readings/Bibliography

Tommaso Pincio, Cinacittà. Memorie del mio delitto efferato, 2008;

Elena Ferrante, L'amica geniale, 2011 (any edition);

L'amica geniale, tv series, directed by Saverio Costanzo, first season (2018);

Nicola Lagioia, La città dei vivi, 2020 (any edition);

Nicola Lagioia, La città dei vivi (podcast), 2022.

 

Critical essays:

Giuliana Benvenuti (ed.), Forme ibride. Una storia della letteratura italiana dal 1895 a oggi, Torino, Einaudi, 2025;

All essays uploaded on the Virtuale platform and marked as mandatory readings.

Teaching methods

The lessons are, most of all, lectures held by the teacher. During the lessons, students will be encouraged to participate. We will use also some tools to support teaching, especially power-point. Movies and documentaries will be shown for the contextualization of readings scheduled. Finally, scholars will be invited for some specific issues and for the presentation of some texts and authors.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Assessment methods

The oral test consists in an oral interview which has the aim of evaluating the critical and methodological ability of the students. The students will be invited to discuss the tests on the course programme. The student must demonstrate an appropriate knowledge of the bibliography in the course programme.

Those students who are able to demonstrate a wide and systematic understanding of the issues covered during the lessons, are able to use these critically and who master the field-specific language of the discipline will be given a mark of excellence.

Those students who demonstrate a mnemonic knowledge of the subject with a more superficial analytical ability and ability to synthesize, a correct command of the language but not always appropriate, will be given a ‘fair' mark.

A superficial knowledge and understanding of the material, a scarce analytical and expressive ability that is not always appropriate will be rewarded with a pass mark or just above a pass mark.

Students who demonstrate gaps in their knowledge of the subject matter, inappropriate language use, lack of familiarity with the literature in the programme bibliography will not be given a pass mark.

Teaching tools

During the lectures audiovisual tools will be used to support the teaching. Scholars will also be invited to bring a significant contribution to increase the issues upon which the course focuses.

Office hours

See the website of Giuliana Benvenuti