81852 - Catalan Literature (LM)

Learning outcomes

The student has a deep knowledge of the contemporary literature in Catalan, with particular regard to the relationships between literary texts and history, language and the arts. She/he is able to use critical methodologies to read and analyze literary texts. In particular, the course will be focused on some literary texts and authors of the XX century.

Course contents

The course, taught in Italian and structured into two complementary modules, offers an overview of Catalan literature from its origins to the present day, together with an in-depth exploration of the relationship between literature and cinema.

Module 1 – Catalan Literature: Authors, Texts and Contexts (30 hours)

This module traces the development of Catalan literature from its origins to the present through the reading and critical analysis of a selection of representative texts. While providing an overview of the major periods of the Catalan literary tradition, particular emphasis is placed on the literature of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and on the cultural, aesthetic and social transformations that have shaped its evolution. The reading of short stories, together with other selected texts, serves as the principal means of exploring the relationship between literary production and its historical and cultural context.

Topics include:

• The birth of a Literature: Ramon Llull, Joanot Martorell and Ausiàs March.
• From crisis to renewal: Joan Maragall and Narcís Oller.
• Aesthetic rupture: Modernisme and Noucentisme: Víctor Català and Josep Carner.
• War, the avant-garde and exile: J. V. Foix and Pere Calders.
• Francoism and the "decisive years": Mercè Rodoreda and Josep Pla.
• The post-Franco period and the cultural industries: Joan Perucho and Montserrat Roig.
• Contemporary literature: (dis)engagement and artivism: Quim Monzó and Bel Olid.

Module 2 – Catalan Literature and Cinema: From Page to Screen (30 hours)

The seminar module explores the relationship between literature and audiovisual media through the study of selected film and television adaptations of works from modern and contemporary Catalan literature. By analysing a range of case studies, students will examine adaptation processes, narrative transformations, and the dialogue between memory, literature and audiovisual languages.

Readings/Bibliography

Recommended bibliography

Ferrando Francés, A. (2022). Letteratura catalana. Dalle origini al XXI secolo. Roma: Carocci.

Badia i Margarit, A. M. (1971). Storia della letteratura catalana. Torino: Einaudi.

Broch, A.; Cònsul, I.; Llorca, V. (a cura di) (2002). Panorama della letteratura catalana. Generalitat de Catalunya.

Carol, L. (a cura di) (2007) Dalla pagina allo schermo. Uno sguardo alla letteratura catalana contemporanea. Verona: Cierre Edizioni.

Additional critical essays, audiovisual materials and other resources selected by the instructor will be made available through the University's Virtuale platform throughout the course.

Teaching methods

The course combines lectures and seminar activities with the aim of developing advanced skills in the analysis, interpretation and contextualisation of literary texts and their audiovisual adaptations.

The first module consists of lectures introducing the historical and cultural context of Catalan literature and examining a selection of representative authors and works. Close reading and critical discussion of literary texts constitute the principal means through which students will develop their analytical and interpretative skills.

The second module takes the form of a seminar devoted to the study of the relationships between literature and cinema through the analysis of film and audiovisual adaptations of major works of modern and contemporary Catalan literature. Particular attention will be paid to adaptation processes, narrative strategies and the transformations that occur when literary texts are translated into audiovisual language.

Teaching activities draw on a wide range of materials, including literary texts, critical essays, audiovisual resources and digital materials, in order to promote an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Catalan literature.

The two modules are designed as complementary and integrated components of a single learning pathway. Students will be encouraged to participate actively through guided discussions, seminar presentations and individual research activities that foster critical reflection, the exchange of ideas and collaborative learning.

Assessment methods

Assessment consists of an oral examination, conducted in Italian, lasting approximately 20–25 minutes.

During the seminar module, students will be required to develop an individual project focusing on a literary work, an author, a film adaptation or one of the topics explored during the course. The project will be presented in class through a short digital presentation (e.g. PowerPoint or an equivalent format), encouraging discussion and the sharing of knowledge within the group.

The oral examination is designed to assess:

• knowledge of the authors, literary works and major developments in Catalan literature covered during the course;
• the ability to contextualise literary texts within their historical, cultural and literary framework;
• the ability to analyse literary works critically;
• an understanding of the relationships between literature and cinema explored in the seminar module;
• the ability to establish meaningful connections between the different themes and materials discussed throughout the course.

Particular emphasis will be placed on students' ability to integrate the independent research presented during the seminar with the content covered in the lectures, demonstrating critical thinking, independent judgement and an appropriate use of the methodological tools of literary studies.

The final assessment will take into account the quality of the seminar project (or, for non-attending students, an equivalent assignment agreed upon with the instructor), as well as students' knowledge of the course content, their analytical and interpretative skills, their ability to contextualise and establish critical connections between texts, authors and cultural phenomena, and the clarity and accuracy of their oral presentation.

Marking criteria

18–21: satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes; general knowledge of the course content with limited analytical and contextualisation skills.

22–25: good knowledge of the authors, literary works and topics covered; adequate analytical and interpretative skills.

26–29: thorough and confident knowledge of the course content; good ability to interpret literary works critically, contextualise them appropriately and establish meaningful connections between texts, authors and cultural phenomena.

30–30 with honours: outstanding and comprehensive knowledge of the topics covered; excellent critical and interpretative skills, a high degree of intellectual independence, and rigorous use of the methodological tools of the discipline.

The use of generative Artificial Intelligence tools during the examination is not permitted.

With regard to assessment, the use of generative AI constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Students with SLDs or temporary or permanent disabilities: we suggest that you contact the relevant university office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) and your teacher immediately to work together to find the most effective strategies for attending classes and/or preparing for exams.
Any requests for exam accommodations must be made at least 15 days before the date of the exam, by sending an email to the teacher and copying (Cc) the email address disabilita@unibo.it (in case of disability) or dsa@unibo.it (for students with Specific Learning Difficulties).

 

Teaching tools

The course makes use of the following teaching resources:

• the University's Virtuale e-learning platform for the distribution of teaching materials, bibliographical references and course announcements;
• literary texts in the original language and in translation;
• critical essays and supplementary reading materials selected by the instructor;
• audiovisual materials and films used as part of the seminar module;
• digital resources, online archives and electronic databases supporting the study of Catalan literature and culture.

The responsible use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may support independent study, bibliographical research and further individual learning, provided that any AI-generated content is subject to critical evaluation and independent verification by students.

Office hours

See the website of Lidia Carol Gerones