B1587 - Religious Italian Literature

Learning outcomes

The course aims at fostering the understanding of religious italian literature within a chronological frame that goes from the Middle Ages up to early modern and contemporary authors. Specific attention will be paid to the dynamics of production/circulation/preservation of Italian literary works belonging to the genre of religious literature, with reference to both their historic and sociological background and the centres in which they were produced and preserved (e.g. scriptoria and convent libraries). By the end of the course students will be able to analyse literary sources in their relationship with the evolution of contemporary religious culture; moreover, students will be capable of investigating the dynamics of production and preservation of literary works within the main religious centres in Italy, with specific reference to those belonging to the Mendicant orders.

Course contents

The course is divided into two parts: A. FOUNDATIONAL PART: Outline of the history of Italian religious literature For this part, students are required to study a handbook on the history of Italian religious literature and demonstrate knowledge of key authors and texts through a comprehensive study of the anthology listed in the bibliography. B. SPECIALIZED PART: Jesuit Writers: Daniello Bartoli The course focuses on the figure and work of the Jesuit Daniello Bartoli, offering an introduction to his writing within the context of 17th-century Jesuit culture through the reading and analytical commentary of one of his works. The aim of the course is to introduce and discuss the main characteristics and themes of Daniello Bartoli’s prose within the context of 17th-century religious literature.

Readings/Bibliography

A. CORE COMPONENT: Outline of the history of religious literature Rita Libranti, *La letteratura religiosa*, Bologna, il Mulino, 2012. B. SPECIALIZED COMPONENT: Jesuit Writers: Daniello Bartoli Primary texts: Daniello Bartoli, *Missione al Gran Mogòr* Recommended edition: edited by Bruno Basile, Rome, Salerno Editrice, 1998. Critical essays: - Adriano Prosperi, "Introduzione," in Daniello Bartoli, *Istoria della Compagnia di Gesù, L’Asia*, edited by Umberto Grassi, Turin, Einaudi, 2019. - Alberto Asor Rosa, "Bartoli Daniello," in *Dizionario biografico degli italiani*, vol. VI, Rome, Istituto dell’Enciclopedia Italiana, 1964; freely downloadable here: https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/daniello-bartoli_(Dizionario-Biografico)/ N.B. For the core component, in addition to the textbook listed above, *non-attending students* are required to study the entire volume by Erminia Ardissino, *Il Seicento*, Bologna, il Mulino, 2014 (or subsequent reprints).

Teaching methods

- Lectures with readings and comments on prescribed texts

- Hisotorical contextualization of literary texts, also in their relationships with other arts

- Discussion of critical hypothesis

Assessment methods

The exam will consist of one oral exam; specific diets will be announced on Almaesami. The oral exam entails the knowledge of texts prescribed in both the general and the focused part of the syllabus, and aims at evaluating 1) the understanding of topics covered in the general part of the syllabus; 2) the capacity to understand the problems discussed in class and on the prescribed texts; 3) the knowledge of Italian Literature in its diachronic development; 4) the capacity to contextualize texts and problems within their cultural background as well as to critically discuss them; 5) the quality of both written and oral skills as well as the capacity of develop a convincingly argued line of reasoning. Students can enrol onto the diet for the oral exam through the dedicated page on Almaesami, and must study the entire syllabus. Students who have studied only one of the two parts of the syllabus will not be allowed to sit the exam.

The final mark will be awarded according to the following marking scheme: 1) non-sufficient: lack of understanding of the basic notions and lack of capacity to correctly discuss texts and problems; 2) sufficient: positive understanding of the basic notions; adequate discussion of texts and problems, but lacking of precision and over-relying on lecture notes; 3) good: positive understanding of intermediate notions; correct discussion of text and problems, but at times not completely precise and over-relying on lecture notes; 4) excellent: full understanding of topics covered; discussion of texts and problems not only correct but also developed autonomously and precisely. Excellent oral skills.

Teaching tools

Slides

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DVD

Students who are affected by learning disability (DSA) and in need of special strategies to compensate it, are kindly requested to contact the Teacher, in order to be referred to the colleagues in charge and get proper advice and instructions.

Office hours

See the website of Nicolò Maldina