02609 - Contemporary Italian Literature (E-M)

Learning outcomes

At the end of this class, students are expected to achieve a wide knowledge of Italian Twentieth-Century literature, with a main focus on relationships between literature and sociology, anthropology and civilization; the course load goes together with general notions in criticism and textual analysis, in formal, structural, compositional matters, and in their reception as well. During the course students become able to analyze by themselves texts belonging to the contemporary Italian literary tradition.

Course contents

Institutional part - Complete reading of the Promessi Sposi in the Carocci edition commented by Raimondi and Bottoni

 

I Module - La coscienza di Zeno by Italo Svevo, a contemporary novel

Course length: 30 hours (6 credits). Lessons will be held every Monday from 13 to 15 and every Thursday and Friday 9-11 (Room VI, In. 38, Zamboni street).

Lectures will start on September the 19th (Monday), 2022.

 

II module - Imaginary landscape and geographical landscape: literary Emilia by Gianni Celati, Luigi Ghirri and Attilio Bertolucci

 Course length: 30 hours (6 credits). Lessons will be held every Monday from 13 to 15 and every Thursday and Friday from 9 to 11 (Room VI, In. 38, Zamboni street).

Readings/Bibliography

Institutional part

Complete reading of the Promessi Sposi, only and specifically in the edition commented by Ezio Raimondi and Luciano Bottoni, Carocci, Rome 2021.

Monographic part

• I module:
  La coscienza di Zeno - any full-length edition.
  The rest of the bibliography will be provided during the course.

 

• II module:
  Attilio Bertolucci, La camera da letto, Garzanti, Milano 2020; Gianni Celati, Conversazioni del vento volatore, Quodlibet, Macerata 2011; Daniele Benati, Opere complete di Learco Pignagnoli, Quodlibet, Macerata 2009; Luigi Ghirri, iconographic material that can be found online.
  The rest of the bibliography will be provided during the course.

 

Those who will have to take the exam from 6 credits will be required to freely choose the preparation of any of the two modules.

 

The program for non-attending students includes the integration of ten other authors present in the anthology of Pier Vincenzo Mengaldo, Poeti italiani del Novecento, Mondadori, Milano 2021.

Teaching methods

- Lessons

- Workshops

- Lectures and notes to the texts

- Critical Discussions

Assessment methods

Assessment consists of a viva voce examination aiming to assess the knowledge and critical skills acquired by the candidate during the course.

1. First-class marks will be awarded to candidates who demonstrate an ability to analyse texts in depth and to produce an organic overview of the topics covered in the course. Overall mark between 27 and 30 cum laude(high linguistic ability is required).

2. A mostly mnemonic knowledge of the subject, analytical skills lacking depth, and correct but not always apposite expression will result in a modest mark. Overall mark between 23 and 26.

3. Elementary knowledge, superficial understanding, poor analytical skills, and inapposite expression will lead to a pass or only slightly higher mark. Overall mark between 18 and 22.

4. Gaps in the candidate’s knowledge, inapposite language, and inadequate engagement with the secondary literature offered in the course will result in a fail mark.

Teaching tools

Course sources: texts analysed throughout the lectures and the indicated critical bibliography.

Office hours

See the website of Alberto Bertoni