00562 - Italian Literature (A-C)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students are expected to show a sound knowledge of the Italian literary tradition through the close reading of selected texts; they will also be able to develop critical reflections on the material under analysis and present clear and accurate interpretations of it, both orally and in writing, by applying independently and appropriately the methodology introduced by the lecturer.

Course contents

Lectures

The course is divided into an institutional part (A), where the teacher will deal with fundamental methodological issues and problems (related to works and authors present in the program) and in a monographic part (B), dedicated to the theme: Literature and the Hells (of history, politics, religion, prejudice). Part A and part B, however, will effectively coincide, in the sense that the institutional path (A) will be considered through some examples that allow for a critical study (B).

 For further information, the following texts will be read in class : DANTE, Inferno (8, 9, 10, 11, 18, 34), Purgatorio 32-33; PETRARCA, anti-Avignon sonnets (Canzoniere, 136, 137, 138), Boccaccio, Decameron: Introduction (the plague and the brigade), I 2, I 3, VIII 7; Machiavelli, Principe (ch. 26); Ariosto, Orlando Furioso, XXXIV. The reflections of these Hells will also be considered through more recent examples: MANZONI, Storia della colonna infame: Introduction and chap. 1; P. LEVI, Se questo è un uomo, ch. 1 and 11; C. MALAPARTE, La pelle, chap. I: La peste; L. SCIASCIA, Il Consiglio d'Egitto; M. TOBINO, Le libere donne di Magliano (scattered passages). Of this path, which winds its way since the first centuries, students will have to know, as for the general panorama that connects points A and B, the notes of the lessons (which can be integrated with the materials that will be uploaded on virtual). Of the listed works, students will also have to know two texts chosen from those listed in point 3. Attending students are required to study the texts and teaching materials indicated in point 2 (2a and 2b) and 3 of the 'Texts/Bibliography' section and to know the topics covered during the lessons. 2. Self study Through the manuals and texts indicated in point 2 of the 'Texts/Bibliography' section, students will study the history of Italian literature from its origins to the Renaissance

Readings/Bibliography

1. Course of lessons

Lecture notes and teaching materials available online through the Virtual platform.

2. Manuals and texts for the institutional part (A): 2.a) Textbooks: Alfano-Italia-Russo-Tomasi,Profilo di Letteratura italiana. Dalle origini a fine Ottocento, Milano, Mondadori, 2021 (single volume: the part to be studied reaches as far as Tasso, p. 385); L. Chines, Glossario dei termini metrici e retorici (available on Virtuale) and the anthology edited by Anselmi-Chines-Bernardi-Di Franco-Severi, Leggere i classici italiani. Un'antologia, Bologna, Pàtron, 2019, up to Torquato Tasso, p. 99; optional reading, however very educational, by M. Motolese, Scritti a mano. Otto storie di capolavori italiani da Boccaccio a Eco, Milano, Garzanti, 2017 (two chapters chosen by the student).

2.b) Texts (the "recommended critical readings" next to each text are not mandatory): Dante Alighieri, Vita Nova (complete reading, recommended edition: Carrai, Rizzoli, 2009); Inferno (complete reading, or, alternatively, 33 cantos of the Comedy, equally divided between Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso: in this case, the list will be provided by the teacher at the beginning of the lessons); recommended editions with commentary: Pasquini-Quaglio, Garzanti, 1982-86; G. Inglese, Carocci, 2007; Chiavacci Leonardi, Mondadori, 2005. Recommended critical readings: E. Auerbach, Studies on Dante, Milan, Feltrinelli, 2005; E. Pasquini, Life of Dante. The days and the works, Milan, Rizzoli, 2006; G. Ledda, Dante, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2008.

F. Petrarca, Canzoniere, liriche I, III, V, XI, XVI, XXXV, LII, LXI, XC, CXXVI, CXXVIII, CXXIX, CXXXIV, CXXXVII, CCLXXII, CCCII, CCCXXXIII, CCCXXXVI, CCCLXVI; recommended editions:: Vecchi, Bur, 2012; Santagata, Mondadori, 1996 (2004 2^a ed.); recommended reading: L. Chines, Petrarca, Bologna, Pàtron, 2017;

G. Boccaccio, Decameron, trenta novelle (l'elenco verrà fornito dal docente al principio delle lezioni); recommended editions: Veglia, Feltrinelli, 2020; Quondam – Fiorilla – Alfano, Bur, 2013; recommended reading: F. Bausi, Leggere il Decameron, Bologna, il Mulino, 2017;

Matteo Maria Boiardo, Orlando innamorato (L'inamoramento de Orlando), Libro I, canti I e II, ; recommended edition: a cura di A. Canova, Milano, BUR, 2011; recommended reading: Tiziano Zanato, Boiardo, Roma, Salerno, 2015.

N. Machiavelli, Il principe (lettura integrale); recommended editions: Anselmi-Varotti, Bollati Boringhieri, 1992; G. Inglese, Einaudi, 2005; R. Ruggiero, Bur, 2008; recommended reading: R. Bruscagli, Machiavelli, Il Mulino, 2008; G.M. Anselmi, N. Bonazzi, Niccolò Machiavelli, Le Monnier, 2011;

L. Ariosto, Orlando furioso, canti I, XII, XXIII, XXXIV; edizione commentata consigliata: Bigi - Zampese, Milano, Bur, 2015; recommended reading: S. Zatti, Leggere l’Orlando furioso, Bologna, il Mulino, 2016; C. Dini, Ariosto. Guida all’Orlando furioso, Roma, Carocci, 2001;

T. Tasso, Gerusalemme liberata, canti I, XII, XVI; recommended editiona: a cura di F. Tomasi, Milano, Bur, 2009; recommended reading: M. Residori, Tasso, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2009; G. Alfano, Torquato Tasso, Firenze, Le Monnier, 2010.

3. Texts for the monographic part (B): Attending students will be able to take the exam, for this part, on the basis of the lecture notes. Furthermore, students will have to know the parts covered in class from two works of their choice (which are not already included in list 2. b). Available to all students, as a possible in-depth study (not mandatory), some in-depth essays will be uploaded to Virtual. Non-attending students Non-attending students are required to study the manuals indicated in point 2 a, the study of the texts indicated in section 2 b, for point 3, of two complete works among those covered in class.

Teaching methods

Lectures and seminars involving text analysis and class discussion.

Formative written assignments

Assessment methods

Assessment for the course includes a written and an oral exam.

Written exam (2 hours). Students will be required to analyse texts included in the reading list, showing their ability to discuss their thematic and formal features, as well as the cultural and literary context. Students will also be required to answer some questions about the history of Italian literature, metrics, rhetoric, philology. The choice of questions will include: two commentaries of texts selected from the reading list for the first (general) part of the course; one question on Italian literary history; one question on the topic of the second part (monographic) of the course. Students are required to sit the written exam before taking the oral exam, but they are allowed to take the oral exam even if they don't 'pass' the written exam. The result of the written exam will form a part of the final overall mark. Markers will assess: accuracy of the answers; quality of expression and critical language; structure of argument; quality of critical reflection; knowledge of the contents of the course; ability to provide clear and accurate interpretations of the texts; ability to use the specialist language of literary criticism.

In some cases (for instance: non-native speakers of Italian), students might be allowed to substitute the written exam with a 3,000-word essay, whose topic must be agreed in advance with the lecturer.

Oral exam (approx. 30 minutes). Students will be required to discuss their readings and the contents of the course. Markers will assess: standard of expression; ability to provide clear and accurate interpretations of the texts; ability to discuss the contents of the course; ability to use the specialist language of literary criticism; quality of critical reflection. Students may choose whether they prefer to discuss sections 1 (lectures) and 2 (set primary readings and textbook) in a single oral exam or in two different sessions.

Assessment Criteria. To be awarded a final mark between 27 and 30 cum laude students are expected to: show the ability to analyse in depth literary texts following the methodology introduced by the lecturer and/or in the set critical readings; possess and be able to present both verbally and in writing a thorough and organic knowledge of the topics discussed in class and/or in the set readings; show an excellent standard of expression (both written and verbal); show the ability to use properly the technical language of philology and literary criticism. A mark between 23 and 26 will be awarded to students who will show: a good knowledge of the course contents; the ability to provide an accurate analysis of literary texts (although there might be some minor imperfections); a good standard of verbal and written expression (with occasional minor flaws in the presentation and/or in the use of technical language). Students obtaining a mark between 18 and 22 will typically show: an adequate but superficial knowledge of the contents; a basic understanding of the texts and a limited ability to analyse them, an acceptable standard of expression with a fairly competent (although not always accurate) use of technical language. Poor knowledge of the set texts and course topics, inadequate ability to analyse literary texts; inaccurate and inappropriate verbal and written expression with major problems in the use of technical language will result in a fail.

Teaching tools

• Lectures and seminars
• PowerPoint presentations
• 'Virtuale' e-learning Platform

Office hours

See the website of Marco Veglia