02609 - Contemporary Italian Literature (A-C)

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

Embodiments

The course aims to answer some fundamental questions through the analysis of literary works of the Twentyfirst century. What is the aim of a writer that creates characters whose bodies are not “normal”, that don’t recall any stereotype? And so, how the character’s ideation arises new questions around identity? And again, is it possible to define the imaginative processes that act in the texts and corroborate the analyses of the psychic and tangible identity (of the author, of the character and even of the reader)?

Attending students will follow the analyses conducted by the lecturer, studying the texts indicated in the program.

For non-attending students it will be mandatory to read all the texts indicated in the program, with particular focus on the study of the manual Cent’anni di letteratura italiana (1910-2010), Torino, Einaudi, 2021, ed. by M.A. Bazzocchi. During the lectures the professor may indicate other essays that will be included among the downloadable contents.

Readings/Bibliography

 

I e II modulo:

analisi e intepretazione dei seguenti testi:

1. A. Palazzeschi, Il codice di Perelà (Oscar Mondadori))

2. A. Savinio, La nostra anima (Adelphi)

3. D. Campana, Canti Orfici (BUR, Rizzoli)

4. C. Levi, Cristo si è fermato a Eboli (Einaudi)

5. A. M. Ortese, L'iguana (Adelphi)

6. G. Bassani, Gli occhiali d'oro (Einaudi)

7. G. Manganelli, Pinocchio. Un libro parallelo (Adelphi)

Gli studenti che portano il corso da 6 cfu e frequentano il primo modulo dovranno conoscere e saranno interrogati sui testi 1.2.3.4

Per gli altri (12 cfu) è obbligatoria la conoscenza di tutti i testi.

Bibliografia critica:

1. Per Palazzeschi il paragrafo relativo all'autore nel manuale Cento anni di letteratura italiana (v.sez. seguente)

2. Per Savinio: G. Guglielmi: La lanterna di Psiche, in La prosa italiana del novecento. Umorismo Metafisica Grottesco, Torino, Einaudi, 1986 (pp.165-197).

3. Per D. Campana: materiali didattici on-line

4. Per C. Levi: saggio di Bazzocchi messo sui materiali on-line

5. Per Ortese: saggio E. Attanasio, Divenire drago: esplorazioni nell'opera di Ortese, Bologna, Pendragon, 2022 (sezione nei materiali didattici on-line)

6. Per Bassani vedi paragrafo relativo in Cento anni di letteratura italiana

7. Per G. Manganelli: materiali didattici on-line

Teaching methods

The course is based on the reading, the analysis and the discussion of the literary texts in biblioghaphy.

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.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Antonio Bazzocchi