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

Novecento visionario, novecento razionale

The course investigates, through a series of examples spanning the century, two visions that are apparently opposed: on the one hand the return to a mythological, irrational vision, capable of investigating the dark side of existence, and on the other the need to elaborate rational systems for investigating the world, conceiving works characterised by complex formal elaborations.

Is it really a question of two “Novecento”? Is this disagreement real or is it a fabricated creation of historiography? From Pavese to Del Giudice, analyses attempt to find a way out of a dualism that is not always well-founded.

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

analisi e intepretazione dei seguenti testi:

1. C. Pavese, Feria d'agosto (Einaudi, in particolare i saggi usl mito e sul simbolo)

2. C. Pavese, Il diavolo sulle colline (Einaudi)

3. P.P. Pasolini, Empirismo eretico (Garzanti, in particolare la parte dedicata alla letteratura)

4.P.P. Pasolini, Teorema (Garzanti)

II modulo:

5. I. Calvino, Palomar (Mondadori)

6.Byung-Chul Han, La crisi della narrazione (Einaudi)

7. D. Del giudice, Del narrare (Einaudi, in particolare i saggi: Del narrare, Narrare e vedere, Gli oggetti, la lettura, la memoria)

8. D. Del Giudice, Staccando l'ombra da terra (Einaudi)

 

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