B5454 - Forms of Poetic Text (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

Throughout this class, students are introduced to the fundamentals of an analytical approach to the poetic text - metre, rhythm, intonation, and the history of poetic forms - in a comparative perspective, and they become able to apply them as they read authors and poems belonging to various languages and traditions.

Course contents

Course topic: Epos. In the Rhythm of Storytelling.

The course lasts 60 hours, equivalent to 12 course credits. For Erasmus, Overseas and students of the University of Bologna interested in obtaining 6 credits, the final exam presents an alternative between two options:

a. the preparation and discussion of an essay of about 25-30000 keystrokes, concerning a specific topic among those of the course, to be agreed with the lecturer;

b. the preparation and oral exposition of one part chosen from the two that make up the entire course.

The aim of the course is to introduce students to an investigation of the main forms of modern and contemporary verse, both free and regulated, by using some examples of Italian verse narrative from the second half of the 20th century and contemporary as a tool of analysis.

The choice of this course presupposes a good knowledge of 20th century and contemporary Italian literature acquired during the BA programme.

The course starts on Monday, February 16, 2026, and proceeds with the following schedule until March 18, 2026:

Monday, 3-5 p.m., Aula 2, Via del Guasto 3;

Tuesday, 3-5 p.m., Aula 2, Via del Guasto 3;

Wednesday, 5-7 p.m., Aula 2, Via del Guasto 3.

The course resumes on April 9, 2026 and continues with the following schedule until June 3, 2026:

Tuesday, 5-7 p.m., Aula Pascoli, Via Zamboni 32;

Thursday, 5-7 p.m., Aula Pascoli, Via Zamboni 32;

Friday, 5-7 p.m., Aula Pascoli, Via Zamboni 32.

Study materials related to the course and excerpts from the texts that will be analyzed during the lectures will be available on the “Virtuale” web repository.

Readings/Bibliography

In the Part 1 of the course, excerpts from Dopo Campoformio [After Campoformio] and Le descrizioni in atto [Practical Descriptions] by Roberto Roversi (in the volume Tre poesie e alcune prose. Testi 1959-2004, edited by Marco Giovenale, with a note by Fabio Moliterni, Rome: Sossella, 2008) will be read and analyzed in class, to be studied in preparation for the final oral exam. in addition, some parts from La camera da letto [The Bedroom] by Attilio Bertolucci (with a preface by Nicola Gardini, Milan: Garzanti, 2020); furthermore, some parts of Non sempre ricordano. Poema epico [Not Always They Remember. An Epic Poem] by Patrizia Vicinelli (in the volume La nott'e 'l giorno. L'opera poetica, edited by Roberta Bisogno and Fabio Orecchini, Ancona: Argolibri, 2024); finally, some parts of La ballata di Rudi [Rudi's Ballad] by Elio Pagliarani (in the volume Tutte le poesie 1946-2011, edited by Andrea Cortellessa, Milan: Il Saggiatore, 2019).

In the Part 2 of the course an in-depth study related to contemporary authors (Vincenzo Frungillo, Vincenzo Ostuni, Carmen Gallo, Antonella Anedda) whose texts will be made available in electronic format, will take place.

In both parts, the reading of the texts will be read along an interpretive path, conducted through the study of various essays and scholarly articles.

Non-attending students will read:

Stefano Colangelo, Come si legge una poesia. Nuova edizione [How to Read a Poem. New Edition], Rome: Carocci, 2023.

Any other information will be provided to students enrolled in the course on the "Virtuale" web repository.

Teaching methods

Traditional lectures with a strong interaction between students and teacher.

Assessment methods

For the 6 credits option see above, "Course contents".

For 12 credits, the final exam consists of an oral appointment, which aims to verify some methodological, personally developed skills. It focuses on the main theoretical matters approached throughout the class, and verifies the knowledge of the texts and essays that have been the subject of a common consideration throughout the class. Students could be invited to read and comment some samples using an original approach from a critically well-based point of view.

A positive or excellent score (27 to 30/30, even with distinction) corresponds to a full mastering of technical, theoretical, historical and typological sources, to the ability to make connections among single parts of the course contents, and to show awareness of textual features with an appropriate language; an average score (23 to 26/30) goes to students who reveal some lacks in one or more topics or analytical proofs, or are able to use barely mechanically their abilities; a pass or low score (18 to 22/30) to students with severe lacks in one or more topics or exercises, or with inaccuracies while using notions or approaching samples. A negative score is assigned to students who are not able to demonstrate any knowledge of the basic notions required.

Examination sessions take place monthly. No sessions in August. Please sign up at the "AlmaEsami" web site. The registration time ends two days before the oral examination.

Teaching tools

Excerpts from texts and criticism in digital scans.

Students who require specific services and adaptations to teaching activities due to a disability or specific learning disorders (SLD), are kindly invited to contact the appropriate office.

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Colangelo