30649 - English Literature 2 (2nd cycle)

Learning outcomes

Students will have a deep knowledge of Modern British Literature, in particular as far as the relationship between literary texts and their historical, linguistic and artistic context is concerned. They will know the critical methodologies to read and analyze literary texts and be able to use them. He will be able to elaborate complex analyses and formulate independent reflections on specific research topics.

Course contents

Mythologizing London: the dream and the nightmare of a city

How is possible to create a city through a literary work? What is the relationship between the city in literature and the real city? And specifically, how the myth of London, if there is such a myth, has been created through the literary works written about it, in it, through it? And how the literary London is related to the real one? And again, how contemporary literary London is related to the representations of the city in the past?

An attempt to answer those questions will be made, analysing some novels in which the city of London, or parts of it, is a character or even a protagonist of the narration.

Readings/Bibliography

Students are required to read the extracts uploaded to Virtuale, three works from List 1, one work set in London of their choice, and the critical texts.


Compulsory texts
Excerpts by various authors from the Middle Ages to the 20th century (on Virtuale)


List 1 (choose three texts)

Charles Dickens, one novel of your choice (excluding Hard Times)

Joseph Conrad, The Secret Agent (1907)

Virginia Woolf, Mrs Dalloway (1925) and Street Haunting (1927)

Pamela L. Travers, Mary Poppins (1934)

Jean Rhys, Voyage in the Dark (1934)

Sam Selvon, Lonely Londoners (1956)

Colin MacInnes, Absolute Beginners (1959)

James G. Ballard, The Drowned World (1962)

Michael Moorcock, Mother London (1988)

Peter Ackroyd, Dan Leno and the Limehouse Golem (1994)

Neil Gaiman, Neverwhere (1996)

Zadie Smith, White Teeth (2000)

Ben Aaronovitch, Rivers of London (2011)




Critical essays

P. Ackroyd, ‘Introduction’, in T. Wright (ed.), A Traveller’s Companion to London, London, Robinson, 2004, pp. xxxvii–li

S. Albertazzi, In questo mondo, Rome, Meltemi, 2006, pp. 17–52 and 89–107

M. Coverley, “Introduction”, in London Writing, Harpenden, Pocket Essentials, 2005, pp. 9–27

S. Johnson, “Complessità urbana e intreccio romanzesco”, in F. Moretti (ed.), La cultura del romanzo, Turin, Einaudi, 2001, pp. 727–745

F. Moretti, Atlante del romanzo europeo. 1800-1900, Turin, Einaudi, 1998, Chapter II

B. Pike, The Image of the City in Modern Literature, Princeton, Princeton University Press, 1981, pp. 3–37

For further reading (not compulsory) on London, see:

Peter Ackroyd, London: The Biography, London, Vintage Books, 2001

Roy Porter, London: A Social History, London, Penguin, 1996



The excerpts in Virtuale are compulsory. Students must choose three novels from those listed and a fourth of their own choice set in London.

Material on the individual texts, to be used during lectures, will be uploaded to Virtuale.

Teaching methods

Lectures.

Assessment methods

The examination consists of an oral interview. The oral interview aims to assess the critical and methodological skills acquired by the student, who will be invited to compare the texts addressed during the course. Particularly assessed will be the student's ability to move within the sources and bibliographical material in order to be able to identify useful information that will allow him to illustrate the cultural aspects and areas of the discipline. The student's attainment of an organic vision of the themes addressed in the lessons together with their critical use, the demonstration of a mastery of expression and specific language will be assessed with marks of excellence. The mostly mechanical and/or mnemonic knowledge of the subject, unarticulated synthesis and analysis skills and/or correct but not always appropriate language will lead to fair grades; formative gaps and/or inappropriate language - albeit in a context of minimal knowledge of the examination material - will lead to grades that do not exceed sufficiency. Inadequate training, inappropriate language, lack of orientation in the bibliographic materials offered during the course will lead to negative marks.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Use of AI: AI can be a useful tool to support independent study with in-depth analysis, summaries and self-assessment exercises. With regard to the assessment of learning, limited, declared and non-substantial use of AI is permitted for support activities (summaries, rephrasing). Substantial use of AI to complete parts of the exam is not permitted.

Erasmus or Overseas students: you could sit the exam as the Italian students or write an essay (about 10-15 pages), whose topic must be approved by the teacher.

Teaching tools

Power point.

Office hours

See the website of Gino Scatasta