67310 - Northern Literatures (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the classes the student will have theoretical and methodological instruments in order to know Nordic literatures. Nordic literatures it means literary expressions in Danish, Feroese, Icelandic, Norwegian and Swedish languages, from the very beginnings to the contemporary age. Due to the strong linguistic and cultural similitude, the classes will follow a comparatistic approach to Nordic literatures taking into account also other arts (painting, movie, music, etc.). The student will be able to know the most important social aspects of the Nordic culture which will be useful in a larger humanistic learning.

Course contents

1st Semester:  30 hours (6 CFU)

The North in the Family

To understand Nordic culture, beyond the easy stereotypes (the Great North, Nature, liberal lifestyles, etc.), we must examine the role played by the family as an institution, a central theme in Nordic literature. The family reflects relationships, tensions and resolutions which are often addressed in different ways by different authors. This course will explore the works of particularly significant authors in the Nordic literary scene, covering a period from the nineteenth century to the present day. We will analyse a selection of representative texts by Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and Icelandic authors (Hans Christian Andersen, Jens-Peter Jacobsen, Henrik Ibsen, Selma Lagerlöf, Thomas Vinterberg and Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir). These works will provide a framework for discussing and highlighting the fundamental characteristics of the family in Nordic culture, exploring family ties, breakdowns and new forms of union.

Readings/Bibliography

Works:

Fonti primarie:

Andersen, Hans Christian, La famiglia felice, in Id., Fiabe e storie, a cura di Bruno Berni, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2012 (or any other reprint), pp. 330-333.

Jacobsen, Jens-Peter, La signora Fönss, Milano, Bompiani, 1943

Ibsen, Henrik, Gli spettri, a cura di Anita Rho, Torino, Einaudi, 1997 (or any oother edition from the collected works)

Lagerlöf, Selma, L'imperatore di Portugallia, Milano, Iperborea, 1991 (or any other reprint).

Eldridge, David, Festen, London, Methuen, 2004

Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir, Eden, Torino, Einaudi, 2024.

 

Critical studies:

Neil Kent, The Soul of the North, London, Reaktion books, 2001, pp. 68-80, 89-109.

Berni, Bruno, Dal Romanticismo al Realismo, in Storia delle letterature scandinave. Dalle origini ad oggi, a cura di Massimo Ciaravolo, Milano, Iperborea, 2019, pp. 254-258.

Andersen, Jens, Hans Christian Andersen. A New Life, New York, Woodstock, London, Ovrlook Duckworth, 2005, pp.213-230.

Ibsen, Henrik, Drammi borghesi, a cura di Franco Perrelli, Milano, Mondadori, 2024, pp. XX-XXIV, XCV-XCIX, 1254-1281, 1485-1501

D'Amico, Giuliano, L'affermazione della letteratura moderna (ca. 1870-1910), in Storia delle letterature scandinave. Dalle origini ad oggi, a cura di Massimo Ciaravolo, Milano, Iperborea, 2019, pp. 281-292, 300-313.

Edström, Vivi, Selma Lagerlöf, Boston, Twayne, 1984, pp. 1-14, 92-97.

Andri Snær Magnason, Proteggere le mele, in The Passenger. Islanda, Iperborea, 2018, pp. 95-101, 104-107, 110-113.

One of these two essays:

Bullens, Quentin - Duchâteau, Chantal, Regard médiatisé sur la prise en charge des adultes ayant été victimes d'abus sexuel dans l'enfance Festen de Thomas Vinterberg : une invitation à la réflexion, in «Psychothérapies», 2010/3 Vol. 30, pp. 147-158 (online on UNIBO databases)

Pedrón de Martín, Liliana, Thomas Vinterberg'S Festen (1998): an attempt to avoid madness through denunciation, in The Couch and the Silver Screen: Psychoanalytic Reflections on European Cinema, ed. by Andrea Sabbadini, Hove - New York, Brunner Routledge, 2003, pp. 132-138 (Online on UNIBO databases)

 

Other material on Virtuale platfrom

Teaching methods

Front lessons. No recording of the lessons will be provided.

Assessment methods

The exam consists inan oral interview. During the interview the methodological and critical skills acquired by the student willbe evaluated. The student will be invited to discuss the texts covered during the course andtomove within the sources and bibliographical material in order to be able to identify in them the useful information that will enableto illustrate the similarities and cultural areas of the discipline. The achievementof an organic vision of the issues addressed during the classes and theircritical use, which demonstrateownership of a mastery of expression and specific language, will be assessed with marks of excellence. Mechanical and / or mnemonic knowledge of matter, synthesis and analysis of non-articulating and / or correct language but not always appropriatewill lead to discrete assessments; training gaps and / or inappropriate language - although in a context of minimal knowledgeof the material - will lead to votes that will not exceed the sufficiency. Training gaps, inappropriate language, lack of guidance within the reference materials offered during the course will lead to failed assessments.

Teaching tools

During the course, some audiovisual material will be used. Teaching material will be posted on the web platform of the course.

 

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities.

We suggest that you contact the relevant university office ( https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) and your teacher immediately to work together to find the most effective strategies for attending classes and/or preparing for exams.
Any requests for exam accommodations must be made at least 15 days before the date of the exam, by sending an email to the teacher and copying (Cc) the email address disabilita@unibo.it (in case of disability) or dsa@unibo.it (for students with Specific Learning Difficulties).

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Zironi