72811 - Literature and Media (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student acquires the tools for the analysis of texts produced within the new literary scenario resulting from the interaction with digital technologies. The course focuses on exemplary case studies in order to understand how writing practices change in an intermedial context such as the one that characterizes the contemporary world.

Course contents

A transmedia longseller: Umberto Eco's Il nome della rosa

The course will be focused on some aspects characterising the relationship between literature, cinema, television and new media in the construction of narratives that address transnational audiences and create imaginaries that are typical of the global age.

In particular, the case of Umberto Eco's Il nome della rosa (1980) will be analysed as a prototype of the globally successful Italian novel, examining the reasons for this success in the stratification of genres and meanings of the text. Through the reading of the later La misteriosa fiamma della regina Loana (2004), the course will also deal with the relations and integrations between literature and visual media, moving on to an analysis of the transmedia extensions of Il nome della rosa, from the film adaptation by Jean-Jacques Annaud (1986) to the TV series by Giacomo Battiato (2019). it will thus be highlighted the transition from transpositions that could be understood in the light of adaptation theory to the construction of narratives that arise from an imaginary produced by different media and translate into transmedia productions through the integration of entertainment experiences on different media platforms.

The case of Il nome della rosa, covering a long period of time, makes it possible to observe the development of derivative narratives in which the logics of adaptation and expansion converge and conflict, and to which the different interpretative models of adaptation, transmedia storytelling and the narrative ecosystem are applicable from time to time.

Readings/Bibliography

Narrative works:

Umberto Eco, Il nome della rosa, Milano, Bompiani, 1980 (any edition that includes the Postille a "Il nome della rosa" 1983)

Umberto Eco, La misteriosa fiamma della regina Loana, Milano, Bompiani, 2004 (any edition)

Il nome della rosa, directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, 1986

Il nome della rosa, TV series, directed by Giacomo Battiato 2019

 

Critical essays:

Linda Hutcheon, Teoria degli adattamenti, Roma, Armando, 2011

Stefano Calabrese (ed.), Narrare al tempo della globalizzazione, Roma, Carocci, 2016 (Introduzione and chapters 4 and 5)

Nicola Dusi, Il nome della rosa. Roghi, incendi e scintille tra romanzo, film, serie tv, in Beniamino Della Gala, Lavinia Torti (eds.), Pixel. Letteratura e media digitali, Modena, Mucchi, 2021, pp. 75-96.

 

Additional resources can be recommended by the teacher in class and on the Virtuale platform. 

Teaching methods

The course will consist of a series of lectures focusing on reading and interpreting the material on the programme. During the lectures students will be encouraged to participate actively in discussions and common reflections. In some specific cases, one or more specialists from the authors or themes on which the course focuses may be invited to give individual lectures.

Assessment methods

The oral test consists in an oral interview which has the aim of evaluating the critical and methodological ability of the students. The students will be invited to discuss the tests on the course programme. The student must demonstrate an appropriate knowledge of the bibliography in the course programme.

Those students who are able to demonstrate a wide and systematic understanding of the issues covered during the lessons, are able to use these critically and who master the field-specific language of the discipline will be given a mark of excellence.

Those students who demonstrate a mnemonic knowledge of the subject with a more superficial analytical ability and ability to synthesize, a correct command of the language but not always appropriate, will be given a ‘fair' mark.

A superficial knowledge and understanding of the material, a scarce analytical and expressive ability that is not always appropriate will be rewarded with a pass mark or just above a pass mark.

Students who demonstrate gaps in their knowledge of the subject matter, inappropriate language use, lack of familiarity with the literature in the programme bibliography will not be given a pass mark.

Teaching tools

In addition to lectures, held by the teacher, audiovisual tools will be used to support the teaching.

Office hours

See the website of Beniamino Della Gala