00562 - Italian Literature (M-Z)

Academic Year 2021/2022

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in Anthropology, Religions, Oriental Civilizations (cod. 8493)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has a decent knowledge of Italian literary tradition, a fair capacity for critical analysis and sufficient writing skills.

Course contents

Phylogeny and / or misogyny. The literary representation of the relationship between the sexes.

Between the end of the Middle Ages and the early modern age, writers began to reflect more and more systematically on the complex relationships that unite and make the male and female gender different. Sexual otherness thus becomes a theme that feeds a large number of works that delight by stimulating a fervent debate about the role and rights of women. To a large extent it is a dispute fueled by male writers who contradictorily alternate and mix phylogeny and misogynistic positions. But the female writing experiences that, starting from the sixteenth century, developed in Italy, especially thanks to the inclusiveness favored by the Petrarchist lyric code, cannot be neglected. The purpose of this course is to observe the phenomenon in question, of evident anthropological interest, paying attention to some classics of Italian literature that host a protracted and systematic querelle des femmes (women question), i.e. a dispute about the position of women. in front of the male: Boccaccio's Decameron, Ariosto's Orlando furioso, Goldoni's La locandiera and the Cosi fan tutte by Mozart and Da Ponte.

Readings/Bibliography

The course includes the following:

A- a monographic section

B- a general section

C- written exam

A- MONOGRAPHIC SECTION:

Bibliography for attending students:

Students attending, in addition to the notes and anthological readings addressed in the course, will have to prepare in-depth three readings chosen from list A.

A)

- G. Boccaccio, Decameron, 21 selected novellas (Giornata prima, nn. 4, 5, 9, 10; Giornata seconda, nn. 7, 9, 10; Giornata terza, nn. 1 9; Giornata quarta, nn. 1, 5, 7; Giornata quinta, nn. 4, 9; Giornata sesta, nn. 1, 7, Giornata settima, n. 2; Giornata ottava, nn. 7, 10; Giornata nona, n. 9; Giornata decima, n. 10) together with to the Proemio and the introductions to Giornata prima, Quarta and Nona, ending of Giornata terza, sesta and decima(recommended editions: V. Branca, Torino, Einaudi, 1980, A. Quondam- M. Fiorilla- G. Alfano, Milano, Bur-Rizzoli, 2013).

- L. Ariosto, Orlando furioso: canto I, canto IV (ott. 51-72); canto V (ott. 1-3); canto XXVII (ott. 117-140); canto XXVIII (ott. 1-84); canto XXIX (ott. 57-74); canto XXX (ott. 1-4); canto XXXII (ott. 10-49); canto XXXVII (ott. 1-7; 14-23); canto XLIII (ott. 1-147). (recommended editions: E. Bigi, Milano, Bur-Rizzoli, 2012; R. Ceserani e S. Zatti, Torino, Utet, 1997; C. Segre, Milano, Mondadori, 1964; L. Caretti, Torino, Einaudi, 1966).

- C. Goldoni, La locandiera (any edition provided with an adequate introduction and commentary).

- L. Da Ponte, Così fan tutte o sia La scuola degli amanti. Dramma giocoso in due atti, in L. Da Ponte, Memorie e Libretti mozartiani, introduzione di Giuseppe Armani, Milano, Garzanti, 1976 [o successiva riedizione]; Tre libretti per Mozart (Le nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, Così fan tutte), a cura di Paolo Lecaldano; introduzione di Luigi Lunari, Milano, Bur-Rizzoli, 1990; Libretti viennesi, a cura di Lorenzo della Chà, Parma-Milano, Guanda Fondazione Pietro Bembo, vol. II, pp. 1019-1095 e 1771-1782.

Other editions or reprints of texts in list A are also accepted, provided they are agreed with the teacher before the exam.

The teaching materials and readings discussed in class will be posted on iol.unibo.it platform.

B- GENERAL SECTION:

Bibliography for attending students:

The student must choose one reading from the B serie, at his discretion. The preparation includes the study of the biography of the author with its historical-cultural framework, the content of all his works, poetics and themes. About the chosen reading, the student will have to know the history of the composition, sources, structure, themes, language, style and fortune.

The student must present himself / herself with the list of the readings he / she has performed for the general section, specifying, where the work is not integral, which songs, which poems or which prose has chosen.

B)

- Dante, 12 cantos at choice from one part of the Commedia, Inferno or Purgatorio or Paradiso (recommended editions: Sapegno, Firenze, La Nuova Italia, 1955, Bosco-Reggio, Firenze, Le Monnier, 1979; Pasquini-Quaglio, Milano, Garzanti, 1982-86; Chiavacci-Leonardi, Milano, Mondadori, 1991-97; recommended critical readings: E. Pasquini, Vita di Dante. I giorni e le opere, Milano, Bur-Rizzoli, 2006; G. Ledda, Leggere la «Commedia», Bologna, il Mulino, 2016). 

- F. Petrarca, Canzoniere, 30 poems (recommended editions: Santagata, Milano, Mondadori, II ed. 2004, Stroppa, Torino, Einaudi, 2011, Vecchi Galli, Milano, Bur-Rizzoli, 2012; recommended critical readings: M. Ariani, Petrarca, Roma-Napoli, Salerno Editrice, 2002; E. Fenzi, Petrarca, Bologna, il Mulino, 2008; L. Chines, Petrarca, Bologna, Pàtron, 2017).

- G. Boccaccio, Decameron, three days, i.d. NOT A PERSONAL SELECTION OF 30 NOVELLAS (recommended editions: V. Branca, Torino, Einaudi, 1980, A. Quondam- M. Fiorilla- G. Alfano, Milano, Bur-Rizzoli, 2013; recommended critical readings: L. Battaglia Ricci, Boccaccio, Roma-Napoli, Salerno Editrice, 2000; L. Surdich, Boccaccio, Bologna, il Mulino, 2008; F. Bausi, Leggere il «Decameron», Bologna, il Mulino, 2016). [ATTENTION: students who have chosen Decameron for the monographic section can not choose it for the general section].

- N. Machiavelli, Il Principe or Discorsi sopra la prima Deca di Tito Livio (recommended editions for Il Principe: Anselmi-Varotti, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 1992; Inglese, Torino, Einaudi, 2005; Ruggiero, Milano, Bur-Rizzoli, 2008; for the Discorsi: Sasso-Inglese, Milano, Bur-Rizzoli, 2000; Vivanti, Torino, Einaudi, 2000; Bausi, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2001; Rinaldi, Torino, UTET, 2006; recommended critical readings: F. Bausi, Machiavelli, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2005; R. Bruscagli, Machiavelli, Bologna, il Mulino, 2008; G.M. Anselmi, Leggere Machiavelli, Bologna, Pàtron, 2014).

- F. Guicciardini, Ricordi (recommended editions: Pasquini, Milano, Garzanti, 1975; De Caprio, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 1990; Varotti, Roma, Carocci, 2013; recommended critical readings: E. Cutinelli Rendina, Guicciardini, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2009; C. Varotti, Francesco Guicciardini, Napoli, Liguori, 2010).

- L. Ariosto, Orlando furioso, 5 selected cantos (recommended edition by C. Zampese, with comm. by E. Bigi, Milano, Bur, 2012; recommended critical readings: G. Ferroni, Ariosto, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2008; S. Jossa, Ariosto, Bologna, il Mulino, 2009; S. Zatti, Leggere l’«Orlando Furioso», Bologna, il Mulino, 2016).[ATTENTION: students who have chosen Orlando furioso for the monographic section can not choose it for the general section].

- T. Tasso, Gerusalemme liberata, 5 selected cantos (recommended edition: F. Tomasi, Milano, Bur-Rizzoli, 2009; otherwise: L. Caretti, Torino, Einaudi, 1971 or Milano, Mondadori, 1979, M. Guglielminetti, Milano, Garzanti, 1982; recommended critical readings: M. Residori, Tasso, Bologna, il Mulino, 2009; G. Alfano, Torquato Tasso, Firenze, Le Monnier, 2010; F. Ferretti, Narratore notturno: aspetti del racconto nella «Gerusalemme liberata», Pisa, Pacini, 2010).

- G. Galilei, Dialogo sopra i due massimi sistemi del mondo (recommended editions: Flora, Milano, Mondadori, 1996; Atzori, Firenze, Sansoni, 2001; Sosio, Torino, Einaudi, 2002; Beltrán Marí, Milano, Bur, 2008; recommended critical readings: M.L. Altieri Biagi, Dialogo sopra i due massimi sistemi, in Letteratura Italiana diretta da A. Asor Rosa. Le Opere, II, Torino, Einaudi, 1993, pp. 894-971; A. Battistini, Galileo, Bologna, il Mulino, 2011).

- G.B. Marino, Adone, 5 cantos (recommended editions: Russo, Milano, Bur, 2013; Pozzi, Milano, Adelphi, 1988; recommended critical readings: E. Russo, Marino, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2008).

- C. Goldoni, three comedies to choose among the following: I rusteghi, Il servitore di due padroni, La bottega del caffè, La locandiera, Le baruffe chiozzotte, Una delle ultime sere di Carnovale (any complete edition; recommended critical readings: F. Fido, Nuova guida a Goldoni. Teatro e società nel Settecento, Torino, Einaudi, 2000; C. Alberti, Goldoni, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2004).[ATTENTION: students who have chosen La locandiera for the monographic section can not choose it for the general section].

- G. Parini, Le odi or Il giorno (recommended editions: Nicoletti, Milano, Bur, 2011; Bonora, Milano, Mursia, 1999; Ebani, Milano, Guanda, 2010; recommended critical readings: G. Nicoletti, Parini, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2016).

- V. Alfieri, Vita, or, together, Saul and Mirra (any complete edition; recommended critical readings: G. Fenocchio, Alfieri, Bologna, il Mulino, 2012; A. Di Benedetto, V. Perdichizzi, Alfieri, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2014; A. Battistini, Svelare e rigenerare. Studi sulla cultura del Settecento, a cura di A. Cristiani e F. Ferretti, Bologna, Bononia University Press, 2019, pp. 233-279.).

- U. Foscolo, Ultime lettere di Jacopo Ortis and Sepolcri (recommended editions for Ortis: Binni-Felici, Milano, Garzanti, 2007; Terzoli, Roma, Carocci, 2012; for Sepolcri: Martinelli, Milano, Mondadori, 1987; Palumbo, Milano, Bur, 2010; recommended critical readings: A. Campana, Ugo Foscolo. Letteratura e politica, Napoli, Liguori, 2010; M. Palumbo, Foscolo, Bologna, il Mulino, 2010).

- G. Leopardi, Canti, 10 poems, and Operette morali, 10 texts (recommended editions: Campana, Roma, Carocci, 2014; Melosi, Milano, Bur, 2008, or subsequent reprints; recommended critical readings: M.A. Bazzocchi, Leopardi, Bologna, il Mulino, 2008).

- A. Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi (recommended editions: Raimondi-Bottoni, Milano, Principato, 1987; Nigro, Milano, Mondadori, 2006; de Cristofaro, Milano, Bur-Rizzoli, 2014; recommended critical readings: A. Cottignoli, Guida ai «Promessi sposi», Roma, Carocci, 2002; F. De Cristofaro, Manzoni, Bologna, il Mulino, 2009; G. Raboni, Come lavorava Manzoni, Roma, Carocci, 2017).

- G. Verga, I Malavoglia or Mastro-don Gesualdo (complete editions; recommended critical readings: N. Borsellino, Storia di Verga, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1982; R. Luperini, Verga moderno, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2005; P. Pellini, Verga, Bologna, il Mulino, 2012; G. Alfieri, Verga, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2016).

- G. D’Annunzio, Il piacere or Alcyone (recommended editions by F. Roncoroni, P. Gibellini, G. Oliva; see you also G. d'Annunzio, Prose di romanzi, ed. diretta da E. Raimondi; a cura di A. Andreoli e N. Lorenzini, Milano, Mondadori, 1988-1989, I, and Id., Versi d'amore e di gloria, ed. diretta da Luciano Anceschi, a cura di A. Andreoli e N. Lorenzini, Milano, Mondadori, 1982-84, II; recommended critical readings: G. Bàrberi Squarotti, Invito alla lettura di Gabriele D’Annunzio, Milano, Mursia, 1990; N. Lorenzini, D’Annunzio, Palermo, Palumbo, 1993; S. Costa, D’Annunzio, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2012).

- G. Pascoli, Myricae (recommended editions by G. Lavezzi, Milano, Bur, 2015; G. Nava, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 1991; recommended critical readings: M. Pazzaglia, Pascoli, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2002; G. Capecchi, Giovanni Pascoli, Firenze, Le Monnier, 2011; M. Castoldi, Pascoli, Bologna, il Mulino, 2011; C. Chiummo, Guida alla lettura di «Myricae», Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2014).

- L. Pirandello, Il fu Mattia Pascal and Sei personaggi in cerca d'autore (complete editions; recommended critical readings: C.S. Nobili, Luigi Pirandello: guida al «Fu Mattia Pascal», Roma, Carocci, 2004; M. Guglielminetti, Pirandello, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2006; M. Polacco, Pirandello, Bologna, il Mulino, 2010; A.R. Pupino, Pirandello poetiche e pratiche di umorismo, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2014).

- I. Svevo, La coscienza di Zeno (any complete edition; recommended critical readings: A. Cavaglion, Italo Svevo, Milano, Mondadori, 2000; B. Stasi, Svevo, Bologna, il Mulino, 2009; G. Tellini, Svevo, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2013).

- G. Ungaretti, L’allegria (recommended editions: Piccioni, Milano, Mondadori, 1969 e successive; Ossola, Milano, Mondadori, 2016; recommended critical readings: D. Baroncini, Ungaretti, Bologna, il Mulino, 2010; Niva Lorenzini, Stefano Colangelo, Giuseppe Ungaretti, Milano, Le Monnier Università, 2012; A. Saccone, Ungaretti, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2012).

- E. Montale, Ossi di seppia or Le occasioni (recommended editions: Cataldi-D’Amely, Milano, Mondadori, 2016; De Rogatis, Milano, Mondadori, 2011; recommended critical readings: M. Villoresi, Come leggere “Ossi di seppia” di Eugenio Montale, Milano, Mursia, 1997; G. Marcenaro, Eugenio Montale, Milano, Mondadori, 1999; T. Arvigo, Guida alla lettura di Montale: «Ossi di seppia», Roma, Carocci, 2001; G. Ioli, Montale, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2002; R. Luperini, Storia di Montale, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2005; A. Casadei, Montale, Bologna, il Mulino, 2008).

- C.E. Gadda, La cognizione del dolore or Quer pasticciaccio brutto de via Merulana (complete editions; recommended critical readings: A. Pecoraro, Gadda, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1998; R. Rinaldi, Gadda, Bologna, il Mulino, 2010; M. Bersani, Gadda, Torino, Einaudi, 2012; G. Patrizi, Gadda, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2014; P. Italia, Come lavorava Gadda, Roma, Carocci, 2017).

- I. Calvino, the narrative trilogy I nostri antenati: Il barone rampante, Il cavaliere inesistente, Il visconte dimezzato (complete editions; recommended critical readings: F. Serra, Calvino, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2006; M. Barenghi, Calvino, Bologna, il Mulino, 2009; S. Perrella, Calvino, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2010).

Other editions or reprints of the texts in list B are also accepted, provided they are agreed with the teacher before the exam.

The student will also have to know in-depth the century of Italian literary history (contexts, authors, works, movements, poetic orientations, themes and critical problems) to which the author chosen belongs.

Recommended textbooks: G. Ferroni, Storia della letteratura italiana, Milano, Mondadori Università, 2012; or, in alternative: F. Brioschi, C. Di Girolamo (ed. by), Manuale di letteratura italiana. Storia per generi e problemi, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 1994-1997 (and subsequent reprints); C. Vecce, Piccola storia della letteratura italiana, Napoli, Liguori, 2009; A. Battistini (ed. by), Storia della letteratura italiana, Bologna, il Mulino, 2014; Itinerari nella letteratura italiana: da Dante al web, ed. by N. Bonazzi, A. Campana, F. Giunta and N. Maldina, coordination by G. M. Anselmi, Roma, Carocci, 2018 (or previous editions and reprints); G. Alfano, P. Italia, E. Russo, F. Tomasi, Profilo di letteratura italiana. Dalle origini a fine Ottocento, Milano, Mondadori, 2021 (XX Century not included here).

Other textbooks of Italian literary history are also accepted, provided they are agreed with the teacher before the exam.

BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS (MONOGRAPHIC SECTION AND GENERAL SECTION)

Non-attending students are however required to prepare three readings at their choice from list A, one reading from list B (with in-depth knowledge of the century of Italian literary history to which the author belongs), and, in place of the notes and anthological readings addressed in the course, one among: 1) Itinerari nella letteratura italiana: da Dante al web, ed. by N. Bonazzi, A. Campana, F. Giunta and N. Maldina, coordination by G. M. Anselmi, Roma, Carocci, 2018 (or previous editions and reprints); 2) A. Battistini (ed. by), Storia della letteratura italiana, Bologna, il Mulino, 2014 (tomo I dal Duecento al Seicento); 3) A. Battistini (ed. by), Storia della letteratura italiana, Bologna, il Mulino, 2014 (tomo II dal Settecento al presente); 4) G. Alfano, P. Italia, E. Russo, F. Tomasi, Profilo di letteratura italiana. Dalle origini a fine Ottocento, Milano, Mondadori, 2021.

 

C- WRITTEN EXAM

The written exam consists of carrying out an essay. Students are offered the opportunity to choose a topic within a range: themes from the monographic section or from the general section, analysis of poetic or prose texts, discussions on specific problems and authors of the history of the Italian literature from its origins to the Twentieth Century.

The written exam is mandatory and must be supported before the oral exam, monographic or general; however, the insufficient outcome of the written exam does not preclude the possibility of supporting the oral.

There are no additional texts for the preparation of the written exam than those already mentioned in the monographic and general sections of the program; however, it may be helpful to look at the following critical readings in order to strengthen everyone's ability to critically analyze texts and problems: Breviario dei classici italiani: guida all’interpretazione di testi esemplari da Dante a Montale, by G. M Anselmi, A. Cottignoli, E. Pasquini, Milano, B. Mondadori, 1996; P. Vecchi Galli, Sussidiario di letteratura italiana, Bologna, Archetipolibri, 2007; F. Marri, R. Terreni, P. Franceschini, Prove di lettura: esercizi di commento linguistico su autori dal Duecento all’Ottocento, Bologna, CLUEB, 2011; Itinerari nella letteratura italiana: da Dante al web, by N. Bonazzi, A. Campana, F. Giunta and N. Maldina, coordinated by G. M. Anselmi, Roma, Carocci, 2018 (or previous editions and reprints); P. Italia, Scrivere all'Università: manuale pratico con esercizi e antologia di testi, in collaboration with D. Bennati and M. Giuffrida, Firenze, Le Monnier Università, 2014; L. Chines, C. Varotti, Che cos’è un testo letterario, Roma, Carocci, 2016.

At the written exam students can only bring with them the vocabulary of the Italian language and / or the vocabulary of synonyms and antonyms.

NOTE WELL: in anticipation of the written exam, the teacher will give those who want the opportunity, during and after the course, to carry out exercise essays that will be corrected by him and then discussed with the student.

The marks of the written exam will be published online on AlmaEsami. Students will be able to see their own correct essays only during the office hours.

Teaching methods

30 (two hours) traditional lessons.

Assessment methods

The monographic section, the general section and the written exam will give rise to a partial vote which, at the end of the evaluation procedure, will merge into a single vote.

The written exam is mandatory and must be supported before the oral exam, monographic or general; however, the insufficient outcome of the written exam does not preclude the possibility of supporting the oral.

The student can first support the general oral exam or the monographic oral exam, at his choice, in the same round or in different rounds.

- Written exam (4 hours). The choice of questions includes an essay on literary history and text analysis, within a range of topics from the monographic section or from the general section. A past exam paper is available online for consultation among the 'Teaching materials'. Students are required to sit the written exam before taking the oral exam, but they are allowed to take the oral exam even if they don't 'pass' the written exam. The result of the written exam will form a part of the final overall mark. Markers will assess: standard of language and expression; structure of argument; quality of critical reflection; ability to discuss the contents of the course; ability to provide clear and accurate interpretations of the texts; ability to use the specialist language of literary criticism. During the course, specific lessons will be dedicated to the preparation for the written exam: in those lessons, the teacher will propose some preparatory exercises.

- Oral exam (approx. 30 minutes). Students will be required to discuss their readings and the contents of the course. Markers will assess: standard of expression; ability to provide clear and accurate interpretations of the texts; ability to discuss the contents of the course; ability to use the specialist language of literary criticism; quality of critical reflection. Students may choose whether they prefer to discuss the monographic and the general section together in a single oral exam or in two different sessions.

Assessment Criteria. To be awarded a final mark between 27 and 30 cum laude students are expected to: show the ability to analyse in depth literary texts following the methodology introduced by the lecturer and/or in the set critical readings; possess and be able to present both verbally and in writing a thorough and organic knowledge of the topics discussed in class and/or in the set readings; show an excellent standard of expression (both written and verbal); show the ability to use properly the technical language of philology and literary criticism. A mark between 23 and 26 will be awarded to students who will show: a good knowledge of the course contents; the ability to provide an accurate analysis of literary texts (although there might be some minor imperfections); a good standard of verbal and written expression (with occasional minor flaws in the presentation and/or in the use of technical language). Students obtaining a mark between 18 and 22 will typically show: an adequate but superficial knowledge of the contents; a basic understanding of the texts and a limited ability to analyse them, an acceptable standard of expression with a fairly competent (although not always accurate) use of technical language. Poor knowledge of the set texts and course topics, inadequate ability to analyse literary texts; inaccurate and inappropriate verbal and written expression with major problems in the use of technical language will result in a fail.

Teaching tools

The teaching material presented in class (texts, images, videos) will be projected on the classroom multimedia board and made available on IOL (Word or Pdf format). We will often use the most important database of Italian literary texts: "Biblioteca Italiana", BiBit, http://www.bibliotecaitaliana.it/

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Ferretti

SDGs

Good health and well-being Quality education Life on land

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.