96300 - Communicating the World Literature (Lm)

Learning outcomes

The seminar aims to provide the students with tools that will enable them to promote and disseminate literary culture on the territory, reflecting on the nowadays much used (and abused) concept of World Literature in a mature and critical way. Through a multi- and inter-disciplinary didactic approach, the student learns a methodology suitable for distinguishing and interpreting the various meanings attributed to the term, past and present standpoints of scholars and critics, the relations of World Literature with globalization, history, memory, orality and indigenous voices, translation, and the publishing market. A transversal path will be proposed to focus issues of cultural communication, offering strategies which will be useful also in a professionalizing perspective.

Course contents

Seminar: Introduction to World Literature (Professor: Prof. Elena Lamberti in collaboration with CLOPEx - Center for Studies on Postcolonial Literatures of Non-European Countries)

The seminar, which emanates from the research work of the members of the Clopex (Center Studies on the postcolonial literatures of the non -European countries), aims to illustrate what is meant by World Literature, examining the following topics, which will be discussed with the intervention of the members of the Center and specialists of various disciplines, and with the active participation of the students: WL theory and methodology; World Literature and canon; WL, ethics and globalization; World Poetry; World Literature and the Global South; Literary rewritings; Transmedia and WL.

The seminar is divided into two parts:

a) Theory

This part includes lectures held by different experts to enhance the plurality of approaches to World Literature and its function in the interconnected reality, which is culturally, sociologically and technologically complex. The aim is to facilitate the acquisition of theories and skills useful for the training of new humanists interested in developing original and inclusive paths of cultural planning and promotion, interculturalism and transmediality.

b) Workshops

For the a.y. 2023_2024, the seminar foresees the organization of cultural meetings as part of the project "LETTERATURA (e/nel/del) MONDO" coordinated by CLOPEx, aimed at creating a program of public interest in collaboration with local bodies, institutions or associations for the organization of events at museums, departments or structures outside the University in order to create a network and enhance the dialogue between the humanities and scientific skills of the area. Starting from a dynamic idea of "World Literature", the project brings together professors and researchers from the university world with professional figures active in the area (nationally and internationally) on topics proposed in narratives from/in/about the contemporary world, more and more at the center of public debate. We intend to reflect on topics included in the seventeen objectives for sustainable development postulated by the UNESCO 2023 Agenda, including: social justice, diversity, climate change, gender equality, quality education, equitable development, sustainable cities.

 

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

S. Albertazzi (a cura di), Introduzione alla World Literature, Roma, Carocci 2021.

G. Benvenuti, R. Ceserani, La letteratura nell’età globale, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2012.

Teaching methods

Lectures and workshops

Assessment methods

The final exam is closely linked to the organization of cultural and literary events within the project "LETTERATURA (e/nel/del) MONDO" coordinated by CLOPEx (choice of texts, management of speakers/relations with institutions; preparation of press releases and publications; preparation of information brochures). For these reasons, although not compulsory, attendance is strongly encouraged, precisely because of the professionalizing and active nature of the seminar.

For students who choose this seminar but do not attend it, the final test consists in the articulation of an editorial proposal in the context of World Literature to be delivered at least one week before the oral exam. The oral test will focus on the discussion of the proposal presented and on the theoretical knowledge based on the texts indicated in the bibliography.

Teaching tools

Multimedia

Office hours

See the website of Elena Lamberti