30079 - Anglo-American Literature 1 (LM)

Academic Year 2022/2023

Learning outcomes

Students will master a variety of North American literary productions in relation to their cultural, social and technological realities. Students will learn to appreciate literary productions as part of  complex, trans-media and inclusive contexts.

Course contents

PURSUING HAPPINESS: RIGHT OR DUTY?

The "pursuit of happiness" is one of the "inalienable rights" recalled at the beginning of the American Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776); in the next paragraph, the word Happiness is associated with the word Security and gives substance to a programmatic pair underpinning the making of a new government shaped through the American Revolution. While the concept of Security is easy to understand and leads, as early as 1791, to the famous Second Amendment ("A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."), that of Happiness is more blurred and lends itself, over time, to different interpretations.

Through the reading and contextualization of literary (and non-literary) sources, this course aims to reflect on how the idea of Happiness has been interpreted over time within the U.S. reality; it will also explore how this same idea has played a role in defining patterns and lifestyles that, from the late nineteenth century until today, have transcended national boundaries and characterized first the Western world, then the globalized reality. A Happiness often declined in consumerist rather than existential terms, transmitted or perceived more as a duty than a right.

And it is precisely the concept of "pursuing Happiness" following "made in the USA" models that is being challenged today by new narratives born within the nation but fully inscribed in an idea of World Literature that questions not so much the "inalienable rights" of the origins, as their being born within an unequal society founded on the unhappiness of many. The modernity and beauty of the opening paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence are today reread and problematized through texts that create counter-narratives capable of opening new ethical-political horizons and new semantics that lead to innovating the very idea of Happiness to eventually make it a shared and dynamic heritage.

Please Note: This course is organized as part of the sustainability phase of the European Project “PERFORMIGRATIONS: People Are the Territory” (www.performigratios.eu ), in the frame of the spin-off research project “WeTell: Storytelling and Civic Awareness” (https://site.unibo.it/wetell/en ) and in collaboration with the literary portal https://site.unibo.it/canadausa . The main goal is to encourage a new global mentality, deeply rooted in the humanities, so to reorient today geopolitics and create a happier and more just world. No knowledge is useful if it leads to satisfy only a few people’s urgent needs, be that material or emotional; knowledge is useful if it induces us to question our communal existence, helping us to learn how to act upon our community in responsible ways, in turn leading to a truly shared happiness.

Important: EVERYBODY IS WELCOME AND DIVERSITY (IN ALL ITS FORMS) IS WELCOME TOO.

This course will feature a series of guest scholars and professionals to encourage the dialogue between literature and civic society so to widen our knowledge of learning and training opportunities available nationally or internationally. The list of featured guests will available when classes start.

 

Readings/Bibliography

The list of primary and secondary sources will be implemented every week, based on the discussed topics and authors. In view of the final exam, students will be able to create and customize their reading list, as well as the theme for their essay under the supervision of the course director.

Teaching methods

Students’ active participations is strongly encouraged. 

Assessment methods

The final exam consists of two parts:

a) Oral Exam.

Students can choose between:

  • Class presentation (single or in-group, max 4 people), with/without multimedia support, max 20 minutes + 10 minutes discussion. Class presentations will run in December and eventually in January/February.
  • One to one conversation with the instructor aiming at assessing the student’s knowledge of the topic of the course (exam dates on AlmaEsami).

b) Written Exam

Essay (in English, 3500-4000 words). Students must choose their focus and create a customized reading list, to be assessed by the course director. Essays will be evalutated based on methodology, consistent critical thinking and a working hypothesis in line with the course themes. Particularly appreciated are: Student’s ability to reorganize course materials into an original critical discourse/perspective; sound reference to American literature, history and culture; Quality and property of the written language (English).

 

Teaching tools

Traditional and Multimedia tools

Links to further information

https://site.unibo.it/wetell/en

Office hours

See the website of Elena Lamberti

SDGs

Quality education Reduced inequalities Sustainable cities Peace, justice and strong institutions

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