31284 - Italian Literature 2

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student has a high understanding of the Italian literary tradition, knows the fundamental issues of the critical discussion about the authors and texts and is able to systematically use the main methods of analysis of texts and contexts; he has also acquired the ability of adequately expressing himself in writing.

Course contents

Possible worlds: literature, science and anti-science

Historically, the worldviews constructed by scientists and philosophers have always exerted a profound influence on the imagination of writers. But is that 'cognitive cooperation' which, according to Calvino, characterised the long and conflicting dialogue between science and the tradition of literature still possible and perhaps desirable today? How does the relationship between the so-called 'two cultures' change in the years of the pandemic and climate change, in which, also through the amplification and misinformation of social media, a strong anti-scientific movement is gaining voice? Through a historical journey from the origins of our literature to the 20th century, the course will address these questions.

Readings/Bibliography

Dante, Commedia;

Galileo, Il Saggiatore; Scritti letterari;

I. Calvino, Lezioni americane; Le Cosmicomiche;

P. Levi, Storie naturali; Il sistema periodico; L'altrui mestiere.

P. Boyde, L'uomo nel cosmo. Filosofia della natura e poesia in Dante, Bologna, Il mulino, 1984

G. Holton, La lezione di Einstein. In difesa della scienza, Milano, Feltrinelli, 1997

Ch. P. Snow, Le due culture, a cura di A. Lanni, Venezia, Marsilio, 2005

P. Giordano, Nel contagio, Torino, Einaudi, 2020

B. Latour, Dove sono?, Torino, Einaudi, 2022

Instructions on how to use the bibliography will be provided during the course.

Teaching methods

Lectures and analyses of literary texts.

Assessment methods

The oral test aimed at ascertaining a general knowledge of all the subjects covered during the course 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

Supplementary teaching materials will be made available on the University digital platforms (Virtuale, Iol)

Office hours

See the website of Giovanni Baffetti