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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 321"
COURSE NAME: "Critical Study of Modern and Contemporary Italian Literature"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2017
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Federica Capoferri
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Placement, IT 302 or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course aims to provide a critical understanding of the main trends in Italian literature from the early 19th to late 20th centuries. Topics include: cultural implications of the modern Italian literary canon; coexistence of national and regional cultures in the Italian literary tradition; relationships between literature and national history, literature and society as well as literature and other arts. These issues will be discussed by combining close readings of the most paradigmatic works and authors with secondary sources both in Italian and in English.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course aims at a critical understanding of the main trends of Italian literature from early 19th century to late 20th century. Critical issues, such as cultural implications of modern Italian literary canon; coexistence of national and regional cultures in Italian literary tradition; relationships between literature and national history, literature and society, as well as literature and other arts will be discussed by combining close readings of the most paradigmatic works and authors with secondary sources both in Italian and in English.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

--To master the traditionally defined Italian literary canon.

--To learn concepts and theories in the subject of Italian Literary Studies.

 --To develop skills in the interpretation and analysis of Italian literature, as well as to develop the critical-thinking skills necessary to provide a creative interpretation of the text.

--To improve reading and writing skills in Italian.

 --To master bibliographical research skills.

 

 

 

 

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TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
La letteratura italiana moderna e contemporanea. Guida allo studio Paolo Giovannetti Carocci9788843083077  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Midterm examIn class exam based on readings and class discussions. Format: 1) identification of texts and close readings of them 2) Short essay25%
Take home questionnaires (2)Questionnaires on material covered in class. Students are required to expand the required readings with further research (at least 2 other sources). Answered should be developed in an academic format (MLA style). Students with grammar and language problems ARE REQUIRED to work REGULARLY on their written assignments at the Writing Center. This is not a language course but the Instructor cannot ignore spelling, grammar, synthax mistakes when grading. 20%
final paper8 pages final paper on a topic to be approved by the Instructor by week 7 (outline and bibliography due by then). Students are required to submit a first draft by week 10. Final draft is due at the beginning of the last week.10%
final examIn class CUMULATIVE final exam. Structure: texts identifications and critical explanation. Short essay.30 %
Class participationStudents are required to come to class ALWAYS prepared on readings and to actively partecipate to class discussions5%
AttendanceStudents are allowed 2 absences. More than 2 absences will result in a 0 in this portion of your grade5%
oral presentation15 minutes oral presentation on a topic previously discussed with the Instructor.5%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the cours
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:




Students are allowed 2 absences. More than 2 absences will result in a 0 in this portion of your grade.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE INSTRUCTOR CAN MAKE CHANGES

Week 1

Introduction to the course. When does ‘Modern’ Italian literature begin?

Literature and History: a Multilayered Relationship

Week 2

Literature and Society in the XIXth century-

Alessandro Manzoni and the Italian Romanticism. The question of a new language for a new nation.

Introduction to I promessi sposi.

Week 3

Towards an European dimension of Italian Literature- Manzoni and the 'romanzo storico'.

Giacomo Leopardi and the founding of the modern lyrical subject-

Week 4

Literature and Society. The Italian Risorgimento and the question of a national literature. .

The role of theatre in shaping the modern literary canon. Giuseppe Verdi's opera.

 Week 5

 Realism in Italian narrative. Verismo and regional cultures.

 Giovanni Verga’s I Malavoglia.

 QUESTIONNAIRE I DUE

 Week 6.

 Forms and techniques of Italian novels

 “The origins of Italian Decadentism.

 FINAL PAPER OUTLINE (INCLUDING BIBLIOGRAPHY) DUE

 Week 7.

Review for Midterm

Midterm

 Week 8

Gabriele D’Annunzio and the decline of the Poeta-Vate. Selected poems.

Giovanni Pascoli and the ideology of poetry as an individual defense from history. Selected poems

Reacting against the Past. Italian Futurism and the European avanguards-.

 Week 9.

 Into the Novecento. Poetry against History. Ungaretti’s selected poems.

Montale’s selected poems.

Week 10.

Narratives of Self. The crisis of the traditional narrative subject.

Italian literature and Fascism

Week 11

Literature rediscovers History. Postwar Italian literature.

Introduction to Neorealism.

Week 12

Towards the Sixties: the question of modernity in Italian literature. Introduction to Neoavanguardie.

QUESTIONNAIRE 2 DUE

Week 13.

Two paradigms for the late modernity: Italo Calvino and Pier Paolo Pasolini.

 Pasolini's legacy-

 Week 14.

Contemporary Italian literature: new paradigms for the Third Millenium

Conclusions and review for the final exam.