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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 321 H"
COURSE NAME: "Critical Study of Modern and Contemporary Italian Literature - HONORS (This course carries 4 semester hours of credits. A minimum CUM GPA of 3.5 is required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2018
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Federica Capoferri
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 4:30-5:45 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-

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
La letteratura nell'età globaleG- Benvenuti-R. CeseraniIl Mulino9788815237118      
La letteratura italiana moderna e contemporaneaP. GiovannettiCarrocci9788843083077     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

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%
final papera 12- 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%
oral presentationPresentation and Discussion of additional texts (to be discussed with the Instructors)-10%
In-Class Response Papers (4)30 minutes response papers on readings and class discussions20%

-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 (1 pt for each additional absence).
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

MAKE-UP DAYS: JCU MAKE-UP: SEPT 21 (for NOV. 1); NOV. 9 (for NOV. 22).

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE INSTRUCTOR CAN MAKE CHANGES

Week 1
Introduction to the course. When does ‘Modern’ Italian literature begin? 
Italian Literature into the context of European Literature.

Week 2
Discussion on readings-
Italian 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'.
Response Paper 1
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.

Week 6.
 Forms and techniques of Italian Decadentism.
Questioning the 'ism' framing of literature and arts.
FINAL PAPER OUTLINE (INCLUDING BIBLIOGRAPHY) DUE
Oct 11: Book Presentation. Gottardo Pallastrelli "Ritratto di signora in viaggio".
Week 7.
In-class response paper 2
Review for Midterm

Week 8
Midterm:(Oct 16)
The Decline of the Poeta-Vate. Selected poems from G. D.Annunzio and G. Pascoli.

Week 9
Reacting against the Past. Italian Futurism and the European avanguards-.
Poetry against History. Ungaretti’s selected poems.
In-class response paper 3

Week 10
Montale’s selected poems.
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. ORAL PRESENTATIONS-

Week 12
Towards the Sixties: the question of modernity in Italian literature. Introduction to Neoavanguardie.
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
In-class response paper 4

Week 13.
Two paradigms for the late modernity: Italo Calvino and Pier Paolo Pasolini.
The decline of the letterato as an intellectual.
Pasolini's controversial legacy in the postmodern literature-

Week 14.
Contemporary Italian literature: new paradigms for the Third Millenium-
Conclusions and review for the final exam.