JCU Logo

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "ITS 292"
COURSE NAME: "Contemporary Italian Narrative in Translation"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2022
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: James Schwarten
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 1:30-2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above. *This class can substitute for one of the two EN LIT general distribution required courses. The other EN LIT course must have the EN prefix*
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is based on the analysis of excerpts from eight Italian novels that highlight the development of this genre in the twentieth century. Each student will also read one novel in its entirety. Through lectures and class discussions, emphasis will be placed on the author's social and political concerns and her or his role as writer and intellectual in Italian society. Students will also develop the ability to analyze literary texts according to language, style and content, and will be encouraged to participate in class discussions about the texts. In order to provide insight into the novels, as well as to stimulate classroom debate and discussion, the texts will be supplemented with selected background information, scholarly criticism, and visual media.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

1. Course introduction
2. Italian literary history and culture/society in the 20th century
3. Development of the Italian novel
4. The narrative genre
5. Fascism and Neorealism
6. Women writers
7. Holocaust literature

This is a reading and writing intensive course. Students in 200-level literature classes are required to produce 4-5,000 words of critical writing.


The assessment criteria listed below refer to all assessment methods in the course.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course, students will gain knowledge of:

critical and technical means of describing, analyzing and formulating arguments about literary texts; 20th-century Italian socio-political history within the scope of this course; 20th-century Italian society and culture within the scope of this course; the nexus between literary production and human experience as a creative process; how multiple interpretations of literary work reflect culture and society, and how they can change over time; how the formal qualities of literary production determine the nature of the experience offered and affect the response of the reader; the role of the intellectual in Italian society and intellectual debate in Italy in the 20th century; at least one feature-length Italian film of relevance to a specific artistic, societal or cultural trend referenced in this course.

GRADING SCALE:

94–100 points = A / 90–93.99 = A-

87–89.99 = B+ / 84–86.99 = B / 80–83.99 = B-

77–79.99 = C+ / 74–76.99 = C / 70–73.99 = C-

67–69.99 = D+ / 64–66.99 = D / 60–63.99 = D-

59.99–0 = F



TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
In-class participation at mid-termIn-class participation will be quantitatively and qualitatively assessed and includes such practices as engaging in debates/discussions, note-taking, and remaining attentive during class meetings. Missing more than 4 classes or repeated tardiness/leaving class early will result in a grade of zero for participation.5
Research PaperMinimum 4000 words.30
Midterm ExamStudents will be tested on having mastered key concepts, interpretations, and critical insights in the first half of the course.25
Final ExamStudents will be tested on having mastered key concepts, interpretations, and critical insights in the entirety of the course.30
In-class participation at end of termIn-class participation will be quantitatively and qualitatively assessed and includes such practices as engaging in debates/discussions, note-taking, and remaining attentive during class meetings. Missing more than 4 classes or repeated tardiness/leaving class early will result in a grade of zero for participation.5
In-class presentationStudents will demonstrate the ability to interpret critically a passage or chapter of their choice from one of the assigned novels.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 course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference 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:

You cannot make up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.

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

The following schedule is intended as indicative of the order in which novels will be read; more or less time than is indicated may be dedicated to individual works. Excerpts will be provided by the professor for some works; relevant and recent critical scholarship on individual novels will also be made available. A detailed and complete syllabus will be made available the first day of class.

PLEASE NOTE that this course requires an overnight study trip to Ferrara on March 4-5.

Week:

Date:

Topic / Assessment

Readings:

1

Introduction to course / 20th-century Italian societal trends and history, development of the Italian novel, the narrative genre

Background on 20th-century Italian literary history

The Late Mattia Pascal

2


The Late Mattia Pascal

3-4

The Moon and the Bonfires

Conversations in Sicily

5

FIRST ESSAY

Conversations in Sicily

6-7

MIDTERM EXAM

Conversations in Sicily

Pereira Declares

8-9

 


Woman at War / Letter to a Child Never Born

The Garden of the Finzi-Continis

10

 

The Garden of the Finzi-Continis

11

 

Survival in Auschwitz

12-13

   

SECOND ESSAY 

Survival in Auschwitz

Student presentations

14

 







FINAL EXAM DATE AND TIME T.B.A.

THE FINAL EXAM IS CUMULATIVE

Student presentations/course conclusions/review