Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 321"
COURSE NAME: "Survey of Italian Literature II"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Capoferri Federica
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 11:30-12:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES: Placement or IT 301 or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS: MW 13:00-13:50 or by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course, which is a continuation of IT 320, analyzes the major
      writers of Italy from the 18th century to the present.
      Students are exposed to the evolution of Italian literature from a
      historical perspective, with emphasis on the major literary,
      philosophical, and cross-cultural inluences that shaped Italy's modern
      literary production.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course will offer on an in-depth exploration of selected works by
      such authors as Foscolo, Manzoni, Leopardi, Verga, D'Annunzio, Ungaretti,
      Montale, Svevo, Pirandello, Moravia, Pasolini, Calvino.
      Please note that, in addition to the textbook, students are required to
      read 2 of the following books:

      Ugo Foscolo-- Le ultime lettere di Jacopo Ortis
      G. Leopardi, Le operette morali
    Alberto Moravia- Gli indifferenti
      Italo Calvino-- Se una notte d'inverno un viaggiatore

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon the completion of this course, students will be able:

      a) To master the traditionally defined Italian literary canon.
      b) To learn concepts and theories in the subject of Italian Literary
      Studies.
      c) To understand the language, the texts and the global context.
      d) 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.
      e) To improve reading and writing skills in Italian.
      f) To master bibliographical research skills.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
LiberaMente volume tre+ i contemporanei	Saviano et alias	Palumbo	978-88-8020-813-6

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Class discussions- Partecipation		10%
writing assignments	Response papers on readings and materials discussed in class	20%
Oral presentation	Presentation on a topic previously discussed with the Professor	10%
Midterm Exam	In-class exam.	25%
Final paper	6-8 pages on a topic previously discussed with the Instructor	10%
Final exam	In class exam	25 %

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A: Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge 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.

B: This 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.

C: This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D: This 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.

F: This 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:

Regular attendance and active participation are essential
            component of the learning process. Therefore Students are allowed 2
            unexcused absences. A doctor’s note, or other appropriate material
            must accompany excused absences. For any additional absence, 2
            points will be detracted from the final grade.

            Make-ups: Individual arrangements for make-ups will be done only for
            students with medical emergencies or any other valid reasons. The
            Final Exam cannot be made up without approval from the Dean of
            Academic Affairs.
            Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and
            absence policy.

Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and
absence policy.

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 SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE PROFESSOR’S DISCRETION

Week 1
Introduzione al corso. Problemi storiografici: quando e
                  come inizia la 'modernità'? Discussione sulle scansioni
                  storiografiche e sulla formazione del canone. L'ultimo
                  Settecento come chiave di volta tra 'antico' e 'moderno'.
                  Giovedì: Foscolo tra Settecento ed Ottocento- Forma
                  neoclassica e impeto romantico.

Week 2
Metamorfosi e commistione di generi: dall'eroe tragico
                  all'eroe romantico. Storia e mito in Ugo Foscolo-
                   --La nascita del romanzo introspettivo italiano: l'Ortis di
                  Foscolo.
                  Il dibattito del Romanticismo sulla letteratura- Classici vs
                  Romantici: gli illuministi lombardi.

Week 3
I Canti di Leopardi. L'evoluzione della poetica leopardiana.
                  Antico e Moderno nel primo Ottocento. Ripresa del dibattito
                  Romantici vs Classicisti-
                   Caratteri generali e protagonisti del
                  Romanticismo italiano (web- sites). Introduzione a Manzoni.

Week 4
Manzoni e il romanzo storico. La questione del
                  'vero' e del 'bello' e i tentativi di definizione filosofica
                  di prosa e poesia. Letteratura e società: il teatro d'opera.
                  Per una letteratura popolare.
                 Il Secondo Ottocento e
                  la crisi del Positivismo. Gli ScapigliatiPer giovedì_ Lettura
                  selezione Promessi Sposi-- Il contesto storico.


Week 5
L'ultimo Ottocento. La scapigliatura e il verismo.
                  Introduzione a Verga. I Malavoglia di Giovanni Verga.
                 :lettura estratti dai Malavoglia.
Questionario 1
Week 6
Le nuove forme letterarie di fine secolo.
Motivi storici e questioni critiche legate al passaggio al Novecento.

Week 7
Correzione Questionario
Ripasso per il Midterm
                  MIDTERM

week 8
Oral Presentations-
Introduzione a D'Annunzio.Pascoli.

Week 9
Oral presentations- Discussione Pascoli.
                  D'Annunzio e Pascoli e due ipotesi diverse di poesia
                  novecentesca
                 Lettura saggi critici sul primo Novecento: poesia e romanzo.
                Recensione primo libro
Week 10
L'io novecentesco: l'inconscio, il surreale, l'ignoto.
                  Le nuove figure della modernità-- Discussione testi di
                  Pirandello e di Svevo.

                  Introduzione alla "nuova" poesia del Novecento.Recensione
                  secondo libro

Week 11
La liquidazione dell'Ottocento: Crepuscolari e
                  futuristi. Introduzione a Ungaretti

Week 12
Montale- Lettura dagli Ossi di seppia e dalle
                   La letteratura durante il Ventennio
                  fascista: esemplari di prosa e di poesia.
                  Introduzione alla poesia ermetica e alla prosa
                  d'arte.

                   Questionario 2 (per martedì)

Week 13
Discussione Moravia. Introduzione a Gadda.
Due altri scrittori a confronto: Pasolini e Calvino

Recensione secondo libro (2-3 pagine)

week 14
Conclusioni e proiezioni- Review per il Final
                  Week 15Final Exam