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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 310"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to the Study of Italian Literature"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Mauceri Trimnell Anna
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 11:30-12:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: IT 302 or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
It 310 is an introductory course aiming to provide students with a broad understanding of Italian literature. The course introduces and explains the fundamental periods of Italian literature, recognizing currents and genres typical of each period. During the course a sample of works and authors from across the whole Italian literary tradition will be presented.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course, which will be held in Italian, is divided in two parts.

The first part of the course focuses on the explanation of the various periods in Italian literary history and the connected literary terminology.  This part also teaches students to recognize the styles and genres of the different movements in Italian Literature. There will be a close examination of methods of critical analysis and vocabulary used in literary study.

The second part of the course is divided into two sections: poetry and prose. In each section students will read samples of significant works of Italian literature. Emphasis is on the stylistic features of each text and issues such as cultural context and gender.


LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The course will help students to understand the whole architecture of Italian literature and recognize the specific genres and movements. They will be also helped to expand their knowledge of literary terminology, to be familiar with the basics of critical interpretation and textual analysis, to distinguish historical and linguistic approaches, and to improve their written and reading competence in Italian.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Letteratura italiana: secoli ed epocheGian mario Anselmi Paolo FerratiniCarocci9788843019274     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Introduzione alla Letteratura italianaMario pozzi, Enrico MattiodaUtet Università9788860080615  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendance and class participationIn-class contribution is an essential part of this course. Class participation doesn’t mean simple attendance. Good in-class performance will demand serious engagement in discussions and a genuine effort to use literary terminology in Italian.20%
Midterm examA midterm exam will consist of several questions on the topics covered in the course. Students will be asked to produce short analytical essays on texts, authors and literary movements.25%
2 Response papersOut-of-class responses relating to topics discussed in class, to out-of-class readings, and to reserved readings.30%
Final exam A final exam will continue to assess the interpretation of texts, and the comprehensive understanding of the authors and literary movements covered in the course.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.

A  = 94-100

A- = 90-93 

B+= 87-89    

B  = 83-86

B- = 80-82

C+= 77-79

C  = 73-76

C- = 70-72

D+= 67-69

D  = 63-66

D- = 60-62

F   =  0-59

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Regular attendance is an essential component of class participation. Students are allowed three (3) absences. Additional absences will lower the final grade (2 points for each absence) Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy. Make sure your travel plans do not interfere with class schedule. Should you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what was covered in order to be prepared for the next class. Make-ups: individual arrangements for make-ups will be done only for students with medical emergencies or any other valid reason. The midterm and the final exam cannot be made up without approval from the Dean (please see “Attendance” in John Cabot University Catalogue 2008-2010, p. 67).
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 

I settimana (16, 18 Gennaio)

Presentazione del corso

Il concetto di periodizzazione

Modelli di periodizzazione e Indiividuazione delle diverse epoche storiche

I periodi della letteratura italiana

II settimana (23, 25 Gennaio)

Il Duecento e il Trecento

L'età medievale

Reserved pp. 73-88

III settimana (30 Gennaio- 1, 3 Febbraio)

Il Quattrocento e il Cinquecento

L'Umanesimo, il rinascimento, il manierismo

Reserved Questione lingua p. 122-127

Feb. 3   Make-up day for Monday, April 9

IV settimana (6, 8 Febbraio)

Il Seicento

Il Barocco

Response paper 1 (consegna il 15 Febbraio)

V settimana (13, 15 Febbraio)

Il Settecento

Arcadia, Illuminismo, Neoclassicismo.

Reserved pp. 161-164

VI settimana (20, 22 Febbraio)

L'Ottocento

L'età romantica. 

Il verismo, decadentismo, simbolismo 

Reserved pp. 186-199

VII settimana (27, 29 Febbraio)

Il verismo, decadentismo, simbolismo (cont.)

Il Novecento

Reserved pp. 206-218

VIII settimana (5, 7, 9 Marzo)

Review per il Midterm

Midterm

Il Novecento (cont.) 

March 9  Make-up day for Wednesday, April 25

IX settimana (12, 14 Marzo)

I generi letterari

MARCH 19-23  SPRING VACATION 

X settimana (26, 28 Marzo)

Leggere la poesia.

La struttura, la metrica.

XI settimana (2, 4 Aprile)

I generi poetici

XII settimana (11 Aprile)

La narrazione: Romanzo e racconto nella storia della letteratura italiana.

L’organizzazione dei contenuti narrativi.

Response paper 2 (consegna il 18 Aprile)

XIII settimana(16, 18 Aprile)

I generi narrativi.

XIV settimana (23 Aprile)

Final review