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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 349H"
COURSE NAME: "The Divine Comedy (This is an honors course and carries 4 semester hours of credit; NB: Minimum 3.5 CUM GPA required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Basile Maria Adelaide
HOURS: MW 17:30-18:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: One previous course in Italian literature or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS: M/W 19:00-20:00 or by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
For this course, students are expected to consolidate both a poetical/moral and a philosophical/historical comprehension of Dante's time.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course explores and analyses a selection of canti from Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso in the original Italian & in English. A close reading of the most significant episodes will introduce the students to Dante’s Comedy. In addition to lectures by the professor, students will develop in class discussion using the readings and exercises included in the textbook. Lectures, class discussions and weekly exercises will focus on the main themes of the poem, constantly referring to the historical, political, philosophical, and literary background. During this intense journey from the “selva oscura” to the vision of God, students will learn about Dante’s political views and engagement, philosophical thought, theological conception, idea of love, and relationship to literary models. Emphasis will be put on the difference between Dante the poet and Dante the character, the representation of Florence, the function of allegory and the complex characteristics of the poem’s poetic language.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completing this course students will be able:

-- To understand the language, the texts and the global context of medieval Italian poetry and to conduct a critical analysis of Alighieri’s Comedy identifying key issues, style and form.

-- To develop skills in the interpretation and analysis of Italian poetry, as well as to develop the critical thinking skills necessary to provide the interpretation of Dante's Comedy.

-- To understand the varied ways in which Dante nurtured the imagination of subsequent writers and artists.

-- To improve reading and writing skills in Italian writing with analytical clarity by demonstrating ability to grasp abstract concepts: synthesizing them and applying them to the medieval contexts.

-- To demonstrate information literacy skills that would enable them to conduct good quality bibliographical research, use electronic resources, and master citation techniques with competence and in accordance with anti-plagiarism standards and regulations.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Liberamente vol,1 with Antologia della Commedia + 2 DVDR. Saviano, E. Angioloni, L. Giustolisi, M. Mariani, G. Pozzebon, S. PanicchiPalumbo978 88 8020 810 5     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
STUDENTS TAKING THIS COURSE FOR AN EXTRA HONOR CREDIT WILL MEET WITH ME AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEMESTER TO DETERMINE WHAT THE ADDITIONAL WORK WILL BE 100

-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 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 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

Week 1

Dante e il suo tempo. La Commedia, il titolo, la struttura, le ragioni del viaggio e del poema.



Entriamo nell'Inferno. Inf., I.



Week 2



Gli ignavi, Inf., III.

 

Paolo e Francesca, Inf., V

 

Week 3



Dante, Farinata e Cavalcante, Inf. X

 

Pier delle Vigne, Inf., XIII



Week 4  

Diavoli e barattieri, Inf., XXII



Ulisse, Inf., XXVI

 

Week 5 

Maometto, Inf., XXVIII

 

Maestro Adamo e Sinone, Inf., XXX

 

Week 6   

Ugolino, Inf. XXXIII



Ripasso

 

Week 7

Ripasso 



MID-TERM EXAM

 

Week 8

Dante nel Purgatorio, Purg., I



Dante, Casella e Virgilio, Purg., II & III

 

Week 9

Iacopo, Buonconte e Pia, Purg., VI



Oderisi da Gubbio. Purg., XI

 

SPRING BREAK

  

Week 10  

Bonagiunta e la definizione di "dolce stil novo", Purg., XXIV

 

L'apparizione di Beatrice, Purg., XXX

 

Week 11

Entriamo in paradiso, Par., I.



San Francesco, Par., XI



Week 12

Cacciaguida, la profezia dell'esilio, Par., XV-XVII



Segue Cacciaguida

 

Week 13

Segue Cacciaguida

 

L'addio a Beatrice, Par., XXX-XXXI



Week 14

La visione di Dio, Par., XXXIII



Conclusioni e Ripasso