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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 319"
COURSE NAME: "The Image of Rome in Italian Literature and Cinema"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Capoferri Federica
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 13:30-14:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Placement, IT 302 or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Literary and cinematic representations not only mirror, in different ways, the actual geographical, social and cultural landscape of a city, but they also participate in shaping its identity and its self-representation. This course aims at providing students with critical keys to understanding this multilayered relationship in its different expressions. Along with theoretical readings, this course will fexplore several writers (among them, Belli,Moravia, Pasolini, Flaiano, and Trevi) and on directors (such as Fellini, Pasolini, Visonti, Scola). 

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
 This course, which will be held in Italian, will explore the image of Rome in the Italian twentieth century literature and cinema, focusing on the ‘golden age’ of 50’s and the 60’s (Rome as the ’ Hollywood sul Tevere’, Rome as the symbol of the Sweet Life, finally Rome as the paradigm of a ‘cinematic city’). Excerpts from Flaiano, Moravia and Pasolini’s literary works and clips from Fellini, Blasetti, Visconti, Pasolini will be discussed in mutual relationships
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

A) To learn concepts and theories in the subjects of Italian Literary Studies and Film Studies.

B) To understand the language, the texts and the global context.

C)To develop skills in the interpretation and analysis of Italian literature and cinema

D)To improve reading and writing skills in Italian.E) To master bibliographical research skills.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Senza verso. Un'estate a RomaEmanuele TreviLaterza, 2005/9788842074618  
Il cinema a RomaFlaminio Di BiagiPalombi, 20019788860602961  
Racconti romaniAlberto MoraviaBompiani9788845248979  
Alì dagli occhi azzurriPier Paolo PasoliniGarzanti9788811678878  
La solitudine del satiroEnnio FlaianoAdelphi8845912213  
E in mezzo il fiume. A piedi nei due centri di RomaSandra PetrignaniLaterza, 20109788842090823  
Prove di felicità a Roma EstRoan JohnsonEinaudi, 20109788806198596  
Story and Discourse: Narrative Structure in Fiction and FilmSeymour ChatmanCornell UP978-0801491863  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Papers (2) 3-4 pages on a topic previously discussed with Instructors 20% (10% each)
midterm<em>In-class exams. Questions based on readings and material covered in class</em>25%
partecipation/attendance 10%
Oral presentation 10%
Final paper (15) and Final exam (20)Final paper on a topic previously discussed with the Professor<br /> In class exam based on 3-4 questions to be discussed as brief response-papers30%

-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.

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


Session

Session Focus

Reading Assignment

Other Assignment

Meeting Place/Exam Dates

Week 1

-Introduction to the course. Key-concepts and a brief history of the cinematic representation of Rome. 


 
Handout su G.G. Belli.
F. DI Biagi, Il cinema a Roma: pp.7-54 (on riserve).

 visitare Via Giulia, Chiesa della MOrte e dell'Orazione- Facciata: raffigurazione della COmmare secca.

 

Week 2


Roma sparita. La 'commare secca!. Discussione sonetti Belli. Clips da E. Scola, Gente di Roma. Clips da Trastevere.

P.P.P. Pasolini, Ragazzi di vita-- Ultimo capitolo, La comare secca.
A. Moravia, Introduzione al Belli (in Racconti romani).

 Home screening:ROma città aperta.

 

Week 3

Roma sparita 2. Discussione Pasolini e Moravia. Memoria letteraria e memoria popolare. ROma nei primi anni Cinquanta

 p. cudini, Introduzione ai Racconti romani di A. Moravia (Reader). F. Di Biagi, Il cinema a Roma, pp. 94-98. A. Moravia, Il provino, Faccia di mascalzone, la controfigura.

Home screening. Ladri di biciclette.

 

week 4

La Hollywood sul Tevere. Bellissima di Visconti. I racconti romani di A. Moravia.

A, Moravia, " "Fanatico".

Guardare (Library AV room) il film "Peccato che sia una canaglia" di A. Blasetti. Annotare le differenze tra il film e il racconto Il Fanatico.

 

week 5

Moravia tra letteratura e cinema: discussione. Il rapporto tra letteratura e cinema: chiavi critiche.

per giovedì: Chatman "Introduction", Story and Discourse: Narrative Structure in Fiction and Film (On reserve) A. Moravia: finire i racconti nel Reader.

tema 1:Un confronto critico tra il fim di Blasetti e il racconto di Moravia. (da consegnare martedì)

 

week 6

La sceneggiatura come genere letterario.

 P.P. Pasolini, Alì dagli occhi azzurri.
P.P.P. Pasolini. Sceneggiatura di Accattone (Alì dagli occhi azzurri).
F. Di Biagi, Il cinema a Roma, pp.55-62.

 Home-screening: Accattone.

 

week 7

Discussione del "genere" sceneggiatura. Review per il Midterm

 

 

 

Week 8

MIDTERM

Flaiano scrittore e sceneggiatore

 E. Flaiano, "Fogli di via Veneto", pp. 235-261 (Reader)

visita di gruppo: VIa Veneto (by night) e Cappella dei Cappuccini (via Barberini). Class Report (20 minuti).

 

Week 9

Roma e la Dolce vita: Discussione Fogli di Via Veneto e clips da La dolce vita. Giovedì: Class report su Via Veneto.

per giovedì: "Fogli di via Veneto", pp. 235-261 (Reader) per martedì: "Fogli di via Veneto" di Flaiano (finire) F. Capoferri, I romanzi in vetrina dal barbiere, pp.29-51; 66-80; F. Di Biagi, Il cinema a Roma, pp.187-189.

 

 

week 10

Le borgate pasoliniane- Clips da Accattone Discussione letture.

P. P. Pasolini, Sceneggiatura Mamma Roma (Alì dagli occhi azzurri) pp.282-291. Identificare metafore e similitudini in relazione al paesaggio pasoliniano. G. Biondillo, "La forma della città: verso Roma", pp.39-60; "Cinema e Paesaggio", pp. 69-82.(On reserve).

Seconda visita di gruppo: Pigneto, Tiburtina. Class report
Tema 2: un confronto tra la Roma di Fellini e quella di Pasolini.

 

week 11

Conclusioni sulla Roma degli Anni Sessanta.
La parodia di E. Scola in Brutti, sporchi e cattivi.

Iniziare la lettura di E. Trevi, Senza verso (on reserve).

 

 

Week 12

Due narratori contemporanei a confronto: Roan Johnson e Emanuele Trevi. La Roma esoterica e autobiografica di E. Trevi

Estratti da E. Trevi "Senza verso. Un'estate a Roma" e da R.Johnson, Prove di felicità a ROma Est.

Tema 3: Roma nella letteratura contemporanea. Impressioni sulle letture di Johnson e Trevi (consegnare giovedì) Ultima visita di gruppo: Piazza Vittorio / Via Tasso / S. Clemente.
Home screening, L'orchestra di piazza Vittorio.

 

Week 13

Roma multietnica.

Estratti da A. Lakhous. Scontro di civiltà a piazza Vittorio. Estratti. On reserve

Portare il titolo del final paper (8-10 pagine, MLA style). Vedere nella Library A. Ferrente "L'orchestra di Piazza Vittorio"

 

week 14

Discussione. SIntesi e ripasso per il Final exam