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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "IT 310"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to the Study of Italian Literature"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2014
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
James Schwarten
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: IT 302 or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course will introduce students to the study of Italian literature; it is designed for those students who have reached 300-level proficiency in Italian language and also functions as a preparatory course for those who wish to study Italian literature at higher levels. The first part of the course focuses on a preliminary explanation of basic literary terminology and teaches students to recognize codes and genres in a limited selection of Italian literary texts. In the second part of the course, students will read samples from significant works of Italian literature in conjunction with selected passages from the canon of Italian literary criticism. They will practice their critical and writing skills by applying the concepts learned during the course to the analysis and reading of the literary texts under consideration. At an introductory level, students will begin to appreciate the difference between commentary and criticism and between both historical and formal approaches to the study of Italian literature.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course, which will be held in Italian, focuses on the explanation of the various periods in Italian literary history and the connected literary terminology. Through the study of samples of significant works of Italian literature, students will be trained to recognize the styles and genres of different literary movements. Emphasis is on the stylistic features of texts and issues such as cultural context and gender.
- All written assignments must be typed.
- Make sure you have time to print them out before class. Late papers will be penalized.
- Format for assignments written at home as follows:
Typewritten on standard (A4) paper, double-spaced to leave room for corrections.
Paragraphs indented but no extra spaces between them.
Name and date in the top corner of the first page. Title centered over the essay, capitalized.
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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.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Introduzione alla letteratura italiana. Istituzioni, periodizzazioni, strumenti | Mario Pozzi, Enrico Mattioda | Utet | 978-88-6008-061-5 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Attendance | Missing more than 2 classes without valid justification will reduce the final grade by 5% for each absence | 5% |
| Participation | In-class participation will be quantitatively and qualitatively assessed | 10 |
| Midterm Exam | Short essays on texts, authors, and literary movements | 25% |
| Oral presentation | Each student will prepare a brief, in-class presentation on a literary text | 15 |
| Essays (2) | Short essays related to topics, literary figures, or texts covered in class | 20 |
| Final Exam | Based on textual interpretation, authors, and literary movements/trends covered in the course | 25 |
-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.
94-100 (A) 90-93 (A-)
BThis 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.
88-89 (B+) 84-87 (B) 80-83 (B-)
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.
78-79 (C+) 74-77 (C) 70-73 (C-)
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.
68-69 (D+) 64-67 (D) 60-63 (D-)
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.
0-59 (F)
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Each unjustified absence beyond the second will incur a 5% penalty in the final-grade calculation. Travel plans, visiting friends or relatives, or other personal concerns are not considered valid grounds for justifying an absence.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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Pages refer to the textbook; additional readings will be integrated on an ad hoc basis.
Jan 14: Course Introduction, syllabus, textbook, goals and expectations
Jan 16: Literary terminology
Jan 21: Literary terminology
Jan 23: Literary terminology
Jan 28: Literary genres
Jan 30: Literary genres
Feb 4: Literary genres
Feb 6: Essay 1
Feb 11: Background: Literary institutions (5-28)
Feb 13: Literary institutions (28-70)
Feb 18: Tuscan tradition (73-80)
Feb 20: Tuscan tradition (80-88)
Feb 25: Humanism (89-98)
Feb 27: Humanism (98-107)
Mar 4: Midterm Exam
Mar 6: Renaissance (98-119)
Mar11: Renaissance (119-137)
Mar 13: Baroque (138-151)
(Mar 17-21 Spring Break)
Mar 25: Enlightenment (152-161)
Mar 27: Enlightenment (161-169)
Apr 1: Essay 2
Apr 3: Romanticism (170-176)
Apr 8: Romanticism (176-185)
Apr 10: Verismo and Positivism (186-193)
Apr 15: Decadentismo (194-205)
Apr 17: Modernity (206-218)
Apr 22: Presentations
Apr 24: Presentations, course conclusions/review
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