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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "IT 310"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to the Study of Italian Literature"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2015
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Anna Mauceri Trimnell
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: IT 302 or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS:
by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
It 310 is an introductory course aiming to provide students with a broad understanding of Italian literature. The course introduces the fundamental principles and techniques of literary analysis and applies them to the three genres of fiction, poetry and drama while presenting a sample of works and authors from across the whole Italian literary tradition.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The first part of the course focuses on a preliminary explanation of basic literary terminology and teaches students to recognize styles and genres in a selection of Italian literary texts. The focus will be on a close examination of methods of critical analysis and vocabulary used in literary study and on linguistic and stylistic aspects of textual analysis.
The second, and wider, part of the course, is divided into three sections: prose, poetry and drama. In each section students will read samples of significant works of Italian literature in conjunction with selected passages from the canon of Italian literary criticism. Emphasis is on the stylistic features of each text and issues such as cultural context and gender.
Among the authors studied are: Petrarca, Pascoli, Manzoni, Pirandello, Gadda, Montale, Calvino, Ginzburg, Sereni, Valduga, Sanguineti, Fo.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The course will help students 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 competences in Italian.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Che cos'è la stilistica | Gianluca Colella | Carocci | 978-88-430-5584-5 | | The professor will also provide adhoc materials on a lesson by lesson basis. | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Class participation | Students are required to come to class ALWAYS prepared on readings and to actively partecipate to class discussions | 15% |
| Midterm exam | In class exam based on readings and class discussions. | 25% |
| Take home questionnaires (2) | Questionnaires on material covered in class. Students are required to expand the required readings with further research (at least 2 other sources). Answered should be developed in an academic format (MLA style). Students with grammar and language problems ARE REQUIRED to work REGULARLY on their written assignments at the Writing Center. This is not a language course but the Instructor cannot ignore spelling, grammar, synthax mistakes when grading. | 30% |
| Final Exam | In class cumulative final exam. | 30% |
-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
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.
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.
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.
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.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Regular attendance and active participation are essential component of the learning process. Therefore Students are allowed 3 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.
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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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WEEKS 1-2 (Jan 19 / 21 - Jan 26 / 28)
Introduction to the course.
Initial remarks: What is Literature?
Genres and subgeners of Italian literature.
The textual and social interpretation of literature.
WEEK 3 (Feb 2 / 4)
The Italian Literary canon and periodization.
WEEKS 4 (Feb 9 / 11)
Literary communication:
The author, the narrator, the reader, and the text.
Literary language in the specific Italian context.
WEEK 5 (Feb 16 /18)
Rhetoric in literature.
FIRST Questionnaire DUE
WEEKS 6 -7-8 ((Feb 23 / 25 - Mar 2 / 4 - Mar 9 / 11)
Prose narrative form.
Narrator, narrative voice and point of view, and characters.
Strategies of the organization of the plot.
Analysis of texts.
Midterm Exam.
WEEKS 9 - 10 -11 (Mar 16/18 Mar 23/25 - Mar 30 / Apr 1)
SPRING BREAK Apr 6-10
The form of poetry:
Sound and sense.
Meter and syntax.
Figurative Language.
Analysis of texts.
WEEKS 12-13 ( Apr 13 / 15 - Apr 20 / 22)
Drama
The structure and language of drama.
Tragedy and tragedy in verse.
Comedy.
Analysis of texts.
SECOND Questionnaire DUE
WEEK 14 (Apr 27 / 29)
Review
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