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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 335"
COURSE NAME: "Twentieth Century Italian Women Writers"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2015
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Anna Mauceri Trimnell
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Placement or IT 302 or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course aims to investigate the topics and literary forms common in Italian women's writing in the twentieth and the beginning of the twenty-first centuries. Through an analysis of the works of authors such as Renata Viganò,  Natalia Ginzburg, Dacia Maraini, Elena Ferrante; Melania Mazzucco, Michela Murgia, Carla Sereni, Patrizia Valduga, Iolanda Insana, Franca Rame, and Igiaba Scego we will pose the question of how “scrittura femminile”  can be defined in Italy.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course will focus on contemporary novels, short stories, plays and poems and examine the ways in which they address cultural, social and political issues in some crucial historical moments. The main topics we will explore include: the relationship between women's writing and the traditional literary canon, the construction of the female identity, the representation of the body and motherhood, and the role of the family and the community.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completing this course students will gain:

· deeper knowledge of female Italian authors;

· understanding of the idea of ‘feminine writing’;

· enhancement of their writing and critical skills in Italian.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendance & Class ParticipationRegular attendance is an essential component of the class. As this class will combine both lecture and discussion, students are expected to take an active part in class by joining in discussions and raising questions.10%
2 questionnairesTake-home questionnaires (open books) with 4-5 questions on the readings and class discussion.20%
Midterm ExamIn-class exam composed by 2-3 general questions, one close reading of a text, one short-essay.25 %
Final ExamIn class exam with 3-4 general questions, 2 critical interpretations of text, one short response paper30%
final paperA 6 pages paper on a topic previously discussed with the professor. Outline including bibliography is due by week 1210%
book review 5%

-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 cou
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 2 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. 

Make-ups: Individual arrangements for make-ups will be done only for students with medical emergencies or any other valid reasons. The Final Exam cannot be made up without approval from the Dean of Academic Affairs.
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

Week 1 (Jan 19 / 21)

Introduction to course. The place of Italian women writers in the literary canon.

Week 2 (Jan 26 / 28) 

The representation of woman as a subject in history.

Renata Vigano L’Agnese va a morire

Dacia Maraini Donna in guerra

Weeks 3-4 (Feb 2 / 4 - Feb 9 / 11)

The depiction of violence against women.

Melania Mazzucco Un giorno perfetto

Silvia Ballestra, Contro le donne nei secoli dei secoli

Conchita De Gregorio Malamore

Weeks 5-6 (Feb 16 / 18 - Feb 23 / 25)

Women’s view of the body.

Francesca Mazzuccato Kaddish profano per il corpo perduto

Elena Ferrante, L’amore molesto

FIRST Questionnaire DUE

Weeks 7-8 (Mar 2 / 4 - Mar 9 / 11)

Different meanings of motherhood.

Silvia Parrella Lo spazio bianco

Dora Albanese Non dire madre

Rosa Filardi Volo verticale

Midterm Exam

Weeks 9-10 (Mar 16 / 18 - Mar 23 / 25)

Women writers who are second-generation migrants.

Ingy Mubiayi, Laila Wadia , Igiaba Scebo, Gabriella Kuruvilla, Pecore nere

Igiaba Scego Oltre Babilonia

Weeks 11- 12 - 13 (Mar 30 / Apr 1- Apr 13 /15 - Apr 20 / 22

SPRING BREAK Apr 6-10

Apr. 15 (Final paper outline DUE)

Women poets

Amelia Rosselli

Alda Merini

Jolanda Insana

Patrizia Valduga

SECOND Questionnaire DUE 

Week 14

Apr 27 / 29

Review for final exam