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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 320"
COURSE NAME: "Survey of Italian Literature I"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2015
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: James Schwarten
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Placement or IT 301 or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course introduces and discusses the major writers and works of Italy from the 13th to the 18th century, including such authors as Cavalcanti, Dante, Petrarca, Boccaccio, Poliziano, Castiglione, Machiavelli, Ariosto, Tasso, Marino, Beccaria, Parini, and Goldoni. Students are exposed to the evolution of Italian literature from a historical perspective, with emphasis on the major literary, philosophical, and cross-cultural influences that shaped Italy’s literary production.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course is intended for students who wish to expand their verbal expression through exposure to literary concepts, analysis, and terminology. Students will read samples from significant works taken from Italian literature in conjunction with passages from the canon of Italian literary criticism. Students will practice their critical and writing skills by applying the concepts learned during the course to the reading and analysis of literary texts, and will begin to appreciate the difference between comprehension and interpretation, and commentary and criticism.

Student Responsibilities:

Students will attend every class and arrive on time for all class sessions. They will keep up with assigned readings and with any out of class assignments. They will turn in assignments promptly.

Five points will be deducted from each assignment that is not turned in on time for each day it is late.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completing this course students will:

a) master the traditionally defined Italian literary canon within the scope of this course.

b) learn concepts and theories in the subject of Italian Literary Studies.

c) understand the literary language, key texts, and the social, political and cultural context in which Italian literature developed.

d) develop skills in the interpretation and analysis of Italian literature, as well as develop the critical-thinking skills necessary to provide a creative interpretation of a literary text.

e) improve reading and writing skills in Italian.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Letteratura italiana per stranieriPaolo E. Balboni, Anna BiguzziGuerra Edizioni978-88-557-0096-2     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
AttendanceMissing more than 2 classes without valid justification will reduce the final grade by 5% for each absence.5
Participation at mid termIn-class participation will be quantitatively and qualitatively assessed.7.5
PresentationIn-class presentation based on a literary figure or movement within the scope of this course. Students are urged to discuss the topic of their presentation with the professor as early as possible in the semester. Presentations will take place after the midterm, and will be scheduled on an individual basis in consultation with the professor.10
Short writing assignments (2 or 3)Short essays based on literary works, genres, or figures. These essays will be assigned in the course of the semester, providing students with ample time for preparation and revision.15
Midterm Exam 15
Research paperStudents will carry out bibliographical research on which to base the paper, which will be in the form of a critical analysis of a literary work.15
Participation at end of termIn-class participation will be quantitatively and qualitatively assessed.7.5
Final Exam 20
Italian Writing CenterStudents are expected to attend at least one session at the Italian lLanguage Writing Center.5

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
A Work 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) 90-93.99 (A-)
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 evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments. 88-89.99 (B+) 84-87.99 (B) 80-83.99 (B-)
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. 78-79.99 (C+) 74-77.99 (C) 70-73.99 (C-)
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. 68-69.99 (D+) 64-67.99 (D) 60-63.99 (D-)
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. 0-59.99 (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.
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

Aug 31-Sep 2: Course Introduction, structures of literary study, literary periods
Sep 7-9: structures of literary study, literary periods / Saint Francis of Assisi
Sep 14-16: Franciscan tradition, Medieval culture and society, affirmation of the "volgare"
Sep 21-23: scuola siciliana, birth of the sonnet, stilnovismo (topic choice / working bibliography for research paper due)
Sep 28-30: popular and didactic poetry
Oct 5-7: Dante, allegory, and birth of the "questione della lingua"
Oct 12-14: Midterm review and Exam (thesis statement / sample text of paper due)
Oct 19-21: Petrarca, Petrarchan sonnet, Humanism
Oct 26-28: Boccaccio, Lorenzo de' Medici
Nov 2-4: Ariosto, Machiavelli
Nov 9-11: Petrarchismo (rough draft due)
Nov 16-18: Tasso, Marino
Nov 23-25: Parini, Goldoni (final draft due)
Nov 30-Dec 2: Conclusions, Final Exam review