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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 310"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to the Study of Italian Literature"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2016
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: James Schwarten
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: IT 302 or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS:

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.
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.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The course will help students to understand the canon 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.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
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 3% for each absence5
Participation mid-termAssessed qualitatively and quantitatively and includes such practices as active participation in class discussions, offering insightful comments and asking pertinent questions, note-taking, and remaining attentive during class meetings.5
Midterm ExamShort essays on texts, authors, and literary movements25
Oral presentationEach student will prepare a brief, in-class presentation on a literary text15
Essays (2)Short essays related to topics, literary figures, or texts covered in class20
Final ExamBased on textual interpretation, authors, and literary movements/trends covered in the course25
Participation end-termAssessed qualitatively and quantitatively and includes such practices as active participation in class discussions, offering insightful comments and asking pertinent questions, note-taking, and remaining attentive during class meetings.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 course. 94-100 (A) 90-93.99 (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 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-)
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. 78-79.99 (C+) 74-77.99 (C) 70-73.99 (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. 68-69.99 (D+) 64-67.99 (D) 60-63.99 (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. 0-59.99 (F)

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY 

You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until December 9.

Course-specific absence policy: Each unjustified absence (for whatever reason) beyond the second will incur a 3% penalty in the final-grade calculation.
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 30

Course Introduction: syllabus, textbook, expectations

Sep 1

Literature and literary terminology

Sep 6

Literary terminology

Sep 8

Literary interpretation and communication

Sep 13

Literary interpretation and communication

Sep 15

Literary genres, forms, and language

Sep 20

Literary genres, forms and language

Sep 22

Conclusions of first part of course: Essay 1

Sep 23

Background: Literary institutions

Sep 27

Literary institutions

Sep 29

Tuscan tradition

Oct 4

Tuscan tradition

Oct 6

Humanism

Oct 11

Humanism

Oct 13

Midterm Exam

Oct 18

Renaissance

Oct 20

Renaissance

Oct 25

Baroque

Oct 27

Enlightenment

Oct 28

Enlightenment

Nov 3

Essay 2

Nov 8

Romanticism

Nov 10

Romanticism

Nov 15

Verismo and Positivism

Nov 17

Decadentismo

Nov 22

Modernity

Nov 29

Presentations

Dec 1

Presentations, course conclusions/review