Learning objectives
The course offers examples of contextualized analyses which also highlight some specific themes and strategies of comedy as a form of drama based upon established conventions, but continuously enlivened by innovations and new intentions.
Prerequisites
Being addressed to first year students of the 'Laurea Specialistica', the course takes for granted prior knowledge of the history of English literature and the ability to approach texts in the original language. Some familiarity with critical terminology and critical schools is also required.
Course unit content
The course presents and explores several texts of English comic theatre. It concentrates on canonical playwrights (Shakespeare and Jonson, Wycherley and Congreve, Sheridan and Wilde), but the survey also includes equally significant texts by other writers. The evolution of comedy, its diversification in subgenres and their relation to contemporary society are among the main topics of the course.
Full programme
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Bibliography
For the bibliography, which is inclusive of general texts on comedy and critical studies on specific plays or authors, students are referred to the program which is available at the Department of Foreign Languages, v.le S. Michele 9 and on the Internet.
Teaching methods
The course consists of didactic units which ultimately aim at developing specific abilities in the critical appreciation of literary texts in English. Consequently, assessment takes into consideration linguistic and critical skills and students' abilities to assimilate, elaborate and select notions.
Assessment methods and criteria
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Other information
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