Learning objectives
First and foremost, the students are requested to recognize peculiar literary-historical conditions related to the Modern literature “cases” exposed during the course. Secondly, they’ll be invited to study literary excerpts produced by the authors from the chosen period, on which basis they should achieve (conducted by the teacher) the competence and independent critical judgment which is assumed the Master’s level students should accomplish.
Prerequisites
Those who throughout their Bachelor’s studies haven’t obtained a specific preparation in Contemporary Italian Literature, particularly concerning the Nineteenth and Twentieth century, will have to fill this gap on their own, possibly using a good and updated secondary school anthology.
The students who lack the least notions on poetic and metrics, will have to set up an individual catch-up plan; the text-book P.Briganti-W.Spaggiari, Poesia & C., Bologna, Zanichelli, 1990 (and later reprints) is recomended.
Course unit content
Title: About some authors difficulties in entering the Italian contemporary literary world.
As the moment when a new author tries to approach to the world of publishing and criticism almost without exception seems to be difficult, some cases seem to appear - especially if considered retrospectively - sensational or at least very curious, sometimes unfair and discouraging. Exemplarily we could cite - regarding names today indisputable - the persisting difficulties of Italo Svevo to find a publisher and attention of contemporary criticism; as well as Luigi Pirandello to be recognized, at the beginning, as theater author. But the case studies are then, widening the field, broad and diversified: let us think in particular about the case (personal likewise) of Dino Campana (1885-1932) and his vicissitudes, first "textual" and then marked by controversial critical evaluation; or about Silvio D'Arzo (1920-1952), an extraordinary storyteller (whose life was prematurely interrupted) even today completely ignored by literary text-books.
Full programme
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Bibliography
Bibliography (main and critical) will be indicated during the course.
Teaching methods
The course will develop mainly through lectures. However, the students may also conduct a personal research concerning the period of literary Modernism.
Assessment methods and criteria
The assessment will normally be oral. The evaluation criteria will concern the adherence to the subject and, at the same time, the ability of description of the “cases” and critical interpretation of texts.
In case the student had been accomplished his/her own individual research, they‘ll have the opportunity - during the interview – to discuss his/her inquiry.
Other information
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