Learning objectives
Expected learning outcomes: accurate and personal knowledge of the proposed texts.
Knowledge and understanding: critical attitude, with the aid of human sciences and their interdisciplinary intersections. Tools and terms of literary criticism are not required.
Ability in applying knowledge and understanding: application, as independent as possible, of the critical tools and historical insights acquired.
Making judgments: it is the overarching and main goal of the course.
Communication skills: acquisition of a language not necessarily technical, but able to distinguish and give an account of the characteristics of a literary text beyond first emotional impressions and generalizations.
Learning skills: in proportion to the individual abilities.
Prerequisites
None
Course unit content
Work and society in Italy between 19th and 20th century: four case studies.
Full programme
See under:
"Contents" and "Reference texts"
Bibliography
Full reading of the following four novels:
1) Giovanni Verga, Mastro don Gesualdo, edited by Nicola Merola, Garzanti, Milano 2016;
2) Massimo Bontempelli, La vita operosa, edited by Giuliano Cenati, Unicopli, Milano 2013;
3) Paolo Volponi, Memoriale, Einaudi, Torino 2015;
4) Primo Levi, La chiave a stella, Einaudi, Torino 2014.
In addition, only for non-attending students:
5) Mario Barenghi, Cosa possiamo fare con il fuoco? Letteratura e altri ambienti, Quodlibet, Macerata 2013.
Teaching methods
Selected passages from the texts proposed in bibliography will be read during the lessons, with comments intended to highlight the cultural context and the main decisions made by the authors. Through the comment and, when possible, the discussion with the students, critical skills and independence of judgment of the students will be trained.
In addition to lectures, complementary educational activities will be provided in the form of seminars conducted by young scholars and experts.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam.
The final test will consist of an oral interview; elements of evaluation will be:
- The ability to clearly and tightly explain, with full appropriateness of vocabulary, characteristics, contents and problems of a literary text; particular importance will be given to logical and communicative skills and to the perception of stylistic devices;
- The ability to place the texts in the correct historical framework, developing personal reflections, in an articulated and non-arbitrary way, on aspects and themes involved in such texts.
The threshold of sufficiency is defined by the presence of both of these parameters:
a. Effective full reading of the texts in the program;
b. Effective understanding of the first literal level of the text submitted for student's reading during the exam.
Other information
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