Learning objectives
Knowledge and understanding: knowledge of an historical outline of the course content, of the concept of popular/juvenile reader in the given context, and of the features of the related texts.
Applying knowledge and understanding: being able to explain some texts of the given period, using simple pedagogical-literary tools, and to reflect on their possible educational use.
Making judgements: being able to express opinions with due motivation: this is the main transversal goal of the course.
Communication skills: Ability to explain one's own work in reading and interpretating texts with a correct and appropriate language.
Learning skills: being able to reflect critically on one's own knowledge, in proportion with individual talents.
Prerequisites
None.
Course unit content
Useful things. Science education books in the age of Italian Positivism
Full programme
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Bibliography
A selection from 19th-century educational texts:
1) Giovanni Timbs, Cose utili e poco note. Libro pei giovani e pei vecchi (1864) – " Prefazione" and one of the book sections at your choice
https://books.google.it/books?id=CYyGqyzubLcC&dq
2) Giovanni Macé, L’aritmetica del nonno. Storia di due piccoli negozianti di mele (1875) – The two "Prefazioni" and a chapter at your choice
https://books.google.it/books?id=gSL-zpVNs6IC&dq
3) Raffaele Altavilla, Il nuovo Giannetto ossia le quattro stagioni, libro di lettura per i fanciulli e pel popolo, vol. I (1872) – “Ai miei piccoli lettori” and a month at your choice
https://books.google.it/books?id=SBd8PwB33JgC&dq
4) Paolo Mantegazza, Almanacco igienico popolare, anno decimo: Igiene del cuore e dei nervi (1875) - reprint 1910 - Introduction ("Giaculatoria") and a chapter at your choice
Downloadable from Elly
The novel:
Giulio Verne, Viaggio al centro della Terra, Milano, Treves, 1874
https://books.google.it/books?id=gg9JD-0Eqp8C&dq
Teaching methods
Lecture; classroom reading with comments; debate in the classroom; close reading training on selected texts.
All classes will be available online on the TEAMS platform.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination.
The passing mark is achieved if the students shows both these accomplishments:
a) Has read thoroughly the compulsory texts and is able to locate them in time and space;
b) Has reflected upon the educational problems/questions posited in the texts and has tried to give a personal interpretation.
Other information
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