Learning objectives
Students will be invited to develop and acquire:
- the capacity to understand and analyse both literary texts and sources;
- the capacity to contextualize texts from different perspectives (social, political and historical contexts);
- the ability to develop an independent, critical judgment about the topics and texts analysed in the course;
- the ability to formulate, communicate and discuss contents, analyses and judgments by using the linguistic register appropriate to the specific topic, that is to say, appropriate to the lexicon of literary studies.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
"British Atmospheres": The course explores a variety of literary texts and sources (novels, plays, novellas, journals and correspondence), penned between the latter half of the eighteenth century and the twenty-first century. These texts will be analysed from a literary point of view, as well as from a cultural, social, and political perspective. Part of the course will be devoted to seminar activities, which include, among other things, reading and commenting on primary texts.
Full programme
A detailed syllabus will be provided at the beginning of the course.
Bibliography
The list of recommended readings will be provided at the beginning of the course. Recommended readings are included in the exam programme.
Teaching methods
The didactic activities will be mainly of two types. During the lectures, held in English, the professor introduces the theoretical framework of the course, the main aspects inherent to the historical-cultural context, the authors and the texts. Such introductory classes will rely on both the reference bibliography of the course and additional textual or visual materials that students will find in the on the online teaching platform of the University of Parma (Elly). At the same time, the course combines the lectures with a number of seminar classes. In these seminars, we will read and comment on primary texts and critical essays. Students are encouraged to take part in debate and discussion activities.
Assessment methods and criteria
Assessment of knowledge is through an oral exam in English. The exam will evaluate the following skills:
- oral competence in English corresponding to level B1, as well as the acquisition of an appropriate linguistic register and the specific lexicon of literary studies;
- specific knowledge of writers, texts and contexts of the periods and themes studied in the course;
- the ability to relate texts and sources to what has been learned about the social, political and historical contexts of reference;
- an appropriate level in the ability to expand autonomously on certain contents.
The oral examination aims to evaluate the acquired knowledge, as well as the ability to make connections, comparisons and contrasts.
A fail is determined by the lack, demonstrated by students during the oral examination, of understanding of the minimum and essential contents of the course, the inability to express themselves adequately in English at B1 level. A pass (18-23/30) is awarded to those students who show that they have learned the minimum and essential contents of the course, that they have acquired an ability to discuss literary topics appropriately in English, with a sufficient competence in relation to the characteristics of the B1 level, that they have achieved a sufficient degree of self-preparation and a sufficient capacity of textual analysis. Middle-range scores (24-27/30) are assigned to the student who produces evidence of a more than sufficient level (24-25/30) or a good level (26-27/30) in the evaluation indicators listed above. Higher scores (from 28/30 to 30/30 cum laude) are awarded on the basis of the student’s demonstration of a very good or excellent level in the evaluation indicators listed above.
Other information
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