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.
Bibliography
Compulsory readings:
Eugenio Rontini, I briganti celebri italiani. Narrazioni storiche, Firenze 1885
https://books.google.it/books?id=3pNAAQAAMAAJ
To read: Prefazione; Ghino di Tacco; Michele Pezza detto Fra Diavolo; Francatrippa; Antonio Gasperoni; Luigi Vampa; Conclusioni; another chapter at the reader's choice.
Mark Twain, Huckleberry Finn, 1884
(qualsiasi edizione, purché integrale)
Pietro Thouar, Nuovi racconti offerti alla gioventù italiana, 1842, II parte: "L'industria campestre" e "Il celibe facoltoso" (pp. 361-371)
https://books.google.it/books?id=Xtd2PrgufjYC
Pietro Thouar, Racconti pei giovanetti, 1852: "Il primo viaggio di un giovinetto" (pp. 348-424)
https://books.google.it/books?id=zqrWJjgmk5kC
Pietro Thouar, Racconti per fanciulli, 1857, three stories at your choice.
https://books.google.it/books?id=p3opWzGe1gsC
A novel chosen between:
Robert L. Stevenson, L'isola del tesoro, 1883
(qualsiasi edizione, purché integrale)
e
Emilio Salgari, I corsari delle Bermude, 1909
https://it.wikisource.org/wiki/I_corsari_delle_Bermude
a contemporary novel or biography (after 1980) consistent with the course themes.
Teaching methods
Lecture; classroom reading with comments; debate in the classroom; close reading training on selected texts.
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.
