| Module Identifier |
IT10410 |
| Module Title |
INTRODUCTION TO ITALIAN LITERATURE |
| Academic Year |
2007/2008 |
| Co-ordinator |
Adriano Vincentelli |
| Semester |
Semester 2 |
| Course delivery |
Lecture | (11 x 1-hour lectures) |
| |
Seminars / Tutorials | (2 x two-hour seminars) |
| Assessment |
| Assessment Type | Assessment Length/Details | Proportion |
|---|
| Semester Exam | 1x2 Hours written examination | 70% |
| Semester Assessment | Continuous Assessment: One essay c. 1,500-2000 words | 30% |
| Supplementary Exam | 1 x 2 hour examination if continuous assessment submitted. 1 x 3 hour examination if no continuous assessment submitted. | 100% |
|
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
At the end of the course, students should
-
have an insight into the Italian literary "canon"
-
be capable of identifying the main literary periods with genres;
-
be able to discuss a limited number of texts from different periods.
Module description
A chronological survey of Italian literature - the aim being that of helping students find their way through the literary "canon" (and pointing out which texts students are likely to enjoy most should they wish to read some Italian literature). Examples of texts will be provided in Italian and English. As preparation for the exam, students will be required to follow up the main points indicated in class with some reading on the authors and/or literary currents mentioned during the lectures. There is no prescribed text as such in this respect - several books are available in the library, both in Italian and in English, and are indicated below.
No previous knowledge of Italian literature or of the language is necessary, so students of other disciplines are welcome to take this course.
Students will be encouraged to read as many primary (literary) texts (in translation, if desired) as they are able and willing to do, but such reading is by no means compulsory for the exam. At least one text will probably need to be read for the continuous assessment essay (a choice of topics will be given). One other, recent, text (a short novel, a series of poems, or a play) will be the subject of a two-hour seminar to be held at the end of the course.
Reading Lists
Books
** Reference Text
Brand, Peter and Lino Pertile (1999) The Cambridge History of Italian Literature
Cambridge University Press
Donadoni, Eugenio (1969) A History of Italian Literature, 2 vols
New York University Press
Shiffman, J.R.P., Bondanella et al. (1999) Cassell Dictionary of Italian Literature
Continuum Publishing Group
Whitfield, J.H. (1980) A Short History of Italian Literature
Manchester University Press
Wilkins, E. H. (1974) A History of Italian Literature
Havard University Press
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4