Teaching code

4S02889

Teacher

Silvia Bigliazzi

Coordinator

Silvia Bigliazzi

Credits

6

Language

English

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

L-LIN/10 - ENGLISH LITERATURE

Period

First half of Semester 1 , Second half of Semester 1

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning outcomes

The module aims at providing specific knowledge about the history of English publishing, compared to the Italian one, with regard to Renaissance play texts in relation to the transmission of their printed narrative sources, as well as their own later circulation and re-elaboration in diverse genres and according to different printing practices. The module will offer advanced tools for textual analysis as well as the interpretation of literary and dramatic genres within their historical and cultural contexts and in relation to their editorial traditions. It will also introduce students to critical approaches aimed at strengthening their argumentative skills. On successful completion of the module, students will be able to re-elaborate critically the acquired knowledge and to discuss topics employing appropriate linguistic and stylistic registers.

Program

“Publishing and translating ‘Romeo and Juliet’: from the Italian sources to the play’s contemporary trans-generic narratization.”
The module focuses upon the exemplary case of Romeo and Juliet as a telling example of the changing publishing practices in England and Italy from the Renaissance to date. It will concentrate on the publication and transmission of the play’s Italian sources as well as of its late fifteenth- and early sixteenth-century quarto and folio editions. It will then consider a few examples of its re-narratization, from Charles and Mary Lamb’s Tales From Shakespeare to contemporary young adult and manga narratives. The module will also illustrate different editorial formats of the play and will compare current publishing choices in the English and the Italian markets, in the latter case with special attention to translation practices.

TEACHING METHODS:
The module will be held in English. Attending students will take one self-assessment test at the end of the module. A written calendar of the topics that will be dealt with will be circulated in class at the beginning of the course.
Further teaching material will be available for download from the MOODLE repository.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Students are required to do all the readings indicated in the two sections below: 1. Primary Texts (the writers’ works), 2. Secondary Texts (References):

1) Primary Texts:
• William Shakespeare, The First Quarto of “Romeo and Juliet”, ed. Lukas Erne, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2007;
• William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, ed. G. Blackmore Evans, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press (New Cambridge Shakespeare) 1984;
• William Shakespeare, Romeo e Giulietta (testo inglese a fronte), ed. by S. Bigliazzi, Torino, Einaudi, 2012.
• Charles Lamb, Romeo and Juliet, in Tales From Shakespeare, with an introduction by Marina Warner, Harmondsworth, Penguin, 2007.

2) Secondary texts:
• Stephen Orgel, Authentic Shakespeare, London and New York, Routledge, 2002, chapters 1-4 (pp. 1-47);
• Megan Lynn Isaac, “Retelling the Tales: Examining Editions of Shakespeare”, and “Romeo and Juliet: Reincarnations”, in Heirs to Shakespeare: Reinventing the Bard in Young Adult Literature, Porthsmouth, Heinemann, 2000;
• Emma Haylay, “Manga Shakespeare”, in Manga. An Anthology of Global and Cultural Perspectives, ed. by Toni Johnson-Woods, London, Continuum, 2010, pp. 267-280.

Non-attending students:
Non-attending students are required to integrate the syllabus detailed above (parts 1 and 2) with the following readings:

• Catherine Belsey, Romeo and Juliet: Language and Writing. Arden Shakespeare, London, New Delhi, New York, Sidney, Bloomsbury, 2014;
• Jean-Marie Boussiou et al, "Manga in Europe: A Short Study of Market and Fandom" and Paul M. Malone, “The Publishing Scene in Europe”, in Manga. An Anthology of Global and Cultural Perspectives, ed. by Toni Johnson-Woods, London, Continuum, 2010, pp. 267-280, pp. 315-31.

Examination Methods

The exam will consist in an oral discussion of the topics dealt with during the module. The acquired abilities will be evaluated in terms of:

1) knowledge of the primary texts within their historical and cultural contexts and in relation to the editorial practices relevant to the periods under scrutiny;
2) ability to use critical approaches appropriate to textual analysis with special attention to linguistic and stylistic features and in relation to the cultural contexts;
3) argumentative skills and academic use of English.

The oral exam will be held in English and will evaluate the knowledge acquired with regard to parts (1) and (2) of the above-detailed syllabus.

Alternatively, attending students only may deliver an essay in English of approximately 5,000 words at least two weeks before the date of the oral exam. The essay should be on one or more topics of their own choice among those dealt with in class. Before writing the essay, students are invited to discuss their project with the teacher. This written part will be integrated with an oral discussion of the same topic on the day of the exam.