Teaching code

4S01196

Teacher

Silvia Bigliazzi

Coordinator

Silvia Bigliazzi

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

L-LIN/10 - ENGLISH LITERATURE

Period

Sem 1A dal Sep 23, 2019 al Oct 31, 2019.

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning outcomes

The module aims at introducing the students to English Literature with a focus upon canonical texts and within the context of coeval continental literature. At the same time, it wishes to provide appropriate instruments for a critical approach to texts and genres. The module will develop abilities of textual reading and analysis of literary works belonging to different periods within their historical and cultural contexts. It will also introduce students to critical approaches aimed at strengthening their analytical and argumentative skills. On successful completion of the module, students will be able to re-elaborate critically the acquired knowledge, to comprehend texts in English, translate them into Italian, and discuss topics employing appropriate linguistic and stylistic registers.

Program

“Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar: Between Ancient Sources and Contemporary Remediations”
The module explores William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar in relation to both its ancient literary-historical sources, from Plutarch to Appian, and its modern appropriations and remediations for the screen. The discussion will also focus on Caesar’s ‘myth’ with special regard to the Italian experience in the first half of the twentieth century.

TEACHING METHODS:
The module will be held in Italian. Primary texts will be read in English and translated into Italian. Attending students will have the opportunity to take a self-assessment test at the end of the module. A 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.

SYLLABUS:
Attending and non-attending students are required to do all the readings indicated below:
• William Shakespeare, Giulio Cesare, a cura di Alessandro Serpieri, Milano, Garzanti, 2008.
• Geoffrey Bullough, Narrative and Dramatic Sources of Shakespeare, vol. 5 (Julius Caesar), London and New York, Routledge – Columbia University Press, 1964.
• Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Julius Caesar, MGM, 1953.
• Paolo e Vittorio Taviani, Cesare deve morire, Kaos Cinematografica, 2012.
• Nancy Isenberg, “‘Caesar’s Word against the World’: Caesarism and the Discourses of Empire”, in Shakespeare and the Second World War. Memory, Culture, Identity, ed. by Irena R. Makaryk and Marissa Mchugh, Toronto, Buffalo, London, University of Toronto Press, 2012, pp. 83-105.
• Maurizio Calbi, “‘In States Unborn and Accents Yet Unknown’: Spectral Shakespeare in Paolo and Vittorio Taviani's Cesare deve morire (Caesar Must Die), Shakespeare Bulletin Vol. 32, Fasc. 2 (Summer 2014), pp. 235-253.
• Linda Hutcheon, A Theory of Adaptation, New York and London, Routledge, 2006.

Examination Methods

Knowledge acquisition will be evaluated through an oral exam, which will consist in a discussion of the topics dealt with during the module. The oral exam will be held in Italian; primary texts will be read in English.
Alternatively, students may submit an essay in Italian of approximately 5,000 words, including quotations of the primary texts in English and appropriate discussion, at least a week before the exam. The essay will then be presented and discussed orally. For essay-writing guidelines please refer to the following text: Richard Marggraf Turley, Writing Essays, London and New York, Routledge, 2016 (2nd edition). Students may choose a topic among those indicated in the syllabus. They are required to discuss their project with the teacher before submitting their essay.

The acquired abilities will be evaluated in terms of:
1) ability to use critical approaches appropriate to textual and contextual analysis, with special attention to stylistic features;
2) textual comprehension and translation into Italian of the primary texts;
3) argumentative skills in an academic discussion in Italian.

Examination rules and procedures is the same for both attending and non-attending students.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and in accordance with the University of Verona guidelines, during ​the 2020 summer session the assessment modality will be modified as follows: online oral exam.