Teaching code

4S01196

Teacher

Silvia Bigliazzi

Coordinator

Silvia Bigliazzi

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

L-LIN/10 - ENGLISH LITERATURE

Period

1 A, 1 B

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

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.

Prerequisites and basic notions

The English Literature (i) exam can only be taken if students have a B1 language certificate in English.

Program

“Epiphany, Bildungsroman and the Mythical Method: Readings of James Joyce”

The course aims at introducing students to an understanding of James Joyce’s fiction, starting with the famous short story “The Dead” from the youthful collection Dubliners, and then moving on to an analysis of Joyce’s reinterpretation of the Bildungsroman genre in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Finally, it will discuss his mythical experimentation in Ulysses, examining the relationship between story and myth in the second episode of the first part (Telemachy) of the novel.

Attending and non-attending students alike are required to do all the readings indicated below.
Further teaching material will be available for download from the MOODLE repository.

Primary Texts
• James Joyce, I Morti (parallel text), ed. by Claudia Corti, Venezia, Marsilio, 2012.
• James Joyce, Dedalus. Ritratto dell’artista da giovane (parallel text), ed. by Nemi D’Agostino, trans. by Cesare Pavese, Milano, Garzanti, 2021
• James Joyce, Ulysses, part I, episode 2 (1922; students may choose any English edition; recommended Italian edition: Ulisse, trans. and commentary by G. De Angelis, introd. by G. Melchiori, Milano, Mondadori 1978).

Seconday Texts
• G. Melchiori e G. De Angelis (eds), Guida alla lettura dell’Ulisse di James Joyce, Milano, Mondadori, 1984, pp. 11-66, 94-106.
• Derek Attridge (ed.), The Cambridge Companion to James Joyce, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2004, chapters 1-7 (pp. 1-148).

Be advised:
- No editions other than those indicated in the syllabus are to be used. Texts are to be read in full. In the case of articles or book chapters, read the indicated page-range. Primary texts must be read in the original language.
- Any files uploaded in moodle other than those indicated in the above list, are not intended as substitutes for the texts in the syllabus.
- Other material in moodle not indicated in the syllabus is intended as optional.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

The course consists of face-to-face lectures with the active participation of students. The course will be held in Italian and the primary texts will be read in English with the aid of parallel-text editions. Attending students will have the opportunity to take one self-assessment test at the end of the course. A written calendar of the topics that will be dealt with will be circulated in class at the beginning of the course.
If you need to isolate because you test positive for Covid, please contact the teacher to arrange for supplementary material.

Learning assessment procedures

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 essays.
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.
The exam is the same for attending and non-attending students alike.

Evaluation criteria

Students should demonstrate that they have acquired:
1) adequate knowledge of the primary texts in the relevant historical and cultural context;
2) the ability to understand and translate the primary texts into Italian;
3) textual analysis skills with special attention to stylistic aspects;
4) expository and argumentative abilities in Italian.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The final grade will result from the average mark students will earn on the basis of the four criteria indicated above.

Exam language

Italiano con lettura dei testi nella lingua originale e traduzione in italiano.