Learning outcomes

The course, held in English, aims at introducing students to relevant aspects of English literature, from the Pre-Romantic to the contemporary period, through the reading of a selection of canonical texts. Primary notions about possible methodological approaches for the analysis of literary texts and genres will be imparted. Furthermore, the course will provide a sound knowledge of the English literature of the period (historical context, texts, genres, literary movements and authors) and stimulate abilities and skills for the critical analysis of texts, their discussion and analysis, in consideration of their historical, cultural, and context specificities. At the end of the course, students will be able to: - Analyse the literary texts of the syllabus discussing them in relation to their historical and cultural context; - Discuss the texts using an appropriate critical approach demonstrating the knowledge of the literary conventions of their time; - Express the acquired literary and critical knowledge demonstrating an adequate competence also in the English language.

Program

The seminar, held in English, aims at exploring the main literary movements and authors of English literature, from the Pre-Romantic to the contemporary period, also through the reading of a selection of canonical texts.
Students are required to know the literary and cultural context from Romanticism to Post-modernism.
REFERENCE BOOK:
- A. Sanders, The Short Oxford History of English Literature (Oxford University Press, 2004 - third edition).
The following chapters: 6 (“The Literature of the Romantic Period 1780-1830”), 7 (“High Victorian Literature, 1830-1880), 8 (“Late Victorina and Edwardian Literature, 1800-1920”), 9 (“Modernism and its Alternatives: Literature 1920-1945”) and 10 (“Post-War and Post-Modern Literature”).

Examination Methods

Oral exam in English at the end of the course (as part of the exam of English literature 1).
The exam will consist in an oral discussion (in English) that will assess the knowledge of the module's historical and literary periods and the capacity to critically discuss the problematic issues they deal with. In particular students will have to demonstrate:
- knowledge and comprehension of texts and contexts (to know the historical and cultural framework and the main authors and movements from Romanticism to Post-modernism)
- ability to express clearly and with the use of an appropriate vocabulary the critical and personal interpretations of texts.