Learning outcomes

The course “Modernity of the 18th Century: New Social Classes, New Genres, New Media” will necessitate a reading of 18th-century literature that will not only review the literary, but also the aesthetic, cultural, economic, and philosophical changes of this complex age, rich in dramatic historical events. All these elements combined form the synergy which, as a result, will realign the previous social classes and create a new set of literary and artistic media able to represent them: the novel, journalism, and the sequential art of the cartoons.

Program

1. History of Literature from 1660 to 1830.
All Students must demonstrate to be able to illustrate the development of the various literary genres and to know the authors pertaining to each of these genres.
- Norton Anthology of English Literature, Vol. C, “The Restoration and the Eighteenth Century”, and Vol. D, “The Romantic Period”, Norton, New York 2006 (1962) for the period required.
- Y. Bezrucka, Synopsis of English Literature, under publication.

2. Texts
Non-attending Students will have to choose 3 of these works:
- Daniel Defoe, Lady Roxana, UP or Penguin ed.
- Samuel Richardson, Pamela, UP or Penguin ed.
- Oliver Goldsmith, The Citizen of the World (1760), recent OUP or Penguin ed.
- Henry Mackenzie, The Man of Feeling, OUP or Penguin ed.
- W. Hogarth, An Analysis of Beauty, recent OUP or other UP.
Students that have been attending lessons (only those on my list) will choose 2 books and read the following letters from "The Citizen of the World": Nos.4-5, 11, 19, 28-30, 39, 49, 52, 62,74-75, 79, 89-90, 96,100,102, 114. This modality is provided, via the normal examination-sessions, up to the examination of June/July 2014, from then on all will be examined as non-attending Students.

3. Journalism
All Students will read 3 nos. of:
- J. Addison, The Spectator, “The Pleasures of the Imagination”, nos. 411 – 421, ed. Donald Bond, O.U.P., Oxford 1987 (1965) from http://web.mnstate.edu/gracyk/courses/web%20publishing/addisoncontents.htm

4. All Students will have to be able to comment on 2 of the following cartoons, engravings or pictures, of their choice:
Marriage à-la-Mode, A Harlot's Progress, A Rake's Progress, Industry and Idleness, and Four Stages of Cruelty, Character - Caricaturas;
help yourself with research made through the internet!

Bibliography
All Students have to read:
- Y. Bezrucka, Genio ed immaginazione nel Settecento inglese, Unversità di Verona, Valdonega 2002, the relevant parts (pp. 54-63, 109-13, 116-27) for the understanding of the following essay:
- Y. Bezrucka, “L’invenzione del paesaggio nordico tra Settecento e Ottocento”, Il paesaggio romantico, W. Busch, A. Larcati , Fiorini, Verona , 2012 , pp. 41-67.
- I. Watt, The Rise of the Novel, Penguin or California UP 2001 (195), Introduction, ch.1 and two others at your choice.
- J. Sambrook, The Eighteenth Century, Longman, 1993 (1986), excerpts to be read can be collected at the Fotocopisteria La Rapida

Examination Methods

Oral examination. Students might hand in, if they wish and before sitting for the exam, an essay on an author or a relevant work of the period 1660-1830.