Teaching code

4S002927

Teacher

Carla Sassi

Coordinatore

Carla Sassi

Credits

9

Language

English

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

L-LIN/10 - ENGLISH LITERATURE

Period

I semestre (Lingue e letterature straniere) dal Sep 27, 2021 al Jan 8, 2022.

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars

Learning outcomes

The module, taught in English, is meant to guide the students through a critical approach to the English Literature of the period going from the Restoration to late Romanticism, especially in relation to a representative range of texts of the canon. Besides, it aims at getting the students familiar with fundamental tools necessary for text analysis and genre criticism. Its overall goal is to provide the students with a good knowledge of the British literature of the set literary period (its historical context, its texts, genres, movements/authors) and of helping them develop skills for analysis, argumentation and exposition in English, in relation to various typologies of literary texts in their historical-cultural context.

At the end of the module, students will be able to:
- analyze the literary texts set in the syllabus in their historical-cultural contexts;
- argumentatively discuss them by taking into account literary conventions and by applying an informed critical approach that is aware of the literary nature of the text;
- demonstrate the acquired knowledge and skills, in English and in a clear and consistent way.

Program

“Narrating the nation: The ‘marriage plot’ in British 19th-century historical novels/ national tales”

The course will investigate two novels by focusing on the marriage plot as a metaphor of national unity: Waverley by Walter Scott and Marriage by Susan Ferrier, respectively the historical novel that more than any other shaped this genre in the 19th century, and a ‘national tale’ that provides us with a woman’s perspective on contemporary nationalisms. It will also discuss a number of related themes, among these the representation of nations, literary nationalism, women’s predicament in the 19th century.
The course will be in English and in-presence (in line with the current University's measures to reduce the risk of local transmission of COVID).
Students will have to register for the webclass on the e-Learning platform, and check it regularly.
The syllabus will be valid until the exam session of Winter 2024.

Bibliography:
Walter Scott, Waverley (editions: Oxford World’s Classics or Penguin)
Susan Ferrier, Marriage (editions: Oxford World’s Classics or ASLS, ed. Dorothy McMillan, 2020)
Jerome de Groot, The Historical Novel, Routledge
Further indications/materials will be provided in class.

Bibliography

Examination Methods

Oral exam.
Students will have to be able to discuss the primary and secondary texts listed in the bibliography, notes from the course, and any material provided in class (including powerpoint presentations).