Teaching code

4S002927

Teacher

Carla Sassi

Coordinator

Carla Sassi

Credits

9

Language

English

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

L-LIN/10 - ENGLISH LITERATURE

Period

I semestre (Area Lingue e letterature straniere) dal Sep 23, 2024 al Dec 21, 2024.

Courses Single

Authorized

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

Learning objectives

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.

Prerequisites and basic notions

Students can sit for this exam only after passing English Literature 1 and English Literature 1.

Program

“Romantic Gothic: the Other and the Double”. The course will provide a short introduction to British Romanticism, and will then focus on Gothic as a romantic genre. Finally we will investigate the theme of the double and representations of the Other in three canonical gothic novels, The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner (1824) by James Hogg; Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818), The Italian (1797) by Ann Radcliffe.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Primary texts:
Students will work on the following specific editions:
James Hogg, The Private Memoirs and Confessions of a Justified Sinner: Penguin Classics
Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, Edited by David H. Guston, Ed Finn, Jason Scott Robert, MIT (open access)
Ann Radcliffe, The Italian, Or the Confessional Of the Black Penitents. A Romance. Penguin Classics
Critical Bibliography:
Handbook: P. Poplawski (ed.), English Literature in Context, Cambridge University Press, 2017, chapters: 3, 4.
Dale Townshend and Angela Wright, "Gothic and Romantic: An Historical Overview". IN: Wright, Angela et al. Romantic Gothic : An Edinburgh Companion. Edinburgh University Press, 2015.
Duncan, Ian. “Fanaticism and Civil Society: Hogg’s Justified Sinner.” NOVEL: A Forum on Fiction, 2009, 42 (2)
Aguirre, Manuel, Gothic Fiction and Folk-Narrative Structure: The Case of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Gothic Studies, 2013, 15(2)
Andonova-Kalapsazova, Elena. “Emotions Vocabulary and the Reconceptualisation of Emotions in Ann Radcliffe’s ‘The Italian, or the Confessional of the Black Penitents.’” English Studies at NBU, 2019, 5(1)
Further bibliography for non-attending students:
Mark Bennett "Gothic Travels". IN: Wright, Angela et al. Romantic Gothic : An Edinburgh Companion. Edinburgh University Press, 2015.
Duncan, Ian. “Authenticity Effects: The Work of Fiction in Romantic Scotland.” The South Atlantic Quarterly, 2003, 102(1)
Johnston, J. “Traumatic Responsibility: Victor Frankenstein as Creator and Casualty” in Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, Edited by David H. Guston, Ed Finn, Jason Scott Robert, MIT
Tooley, B. “Gothic Utopia: Heretical Sanctuary in Ann Radcliffe’s The Italian.” Utopian Studies 2000 11(2)

Bibliography

Didactic methods

The course will be taught in English. Students will have to register on the e-Learning platform, and check it regularly for updates and supplementary teaching material discussed in class.
Teaching support:
Information and teaching materials will be uploaded in the Moodle platform. Students will be encouraged to think critically and to take active part in the class, by asking questions and engaging with the discussion topics. Prof.ssa Sassi will be available during her office hours throughout the teaching term.

Learning assessment procedures

Oral exam, in the English language. The exam will consist in questions on the critical bibliography, the contents of the course and the primary texts.
Non-attending students will be principally examined on the whole critical bibliography scheduled for them + handbook.
All students may be required to read and comment on passages taken from the primary texts, which they are strictly required to take with them at the exam.

Evaluation criteria

Assessment will be based on the student's:
ability to express themselves with confidence and clarity,
ability to comment / analyse the literary texts discussed in class,
ability to summarize, even in a simple way, the critical texts in the reading list,
discuss the topics discussed in class.
Critical thinking and ability to develop evidence-based arguments will be especially rewarded.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The Italian Grading System ranges from 18/30 to 30/30. Specifically, the highest mark is 30/30
with distinction (defined as “lode” in Italian), while the lower one is 18/30. Exams under 18/30 are
considered as “not passed”.

Exam language

English