Italian Culture for Foreign Students I
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the basic skills for a first understanding of the national culture, through major historical, socio-economic and political phenomena of united Italy.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students are expected to understand the issues addressed and to read properly the literary texts included in the syllabus.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Lessons will be held in synchronous, using Microsoft Teams platform, or face-to-face, if the health situation will make it possible. The timetable remains unchanged and all the important information will be provided through the ARIEL website of the course.
Course syllabus and reference material will not be affected.
Written tests are not required. Examinations will be held in oral form, on MS Teams platform or face-to-face, if the health situation will make it possible.
Course syllabus and reference material will not be affected.
Written tests are not required. Examinations will be held in oral form, on MS Teams platform or face-to-face, if the health situation will make it possible.
Course syllabus
The course is divided into three teaching units. Unit 1 examines one of the books that have helped to build the national consciousness: Cuore by Edmondo De Amicis. Unit 2 addresses the key stages of the Italian history, politics and culture: the Risorgimento, the Giolitti era, the Great War, fascism, the Resistance, the economic boom, the protest of 68, the Years of Lead, the Second Republic. Unit 3 focuses on the houses of writers who played a key role in shaping Italian identity.
Prerequisites for admission
Good knowledge of written and spoken Italian language.
Teaching methods
Teaching takes place through lectures, supported by the vision of images and videos.
Teaching Resources
Unit 1. Birth of a Nation
Attending students will prepare for the exam the notes taken in class and the book by E. De Amicis Cuore (only complete Italian edition; available free of charge on the website www.liberliber.it).
In addition to this book, non-attending students will prepare for the exam the essay by V. Spinazzola La comunità dei ragazzi di "Cuore", in Pinocchio & C., pp. 62-84; available free of charge at http://www.liberliber.it.
Unit 2. History, Culture and Society in the United Italy
Attending students will prepare for the exam the notes taken in class and the book by M. Isnenghi Breve storia d'Italia a uso dei perplessi (e non), Laterza,
Non-attending students will prepare for the exam the book of M. Isnenghi Breve storia d'Italia a uso dei perplessi (e non), Laterza, and three essays of your choice contained in the book Aa.Vv., Novecento italiano. Gli anni cruciali che hanno dato il volto all'Italia di oggi, Laterza.
Unit 3. Sites of Italian culture. Writers 'houses
Attending students will prepare for the exam the notes taken in class and 6 chapters of the book by M. Novelli La finestra di Leopardi. Viaggio nelle case dei grandi scrittori italiani, Feltrinelli.
Non-attending students will prepare the book by M. Novelli La finestra di Leopardi, Viaggio nelle case dei grandi scrittori italiani, Feltrinelli.
Attending students will prepare for the exam the notes taken in class and the book by E. De Amicis Cuore (only complete Italian edition; available free of charge on the website www.liberliber.it).
In addition to this book, non-attending students will prepare for the exam the essay by V. Spinazzola La comunità dei ragazzi di "Cuore", in Pinocchio & C., pp. 62-84; available free of charge at http://www.liberliber.it.
Unit 2. History, Culture and Society in the United Italy
Attending students will prepare for the exam the notes taken in class and the book by M. Isnenghi Breve storia d'Italia a uso dei perplessi (e non), Laterza,
Non-attending students will prepare for the exam the book of M. Isnenghi Breve storia d'Italia a uso dei perplessi (e non), Laterza, and three essays of your choice contained in the book Aa.Vv., Novecento italiano. Gli anni cruciali che hanno dato il volto all'Italia di oggi, Laterza.
Unit 3. Sites of Italian culture. Writers 'houses
Attending students will prepare for the exam the notes taken in class and 6 chapters of the book by M. Novelli La finestra di Leopardi. Viaggio nelle case dei grandi scrittori italiani, Feltrinelli.
Non-attending students will prepare the book by M. Novelli La finestra di Leopardi, Viaggio nelle case dei grandi scrittori italiani, Feltrinelli.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral interview on the topics of the syllabus, whose purpose is to ascertain the knowledge of the main issues covered and in particular the acquisition of the fundamental notions relating to the cultural and literary identity of United Italy. Attendance at lessons is strongly recommended for better exam preparation. However, the syllabus already includes additions for students who could not attend.
There are no intermediate tests, nor partial exams: students must present all the teaching units to the exam, without exception. Students must register through the appropriate links on the University website: only in this case the exams can be regularly registered.
There are no intermediate tests, nor partial exams: students must present all the teaching units to the exam, without exception. Students must register through the appropriate links on the University website: only in this case the exams can be regularly registered.
L-FIL-LET/11 - CONTEMPORARY ITALIAN LITERATURE - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Novelli Mauro Giacomo
Professor(s)