Scandinavian Literature 1
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course aims to introduce first-year students to the study of Scandinavian literature through a synoptic overview of the literatures of the Nordic countries in their historical, political and cultural context, from their origins to the beginning of the twentieth century. The historical overview will be accompanied by a more detailed study of significant authors as well as by the analysis of single literary works in their formal and thematic aspects.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding of the literary history of the Nordic Countries from the Middle Ages to the beginning of the 20th century, with special focus on the most significant authors, genres, texts and literary movements. Ability to read and understand and Nordic literary texts in Italian translation as well as to analyse their formal and thematic aspects in their historical and cultural background.
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
The course will take place partly online (MicrosoftTeams) and partly in classrooms with hybrid modality. Updated instructions (iincluding access code to MicrosoftTeams) will be available on the Ariel page.
Course syllabus
The course is an introduction to Nordic literary history until the beginning of the 20th century. It consists of three sections:
A: From the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment (Prof. S. Severini);
B: From Romanticism to Symbolism (Prof. S. Severini);
C: Introduction to the analysis of Scandinavian drama (Prof. A. Meregalli).
Parts A and B are taught one after the other (2 lessons per week); part C has 1 lesson per week along the term.
The course corresponds to 9 ECTS. Students from programmes other than Foreign Languages and Literatures may acquire 6 ECTS if it is allowed by their syllabus; they will attend only sections A+B.
The first section (A) follows the development of Nordic literatures from the Middle Ages to the 18th century with special focus on Old Norse literature and its genres, but also on the main Renaissance and Baroque authors, down to the birth of modern Scandinavian drama with Holberg.
Section B is devoted to the literary history of the 19th century, with Ibsen's and Strindberg's drama and the development of the novel. The historical overview will be accompanied by the analysis of literary texts representative of the different currents and authors.
Section C will be devoted to the formal and technical charactersitics of the dramatic genre through the study and analysis of three Scandinavian theatrical works from the 19th century.
This course programme is valid until February 2022.
A: From the Middle Ages to the Enlightenment (Prof. S. Severini);
B: From Romanticism to Symbolism (Prof. S. Severini);
C: Introduction to the analysis of Scandinavian drama (Prof. A. Meregalli).
Parts A and B are taught one after the other (2 lessons per week); part C has 1 lesson per week along the term.
The course corresponds to 9 ECTS. Students from programmes other than Foreign Languages and Literatures may acquire 6 ECTS if it is allowed by their syllabus; they will attend only sections A+B.
The first section (A) follows the development of Nordic literatures from the Middle Ages to the 18th century with special focus on Old Norse literature and its genres, but also on the main Renaissance and Baroque authors, down to the birth of modern Scandinavian drama with Holberg.
Section B is devoted to the literary history of the 19th century, with Ibsen's and Strindberg's drama and the development of the novel. The historical overview will be accompanied by the analysis of literary texts representative of the different currents and authors.
Section C will be devoted to the formal and technical charactersitics of the dramatic genre through the study and analysis of three Scandinavian theatrical works from the 19th century.
This course programme is valid until February 2022.
Prerequisites for admission
None.
Teaching methods
Teaching methodologies: frontal lessons (in class or possibly online); reading and analysis of literary works both during classes and individually; individual study of secondary lliterature.
Teaching Resources
Reading list and materials for SECTIONS A and B:
- M. Ciaravolo (ed.), "Storia delle letterature scandinave", Iperborea 2019, chapters 1-5.
- Text anthology available on the Ariel platform (I. Middle Ages; II. From the 16th to the 18th century; III. Romanticism; IV. From Realism to Symbolism).
- The course programme includes the contents of the lessons, all the texts collected in the anthology, as well as the texts discussed during classes (the materials used in classes will be available on the Ariel page; if the course is online, registrations will be available on the Ariel page).
- In addition, students are required to individually read and analyse the following works in Italian translation (including prefaces and afterwords, when present):
- "Saga di Gunnar", ed. R.L. Pagani, Iperborea, 2020 (also available as ebbok);
- "Saga di Eirikr il Rosso", in "La saga di Erik il rosso", ed. R. Caprini, Pratiche, 1995,, pp. 49-114 (or in "Saghe della Vinlandia", ed. R.L. Pagani, Diana, 2018, pp. 29-68) + Gísli Sigurðsson, "Le Saghe della Vinlandia tra storia e tradizione letteraria", in "Saghe della Vinlandia", pp. xix-xlv.
- "Saga di Egill", in "Antiche saghe nordiche", ed. M. Meli, vol. 2, pp. 459-714.
- H.C. Andersen, 8 fairytales at free choice among: "L'acciarino magico, La principessa sul pisello, Mignolina/Pollicina, La sirenetta, Il soldatino di stagno, Il brutto anatroccolo, La regina delle nevi, Le scarpette rosse, La piccola fiammiferaia, L'uomo di neve, L'ombra, I vestiti nuovi dell'imperatore", in "Fiabe e storie", Donzelli, or in "Fiabe", Einaudi, or other unabridged editions (i.e., not versions edited for children);
- J.P. Jacobsen, "Niels Lyhne", Iperborea, 2017;
- H. Ibsen, "Peer Gynt" or "Casa di bambola" or "Spettri" or "L'anatra selvatica" (any unabridged edition);
- K. Hamsun, "Sotto la stella d'autunno", Iperborea, 1995;
- A. Strindberg, "Il padre" (any unabridged edition) or "La Signorina Julie" (any unabridged edition) or "Verso Damasco I" (Adelphi) or "Teatro da camera (Casa bruciata)", Adelphi;
- S. Lagerlöf, "La Saga di Gösta Berling" (Iperborea) or "Il meraviglioso viaggio di Nils Holgersson" (Iperborea or another unabridged edition) or "L'imperatore di Portugallia" (Iperborea).
Reading list and materials for SECTION C:
1. The following texts, in Italian or English translation (available on the Ariel platform or at the Library of Foreign Languages):
- Adam Oehlenschäger, "Axel and Valborg", London [1873] (pdf on the Ariel page; not avalilable in Italian translation);
- Henrik Ibsen, "Hedda Gabler", in "Drammi moderni", a cura di R. Alonge, BUR;
- August Strindberg, "Il pellicano", in "Teatro da camera", Adelphi.
2. Any additional materials available on the Ariel page.
3. The contents of lessons in class (PowerPoint presentations will be available on the Ariel page. If classes are online, recordings will be available on the Ariel page).
Further (not mandatory) reference works:
- J.P. Ryngaert, "L'analisi del testo teatrale", Roma 2006;
- M. Pfister, "The theory of drama", Cambridge 1988.
- M. Ciaravolo (ed.), "Storia delle letterature scandinave", Iperborea 2019, chapters 1-5.
- Text anthology available on the Ariel platform (I. Middle Ages; II. From the 16th to the 18th century; III. Romanticism; IV. From Realism to Symbolism).
- The course programme includes the contents of the lessons, all the texts collected in the anthology, as well as the texts discussed during classes (the materials used in classes will be available on the Ariel page; if the course is online, registrations will be available on the Ariel page).
- In addition, students are required to individually read and analyse the following works in Italian translation (including prefaces and afterwords, when present):
- "Saga di Gunnar", ed. R.L. Pagani, Iperborea, 2020 (also available as ebbok);
- "Saga di Eirikr il Rosso", in "La saga di Erik il rosso", ed. R. Caprini, Pratiche, 1995,, pp. 49-114 (or in "Saghe della Vinlandia", ed. R.L. Pagani, Diana, 2018, pp. 29-68) + Gísli Sigurðsson, "Le Saghe della Vinlandia tra storia e tradizione letteraria", in "Saghe della Vinlandia", pp. xix-xlv.
- "Saga di Egill", in "Antiche saghe nordiche", ed. M. Meli, vol. 2, pp. 459-714.
- H.C. Andersen, 8 fairytales at free choice among: "L'acciarino magico, La principessa sul pisello, Mignolina/Pollicina, La sirenetta, Il soldatino di stagno, Il brutto anatroccolo, La regina delle nevi, Le scarpette rosse, La piccola fiammiferaia, L'uomo di neve, L'ombra, I vestiti nuovi dell'imperatore", in "Fiabe e storie", Donzelli, or in "Fiabe", Einaudi, or other unabridged editions (i.e., not versions edited for children);
- J.P. Jacobsen, "Niels Lyhne", Iperborea, 2017;
- H. Ibsen, "Peer Gynt" or "Casa di bambola" or "Spettri" or "L'anatra selvatica" (any unabridged edition);
- K. Hamsun, "Sotto la stella d'autunno", Iperborea, 1995;
- A. Strindberg, "Il padre" (any unabridged edition) or "La Signorina Julie" (any unabridged edition) or "Verso Damasco I" (Adelphi) or "Teatro da camera (Casa bruciata)", Adelphi;
- S. Lagerlöf, "La Saga di Gösta Berling" (Iperborea) or "Il meraviglioso viaggio di Nils Holgersson" (Iperborea or another unabridged edition) or "L'imperatore di Portugallia" (Iperborea).
Reading list and materials for SECTION C:
1. The following texts, in Italian or English translation (available on the Ariel platform or at the Library of Foreign Languages):
- Adam Oehlenschäger, "Axel and Valborg", London [1873] (pdf on the Ariel page; not avalilable in Italian translation);
- Henrik Ibsen, "Hedda Gabler", in "Drammi moderni", a cura di R. Alonge, BUR;
- August Strindberg, "Il pellicano", in "Teatro da camera", Adelphi.
2. Any additional materials available on the Ariel page.
3. The contents of lessons in class (PowerPoint presentations will be available on the Ariel page. If classes are online, recordings will be available on the Ariel page).
Further (not mandatory) reference works:
- J.P. Ryngaert, "L'analisi del testo teatrale", Roma 2006;
- M. Pfister, "The theory of drama", Cambridge 1988.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of two individual interviews with the two teachers, with questions by the teacher, student/teacher interaction, and comment and analysis of one or more texts included in the reading list and materials. The interviews are in Italian and their duration varies according to the number of ECTS. The aim is to ascertain the student's knowledge of the course contents and texts, the ability to discuss authors and works in their contexts, the presentation and discussion skills, the use of technical terminology, the ability to discuss themes critically and in a personal way.
The final grade is expressed in the 30-point system and is the result of the two interviews. The student can reject the grade (which will be registered as "ritirato" in this case).
International or Erasmus incoming students are required to contact the teachers as soon as possible. Students with SLD are required to contact the teachers to plan specific exam activities according to the instructions of the office in charge.
The final grade is expressed in the 30-point system and is the result of the two interviews. The student can reject the grade (which will be registered as "ritirato" in this case).
International or Erasmus incoming students are required to contact the teachers as soon as possible. Students with SLD are required to contact the teachers to plan specific exam activities according to the instructions of the office in charge.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/15 - NORDIC LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Severini Sara
Unita' didattica B
L-LIN/15 - NORDIC LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Severini Sara
Unita' didattica C
L-LIN/15 - NORDIC LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Meregalli Andrea
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday, 2 p.m. on Teams or at office. Please contact me in advance in order to organize office hours.
Department of Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Mediations. Piazza S. Alessandro, 1