Comparative Literature
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The course aims at introducing students to the comparative study of European and non-European literatures, as well as to the theoretical and methodological issues raised by this approach.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: Students will achieve an in-depth knowledge of a selection of authors and works from several European and non-European literatures and they will gain a better understanding of the theoretical and methodological issues related to the study of literature.
Competence: By approaching a plurality of historical and cultural horizons in multiple languages, students will improve their hermeneutical competences and their ability to dialog with different cultures. At the end of the course, they will be able to autonomously apply the knowledge and the competences they will have gained to the study of literary works from different times and literatures.
Competence: By approaching a plurality of historical and cultural horizons in multiple languages, students will improve their hermeneutical competences and their ability to dialog with different cultures. At the end of the course, they will be able to autonomously apply the knowledge and the competences they will have gained to the study of literary works from different times and literatures.
Lesson period: First 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
First semester
Lessons will be face-to-face, but they will also be streamed and recordings will be available on the course website.
Course syllabus
The course will address the themes of guilt, shame, and grief in poetic and narrative works, both fictional and non fictional, of contemporary literature in French, English, and Italian. More specifically, we will first address the themes of guilt and shame in "Disgrace" (1999), by J.M. Coetzee, three short stories from Alice Munro's "Runaway" (2004), and Annie Ernaux' "La honte" (1997). Then, we will proceed to the theme of grief by reading and discussing "Une femme" (1988), again by Annie Ernaux, Emmanuel Carrère's "D'autres vies que la mienne" (2009), George Saunders' "Lincoln in the Bardo" (2017), and Eugenio Montale's "Xenia", from his collection "Satura" (1971).
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites for admission.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Students with SLD should also contact the teacher, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent office.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Students with SLD should also contact the teacher, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent office.
Teaching methods
The course will comprise several forms of teaching and of study:
a) lectures by the teacher;
b) individual study of literary works and critical essays;
c) group work on the works comprised in the course syllabus: the teacher will organize this part of the work for students who will attend classes. Within their groups, students will read and discuss the works in the syllabus. Students who do not attend classes will replace this with individual study;
d) group work with the teacher: groups will discuss their work with the teacher, who will give his feedback, in a series of dedicated lessons.
a) lectures by the teacher;
b) individual study of literary works and critical essays;
c) group work on the works comprised in the course syllabus: the teacher will organize this part of the work for students who will attend classes. Within their groups, students will read and discuss the works in the syllabus. Students who do not attend classes will replace this with individual study;
d) group work with the teacher: groups will discuss their work with the teacher, who will give his feedback, in a series of dedicated lessons.
Teaching Resources
Students who are to acquire 6 ECTS will study the following works:
a) J.M. Coetzee, "Disgrace", Vintage, 1999;
b) Alice Munro, "Chance", "Soon" e "Silence", in "Runaway", Vintage, 2004;
c) Emmanuel Carrère, "D'autres vies que la mienne", POL, 2009;
d) Eugenio Montale, "Xenia I" e "Xenia II", in "Satura" (1971), a cura di R. Castellana, Mondadori, 2009.
Students who are to acquire 9 ECTS will study the works above and the three following:
e) Annie Ernaux, "La honte", Gallimard, 1997;
f) Annie Ernaux, "Une femme", Gallimard, 1988;
g) George Saunders, "Lincoln in the Bardo", Random House, 2017.
More information (as regards critical essays and supplementary reading material) will be given on the Ariel website of the course.
a) J.M. Coetzee, "Disgrace", Vintage, 1999;
b) Alice Munro, "Chance", "Soon" e "Silence", in "Runaway", Vintage, 2004;
c) Emmanuel Carrère, "D'autres vies que la mienne", POL, 2009;
d) Eugenio Montale, "Xenia I" e "Xenia II", in "Satura" (1971), a cura di R. Castellana, Mondadori, 2009.
Students who are to acquire 9 ECTS will study the works above and the three following:
e) Annie Ernaux, "La honte", Gallimard, 1997;
f) Annie Ernaux, "Une femme", Gallimard, 1988;
g) George Saunders, "Lincoln in the Bardo", Random House, 2017.
More information (as regards critical essays and supplementary reading material) will be given on the Ariel website of the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam will be an oral exam. Students will be asked to present the works comprised in the course syllabus and to critically discuss about them in relation to the topics that will have been discussed during the course. The accuracy of historical and literary references will also contribute to the final score. For foreign students, the exam will be in English or Italian (student's choice). More information will be given during the course and on the Ariel website.
Unita' didattica A
L-FIL-LET/14 - LITERARY CRITICISM AND COMPARATIVE LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-FIL-LET/14 - LITERARY CRITICISM AND COMPARATIVE LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-FIL-LET/14 - LITERARY CRITICISM AND COMPARATIVE LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Fridays, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm, by appointment.
Dipartimento di Studi letterari, filologici e linguistici, Modern studies section, second floor