Comparative Literature
A.Y. 2023/2024
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 implied 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 deeper understanding of the theoretical and methodological issues related to the study of literature.
Competence: By approaching a plurality of historical and cultural horizons in different languages, students will improve their hermeneutical competencies and their ability to converse with other cultures.
At the end of the course, they will be able to autonomously apply the knowledge and the acquired competencies to the study of literary works from diverse times and literatures.
Competence: By approaching a plurality of historical and cultural horizons in different languages, students will improve their hermeneutical competencies and their ability to converse with other cultures.
At the end of the course, they will be able to autonomously apply the knowledge and the acquired competencies to the study of literary works from diverse 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
Course syllabus
The course will address, through theoretical discussions and text analysis, the relationship between literature and visual culture.
In part A we will provide some theoretical tools and methods of analysis through a reading of Del Giudice's "Nel Museo di Reims"; we will reflect on the concept of ecphrasis, which is central in Del Giudice's novella; we will investigate the main issues of visual culture: such as intermediality, transmediality and iconotextuality.
In part B we will focus, instead, on the photo-text: we will reflect on the methods of analysis and the particularities of this form and will analyse in detail Claudia Rankine's "Citizen".
The last part (C) will be devoted to the work of one of the most important authors of phototexts, namely W.G. Sebald. The lecturer will analyze "The Rings of Saturn" in detail, while "The Emigrants" will be the subject of group works that students will present and discuss in the last lessons of the course.
In part A we will provide some theoretical tools and methods of analysis through a reading of Del Giudice's "Nel Museo di Reims"; we will reflect on the concept of ecphrasis, which is central in Del Giudice's novella; we will investigate the main issues of visual culture: such as intermediality, transmediality and iconotextuality.
In part B we will focus, instead, on the photo-text: we will reflect on the methods of analysis and the particularities of this form and will analyse in detail Claudia Rankine's "Citizen".
The last part (C) will be devoted to the work of one of the most important authors of phototexts, namely W.G. Sebald. The lecturer will analyze "The Rings of Saturn" in detail, while "The Emigrants" will be the subject of group works that students will present and discuss in the last lessons of the course.
Prerequisites for admission
None.
Teaching methods
Lectures by the teachers and discussion sessions. Group work is planned for Part C and will be presented by the students in the last classes.
Teaching Resources
Part A and B
Literary texts:
Daniele Del Giudice, "Nel museo di Reims", in Id. "I racconti", Einaudi, 2016.
Claudia Rankine, "Citizen. Una lirica americana", 66thand2nd, 2017.
Criticism:
Irina Rajewsky, "Percorsi transmediali. Appunti sul potenziale euristico della transmedialità nel campo delle letterature comparate", in "Between", VIII, 16 (2018): https://ojs.unica.it/index.php/between/article/view/3526/3140.
Massimo Fusillo, "Intermedialità", in Enciclopedia Treccani: https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/intermedialita_%28Enciclopedia-Italiana%29/.
Michele Cometa, "Letteratura e arti figurative: un catalogo", in "Contemporanea", 3, 2005, pp. 15-29.
Giuseppe Carrara, "Storie a vista. Retorica e poetiche del fototesto", Mimesis 2020, only pp. 7-87.
Parte C
W.G. Sebald, "Gli anelli di Saturno", Adelphi, 2010.
W.G. Sebald, "Gli Emigrati", Adelphi, 2007.
Elena Agazzi, "W.G. Sebald: in difesa dell'uomo", Le Lettere, 2012, only pp. 93-139.
Students can read Sebald's texts in the original version (German) or in the Italian or English translations. Students who are to acquire 6 ECTS will study parts A and B; students who are to acquire 9 ECTS will study parts A, B, and C of the syllabus. More information (as regards critical essays, and supplementary reading material) will be given on the Ariel website.
NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
In addition to the above, the following texts should be prepared.
6 ECTS:
F. Bertoni, "Letteratura. Teorie, metodi, strumenti", Carocci, 2018, only ch. 4, pp. 205-255.
E. Bricco, "Che cos'è la fotoletteratura?", in M. Cometa, R. Coglitore, V. Cammarata (a cura di), "Cultura visuale in Italia. Immagini, sguardi, dispositivi", Meltemi, 2022, pp. 31-54.
Recommended but not mandatory:
G. Carrara, "Claudia Rankine e la lirica nell'America d'oggi", «L'Ulisse», 21, 2018, pp. 214-224.
M. Tognini, "Descrivere, narrare, interpretare. L'ekphrasis nel museo di Reims di Daniele Del Giudice", «Letteratura e Letterature», 17, 2023, pp. 25-42.
9 ECTS, all of the above and:
M. Vangi, "Letteratura e fotografia", Campanotto, 2005 (only the chapter on Sebald).
Literary texts:
Daniele Del Giudice, "Nel museo di Reims", in Id. "I racconti", Einaudi, 2016.
Claudia Rankine, "Citizen. Una lirica americana", 66thand2nd, 2017.
Criticism:
Irina Rajewsky, "Percorsi transmediali. Appunti sul potenziale euristico della transmedialità nel campo delle letterature comparate", in "Between", VIII, 16 (2018): https://ojs.unica.it/index.php/between/article/view/3526/3140.
Massimo Fusillo, "Intermedialità", in Enciclopedia Treccani: https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/intermedialita_%28Enciclopedia-Italiana%29/.
Michele Cometa, "Letteratura e arti figurative: un catalogo", in "Contemporanea", 3, 2005, pp. 15-29.
Giuseppe Carrara, "Storie a vista. Retorica e poetiche del fototesto", Mimesis 2020, only pp. 7-87.
Parte C
W.G. Sebald, "Gli anelli di Saturno", Adelphi, 2010.
W.G. Sebald, "Gli Emigrati", Adelphi, 2007.
Elena Agazzi, "W.G. Sebald: in difesa dell'uomo", Le Lettere, 2012, only pp. 93-139.
Students can read Sebald's texts in the original version (German) or in the Italian or English translations. Students who are to acquire 6 ECTS will study parts A and B; students who are to acquire 9 ECTS will study parts A, B, and C of the syllabus. More information (as regards critical essays, and supplementary reading material) will be given on the Ariel website.
NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
In addition to the above, the following texts should be prepared.
6 ECTS:
F. Bertoni, "Letteratura. Teorie, metodi, strumenti", Carocci, 2018, only ch. 4, pp. 205-255.
E. Bricco, "Che cos'è la fotoletteratura?", in M. Cometa, R. Coglitore, V. Cammarata (a cura di), "Cultura visuale in Italia. Immagini, sguardi, dispositivi", Meltemi, 2022, pp. 31-54.
Recommended but not mandatory:
G. Carrara, "Claudia Rankine e la lirica nell'America d'oggi", «L'Ulisse», 21, 2018, pp. 214-224.
M. Tognini, "Descrivere, narrare, interpretare. L'ekphrasis nel museo di Reims di Daniele Del Giudice", «Letteratura e Letterature», 17, 2023, pp. 25-42.
9 ECTS, all of the above and:
M. Vangi, "Letteratura e fotografia", Campanotto, 2005 (only the chapter on Sebald).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam will be an oral exam. Students will be asked to discuss the works and the critical issues addressed by the course. The accuracy of historical and literary references will also contribute to the final score. More information will be given during the course and on the Ariel website.
L-FIL-LET/14 - LITERARY CRITICISM AND COMPARATIVE LITERATURE - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professors:
Ballerio Stefano, Carrara Giuseppe
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Fridays, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm, by appointment.
Dipartimento di Studi letterari, filologici e linguistici, Modern studies section, second floor