Anglophone Cultural Studies I
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The main goal of Anglophone Cultural Studies I is to provide the basic methodological tools of cultural studies and apply them to understand and analyse cultures present in English-speaking countries.
To this end, the course aims to enable students to:
- understand a set of cultural practices and productions by adopting the methodological approach of cultural studies and post-colonial studies applied to the Anglophone contexts;
- use this approach to understand the key cultural concepts of the countries or areas being studied;
- read, analyse and interpret texts and cultural practices and productions related to the Anglophone contexts;
- understand the historical, political, social and cultural background related to the cultural practices studied;
- understand the colonial and decolonial history of the British Empire.
To this end, the course aims to enable students to:
- understand a set of cultural practices and productions by adopting the methodological approach of cultural studies and post-colonial studies applied to the Anglophone contexts;
- use this approach to understand the key cultural concepts of the countries or areas being studied;
- read, analyse and interpret texts and cultural practices and productions related to the Anglophone contexts;
- understand the historical, political, social and cultural background related to the cultural practices studied;
- understand the colonial and decolonial history of the British Empire.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- use the language and skills of cultural studies and post-colonial studies applied to the Anglophone contexts, in line with the professional profile to be trained during the three-year programme;
- apply this subject-specific language to mediation practices, in line with the professional profile to be trained during the three-year programme;
- use cultural skills to develop an aptitude for inclusion practices;
- read, summarise and compare cultural practices and productions in the Anglophone contexts studied;
- make intercultural and interdisciplinary connections, in line with the professional profile to be trained during the three-year programme.
- use the language and skills of cultural studies and post-colonial studies applied to the Anglophone contexts, in line with the professional profile to be trained during the three-year programme;
- apply this subject-specific language to mediation practices, in line with the professional profile to be trained during the three-year programme;
- use cultural skills to develop an aptitude for inclusion practices;
- read, summarise and compare cultural practices and productions in the Anglophone contexts studied;
- make intercultural and interdisciplinary connections, in line with the professional profile to be trained during the three-year programme.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course explores how the British Empire and its gradual dissolution impacted former colonies, examining developments in some of these regions throughout the postcolonial process. Unit 1 will focus on the methods of Cultural Studies as applied to the contexts of colonialism and postcolonialism. Key concepts and issues addressed will include: power, ideology, discourse, hybridity, in-betweenness, third space, identity, and belonging. There will also be a focus on issues related to Environmental Justice, linked to economic inequality as well as climate change.
Subsequent units will concentrate on specific case studies [to be defined once the Adjunct Professor in charge has been appointed].
Subsequent units will concentrate on specific case studies [to be defined once the Adjunct Professor in charge has been appointed].
Prerequisites for admission
The course requires a general understanding of how colonial processes—particularly British ones—developed, as well as the traces they left behind during decolonization. No prior methodological knowledge of Cultural Studies is required. In terms of language skills, students should be able to understand simple texts in English, both written and audiovisual, and possess basic expressive tools, in English and/or Italian, to effectively communicate the concepts they wish to express. A working knowledge of Italian is very welcome.
Teaching methods
Classes will be built on a collaborative method, occasionally involving guest-speakers. Ss are supposed to develop team-working abilities as to train them for the professional profile they are expected to acquire. Through close reading, writing, and class discussion, students will work on issues such as colonialism and postcolonialism, migration, identity, power, location and relocation, belonging.They are also required to share the output of their teamwork with classmates. They are to participate actively through the proposed in-class team activities (presentations, case-studies, discussions of particular topics, flipped classroom activities).
Teaching Resources
Unit 1 - Postcolonial Studies & Cultural Studies
Texts
Historical framework:
https://www.britannica.com/place/British-Empire : source for general info on British empire. Further readings will be suggested during classwork
Cultural Studies - theory
AAVV, Introduzione ai Cultural Studies, Carocci, 2016 (chs 1 & ch. 5) 2016
C. Barker, Cultural Studies: Theory & Practice, Sage, 2000 (excerpts: check myariel for details, after the beginning of classwork)
Postcolonial Studies:
S. Bertacco, O. Palusci, Postcolonila to Multicultural. An Anthology of Texts from the Multicultural World, Hoepli, 2004 (excerpts: check myariel for details, after the beginning of classwork)
Texts
Historical framework:
https://www.britannica.com/place/British-Empire : source for general info on British empire. Further readings will be suggested during classwork
Cultural Studies - theory
AAVV, Introduzione ai Cultural Studies, Carocci, 2016 (chs 1 & ch. 5) 2016
C. Barker, Cultural Studies: Theory & Practice, Sage, 2000 (excerpts: check myariel for details, after the beginning of classwork)
Postcolonial Studies:
S. Bertacco, O. Palusci, Postcolonila to Multicultural. An Anthology of Texts from the Multicultural World, Hoepli, 2004 (excerpts: check myariel for details, after the beginning of classwork)
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment is exam-based. The course has a modular structure: the first module will be tested through a written digitalized exam, that is optional and it addresses mostly attending students. Whoever chooses, can sit for the oral exam and be interviewed on the whole of the syllabus. The exam is to be taken in English. The assessment will consider also class participation and engagement and group presentation
L-LIN/10 - ENGLISH LITERATURE - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Vallorani Nicoletta
Professor(s)