Comparative Literature
A.Y. 2025/2026
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
Course syllabus
We will first address the fiction of Joseph Conrad, whose 'Youth', 'Heart of Darkness' and 'Lord Jim' we will read. The figure of Marlow, character and narrator, will open a reflection on the relationship between author, narrator and character, which will continue in the second part in relation to 'L'Adversaire' and 'Limonov' by Emmanuel Carrère. We will also bring into focus some fundamental narratological concepts and compare fiction and non-fiction.
Finally, in the third part of the course, we will reflect on comparative literary studies through the discussion of essays by authors such as Erich Auerbach, David Damrosch, Claudio Guillén, Franco Moretti and Gayatri Spivak.
Finally, in the third part of the course, we will reflect on comparative literary studies through the discussion of essays by authors such as Erich Auerbach, David Damrosch, Claudio Guillén, Franco Moretti and Gayatri Spivak.
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge is required.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher in good time. Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or DSA must be agreed with the teacher in consultation with the relevant office.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher in good time. Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or DSA must be agreed with the teacher in consultation with the relevant office.
Teaching methods
The course topics will be presented by the teacher and discussed with the students. In the third part of the course, students will work in groups and give presentations on the essays on the syllabus (more details will be given in class).
Teaching Resources
Parts A and B:
Joseph Conrad, 'Youth', in Id., 'Typhoon, Youth', translated by A. Politzer and G. Miglietta, Mondadori, 2022;
Joseph Conrad, 'Heart of Darkness', translated by R. Bernascone, Mondadori, 2017;
Joseph Conrad, 'Lord Jim', translated by E. Capriolo, Mondadori, 2021;
Emmanuel Carrère, 'L'avversario', translated by E. Vicari Fabris, Adelphi, 2013;
Emmanuel Carrère, 'Limonov', translated by F. Bergamasco, Adelphi, 2014.
Students who would like to read Conrad's and Carrère's texts in the original language are encouraged to do so (the indicated editions of 'Youth' and 'Heart of Darkness' also contain the original text; for 'Lord Jim' we recommend the edition edited by Jacques Berthoud for Oxford UP, 2008; Carrère is published in French by P.O.L.).
Part C: essays on comparative literary studies by authors such as Erich Auerbach, Pascale Casanova, David Damrosch, Claudio Guillén, Franco Moretti, Daniel-Henri Pageaux and Franca Sinopoli. Full and definitive information will be given in class and on the course Moodle site.
Joseph Conrad, 'Youth', in Id., 'Typhoon, Youth', translated by A. Politzer and G. Miglietta, Mondadori, 2022;
Joseph Conrad, 'Heart of Darkness', translated by R. Bernascone, Mondadori, 2017;
Joseph Conrad, 'Lord Jim', translated by E. Capriolo, Mondadori, 2021;
Emmanuel Carrère, 'L'avversario', translated by E. Vicari Fabris, Adelphi, 2013;
Emmanuel Carrère, 'Limonov', translated by F. Bergamasco, Adelphi, 2014.
Students who would like to read Conrad's and Carrère's texts in the original language are encouraged to do so (the indicated editions of 'Youth' and 'Heart of Darkness' also contain the original text; for 'Lord Jim' we recommend the edition edited by Jacques Berthoud for Oxford UP, 2008; Carrère is published in French by P.O.L.).
Part C: essays on comparative literary studies by authors such as Erich Auerbach, Pascale Casanova, David Damrosch, Claudio Guillén, Franco Moretti, Daniel-Henri Pageaux and Franca Sinopoli. Full and definitive information will be given in class and on the course Moodle site.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Students preparing the examination for 6 ECTS credits should study parts A and B. Students preparing the examination for 9 ECTS credits will have to study parts A, B and C.
For parts A and B the examination will consist of an interview in which students will have to present the works in the programme and critically discuss them in relation to the issues addressed during the course. Knowledge of the topics covered, the ability to discuss them clearly and critically, the use of precise and rigorous language and thus knowledge of the subject's specialist vocabulary, and the correctness of references to the history of literature and criticism will be assessed.
For part C, attending students will work in groups on presentations on the essays scheduled for this part and the presentations will be assessed (further information will be given in class). Non-attending students will study one of the texts indicated for part C (precise and definitive indications will be given on the course Moodle site) and will discuss it orally in the exam, as for parts A and B.
The overall assessment will be expressed in thirtieths.
For parts A and B the examination will consist of an interview in which students will have to present the works in the programme and critically discuss them in relation to the issues addressed during the course. Knowledge of the topics covered, the ability to discuss them clearly and critically, the use of precise and rigorous language and thus knowledge of the subject's specialist vocabulary, and the correctness of references to the history of literature and criticism will be assessed.
For part C, attending students will work in groups on presentations on the essays scheduled for this part and the presentations will be assessed (further information will be given in class). Non-attending students will study one of the texts indicated for part C (precise and definitive indications will be given on the course Moodle site) and will discuss it orally in the exam, as for parts A and B.
The overall assessment will be expressed in thirtieths.
Part A and B
L-FIL-LET/14 - LITERARY CRITICISM AND COMPARATIVE LITERATURE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part 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