Italian Literature
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The first part intends to offer some exemplary critical readings taken from the main texts of the Italian literary tradition. The second will deepen in a monographic form a work, an author or a literary current.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge of the main currents of Italian medieval, early modern and modern literature, set in their historic and cultural context, with special emphasis on their literary and linguistic peculiarities. Elements of rhetoric and metric. Interpretive tools of critical analysis. Understanding of the specificities of literary texts. Familiarity with the basics of critical scholarship. Acquisition of a personal and grounded judgement. Clarity and rigor of the analysis through a proper use of the critical vocabulary.
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
Group A
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The class is subdivided into two units.
Unit A offers some exemplary critical readings selected from the main texts of the Italian literary tradition, typically from the Middle Ages and Dante to Romanticism. Its content will be assessed in a written exam at the end of the class.
In Unit B (which may vary every year) the focus is on a specific work, author, or literary movement, treated monographically. Unit B will be the main topic of the discussion during the oral exam.
This year's class examines the main works of siblings Beppe and Marisa Fenoglio.
Unit A offers some exemplary critical readings selected from the main texts of the Italian literary tradition, typically from the Middle Ages and Dante to Romanticism. Its content will be assessed in a written exam at the end of the class.
In Unit B (which may vary every year) the focus is on a specific work, author, or literary movement, treated monographically. Unit B will be the main topic of the discussion during the oral exam.
This year's class examines the main works of siblings Beppe and Marisa Fenoglio.
Prerequisites for admission
The class is conducted entirely in Italian. Course materials and readings require an average knowledge of the main currents of Italian medieval, early modern ad modern literature, set in their historic and cultural context, with special emphasis on their literary and linguistic peculiarities.
Teaching methods
The class consists of 30 lectures. Students are strongly invited to turn in written assignments, the content of which is discussed with the teacher. These papers, though, are not mandatory.
Teaching Resources
Unit A
Course materials are uploaded in the Ariel portal: https://ariel.unimi.it
Unit B
Texts
Beppe Fenoglio, Il partigiano Johnny
Marisa Fenoglio, Vivere altrove, Sellerio
Gino Tellini, Scritture della migrazione. Per una prospettiva globale della letteratura italiana, Le Monnier Università
Plus, one between these two:
Marisa Fenoglio, Casa Fenoglio, Sellerio
Marisa Fenoglio, Il ritorno impossibile, Nutrimenti
Criticism. Either one of the following volumes:
Roberto Bigazzi, Fenoglio
Martino Marazzi, A occhi aperti. Letteratura dell'emigrazione e mito americano, FrancoAngeli
Martino Marazzi, Through the Periscope. Changing Culture, Italian America, SUNY Press, Albany, N.Y., 2022
Sergio Luzzatto, Partigia. Una storia della Resistenza, Mondadori
Additional readings for non-attending students.
Both:
Marisa Fenoglio, Casa Fenoglio, Sellerio
Marisa Fenoglio, Il ritorno impossibile, Nutrimenti
Plus, two among these:
Roberto Bigazzi, Fenoglio
Martino Marazzi, A occhi aperti. Letteratura dell'emigrazione e mito americano, FrancoAngeli
Martino Marazzi, Through the Periscope. Changing Culture, Italian America, SUNY Press, Albany, N.Y., 2022
Sergio Luzzatto, Partigia. Una storia della Resistenza, Mondadori
Course materials are uploaded in the Ariel portal: https://ariel.unimi.it
Unit B
Texts
Beppe Fenoglio, Il partigiano Johnny
Marisa Fenoglio, Vivere altrove, Sellerio
Gino Tellini, Scritture della migrazione. Per una prospettiva globale della letteratura italiana, Le Monnier Università
Plus, one between these two:
Marisa Fenoglio, Casa Fenoglio, Sellerio
Marisa Fenoglio, Il ritorno impossibile, Nutrimenti
Criticism. Either one of the following volumes:
Roberto Bigazzi, Fenoglio
Martino Marazzi, A occhi aperti. Letteratura dell'emigrazione e mito americano, FrancoAngeli
Martino Marazzi, Through the Periscope. Changing Culture, Italian America, SUNY Press, Albany, N.Y., 2022
Sergio Luzzatto, Partigia. Una storia della Resistenza, Mondadori
Additional readings for non-attending students.
Both:
Marisa Fenoglio, Casa Fenoglio, Sellerio
Marisa Fenoglio, Il ritorno impossibile, Nutrimenti
Plus, two among these:
Roberto Bigazzi, Fenoglio
Martino Marazzi, A occhi aperti. Letteratura dell'emigrazione e mito americano, FrancoAngeli
Martino Marazzi, Through the Periscope. Changing Culture, Italian America, SUNY Press, Albany, N.Y., 2022
Sergio Luzzatto, Partigia. Una storia della Resistenza, Mondadori
Assessment methods and Criteria
Written + oral exam:
at the end of the class, either in November or December, a two-hour written exam on Unit A (no dictionary allowed) tests the understanding of the specificities of literary texts, as well as students' familiarity with the basics of critical scholarship, and their acquisition of a personal and grounded judgement. Clarity and rigor of the analysis is required through a proper use of the critical vocabulary. Two additional tests are typically scheduled in May and in September. The exact dates are published in the MyAriel website.
Grades breakdown: Fail, Basic, Average, Good, Excellent.
Once the written part is completed, students can access to the oral exam (Unit B). All students can take part in it, even those who were graded as Fail (in which case, they will have to repeat their preparation of Unit A, in accordance with the teacher).
The oral part asks for the same learning requirements as the written part, and, in compliance with the Italian academic tradition, will be graded on a 30-point scale, from 18/30 to 30/30 cum laude.
at the end of the class, either in November or December, a two-hour written exam on Unit A (no dictionary allowed) tests the understanding of the specificities of literary texts, as well as students' familiarity with the basics of critical scholarship, and their acquisition of a personal and grounded judgement. Clarity and rigor of the analysis is required through a proper use of the critical vocabulary. Two additional tests are typically scheduled in May and in September. The exact dates are published in the MyAriel website.
Grades breakdown: Fail, Basic, Average, Good, Excellent.
Once the written part is completed, students can access to the oral exam (Unit B). All students can take part in it, even those who were graded as Fail (in which case, they will have to repeat their preparation of Unit A, in accordance with the teacher).
The oral part asks for the same learning requirements as the written part, and, in compliance with the Italian academic tradition, will be graded on a 30-point scale, from 18/30 to 30/30 cum laude.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
L-FIL-LET/10 - ITALIAN LITERATURE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
L-FIL-LET/10 - ITALIAN LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Group B
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course is divided into three parts (A, B and C), dealt with in sequence:
Part A: Italian literature from the Origins to Machiavelli: authors and fundamental texts (20 hours).
Part B: Italian Literature from Ariosto to Leopardi: authors and fundamental texts (20 hours).
Part C: Dante and the Sea (20 hours).
Parts A and B - of an institutional nature and preparatory to the compulsory written test - deal with fundamental authors and texts (also within a broader European horizon) of Italian literature from the origins to the early nineteenth century from a historical perspective.
Part C - of a monographic nature - deals with the theme Dante and the sea.
Parts A and B - of an institutional nature and preparatory to the compulsory written exam - deal with fundamental authors and texts (also within a broader European horizon) of Italian literature from the origins to the early nineteenth century from a historical perspective:
Prolusion on Literature (Dante Alighieri, Seamus Heaney, Mariangela Gualtieri, Jorge Luis Borges will be discussed).
The dawn of Italian poetry: poets of the court of Frederick II
A new way of love poetry: Dolce stil novo
Fragments of a soul: Francesco Petrarca and Rerum vulgarium fragmenta
Tell in the garden: Giovanni Boccaccio and the Decameron
A current political treatise: Niccolò Machiavelli and The Principe
The poem of beauty: Ludovico Ariosto and The Orlando furioso
Nocturnal: Torquato Tasso, Rime and Gerusalemme liberata
World and theatre: Carlo Goldoni and the theater reform
Love and guilt: Vittorio Alfieri, Mirra
Literature and life: Ugo Foscolo, Ultime lettere di Jacopo Ortis, Sonetti, Dei Sepolcri
Wedding on the lake: Alessandro Manzoni and I promessi sposi
Infinity beyond the hedge: Giacomo Leopardi, L'infinito.
Part C - monographic - focuses on the reading Dante and the sea.
Part A: Italian literature from the Origins to Machiavelli: authors and fundamental texts (20 hours).
Part B: Italian Literature from Ariosto to Leopardi: authors and fundamental texts (20 hours).
Part C: Dante and the Sea (20 hours).
Parts A and B - of an institutional nature and preparatory to the compulsory written test - deal with fundamental authors and texts (also within a broader European horizon) of Italian literature from the origins to the early nineteenth century from a historical perspective.
Part C - of a monographic nature - deals with the theme Dante and the sea.
Parts A and B - of an institutional nature and preparatory to the compulsory written exam - deal with fundamental authors and texts (also within a broader European horizon) of Italian literature from the origins to the early nineteenth century from a historical perspective:
Prolusion on Literature (Dante Alighieri, Seamus Heaney, Mariangela Gualtieri, Jorge Luis Borges will be discussed).
The dawn of Italian poetry: poets of the court of Frederick II
A new way of love poetry: Dolce stil novo
Fragments of a soul: Francesco Petrarca and Rerum vulgarium fragmenta
Tell in the garden: Giovanni Boccaccio and the Decameron
A current political treatise: Niccolò Machiavelli and The Principe
The poem of beauty: Ludovico Ariosto and The Orlando furioso
Nocturnal: Torquato Tasso, Rime and Gerusalemme liberata
World and theatre: Carlo Goldoni and the theater reform
Love and guilt: Vittorio Alfieri, Mirra
Literature and life: Ugo Foscolo, Ultime lettere di Jacopo Ortis, Sonetti, Dei Sepolcri
Wedding on the lake: Alessandro Manzoni and I promessi sposi
Infinity beyond the hedge: Giacomo Leopardi, L'infinito.
Part C - monographic - focuses on the reading Dante and the sea.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites are requested. The class is conducted entirely in Italian.
Teaching methods
Lectures, including critical discussions and analysis of literary texts. Use of projector to facilitate note-taking. Integral handouts will also be provided for some lectures.
Teaching Resources
Part A and Part B:
At the beginning of the course, the teacher will publish a handout on the Ariel website containing all the texts that will be read, paraphrased and commented on in class.
The lecture notes are the fundamental part of the exam program.
To complete the preparation, it is advisable to have a certain historical and cultural framework of the authors and of the texts analyzed in class using a good manual for high schools. In any case, updated manuals of Italian literature will be indicated in the dispensation, as well as useful tools for the study of texts from a metric, rhetorical and stylistic point of view.
Part C:
Notes of the lessons
Donato Pirovano, Dante e il mare, Roma, Donzelli, 2025.
The materials and the bibliography for examination require literary history skills, use of specific terminology and analysis tools of the literary text acquired during secondary school.
At the beginning of the course, the teacher will publish a handout on the Ariel website containing all the texts that will be read, paraphrased and commented on in class.
The lecture notes are the fundamental part of the exam program.
To complete the preparation, it is advisable to have a certain historical and cultural framework of the authors and of the texts analyzed in class using a good manual for high schools. In any case, updated manuals of Italian literature will be indicated in the dispensation, as well as useful tools for the study of texts from a metric, rhetorical and stylistic point of view.
Part C:
Notes of the lessons
Donato Pirovano, Dante e il mare, Roma, Donzelli, 2025.
The materials and the bibliography for examination require literary history skills, use of specific terminology and analysis tools of the literary text acquired during secondary school.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam (entirely in Italian) consists of a preliminary written test (which can be taken at a choice of one of three sessions: in December 2025, in May 2026, in September 2026) and an oral exam to be taken (in one of the calls as per the teaching calendar) only after passing the written test. Both tests are compulsory and determine an overall final assessment.
The written paper covers the subjects of Part A and Part B, and consists of three questions: two open questions on aspects and authors of Italian literature covered during the first 40 hours of lessons, and an exercise in paraphrasing and commenting on a text (or part of a text) analysed in class and included in the handout. The time available for the written test is 90 minutes. The assessment is expressed by a grade: insufficient - sufficient - more than sufficient - fair - more than fair - good - more than good - very good. In particular, the ability to provide correct information by constructing a clear and coherent discourse and to provide a timely paraphrase and commentary of the proposed text will be assessed positively. No material may be consulted during the written test: no books, notes or dictionary.
The oral exam covers only the subject of part C (last 20 hours) and consists of an interview designed to ascertain the students' preparation on the subject of Dante and the sea, their ability to put their specific knowledge to good use (in particular in paraphrasing and commenting on Dante's texts), and their expository property.
The final assessment of the examination (which takes into account both the written test and the oral test) is expressed in thirtieths.
Class attendance is strongly recommended.
Students unable to attend lectures are invited to go to the lecturer's reception, who will provide precise indications on the supplementary bibliography with which to replace attendance. Foreign and Erasmus incoming students who have particular language difficulties with Italian may write an email to the lecturer to arrange a reception and agree on a special programme. The course programme is valid until February 2027.
Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or DSA must be agreed in good time with the lecturer, in agreement with the relevant office.
The written paper covers the subjects of Part A and Part B, and consists of three questions: two open questions on aspects and authors of Italian literature covered during the first 40 hours of lessons, and an exercise in paraphrasing and commenting on a text (or part of a text) analysed in class and included in the handout. The time available for the written test is 90 minutes. The assessment is expressed by a grade: insufficient - sufficient - more than sufficient - fair - more than fair - good - more than good - very good. In particular, the ability to provide correct information by constructing a clear and coherent discourse and to provide a timely paraphrase and commentary of the proposed text will be assessed positively. No material may be consulted during the written test: no books, notes or dictionary.
The oral exam covers only the subject of part C (last 20 hours) and consists of an interview designed to ascertain the students' preparation on the subject of Dante and the sea, their ability to put their specific knowledge to good use (in particular in paraphrasing and commenting on Dante's texts), and their expository property.
The final assessment of the examination (which takes into account both the written test and the oral test) is expressed in thirtieths.
Class attendance is strongly recommended.
Students unable to attend lectures are invited to go to the lecturer's reception, who will provide precise indications on the supplementary bibliography with which to replace attendance. Foreign and Erasmus incoming students who have particular language difficulties with Italian may write an email to the lecturer to arrange a reception and agree on a special programme. The course programme is valid until February 2027.
Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or DSA must be agreed in good time with the lecturer, in agreement with the relevant office.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
L-FIL-LET/10 - ITALIAN LITERATURE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
L-FIL-LET/10 - ITALIAN LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Group C
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
L-FIL-LET/10 - ITALIAN LITERATURE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
L-FIL-LET/10 - ITALIAN LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday 11.00 A.M
Piazza sant'Alessandro, first floor, near Spanish studies