Letterature del mondo arabo e indiano

A.Y. 2025/2026
6
Max ECTS
40
Overall hours
SSD
L-OR/12 L-OR/19
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The course introduces the Arabic and Hindi literary traditions, providing a broad historical overview and concentrating each year on a key author and/or theme. We will read texts in translation as well as critical literature.
Expected learning outcomes
Ability to contextualize key authors and works within their respective context, using the appropriate periodization.
Ability to analyze and discuss the course contents, reading the texts in the syllabus independently.
Ability to rework the content of heterogeneous sources and summarize them with lexical propriety, using vocabulary specific to the discipline.
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 will be divided into two modules that will introduce students to Arabic and Indian literature, analyzing some of their characteristics through a thematic excursus dedicated to the representation of femininity. After providing a historical and diachronic overview of their respective contexts, specific themes will be addressed, favoring endogenous analytical perspectives and questioning the use of categories specific to other traditions.
Prerequisites for admission
No previou knowledge of the history, literature, or cultures covered by the course is required. A basic understanding of the current sociopolitical context of Asia and North Africa is assumed.
Teaching methods
Slides used during lectures will be made available to students weekly on the on the course's MyAriel page. Part of the course will involve the student's active participation, with group work and presentations.
Teaching Resources
− Boccali, Giuliano, et al., Le letterature dell'India, Utet, Torino 2000, pp. 125-232.
− Cassarino, Mirella, et al. (a cura di), Antologia della letteratura araba, dalle origini al xviii secolo, Carocci, Roma, 2024: capp. XII (le donne) e un altro capitolo a scelta.
− Desai, Anita, La narrativa indiana contemporanea, in A. Nandy, R. Kumar, R. Kothari et al., Cultura e società in India, Edizioni della Fondazione Giovanni Agnelli, Torino 1991, pp.181-209.
− at least one of the following texts:
o Mahasweta Devi, Draupadi, in M. Devi, La trilogia del seno, Filema Edizioni, Napoli, 2005, pp. 35-53.
o Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, Il palazzo delle illusioni, Einaudi, 2008.
o R.K. Narayan, Il Mahābhārata, Ugo Guanda, Parma, 2000.
o R.K. Narayan, Il Rāmāyaṇa, Ugo Guanda, Parma, 2021.
o Shashi Tharoor, The Great Indian Novel, Penguin, New Delhi, 1989.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral examination and is designed to assess the student's acquisition of the knowledge and skills provided by the course. Active participation in lectures and activities organized within the course will be taken into account. In the second half of the semester, students with regular attendance will have the opportunity to prepare individual or group presentations, which may replace the oral exam.
L-OR/12 - ARABIC LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 3
L-OR/19 - MODERN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES OF THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT - University credits: 3
Lessons: 40 hours