Literary Theory and Criticism | Università degli Studi di Milano Statale

A.Y. 2025/2026

Max ECTS

Overall hours

SSD

L-FIL-LET/14

Language

Italian

Included in the following degree programmes

Languages and Literature for Education, Criticism and Translation (Classe LM-37 R)-Enrolled in Academic Year 2025/2026

Learning objectives

The course aims at providing students with a solid basic grounding in the fundamental topics of literary theory and the methodological issues concerning the study of literature, in particular by refining the techniques for analysing and interpreting literary texts and discussing the assumptions, methods and aims of literary criticism.

Expected learning outcomes

Knowledge: students will learn the fundamental topics of theoretical, philosophical and methodological reflection on literature, such as interpretation and reception, the definition of literature and literary genres, narrative, poetry and versification, value and canon, and will gain a deeper knowledge of the possible perspectives of analysis in relation to these problems and a greater capacity for critical thinking and discussion.

Skills: students will become more competent at analysing and interpreting literary texts from several perspectives and they will learn to take part in the discourse of literary criticism.

Lesson period: Second semester

Lessons timetable

Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi

Exams calendar

Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Take a single course

Course syllabus and organization

A-H

Responsible

Carrara Giuseppe

Lesson period

Second semester

Syllabus

Course syllabus

Part A and Part B aim to illustrate some problems in literary theory, to reflect on the historical issues addressed and debated by theory, on the form, possible definition, nature and relational mode of literary texts, and on the most recent developments in literary theory. At the same time, the tools of theory will be discussed in relation to the analysis of literary texts.
Part C revisits some theoretical issues through the analysis of an essay ("A Room of One's Own" by Virginia Woolf) and a novel ("Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad). In particular, it will explore questions related to essay writing, the theory of the novel, and developments in feminist and postcolonial criticism.

Prerequisites for admission

Basic notions of literary history and linguistics.

Teaching methods

The course will be delivered in a lecture format, with some time allocated for discussion with the instructor. These moments of interaction are intended to help students explore the topics in greater depth, enhance their analytical, reasoning, and interpretative skills, and facilitate learning. In order to participate more actively, students are encouraged to read the works and essays listed in the syllabus while attending the course. Teaching materials for discussion will be made available on the course's Ariel website. Regular attendance is strongly recommended.

Teaching Resources

PART A and PART B
Laura Neri, Giuseppe Carrara (a cura di), "Teoria della letteratura. Campi, problemi, strumenti", Roma, Carocci 2022.
Further teaching materials provided in class and on MyAriel website.

PART C
Virginia Woolf, "A Room of one's own" (Penguin or Oxford's classics)
Joseph Conrad, "Heart of Darkness" (Penguin, Norton Critical Edition or Oxford's classics).
Chinua Achebe, "Un'immagine dell'Africa: Il razzismo in Cuore di tenebra di Conrad" (1977), in "Speranze e ostacoli. Saggi scelti 1965-1987", Jaca Book, pp.11-27 (available on MyAriel).
Edward Said, "Cultura e imperialismo", only pp. 60-70 and 107-129 (available on MyAriel).
Alice Walker, "Alla ricerca dei giardini delle nostre madri", in "Critiche femministe e teorie letterarie", pp. 309-319 (available on MyAriel).

TEACHING RESOURCES FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
Students who do not attend should supplement the texts indicated in the bibliography with the following readings:

6 ECTS:
Federico Bertoni, "Letteratura. Teoria, metodi, strumenti", Carocci 2018 (with the exception of chapters titled "Lettura 1", "Lettura 2", "Lettura 3" and "Lettura 4").

9 ECTS:
Federico Bertoni, "Letteratura. Teoria, metodi, strumenti", Carocci 2018 (with the exception of chapters titled "Lettura 1", "Lettura 2", "Lettura 3" and "Lettura 4").
Supplementary readings and study guides on Woolf and Conrad will be available on MyAriel at the beginning of the course.

FURTHER INFORMATIONS
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Also students with disabilities should contact the teacher of the course, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office.
Further informations will be published on the online Ariel platform, on the website dedicated to Literary Theory and Criticism.

Assessment methods and Criteria

The final exam will be an oral assessment covering the topics discussed during the course. To pass the exam, students must demonstrate at least a sufficient understanding of the content of each part of the course (Parts A, B, and C for those earning 9 credits; Parts A and B for those earning 6). Students will be expected to present the works included in the syllabus and to critically engage with the issues addressed in class. Language proficiency—including the use of appropriate technical terminology—and the accuracy of historical and literary references will also be taken into account when determining the final grade.

Course structure

Modules or teaching units

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

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