Polish Literature 3
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course is part of the specialization path in the field of Polish literature and aims to provide specific knowledge and and a series of skills within the topics covered in class and in the bibliography attached to the present program.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: at the end of the course the student must demonstrate that he has acquired an excellent knowledge of Polish history and literature, focused on the topics presented in class. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: at the end of the course the student will have to demonstrate to be able to remember and analyze the salient features of the works undergoing analysis and to know how to place them in their proper historical framework, in the context of the history of Polish and European literature as well as in the tradition of critical studies. He will also have to demonstrate an excellent knowledge of the most important authors treated in class, possibly in a context of comparison with other European authors. He / she must be able to analyze the texts from the point of view of style and content, basing on the information received during the lessons and obtained from consulting the texts indicated in the bibliography. He/She must be able to carry out an independent critical evaluation of the examined works.
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
Polish literature in the first half of the nineteenth century developed under a paradigm derived from the loss of state independence that occurred with the partitions of 1772-1795 and the failure of the November Uprising (1830-31): the romantic, irredentist, insurrectional paradigm. The romantic paradigm corresponds to classical genres such as the poem, popular genres such as the ballad, and open forms such as the romantic drama. It was during the 19th century that Polish literature gave European culture its triad of writers: Adam Mickiewicz (1798-1855), Juliusz Słowacki (1809-1849) and Zygmunt Krasiński (1812-1859). Specifically, unit A (20 hours, 3 CFU) will present an overview of Polish Romantic literature, unit B (20 hours, 3 CFU) will focus on the figure of Adam Mickiewicz and some of his early works, and unit C (20 hours, 3 CFU) will deal with the writer's mature output, both poetic and essayistic.
Prerequisites for admission
The course, materials, and examination bibliography presuppose skills acquired in previous classes. The prerequisites for students in the degree course in foreign languages and literature are those in force. Students from other degree courses interested in taking the examination must contact the lecturer.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods: lectures, reading, translation, and commentary of Polish fiction, essays, and watching videos of Polish films. Compared to the same course held for second-year students, with third-year students, the texts in the bibliography and those covered in class will, where appropriate, be addressed in Polish.
Teaching Resources
Unit A:
J. Lukowski, H. Zawadzki, Polonia. Il Paese che rinasce, Beit, Trieste 2009 (Chapters on Polish history from 1795 until 1918).
AA.VV., History of Polish Literature, edite by L. Marinelli, Einaudi, Torino 2004 (chapters on Romanticism and Adam Mickiewicz).
J. Prokop, K. Jaworska, Letteratura e nazione. Studi sull'immaginario collettivo nell'Ottocento polacco, Tirrenia, Torino 1990.
Unit B:
Adam Mickiewicz, 10 Ballate, a cura di Paolo Statuti, GSE Roma 2023
A. Mickiewicz, Corrado Wallenrod, in: id., Dziady, Corrado Wallenrod e brevi componimenti, translated by E.L. Cirillo, edited by M. Spadaro, La Fenice, Roma 2006.
Unit C:
A. Mickiewicz, Messer Taddeo, edited by S. De Fanti, Marsilio, Venezia 2018
A. Mickiewicz, Dziady, in: id., Dziady, Corrado Wallenrod e brevi componimenti, trad. di E.L. Cirillo, a c. di M. Spadaro, La Fenice, Roma 2006.
A. Mickiewicz, Scritti politici: i libri della nazione e del pellegrini polacchi, Torino 1965
J. Lukowski, H. Zawadzki, Polonia. Il Paese che rinasce, Beit, Trieste 2009 (Chapters on Polish history from 1795 until 1918).
AA.VV., History of Polish Literature, edite by L. Marinelli, Einaudi, Torino 2004 (chapters on Romanticism and Adam Mickiewicz).
J. Prokop, K. Jaworska, Letteratura e nazione. Studi sull'immaginario collettivo nell'Ottocento polacco, Tirrenia, Torino 1990.
Unit B:
Adam Mickiewicz, 10 Ballate, a cura di Paolo Statuti, GSE Roma 2023
A. Mickiewicz, Corrado Wallenrod, in: id., Dziady, Corrado Wallenrod e brevi componimenti, translated by E.L. Cirillo, edited by M. Spadaro, La Fenice, Roma 2006.
Unit C:
A. Mickiewicz, Messer Taddeo, edited by S. De Fanti, Marsilio, Venezia 2018
A. Mickiewicz, Dziady, in: id., Dziady, Corrado Wallenrod e brevi componimenti, trad. di E.L. Cirillo, a c. di M. Spadaro, La Fenice, Roma 2006.
A. Mickiewicz, Scritti politici: i libri della nazione e del pellegrini polacchi, Torino 1965
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an individual interview, which includes questions the teacher asks, interactions between the teacher and the student, and the analysis and commentary of one or more passages from the works in the program. The interview has a variable duration depending on the student's ability to respond and takes place in Italian or, optionally, in Polish. The exam aims to verify the knowledge of the topics presented in class, of the texts read, the ability to contextualize authors and works, to frame them critically, the ability to expose, and the precision in using specific terminology. The vote is shown out of thirty. An excellent knowledge of historical events, authors, non-fiction, essays, fiction narrative, cinematographic and prose works, supported by a broad and systematic vision of the topics addressed in class and of the readings indicated in the bibliography, the demonstration of an expressive mastery and specific language will be evaluated with marks of excellence (29-30). The mostly mnemonic knowledge of the subject, the ability to synthesize and analyze not in-depth, and correct but not always appropriate language will lead to discrete evaluations (24-28). Rough knowledge, superficial understanding, poor analytical skills, and inappropriate expression will lead to evaluations around or above sufficiency (18-23). Obvious training gaps, inappropriate language, and a lack of orientation within the bibliographic materials offered in the program will be negatively evaluated. They will lead to the need to repeat the exam.
International or incoming Erasmus students are requested to contact the teacher. The examination methods for students with disabilities and SLDs must be agreed upon with the teacher in agreement with the competent office.
International or incoming Erasmus students are requested to contact the teacher. The examination methods for students with disabilities and SLDs must be agreed upon with the teacher in agreement with the competent office.
Professor(s)