Theory of Literature
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to train students in theoretical and methodological reflection on literature, providing them with in-depth knowledge of key debates in twentieth century literary theory and in philosophical inquiries into literature. It also seeks to engage them in discussions about the status and the epistemic, cultural, social, and political functions of literature, as well as about its interpretation.
Expected learning outcomes
The expected learning outcomes include: an informed understanding of key developments in twentieth century literary theory and in philosophical inquiries into literature; the ability to identify and articulate the fundamental theoretical and methodological issues concerning the status and the epistemic, cultural, social, and political functions of literature and its interpretation; the ability to engage in critical discussion on these issues; the ability to relate all this to the interpretive work carried out on literary texts within literary criticism; and the ability to problematize and critically discuss the conditions and forms of the teaching and study of literature.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course will first address (Parts A and B) the theme of interpretation through the writings of philosophers and literary theorists—Martin Heidegger, Hans-Georg Gadamer, Hans-Robert Jauss, Charles Taylor, Jean Starobinski, Paul Ricoeur, and Roland Barthes—whose essays or selected passages will be read and discussed. The aim will be to examine in depth the concepts of understanding, interpretation, text, work, and meaning, with particular reference to literature. To this end, we will also read two short stories by Daniele Del Giudice, from his 1997 collection "Mania"—"Evil Live" and "«Com'è adesso!»"—in order to illustrate and critically engage with the philosophical and theoretical reflections presented. In addition, we will consider selected phenomena from the contemporary digital literary sphere in order to situate the theoretical discussion within our present media environment.
Subsequently (Part C), the course will focus on intermedial, transmedial, and multimedia forms of contemporary storytelling through the examination of selected case studies, which students will be invited to discuss, drawing also on the work of literary theorists and media scholars.
Subsequently (Part C), the course will focus on intermedial, transmedial, and multimedia forms of contemporary storytelling through the examination of selected case studies, which students will be invited to discuss, drawing also on the work of literary theorists and media scholars.
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge is required. Attendance is strongly recommended.
International and incoming Erasmus students are encouraged to contact the instructor at an early stage. Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disabilities (SLD) must be agreed upon with the instructor, in consultation with the relevant university office.
International and incoming Erasmus students are encouraged to contact the instructor at an early stage. Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disabilities (SLD) must be agreed upon with the instructor, in consultation with the relevant university office.
Teaching methods
The course topics will be presented by the teacher and discussed during class sessions. For Part C, attending students will be required to prepare group presentations on the topics under discussion.
Teaching Resources
Students wishing to take the examination for 6 ECTS credits are required to prepare Parts A and B. Students wishing to take the examination for 9 ECTS credits are required to prepare Parts A, B and C.
For Parts A and B, the following texts will be studied, either in full or in selected sections of varying extent:
· Martin Heidegger, "Essere e tempo", Longanesi, 2005;
· Hans-Georg Gadamer, "Verità e metodo", Bompiani, 2000;
· Hans-Robert Jauss, "Storia della letteratura come provocazione nei confronti della scienza della letteratura", in Id., "Storia della letteratura come provocazione", Bollati Boringhieri, 1999, pp. 166-225;
· Charles Taylor, "Language and Human Nature" e "Theories of Meaning", in Id., "Philosphical Papers", vol. I, Cambridge UP, 1985.
· Paul Ricoeur, "The hermeneutical function of distanciation" and "Appropriation", in Id., "Hermeneutics and the Human Sciences", Cambridge UP, 2016.
· Roland Barthes, "La morte dell'autore" e "Dall'opera al testo", in Id., "Il brusio della lingua", Einaudi, 1988.
Students will also read the short stories "Evil Live" and " 'Com'è adesso!' " from Daniele Del Giudice's Mania (1997), now included in I racconti, Einaudi, 2016.
Further and more detailed guidance on the sections of the required texts to be studied, as well as any supplementary readings for non-attending students wishing to take the examination, will be provided during classes and on the course Ariel website (although class attendance is strongly recommended, especially for students without a prior background in philosophy).
The readings for Part C will be determined following consultation with attending students and final information will be provided during classes and on the course Ariel website. The following two texts are proposed as possible readings:
· Massimo Fusillo, Mirko Lino, Lucia Faienza and Lorenzo Marchese (eds.), "Oltre l'adattamento? Narrazioni espanse: intermedialità, transmedialità, virtualità", il Mulino, 2021;
· Donata Meneghelli, "Senza fine. Sequel, prequel, altre continuazioni: il testo espanso", Morellini, 2018.
For Parts A and B, the following texts will be studied, either in full or in selected sections of varying extent:
· Martin Heidegger, "Essere e tempo", Longanesi, 2005;
· Hans-Georg Gadamer, "Verità e metodo", Bompiani, 2000;
· Hans-Robert Jauss, "Storia della letteratura come provocazione nei confronti della scienza della letteratura", in Id., "Storia della letteratura come provocazione", Bollati Boringhieri, 1999, pp. 166-225;
· Charles Taylor, "Language and Human Nature" e "Theories of Meaning", in Id., "Philosphical Papers", vol. I, Cambridge UP, 1985.
· Paul Ricoeur, "The hermeneutical function of distanciation" and "Appropriation", in Id., "Hermeneutics and the Human Sciences", Cambridge UP, 2016.
· Roland Barthes, "La morte dell'autore" e "Dall'opera al testo", in Id., "Il brusio della lingua", Einaudi, 1988.
Students will also read the short stories "Evil Live" and " 'Com'è adesso!' " from Daniele Del Giudice's Mania (1997), now included in I racconti, Einaudi, 2016.
Further and more detailed guidance on the sections of the required texts to be studied, as well as any supplementary readings for non-attending students wishing to take the examination, will be provided during classes and on the course Ariel website (although class attendance is strongly recommended, especially for students without a prior background in philosophy).
The readings for Part C will be determined following consultation with attending students and final information will be provided during classes and on the course Ariel website. The following two texts are proposed as possible readings:
· Massimo Fusillo, Mirko Lino, Lucia Faienza and Lorenzo Marchese (eds.), "Oltre l'adattamento? Narrazioni espanse: intermedialità, transmedialità, virtualità", il Mulino, 2021;
· Donata Meneghelli, "Senza fine. Sequel, prequel, altre continuazioni: il testo espanso", Morellini, 2018.
Assessment methods and Criteria
For Parts A and B, the examination will consist of an oral interview designed to assess students' knowledge of the course topics, their ability to discuss them clearly and critically, including through references to the texts examined during the course, as well as the precision of their language and the accuracy of their historical and textual references.
For Part C, attending students will receive a grade based on the presentations delivered during the course (see "Teaching Methods"); for non-attending students, assessment will continue through the oral interview.
The final grade will be expressed on a 30-point scale. The minimum passing grade is 18/30.
Further information and details will be provided during classes and on the course's Ariel website.
For Part C, attending students will receive a grade based on the presentations delivered during the course (see "Teaching Methods"); for non-attending students, assessment will continue through the oral interview.
The final grade will be expressed on a 30-point scale. The minimum passing grade is 18/30.
Further information and details will be provided during classes and on the course's Ariel website.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
COMP-01/A - Literary Criticism and Comparative Literature - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
COMP-01/A - Literary Criticism and Comparative Literature - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesdays, 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm, by appointment.
Dipartimento di Studi letterari, filologici e linguistici, Modern studies section, second floor