Polish Literature (MA)
A.Y. 2021/2022
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
In the event of a pandemic emergency, classes could be held remotely according to the regulations in force.
Course syllabus
The course aims to retrace the tradition of Polish travel reportage from Africa by adopting some of the interpretative categories offered by Edward W. Said in his works Orientalism (1978) and Culture and imperialism (1993). More specifically, during unit A (20 hours, 3 Credits), Letters from Africa (1891) by Henryk Sienkiewicz will be examined by comparing them with Heart of Darkness (1899) by the English writer (but of Polish origin) Joseph Conrad and with the subsequent young adults novel In deserts and wilderness (1911) also by H. Sienkiewicz. Unit B (20 hours, 3 Credits), focuses around the controversy undertaken by the journalist Marian Brandys with the paternalistic and colonial theories of Sienkiewicz in a reportage entitled On the footsteps of Staś and Nel (1956). Attention will be given to Ryszard Kapuściński's reportages from African countries undergoing decolonization and post-colonial iAfrica. The focus of unit C (20 hours, 3 Credits) will be about how the events of the colonization of West Africa, and those of the Mahdi uprising (1881-1898), have been reported in In desert and wilderness by H. Sienkiewicz, in its various Italian translations and in its two subsequent film adaptations (Poland 1973; Poland-South Africa 2001).
Prerequisites for admission
The course, the materials and the bibliography for the exam presuppose the skills gained in previous courses. For students of the degree course in European and Extra-Europena languages and literatures, the prerequisites are those actually in force.
Teaching methods
The course adopts the following teaching methods: lectures, reading, translation and commentary of Polish narrative, essays and memoirs, watching movies.
Teaching Resources
During the course teaching materials will be available on the Ariel website https://lbernardinilp1.ariel.ctu.unimi.it
General bibliographic indications:
Edward D. Said, Orientalism, Turin, Bollati Boringhieri, 1991;
Bibliographic indications for the single units.
Unit A:
Henryk Sienkiewicz, In deserts and Wilderness, Turin, UTET, 1978;
Henryk Sienkiewicz, Listy z Afryki, Warszawa, PWN, 1955
Joseph Conrad, Heart of darkness, Milan, Feltrinelli, 2003;
Unit B:
Ryszard Kapuściński, Ebony, translation by Vera Verdiani, Milan, Feltrinelli, 2000;
Ryszard Kapuściński, The Negus: splendors and miseries of an autocrat, translation by Vera Verdiani, Milan, Feltrinelli, 2003;
Marian Brandys, Sladami Stasia i Nel, Warszawa, Nasza Księgarnia 1961;
Unit C:
Filmography:
W pustyni i w puszczy (dir. W. Slesicki, Poland 1973)
W pustyni i w puszczy (In desert and wilderness, dir. G. Hood, Poland 2001)
General bibliographic indications:
Edward D. Said, Orientalism, Turin, Bollati Boringhieri, 1991;
Bibliographic indications for the single units.
Unit A:
Henryk Sienkiewicz, In deserts and Wilderness, Turin, UTET, 1978;
Henryk Sienkiewicz, Listy z Afryki, Warszawa, PWN, 1955
Joseph Conrad, Heart of darkness, Milan, Feltrinelli, 2003;
Unit B:
Ryszard Kapuściński, Ebony, translation by Vera Verdiani, Milan, Feltrinelli, 2000;
Ryszard Kapuściński, The Negus: splendors and miseries of an autocrat, translation by Vera Verdiani, Milan, Feltrinelli, 2003;
Marian Brandys, Sladami Stasia i Nel, Warszawa, Nasza Księgarnia 1961;
Unit C:
Filmography:
W pustyni i w puszczy (dir. W. Slesicki, Poland 1973)
W pustyni i w puszczy (In desert and wilderness, dir. G. Hood, Poland 2001)
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an individual interview, which includes questions asked by the teacher, interactions between teacher and 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 in exposition, the precision in the use of specific terminology. The vote is shown out of thirty. An excellent knowledge of historical events, authors, non-fiction, memorial, poetic 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 analysis not in depth and a correct but not always appropriate language will lead to discrete evaluations (24-28). Rough knowledge, superficial understanding, poor analytical skills and not always appropriate expression will lead to evaluations around or above sufficiency (18-23). Obvious training gaps, inappropriate language, lack of orientation within the bibliographic materials offered in the program will be negatively evaluated and will lead to the need to repeat the exam.
International or incoming Erasmus students are requested to contact the teacher. The methods of examination for students with disabilities and / or SLDs must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent office.
International or incoming Erasmus students are requested to contact the teacher. The methods of examination for students with disabilities and / or SLDs must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent office.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/21 - SLAVIC STUDIES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-LIN/21 - SLAVIC STUDIES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-LIN/21 - SLAVIC STUDIES - University credits: 3
Seminars: 20 hours
Professor(s)