Theory of Literature
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The purpose of the course is to offer students the in-depth knowledge of some theoretical issues often debated in the twentieth century, and (depending upon the textual analysis) either to lead them to both a reflection and analysis of the forms, ways, and styles of the literary texts considered, or to a contextualization of the authors discussed in the lessons. For this reason, the first teaching unit always deals with theoretical questions and essays, while the second and third units move on to the discussion of themes and literary, poetic or narrative and texts.
Expected learning outcomes
The skills that students can acquire are based upon the strength of different levels of texts: the ability to reflect on issues of literature theory, to read and critically discuss writing in verse or prose,the ability to analyze literary text from a linguistic, stylistic and rhetorical point of view, the ability to understand different forms of critical interventions, and to relate texts with their historical context, with their authorial identity, with different kinds of ideas.
In this sense, the expected results relate to the strength of interpretive skills, critical awareness of the close link that must be established between the analysis of the stylistic-expressive level and the attribution of meanings, which necessarily include the reference to not only historical context but the experiences of the author.
In this sense, the expected results relate to the strength of interpretive skills, critical awareness of the close link that must be established between the analysis of the stylistic-expressive level and the attribution of meanings, which necessarily include the reference to not only historical context but the experiences of the author.
Lesson period: Second 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
Second semester
More specific information on the delivery modes of training activities for academic year 2021-22 will be provided over the coming months, based on the evolution of the public health situation.
Course syllabus
Part A aims to address certain issues in the theory of poetry, and in particular the notion of "poetic macrotext", in the light of a critical discussion that, in the age of modernity, brings into play its transformations, transgressions, processes of renewal, and consequences in terms of reception.
Part B and Part C consider four books that fall into this category. Part B analyses two works developed around the theme of memory and mourning, Diario d'Algeria by Vittorio Sereni and Il seme del piangere by Giorgio Caproni.
The texts in part C focus on the female figure and the theme of poetic writing: La ragazza Carla by Elio Pagliarani and Salutz by Giovanni Giudici.
Part B and Part C consider four books that fall into this category. Part B analyses two works developed around the theme of memory and mourning, Diario d'Algeria by Vittorio Sereni and Il seme del piangere by Giorgio Caproni.
The texts in part C focus on the female figure and the theme of poetic writing: La ragazza Carla by Elio Pagliarani and Salutz by Giovanni Giudici.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of poetry textual analysis.
Teaching methods
The course will mainly be comprised of lectures, but some time will be devoted to discussion. This will help students delve into the issues under discussion, improve their analysis, reasoning, and interpretation skill. To participate more actively, students will also be encouraged to read the works and essays in the course syllabus while they attend classes. The Ariel website of the course will be used to share the teaching materials that might be proposed for discussion. During some lessons, in the second and third parts, students can discuss in class their own analysis of a text, in dialog with the professor and the other students. This oral presentation is not mandatory and will be consider during examination. Regular class attendance is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
PARTE A
Niccolò Scaffai, Il poeta e il suo libro. Retorica e storia del libro di poesia nel Novecento, Firenze, Le Monnier 2005.
Enrico Testa, Il libro di poesia: Tipologie e analisi macrotestuali, Genova, Il Melangolo 1983.
PARTE B
Vittorio Sereni, Diario d'Algeria, Milano Mondadori 1995, or any other edition.
Giorgio Caproni, Il seme del piangere, Milano Mondadori 1998, or any other edition.
Giulia Raboni, Nota introduttiva a Vittorio Sereni, Poesie e prose, Milano, Mondadori 2013, pp. 5-48.
Giulia Raboni, Il male d'Africa: nascita e ragioni di un prosimetro, in «L'Ulisse. Rivista di poesia, arti e scritture», n. 21, pp. 136-141.
Davide Colussi, Paolo Zublena (a cura di), Giorgio Caproni. Lingua, stile, figure, Macerata, Quodlibet 2014.
PARTE C
Elio Pagliarani, La ragazza Carla, in Tutte le poesie, Milano, Il Saggiatore 2019, or any other edition.
Giovanni Giudici, Salutz, Milano Mondadori 2000, or any other edition.
Andrea Cortellessa, Ma dobbiamo continuare a ballare, in Elio Pagliarani, Tutte le poesie, Milano, Il Saggiatore 2019.
Laura Neri, I silenziosi circuiti del ricordo. Etica, estetica e ideologia nella poesia di Giovanni Giudici, Roma, Carocci 2018.
BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS
Students who do not attend should supplement the texts indicated in the bibliography with the following readings:
PARTE A e PARTE B
Niva Lorenzini e Stefano Colangelo, Poesia e storia, Milano, Bruno Mondadori 2013.
PARTE C
I saggi compresi nella sezione: La Critica su Pagliarani, in «L'illuminista», n. 20/21, pp. 121-199.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further information will be published on the online Ariel platform, on the website dedicated to Textual Stylistics.
Niccolò Scaffai, Il poeta e il suo libro. Retorica e storia del libro di poesia nel Novecento, Firenze, Le Monnier 2005.
Enrico Testa, Il libro di poesia: Tipologie e analisi macrotestuali, Genova, Il Melangolo 1983.
PARTE B
Vittorio Sereni, Diario d'Algeria, Milano Mondadori 1995, or any other edition.
Giorgio Caproni, Il seme del piangere, Milano Mondadori 1998, or any other edition.
Giulia Raboni, Nota introduttiva a Vittorio Sereni, Poesie e prose, Milano, Mondadori 2013, pp. 5-48.
Giulia Raboni, Il male d'Africa: nascita e ragioni di un prosimetro, in «L'Ulisse. Rivista di poesia, arti e scritture», n. 21, pp. 136-141.
Davide Colussi, Paolo Zublena (a cura di), Giorgio Caproni. Lingua, stile, figure, Macerata, Quodlibet 2014.
PARTE C
Elio Pagliarani, La ragazza Carla, in Tutte le poesie, Milano, Il Saggiatore 2019, or any other edition.
Giovanni Giudici, Salutz, Milano Mondadori 2000, or any other edition.
Andrea Cortellessa, Ma dobbiamo continuare a ballare, in Elio Pagliarani, Tutte le poesie, Milano, Il Saggiatore 2019.
Laura Neri, I silenziosi circuiti del ricordo. Etica, estetica e ideologia nella poesia di Giovanni Giudici, Roma, Carocci 2018.
BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS
Students who do not attend should supplement the texts indicated in the bibliography with the following readings:
PARTE A e PARTE B
Niva Lorenzini e Stefano Colangelo, Poesia e storia, Milano, Bruno Mondadori 2013.
PARTE C
I saggi compresi nella sezione: La Critica su Pagliarani, in «L'illuminista», n. 20/21, pp. 121-199.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further information will be published on the online Ariel platform, on the website dedicated to Textual Stylistics.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam will consist of an oral exam about the topics of the course, aimed at ascertaining the knowledge and skills acquired by the student, regarding both theory and textual analysis. Students will be asked to present the works comprised in the course syllabus and to critically discuss about the issues that will have been dealt with through them. Language proficiency (this includes technical language proficiency) and the accuracy of historical and literary references will also contribute to the final score. A precise knowledge of the bibliographic references in the program is required.
Unita' didattica A
L-FIL-LET/14 - LITERARY CRITICISM AND COMPARATIVE LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-FIL-LET/14 - LITERARY CRITICISM AND COMPARATIVE LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-FIL-LET/14 - LITERARY CRITICISM AND COMPARATIVE LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)