English Literature
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims at providing a basic preparation in English and other Anglophone literatures. Specific attention will be given to the interdisciplinary connections with the fields of geography, history, cultural and literary studies. Students will acquire the basic methodological tools of literary criticism, and they will be provided hints on the most suitable critical strategies to approach the issues proposed by each syllabus. Primary texts will be proposed in English. Texts in translation are allowed but not encouraged.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: Within the cultural and critical horizon of English Literature, openly referring to the chosen historical period focussed on each year, students will prove able to read and understand the chosen texts, locating them in their context. They are expected to frame the text with reference to its author (biography and works), its genre (analogies and divergences), its publishing context (culture and history). They are also required to be able to compare the given text with other texts belonging to the English and/or the international context.
Competence: Students are expected to understand a literary text in English (novel, poem or play) and to be able to identify its main thematic guidelines, though they are not required to translate it. Moreover the students are expected to develop the basic skills of textual analysis and show the ability to select and point out the texts' stylistic guidelines in terms of rhetorical choices and analogies/deviations in comparison with the genre they belong to.
Competence: Students are expected to understand a literary text in English (novel, poem or play) and to be able to identify its main thematic guidelines, though they are not required to translate it. Moreover the students are expected to develop the basic skills of textual analysis and show the ability to select and point out the texts' stylistic guidelines in terms of rhetorical choices and analogies/deviations in comparison with the genre they belong to.
Lesson period: Second 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
Second semester
Course syllabus
This is a one-year course, so it is not expected to cover the whole of English literature from its origins to the present day. Some thematic paths will be chosen, while the critical methods will consist in a combination of Literary Studies, Cultural Studies and Gender Studies. The suggested handbook (see chosen chapters) collects a selection of texts on emotional education and the process of growing up as described in some English-language texts, mainly fiction, but not excluding other genres (poetry and theatre). A specific focus on the body as a fluid, violable, violated entity and socio-cultural sign bearer of our identity will be inevitable.
We will use a primary handbook (with reference to specific chapters) that is coupled with a platform making additional materials and tests/practice available. Each "node" or module requires one integral reading of a novel by your choice, and includes some optional readings. The novels can be read in English or in Italian
The course will include meetings with guest speakers and professionals and will be articulated into three "steps". Students taking the 6-ECTS exam must refer to steps 1 & 2.
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.
We will use a primary handbook (with reference to specific chapters) that is coupled with a platform making additional materials and tests/practice available. Each "node" or module requires one integral reading of a novel by your choice, and includes some optional readings. The novels can be read in English or in Italian
The course will include meetings with guest speakers and professionals and will be articulated into three "steps". Students taking the 6-ECTS exam must refer to steps 1 & 2.
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.
Prerequisites for admission
The students are required to be able to read and understand literary texts in English and the critical essays included in the syllabus.
Teaching methods
Classes develop through lessons in the traditional lecture-format, trying - whenever possible - to encourage the students to participate, mostly when analysing the texts. Guest speakers are invited in connections with the themes and topic of the course. The MyAriel platform is very much exploited as to share materials and upload slide presentations summarizing the topics approached in classroom practice.
Teaching Resources
PART 1
N. Vallorani, "Canon & Pop. Gli alti e bassi della letteratura", in AAVV, Letterature e culture inglesi. Temi e (con)testi dal XIX secolo a oggi, Milano, Pearson, 2024, pp. 1-25.
Choose one novel to read as a whole:
Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights (1847)
Bernardine Evaristo, Blonde Roots (2008)
OPTIONAL:
Agatha Christie, Five Little Pigs (1942)
PART 2
Anna Pasolini, "Sex/Gender & the Body. Raccontare la donna", in AAVV, Letterature e culture inglesi. Temi e (con)testi dal XIX secolo a oggi, Milano, Pearson, 2024, pp. 121-147.
Choose one novel/collected short stories to read as a whole:
Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus (1818)
Angela Carter, The Bloody Chamber (1979)
OPTIONAL:
Alasdair Gray, Poor Things (1992)
PART 3
Silvia Antosa, "Queer & Straight. La moltiplicazione dei generi", in AAVV, Letterature e culture inglesi. Temi e (con)testi dal XIX secolo a oggi, Milano, Pearson, 2024, pp. 149-173
Choose one novel to read as a whole:
Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890)
Virginia Woolf, Orlando. A Biography (1928)
Jeanette Winterson, Written on the Body (1995)
OPTIONAL:
Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, Carmilla (1872)
Stephanie Danler, The Unravelers, reperibile qui: https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2015/09/08/the-unravelers/
NON ATTENDING STUDENTS should follow the same syllabus, adding one more chapter from AAVV, Letterature e culture inglesi. Temi e (con)testi dal XIX secolo a oggi, Milano, Pearson, 2024 : they are required to choose the chapter by themselves, giving reasons for their choice
N. Vallorani, "Canon & Pop. Gli alti e bassi della letteratura", in AAVV, Letterature e culture inglesi. Temi e (con)testi dal XIX secolo a oggi, Milano, Pearson, 2024, pp. 1-25.
Choose one novel to read as a whole:
Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights (1847)
Bernardine Evaristo, Blonde Roots (2008)
OPTIONAL:
Agatha Christie, Five Little Pigs (1942)
PART 2
Anna Pasolini, "Sex/Gender & the Body. Raccontare la donna", in AAVV, Letterature e culture inglesi. Temi e (con)testi dal XIX secolo a oggi, Milano, Pearson, 2024, pp. 121-147.
Choose one novel/collected short stories to read as a whole:
Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus (1818)
Angela Carter, The Bloody Chamber (1979)
OPTIONAL:
Alasdair Gray, Poor Things (1992)
PART 3
Silvia Antosa, "Queer & Straight. La moltiplicazione dei generi", in AAVV, Letterature e culture inglesi. Temi e (con)testi dal XIX secolo a oggi, Milano, Pearson, 2024, pp. 149-173
Choose one novel to read as a whole:
Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890)
Virginia Woolf, Orlando. A Biography (1928)
Jeanette Winterson, Written on the Body (1995)
OPTIONAL:
Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, Carmilla (1872)
Stephanie Danler, The Unravelers, reperibile qui: https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2015/09/08/the-unravelers/
NON ATTENDING STUDENTS should follow the same syllabus, adding one more chapter from AAVV, Letterature e culture inglesi. Temi e (con)testi dal XIX secolo a oggi, Milano, Pearson, 2024 : they are required to choose the chapter by themselves, giving reasons for their choice
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists in an oral interview, traditionally graded on a 30/30 system (minimu grade: 18/30). Students will be tested on their ability to articulate critical opinions and discursively organize the topics proposeed in the syllabus. Originality is very welcome, provided it is methodologically supportedi. Optional midterm exams will be made available in order to improve the students' ability in writing. Students are required to take their texts with them when sitting for the exam.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/10 - ENGLISH LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-LIN/10 - ENGLISH LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-LIN/10 - ENGLISH LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)