Literary Theory and Criticism
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims at providing students with a solid basic grounding in the fundamental topics of literary theory and the methodological issues concerning the study of literature, in particular by refining the techniques for analysing and interpreting literary texts and discussing the assumptions, methods and aims of literary criticism.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: students will learn the fundamental topics of theoretical, philosophical and methodological reflection on literature, such as interpretation and reception, the definition of literature and literary genres, narrative, poetry and versification, value and canon, and will gain a deeper knowledge of the possible perspectives of analysis in relation to these problems and a greater capacity for critical thinking and discussion.
Skills: students will become more competent at analysing and interpreting literary texts from several perspectives and they will learn to take part in the discourse of literary criticism.
Skills: students will become more competent at analysing and interpreting literary texts from several perspectives and they will learn to take part in the discourse of literary criticism.
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
A-H
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Part A and Part B aim to illustrate some problems in literary theory, to reflect on the historical issues addressed and debated by theory, on the form, possible definition, nature and relational mode of literary texts, and on the most recent developments in literary theory. At the same time, the tools of theory will be discussed in relation to the analysis of literary texts.
Part C: Part C addresses various theoretical issues, particularly concerning literary genre, the relationship between genre and gender, feminist criticism, and narrative theory. This section includes discussions of critical essays and an analysis of Goliarda Sapienza's novel "L'arte della gioia."
Part C: Part C addresses various theoretical issues, particularly concerning literary genre, the relationship between genre and gender, feminist criticism, and narrative theory. This section includes discussions of critical essays and an analysis of Goliarda Sapienza's novel "L'arte della gioia."
Prerequisites for admission
It is advisable to attend the course and take the exam in the second year, in order to have previously acquired basic knowledge in Italian Literature and Italian Linguistics.
Teaching methods
The course will be offered in a lecture format, but some time will be devoted to discussion with the teacher. This will help students delve into the issues under discussion, improve their analysis, reasoning, and interpretation skills, and learn more easily. To participate more actively, students will also be encouraged to read the works and essays in the course syllabus while attending classes. The Ariel website of the course will be used to share the teaching materials that might be proposed for discussion.
Regular class attendance is strongly advised.
Regular class attendance is strongly advised.
Teaching Resources
PART A and PART B
Laura Neri, Giuseppe Carrara (a cura di), "Teoria della letteratura. Campi, problemi, strumenti", Roma, Carocci 2022.
A selection of literary texts, chosen by the teacher and provided in class
PART C
Goliarda Sapienza, "L'arte della gioia", Einaudi, 2008.
Anna Nozzoli, "Verso l'identità: ipotesi sul romanzo femminista degli anni settanta", in "Tabù e coscienza", La Nuova Italia, 1978, pp. 147-170.
Paola Bono e Laura Fortini (a cura di), "Il romanzo del divenire. Un Bildungsroman delle donne?", Iacobelli, 2007 (only pp. 5-30 e 82-88): https://www.academia.edu/37469123/Il_romanzo_del_divenire_Un_Bildungsroman_delle_donne.
Nadia Fusini, "Chi ha ucciso Anna Karenina? Inchiesta sugli omicidi bianchi nei romanzi dell'Ottocento", minimumfax, 2024.
TEACHING RESOURCES FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
Students who do not attend should supplement the texts indicated in the bibliography with the following readings:
6 ECTS:
Federico Bertoni, "Letteratura. Teoria, metodi, strumenti", Carocci 2018 (with the exception of chapters titled "Lettura 1", "Lettura 2", "Lettura 3" e "Lettura 4").
9 ECTS:
Federico Bertoni, "Letteratura. Teoria, metodi, strumenti", Carocci 2018 (with the exception of chapters titled "Lettura 1", "Lettura 2", "Lettura 3" e "Lettura 4").
Maria Rizzarelli, "Goliarda Sapienza. Gli spazi della libertà, il tempo della gioia",
Carocci 2018.
FURTHER INFORMATIONS
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.
Further informations will be published on the online Ariel platform, on the website dedicated to Literary Theory and Criticism.
Laura Neri, Giuseppe Carrara (a cura di), "Teoria della letteratura. Campi, problemi, strumenti", Roma, Carocci 2022.
A selection of literary texts, chosen by the teacher and provided in class
PART C
Goliarda Sapienza, "L'arte della gioia", Einaudi, 2008.
Anna Nozzoli, "Verso l'identità: ipotesi sul romanzo femminista degli anni settanta", in "Tabù e coscienza", La Nuova Italia, 1978, pp. 147-170.
Paola Bono e Laura Fortini (a cura di), "Il romanzo del divenire. Un Bildungsroman delle donne?", Iacobelli, 2007 (only pp. 5-30 e 82-88): https://www.academia.edu/37469123/Il_romanzo_del_divenire_Un_Bildungsroman_delle_donne.
Nadia Fusini, "Chi ha ucciso Anna Karenina? Inchiesta sugli omicidi bianchi nei romanzi dell'Ottocento", minimumfax, 2024.
TEACHING RESOURCES FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
Students who do not attend should supplement the texts indicated in the bibliography with the following readings:
6 ECTS:
Federico Bertoni, "Letteratura. Teoria, metodi, strumenti", Carocci 2018 (with the exception of chapters titled "Lettura 1", "Lettura 2", "Lettura 3" e "Lettura 4").
9 ECTS:
Federico Bertoni, "Letteratura. Teoria, metodi, strumenti", Carocci 2018 (with the exception of chapters titled "Lettura 1", "Lettura 2", "Lettura 3" e "Lettura 4").
Maria Rizzarelli, "Goliarda Sapienza. Gli spazi della libertà, il tempo della gioia",
Carocci 2018.
FURTHER INFORMATIONS
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.
Further informations will be published on the online Ariel platform, on the website dedicated to Literary Theory and Criticism.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam will consist of an oral exam about the topics of the course. In order to pass the exam, students will have to demonstrate at least sufficient knowledge of the topics of each part of the course (A, B, and C, if they are to acquire 9 credits; A and B, if they are to acquire 6). 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. Language proficiency (this includes technical language proficiency) and the accuracy of historical and literary references will also contribute to the final score.
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
I-Z
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Part A and Part B aim to illustrate some problems in literary theory, to reflect on the historical issues addressed and debated by theory, on the form, possible definition, nature and relational mode of literary texts, and on the most recent developments in literary theory. At the same time, the tools of theory will be discussed in relation to the analysis of literary texts.
Part C : to be defined.
Part C : to be defined.
Prerequisites for admission
It is advisable to attend the course and take the exam in the second year, in order to have previously acquired basic knowledge in Italian Literature and Italian Linguistics.
Teaching methods
The course will be offered in a lecture format, but some time will be devoted to discussion with the teacher. This will help students delve into the issues under discussion, improve their analysis, reasoning, and interpretation skills, and learn more easily. To participate more actively, students will also be encouraged to read the works and essays in the course syllabus while attending classes. The Ariel website of the course will be used to share the teaching materials that might be proposed for discussion.
Regular class attendance is strongly advised.
Regular class attendance is strongly advised.
Teaching Resources
PART A and PART B
Laura Neri, Giuseppe Carrara (a cura di), "Teoria della letteratura. Campi, problemi, strumenti", Roma, Carocci 2022.
A selection of literary texts, chosen by the teacher and provided in class.
PART C: to be defined
TEACHING RESOURCES FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
Students who do not attend should supplement the texts indicated in the bibliography with the following readings: to be defined.
FURTHER INFORMATIONS
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.
Further informations will be published on the online Ariel platform, on the website dedicated to Literary Theory and Criticism (I-Z).
Laura Neri, Giuseppe Carrara (a cura di), "Teoria della letteratura. Campi, problemi, strumenti", Roma, Carocci 2022.
A selection of literary texts, chosen by the teacher and provided in class.
PART C: to be defined
TEACHING RESOURCES FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
Students who do not attend should supplement the texts indicated in the bibliography with the following readings: to be defined.
FURTHER INFORMATIONS
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.
Further informations will be published on the online Ariel platform, on the website dedicated to Literary Theory and Criticism (I-Z).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final exam will consist of an oral exam about the topics of the course. In order to pass the exam, students will have to demonstrate at least sufficient knowledge of the topics of each part of the course (A, B, and C, if they are to acquire 9 credits; A and B, if they are to acquire 6). 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. Language proficiency (this includes technical language proficiency) and the accuracy of historical and literary references will also contribute to the final score.
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)