Scandinavian Literature (MA)
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
This course aims at developing interpretive and analytic skills in the evaluation of a specific thematic strand in Danish, Norwegian and Swedish literary works from the 19th and 20th centuries. In addition, it will put the tools of text analysis to the test with a view to practice critical discussion and writing about relevant themes, texts and authors.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: students will approach Scandinavian 19th and 20th century literature by focusing on a chosen theme present in works by Danish, Norwegian and Swedish writers, they will acquire knowledge of the critical discussion and the tools of analysis regarding the chosen topic. Applying knowledge and understanding: students will learn how to examine a chosen theme by working knowledgeably with secondary literature, practice critical reading of texts written in all three Scandinavian languages, examine the primary literature with a critical eye.
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
DRAWN FROM THE CLASSICS. This course (6/9 cfu) examines intersemiotic adaptations drawn from 19th and 20th-century Scandinavian classics (novels, tales, fairy tales, film). Students taking the course for 6 etcs are requested to consider the syllabus for units B and C; students taking the course for 9 etcs are requested to prepare the texts on the reading list for units A, B, and C.
Unit A: TO BE DETERMINED
Unit B deals with the narratology of comics and starts out by looking at two different graphic adaptations based on a fairy tale by H.C. Andersen. Special attention will also be given to Ingmar Bergman and popular culture by focussing on the Persona and Guido Crepax's graphic short story inspired by the film.
Unit C investigates comic art adaptations drawing on texts by Ibsen, Blixen, and Fosse.
This course syllabus is valid until December 2026.
Unit A: TO BE DETERMINED
Unit B deals with the narratology of comics and starts out by looking at two different graphic adaptations based on a fairy tale by H.C. Andersen. Special attention will also be given to Ingmar Bergman and popular culture by focussing on the Persona and Guido Crepax's graphic short story inspired by the film.
Unit C investigates comic art adaptations drawing on texts by Ibsen, Blixen, and Fosse.
This course syllabus is valid until December 2026.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is taught both in the Scandinavian languages. The works on the reading list require a thorough knowledge of the Scandinavian languages.
Teaching methods
The teaching methodology combines lectures and class discussions
Teaching Resources
General: Hutcheon, Linda, A Theory of Adaptation, Routledge, 2013, pp. 1-175 (trad. it. L. Hutcheon, Teoria degli adattamenti. I percorsi delle storie fra letteratura, cinema, nuovi media, Armando editore, 2011). NB! A Theory of Adaptation is required reading for students unable to attend the lessons. It is recommended reading for attending students; STORSKOG; Camilla, Afterlives. Scandinavian Classics as Comic Art Adaptations, NAP 2023. A SELECTION OF PAGES.
IN ADDITION: Kukkonen, Karin, "Studying Comics and Graphic Novels", Malden (MA), Wiley Blackwell, 2013, pp. 7-30, 31-53, 73-97; Vanderbeke, Dirk,"It Was the Best of Two Worlds, It was the Worst of Two Worlds: The Adaptation of Novels in Comics and Graphic Novels", in: "The Rise and Reason of Comics and Graphic Literature: Critical Essays on the Form". Eds. J. Goggin, D. Hassler-Forest. Jefferson, MacFarland, 2010, pp. 104-118.
Unit A: TBD
Unit B: Andersen, H.C., "Historien om en Moder", any edition; AKAB, "Storia di una madre", Alessandro Berardinelli Editore, 2012; Madsen, Peter, Historien om en mor, København, Carlsen, 2004; Bergman, Ingmar, Persona (1966); Crepax, Guido, Bianca in Persona, Il Grifo I:1, 1991, pp. 32-36.
Unit C:
Ibsen, Henrik, Et Dukkehjem 1879 https://www.ibsen.uio.no/DRVIT_Du%7CDuht.xhtml; Ghigliano, Cinzia, Nora, Milano, Dalla parte delle bambine, 1978; Blixen, Karen, "Den udødelige Historie". In: "Skæbne-Anekdoter", København, Gyldendal, 1958; Crepax, Guido, "La storia immortale", in "Jekyll e altri classici della letteratura", Firenze, Blackvelvet, 2011, pp. 176-186, oppure in Guido Crepax, "Donne inquiete. Allucinazioni e vita privata", Milano, Mondadori comics, 2015, pp. 125-132; Welles, Orson, Une Histoire immortelle, DVD, 1968; Fosse, Jon, Nokon kjem til å kome: skodespel, Oslo, Samlaget, 2018; Duba, Pierre, Quelqu'un va venir, Montpellier, 6 pieds sous terre, 2002.
M.A. students are required to read all literary works in the original language (in any unabridged edition). If present, the critical apparatus (introductions, forewords, afterwords, notes) is to be considered part of the reading.
IN ADDITION: Kukkonen, Karin, "Studying Comics and Graphic Novels", Malden (MA), Wiley Blackwell, 2013, pp. 7-30, 31-53, 73-97; Vanderbeke, Dirk,"It Was the Best of Two Worlds, It was the Worst of Two Worlds: The Adaptation of Novels in Comics and Graphic Novels", in: "The Rise and Reason of Comics and Graphic Literature: Critical Essays on the Form". Eds. J. Goggin, D. Hassler-Forest. Jefferson, MacFarland, 2010, pp. 104-118.
Unit A: TBD
Unit B: Andersen, H.C., "Historien om en Moder", any edition; AKAB, "Storia di una madre", Alessandro Berardinelli Editore, 2012; Madsen, Peter, Historien om en mor, København, Carlsen, 2004; Bergman, Ingmar, Persona (1966); Crepax, Guido, Bianca in Persona, Il Grifo I:1, 1991, pp. 32-36.
Unit C:
Ibsen, Henrik, Et Dukkehjem 1879 https://www.ibsen.uio.no/DRVIT_Du%7CDuht.xhtml; Ghigliano, Cinzia, Nora, Milano, Dalla parte delle bambine, 1978; Blixen, Karen, "Den udødelige Historie". In: "Skæbne-Anekdoter", København, Gyldendal, 1958; Crepax, Guido, "La storia immortale", in "Jekyll e altri classici della letteratura", Firenze, Blackvelvet, 2011, pp. 176-186, oppure in Guido Crepax, "Donne inquiete. Allucinazioni e vita privata", Milano, Mondadori comics, 2015, pp. 125-132; Welles, Orson, Une Histoire immortelle, DVD, 1968; Fosse, Jon, Nokon kjem til å kome: skodespel, Oslo, Samlaget, 2018; Duba, Pierre, Quelqu'un va venir, Montpellier, 6 pieds sous terre, 2002.
M.A. students are required to read all literary works in the original language (in any unabridged edition). If present, the critical apparatus (introductions, forewords, afterwords, notes) is to be considered part of the reading.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Students will be assessed through an oral examination conducted by the instructor. Students are expected to be able to to answer questions concerning topics discussed in class; to provide analyses and comments to passages from texts on the reading list; to demonstrate the capacity to contextualize the literary works and analyze structural elements also with the help of the methodological tools provided by the theoretical texts in the syllabus.
Unit A: All students are required to write a short essay in the Scandinavian language they are specializing in (min. 8000 characters, max. 10 000 characters) analysing a topic of their choice discussed with the instructor. The essay must be handed in no less than 10 days before the exam session for which the student has registered.
M.A. students take the exam in Danish, Norwegian, or Swedish. Grades are expressed on a scale of 30. Students have the right to reject the mark.
International and incoming Erasmus students who intend to take this course are requested to contact the instructor upon arrival.
Unit A: All students are required to write a short essay in the Scandinavian language they are specializing in (min. 8000 characters, max. 10 000 characters) analysing a topic of their choice discussed with the instructor. The essay must be handed in no less than 10 days before the exam session for which the student has registered.
M.A. students take the exam in Danish, Norwegian, or Swedish. Grades are expressed on a scale of 30. Students have the right to reject the mark.
International and incoming Erasmus students who intend to take this course are requested to contact the instructor upon arrival.
Unita' didattica A
L-LIN/15 - NORDIC LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B+C
L-LIN/15 - NORDIC LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours