Theory of Literature
A.Y. 2024/2025
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.
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: 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
The course will propose two fundamental questions: what is the literary work and how does its interpretation take place. Both questions will be addressed starting from a text by Daniele Del Giudice, "Staccando l'ombra da terra" (1994), and the first part of the course will be devoted to introducing this text and clarifying critical and theoretical concepts such as fiction and nonfiction, literary genre and intertext. The second part will be devoted to the question of the status of the literary work, for which the answers from structuralist literary theory (Roman Jakobson, Roland Barthes, Gérard Genette) and hermeneutics (Hans-Georg Gadamer) will be considered; some ideas by analytic philosophers (Nelson Goodman, Arthur Danto, Peter Lamarque) will also be considered. Finally, the third part will be devoted to the question of interpretation, for which we will again look to hermeneutics and reception theory (Gadamer, Paul Ricoeur, Hans-Robert Jauss).
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites for admission.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Students with SLD should also contact the teacher, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent office.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Students with SLD should also contact the teacher, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent office.
Teaching methods
Course topics will be presented by the teacher and discussed with students, also through group work sessions.
Teaching Resources
Part A
Daniele Del Giudice, Staccando l'ombra da terra, Einaudi, 1994.
Attending students will also use their own lecture notes and, for the narratological concepts discussed, the handout that the teacher will make available to them on the Ariel website of the course (this handout is not to be studied in its entirety, but to be consulted as needed).
Non-attending students will use the same handout, for the narratology part, and will also study chapters 1, 6, 7, 9 and 10 of Laura Neri and Giuseppe Carrara (eds.), Teoria della letteratura. Campi, problemi, stumenti, Carocci, 2022.
Part B
Roman Jakobson, Linguistica e poetica, in Id., Saggi di linguistica generale, Milano, Feltrinelli, 1966, pp. 181-218.
Roman Jakobson e Claude Lévi-Strauss, Les chats di Charles Baudelaire, in Roman Jakobson, Poetica e poesia, Torino, Einaudi, 1985, pp. 149-169.
Roland Barthes, L'attività strutturalista, in Id., Saggi critici, Torino, Einaudi, 1966, pp. 308-315.
Gérard Genette, Verosimiglianza e motivazione, in Id., Figure II. La parola letteraria, Torino, Einaudi, 1972, pp. 43-69.
Roland Barthes, L'effetto di reale, in Id. Il brusio della lingua, Einaudi, 1988, pp. 151-159.
Gérard Genette, Finzione e dizione, in Id., Finzione e dizione, Pratiche, 1994, pp. 11-35.
Hans-Georg Gadamer, Verità e metodo (1960/72), ed. by Gianni Vattimo, Bompiani, 2000, Il Pensiero Occidentale, Part I. «Messa in chiaro del problema della verità in base all'esperienza dell'arte», section II. «L'ontologia dell'opera d'arte e il suo significato ermeneutico» (pp. 227-361).
Non-attending students are suggested, as a study support, Giovanni Bottiroli, Che cos'è la teoria della letteratura. Fondamenti e problemi, Einaudi, 2006, limited to the part on structuralism.
The essays by Jakobson, Barthes and Genette will be collected in a handout that can be purchased at the bookstore (of course, each student may decide to obtain them otherwise as well).
Part C
Hans-Georg Gadamer, Verità e metodo (1960/72), ed. by Gianni Vattimo, Bompiani, 2000, Il Pensiero Occidentale, Part II. «Il problema della verità e le scienze dello spirito», section II. «Elementi di una teoria dell'esperienza ermeneutica» (pp. 551-779).
Paul Ricoeur, Hermeneutics and the Human Sciences [1981], Cambridge UP, 2016, limited to the essays The task of hermeneutics, The hermeneutical function of distanciation and Appropriation (we also recommend reading the introduction by John B. Thompson). The volume is accessible digitally through Minerva.
Hans-Robert Jauss, Storia della letteratura come provocazione nei confronti della scienza della letteratura, in Id., Storia della letteratura come provocazione, Bollati Boringhieri, 1999, pp. 166-225.
Roland Barthes, La morte dell'autore, in Id., Il brusio della lingua, Einaudi, 1988, pp. 51-56.
Roland Barthes, Dall'opera al testo, in Id. Il brusio della lingua, Einaudi, 1988, pp. 57-64.
Non-attending students will also read Gianni Vattimo's introduction to the Italian edition, indicated above, of Verità e metodo.
Daniele Del Giudice, Staccando l'ombra da terra, Einaudi, 1994.
Attending students will also use their own lecture notes and, for the narratological concepts discussed, the handout that the teacher will make available to them on the Ariel website of the course (this handout is not to be studied in its entirety, but to be consulted as needed).
Non-attending students will use the same handout, for the narratology part, and will also study chapters 1, 6, 7, 9 and 10 of Laura Neri and Giuseppe Carrara (eds.), Teoria della letteratura. Campi, problemi, stumenti, Carocci, 2022.
Part B
Roman Jakobson, Linguistica e poetica, in Id., Saggi di linguistica generale, Milano, Feltrinelli, 1966, pp. 181-218.
Roman Jakobson e Claude Lévi-Strauss, Les chats di Charles Baudelaire, in Roman Jakobson, Poetica e poesia, Torino, Einaudi, 1985, pp. 149-169.
Roland Barthes, L'attività strutturalista, in Id., Saggi critici, Torino, Einaudi, 1966, pp. 308-315.
Gérard Genette, Verosimiglianza e motivazione, in Id., Figure II. La parola letteraria, Torino, Einaudi, 1972, pp. 43-69.
Roland Barthes, L'effetto di reale, in Id. Il brusio della lingua, Einaudi, 1988, pp. 151-159.
Gérard Genette, Finzione e dizione, in Id., Finzione e dizione, Pratiche, 1994, pp. 11-35.
Hans-Georg Gadamer, Verità e metodo (1960/72), ed. by Gianni Vattimo, Bompiani, 2000, Il Pensiero Occidentale, Part I. «Messa in chiaro del problema della verità in base all'esperienza dell'arte», section II. «L'ontologia dell'opera d'arte e il suo significato ermeneutico» (pp. 227-361).
Non-attending students are suggested, as a study support, Giovanni Bottiroli, Che cos'è la teoria della letteratura. Fondamenti e problemi, Einaudi, 2006, limited to the part on structuralism.
The essays by Jakobson, Barthes and Genette will be collected in a handout that can be purchased at the bookstore (of course, each student may decide to obtain them otherwise as well).
Part C
Hans-Georg Gadamer, Verità e metodo (1960/72), ed. by Gianni Vattimo, Bompiani, 2000, Il Pensiero Occidentale, Part II. «Il problema della verità e le scienze dello spirito», section II. «Elementi di una teoria dell'esperienza ermeneutica» (pp. 551-779).
Paul Ricoeur, Hermeneutics and the Human Sciences [1981], Cambridge UP, 2016, limited to the essays The task of hermeneutics, The hermeneutical function of distanciation and Appropriation (we also recommend reading the introduction by John B. Thompson). The volume is accessible digitally through Minerva.
Hans-Robert Jauss, Storia della letteratura come provocazione nei confronti della scienza della letteratura, in Id., Storia della letteratura come provocazione, Bollati Boringhieri, 1999, pp. 166-225.
Roland Barthes, La morte dell'autore, in Id., Il brusio della lingua, Einaudi, 1988, pp. 51-56.
Roland Barthes, Dall'opera al testo, in Id. Il brusio della lingua, Einaudi, 1988, pp. 57-64.
Non-attending students will also read Gianni Vattimo's introduction to the Italian edition, indicated above, of Verità e metodo.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists in an oral test assessed in thirtieths. Students preparing the exam for 9 ECTS credits will have to study parts A, B and C. Students preparing the exam for 6 ECTS credits will have to study Part A and, at their choice, either Part B or Part C. The examination will assess knowledge of the topics covered, the ability to discuss them clearly and critically, combining theoretical reflection and close reading of texts, the use of precise and rigorous language, including through mastery of the subject's specialized vocabulary, and the correctness of any references to the history of literature and criticism.
L-FIL-LET/14 - LITERARY CRITICISM AND COMPARATIVE LITERATURE - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Ballerio Stefano
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Fridays, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm, by appointment.
Dipartimento di Studi letterari, filologici e linguistici, Modern studies section, second floor