OVERVIEW

This is a 6 credit course taught in English in the second semester. It is intended for first year TTMI students. It introduces aspects of twentieth-century literature, focusing on the crisis of representation and experimentation in Modernism.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The courses aim to provide students with a basic knowledge of British literature and culture from the Renaissance to the present age with special emphasis on the development of modern fiction, post-colonial studies, twentieth-century modernism and post-modernism.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students who attend this course regularly and study the prescribed materials

1. can discuss literary forms and most important personalities of 20th century literature.
2. are familiar with numerous aspects and issues of European Modernism.
3. are acquainted with the main features of 20th century short stories and poems: multiple points of view, break with the tradition, challenge to the principle of authority.
4. are able to analyze highly complex texts, recognizing the main formal features of the single text and relating it to the historical and cultural context, as well as using the cues and ideas offered by critical material.

PREREQUISITES

Level B1, English Language

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures in English (36 hours; 3 hours per week; second semester) from an interdisciplinary perspective and with an interactive teaching method.

Attendance is highly recommended, also because of the active participation of students in the lessons, aiming at refining their critical ability to discuss and analyze literary texts. Students who are unable to attend will have to refer to an ad hoc reading list which will be available in aulaweb from February 2027.

Six hours of the course will take a seminar format and will be conducted by Prof. Laura Colombino on a subject relevant to the course

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course aims at introducing the students to the English Literature of the 20th century. Lessons will focus on the historical, social and cultural Anglo-American context, analysing it from an European and Extra-European point of view. Particular attention will be devoted to "other cultures", at the poles of Europe, which become a new source of inspiration.

All "isms" of Modernism will be discussed in detail and in an interdisciplinary perspective, with particular attention to the visual arts (impressionism, expressionism, futurism, cubism, surrealism), to music and dance.

All literary texts, poetry, short stories, essays will be read in an interdisciplinary perspective.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

A collection of short stories, poems, and significant experimental texts from the early 20th century, edited by the professor, will be available on Aulaweb starting from February 2027. Featured authors include D.H. Lawrence, Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, Ezra Pound, T.S. Eliot, and other prominent voices. Supplementary critical essays on the literary texts and the historical-cultural context will also be made available on Aulaweb starting from February 2027.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 2027.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam will be an oral exam for all students. There will be open questions on the historical-cultural context, on the literary texts and on the critical material.

The exam will be in English.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The open questions are related to the whole program (historical period, cultural contexts, literary texts) and are meant to test the students' knowledge and comprehension of the course. They also include the analysis of literary texts.  Students are expected to be able to recognize and discuss a text with reference to the historical cultural context, using also some suggestions and ideas from the critical material.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Attendance is heartily recommended. Students who are unable to attend will have to study some supplementary material. Registration for the course via aulaweb is mandatory.

This program expires in July 2028..

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Prof. Sara Dickinson (sara.dickinson@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.