OVERVIEW

The course provides an in-depth study of twentieth-century Italian literature, examining the place of authors and literary works both within the sphere of literary publishing and within that of cultural journalism in daily newspapers and periodicals.

AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide a deeper understanding of the broader landscape of modern Italian literature (poetry, narrative prose, and essay writing), both through the study of literary texts and critical methodology, and through a carefully considered historiographical framework. It also seeks to broaden the critical perspective by taking into account parallel experiences and experiments in the fields of music and the visual arts.

The course aims to achieve the following learning objectives:

1. To strengthen students’ knowledge of the history of contemporary Italian literature.
2. To develop the ability to analyze the interaction between literary texts or literary activity and their socio-cultural context.

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of lectures, potentially supported by multimedia tools and materials, for a total of 36 hours.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course is divided into two sections aimed at examining the relationships that Italian literature maintained, throughout the twentieth century, with publishing and journalism. The first section is dedicated to Natalia Ginzburg, an emblematic figure of twentieth-century culture in both the literary and publishing spheres. The second section is dedicated to Dino Buzzati, a classic author of fiction and a master of crime reporting, who, for Corriere della Sera, covered some of the most sensational criminal and judicial cases of his time.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Students who attend the course are required to study the selected readings by Natalia Ginzburg and Dino Buzzati, as well as the additional material that the teacher will upload to Aulaweb at the end of the lessons (which will constitute an integral part of the exam bibliography).
And are requiered the full reading of: Natalia Ginzburg, Lessico famigliare, Einaudi 1963. 
Students who do not attend the course are additionally required to study: Clotilde Bertoni, Letteratura e giornalismo, Carocci, 2015.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ALESSANDRO FERRARO (President)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

From the week of february 2026. 

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam in the form of an interview with questions relating both to the topics covered in class and texts listed in the bibliography.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The expected knowledge and skills will be assessed through an oral examination. Preparation will be considered adequate if the student demonstrates the ability to present their ideas using appropriate terminology, shows an understanding of the issues addressed during the lectures, is able to apply them independently to critical reflection on the authors and works discussed, and demonstrates having developed a personal elaboration of the course content.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Attendance at classes, although not mandatory, is strongly recommended.

All students are required to register on AulaWeb.

To request compensatory tools or dispensatory measures, students with disabilities or SLD must fill in the dedicated Webform available at https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa, at least 7 working days before the exam.
Students with SEN may instead send their request by e-mail to the lecturer, copying the Department Representative, Prof. Aristide Canepa (aristide.canepa@unige.it) and the Inclusion Office (inclusione.studenti@info.unige.it).
Requests from students will be assessed by the lecturer and may be approved or rejected.