OVERVIEW

The teaching proposes a critical-literary analysis of topics in the history of Italian literature of particular relevance to classical and humanistic culture.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aims: scientifically identify the historical, cultural and artistic context in which the texts of Italian literature are born in relation to the classical tradition; to know the literary tradition of the various genres of Italian literature with particular attention to their roots in the classical world, their evolution in literary history, the taste and culture of the age in which they were produced and any developments in subsequent ages; - to acquire a method of critical-scientific interpretation of the texts of Italian literature, knowing how to use the specific bibliographical tools (dictionaries, literary histories, critical editions, essays, articles, reviews, any on-line support) and the fundamental techniques of text analysis; - to be able to recognise, also through personal evaluation, the value of a text of Italian literature in the context of its author's poetics, the history of literature and Italian classical culture.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching aims to illustrate in a critical-historical perspective a selection of significant works and authors of Italian literature, providing students with the methodological tools to understand the literary language in terms of content and style.

By the end of the teaching, the student will have developed:

a) a specific competence in the methodologies of analysis, interpretation and ecdotics of the literary text

b) a specific and thorough competence in the methodologies of study and research in the field of Italian literature and up-to-date bibliographical information on the historical-critical debate

c) the ability to define the legacy of classical and humanistic culture in the various historical contexts of Italian literature and to delineate the tradition in subsequent eras and cultures

d) the ability to discuss themes, problems, perspectives of texts and literary contexts with adequate critical-scientific language

e) the formation of an autonomous capacity for the evaluation of literary data, obtained from a punctual comparison with criticism

PREREQUISITES

The student is required to have a good basic preparation in terms of knowledge of the history of Italian literature from its origins to the 20th century and to have the skill to read and discuss literary texts.

TEACHING METHODS

Lessons will be held in presence. Attendance, although not mandatory, is strongly recommended. The lessons will include additional teaching tools (slides, audio PowerPoint, study support tools) that will be made available on AulaWeb. Part of the lessons will be dedicated to the presentation of the critical bibliography and its discussion by the students during the lectures. Questions and remarks by the students will be solicited.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The poetics of Aristotle and Horace in the 18th century: the dialogue between Metastasio and Algarotti among epistolography, dramas and treatises.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Pietro Metastasio, Lettere, in Tutte le opere, ed. by Bruno Brunelli, Milano, Mondadori, 1943-1954, 5 voll. (selection of texts that will be available in digital edition).

Pietro Metastasio, Didone abbandonata, in Drammi per musica, ed. by Anna Laura Bellina, 3 voll., Venezia, Marsilio, 2002-2004, I, pp. 69-137.

Pietro Metastasio, Estratto dell’arte poetica d’Aristotile, ed. by Elisabetta Selmi, Palermo, Novecento Editrice, 1998.

Francesco Algarotti, Saggio sopra l’opera in musica, digital edition by Silvia Tatti, Sorbonne Université, Labex Obvil, 2018.

Francesco Algarotti, Saggio sopra Orazio, introduction by Bartolo Anglani, Venosa, Osanna, 1990.

Bibliography for non attending students will be agreed directly with the teacher.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

LUCA BELTRAMI (President)

MATTEO NAVONE

GIORDANO RODDA (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

20 September 2023

Class schedule

ITALIAN LITERATURE AND CLASSICAL TRADITION (LM)

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is oral. The work done in the presentation of the critical bibliography discussed by the students during the lectures will also contribute in the final assessment. Classroom practice will count for one-third of the exam grade.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The teaching includes mid-term tests that will consist of individual research related to topics of the lectures and aimed at broadening methodological skills and specialised competences by the presentation of the critical bibliography and its discussion by the students during the lectures.

The final exam, in oral form, tests the expertise to paraphrase and comment literary texts. It aims to assess the skill to contextualise the texts in the frame of the Italian cultural history, to illustrate their metrical and stylistic features, to present their philological and ecdotical problems, to expose the contents with an appropriate language and to discuss the topics learned during the lectures.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Non-attending students, as well as attending ones, are kindly requested to register for the teaching in AulaWeb.

Non-attending students are requested to contact the lecturer for further information on the syllabus, on working methodology and specific critical bibliography. There is no alternative programme for non-attending students.