OVERVIEW

The course aims to explore how reading - and more generally storytelling - can be not only an effective educational tool, but above all an inexhaustible source of pleasure: the pleasure of opening imaginary windows for endless journeys, to make unexpected encounters, to enrich oneself with extraordinary knowledge, to set sail, as Salman Rushdie would say, "in the great Sea of ​​Stories". We will try to understand which readings influenced the childhood imagination over the 20th century, consulting primary and secondary historical sources, as well as contemporary novels and picture books, and realizing projects of education to reading starting from this historical analysis. We will compare "pleasure" readings and "duty" readings, such as school readings, in order to reconstruct the childhood models in vogue in the different periods considered.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Providing methodological tools and educational and cultural landmarks to transform the obligation of reading in "pleasure of reading."

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

- Reflection on the ways of educating children and young people to the written page, to illustration and to the multiple forms of contemporary storytelling;
- solicitation of a critical approach through "free reading" as an educational moment other than "scholastic reading";
- reflection on the "Grammars of Fantasy";
- reflection on the complexity and cross-media character of contemporary storytelling;
- understanding of the historicity and didactic use of the narrative sources of yesterday and today.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures are conductes in presence.

Attending students will be divided into small groups to undertake research aimed at achieving the training objectives of the cours. Approximately the 10% of sources used in lectures will be in English.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course aims to understand and analyze how reading has been an important means of socialization and education in all historical periods. By comparing texts for children published during the 1900s, it is possible to extrapolate the educational models and their evolution, linking them to the broader context. The analysis and understanding of these educational models will take place starting from the archival documents and contemporary novels and picture books

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• M. Lucenti (ed.), Ripensare gli anni Ottanta e Novanta. Infanzie e adolescenze in divenire, Genova University Press, 2021
• M. Lucenti, Storie altre. Il mondo arabo-musulmano e l'occidente nei manuali di Italia e Tunisia, Aracne, 2018

A book to choose between the two titles:

• M. Lucenti, a cura di, Women in formal and informal education. International comparative perspectives in the history of education, Brill, 2023
• A. Antoniazzi, M. Lucenti, a cura di, Tra storia e storie. Rappresentazioni di genere, Edizioni Junior, 2019

Non-attending students, in addition to the programme, will have to prepare for the exam the volume: 

• A. Antoniazzi, F. Caffarena, a cura di, Il volo educante. Narrazioni alate per l'infanzia, Edizioni Rivista Aeronautica, 2021

On request it is possible to take the exam in English, French or Spanish (with a specific syllabus upon agreement with the Prof.)

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

September 23rd, 2024

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is oral and includes a critical and participatory discussion on topics and themes indicated in the program. For students who will attend the course a final test is opportunely identified.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Assessment of the knowledge acquired through the study of scheduled present texts and materials available on aulaweb

• understanding of the topics;
• analytical skills;
• language skills;
• use of specific terminology;
• critical and interpretive skills.   

FURTHER INFORMATION

There are two online meetings (on the Microsoft Teams platform) for non-attending students. These meetings have the purpose of clarifying doubts and answering questions about teaching and/or specific aspects such as assessment, exam and syllabus. Non-attending students can participate in these meetings during the following dates:

- 14 October 2024 at 4 pm

- 6 November 2024 at noon 

To participate, please send an email to Prof. Lucenti (maria.lucenti@edu.unige.it)