IJ2B009 Modern and Contemporary Italian Literature (A)

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2024
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Irene Cecchini, PhD (lecturer)
doc. Paolo Divizia, Dottore di Ricerca (alternate examiner)
Guaranteed by
doc. Paolo Divizia, Dottore di Ricerca
Department of Romance Languages and Literatures – Faculty of Arts
Supplier department: Department of Romance Languages and Literatures – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Thu 16:00–17:40 L34, except Mon 18. 11. to Sun 24. 11.
Prerequisites
( IJIA028 Bachelor's State Exam || IJ1A055 Bachelor's State Exam || IJ1A055com Bachelor's State Exam || IJ1A055mai Bachelor's State Exam || IJ1A055min Bachelor's State Exam )
The course will be taught by dr Irene Cecchini
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The History of the Novel through Italo Calvino

Italo Calvino is one of the most celebrated Italian authors of the 20th-century, who made significant contributions to the evolution of the novel, blending imaginative storytelling with philosophical and anthropological experimentation. Through the analysis of some of his most important works from 1945 to 1985, the course explores the evolution of his poetics and the main literary trends of his time, from neorealism to postmodernism. Additionally, special attention will be given to Calvino's interest in ecological themes and the representation of the natural element.
Learning outcomes
Students will become acquainted with the work of Calvino and its criticism. The course introduces students to the Italian literary of 20th centuries.
Syllabus
  • Readings covered in the course: excerpts from Il sentiero dei nidi di ragno (1947), Le cosmicomiche (1965), Le città invisibili (1972), Palomar (1983); excerpts from: Calvino's literary articles in journals; Language, style and narrative techniques in his works – Calvino’s Political, philosophical and literary thoughts – the writer’s allegeable library, his figurative world and his milieu (Cesare Pavese, Giulio Einaudi, Gianni Celati, la rivista Il menabò).
    Students will become familiar with the literary criticism concerning Italo Calvino. Students are expected to do the assigned readings and actively participate in the class discussion. Handouts will be provided to the students.
Literature
    required literature
  • CALVINO, Italo. Le città invisibili. Milano: Oscar Mondadori, 2002, xlvii, 164. ISBN 8804425547. info
  • CALVINO, Italo. Le cosmicomiche. Milano: Oscar Mondadori, 2002, xlv, 160. ISBN 8804488107. info
  • CALVINO, Italo. Palomar. Milano: Oscar Mondadori, 2002, xlv, 130. ISBN 8804379901. info
  • CALVINO, Italo. Una pietra sopra : discorsi di letteratura e sociotà. Milano: Arnoldo Mondadori, 1995, 390 s. ISBN 8804399911. info
  • CALVINO, Italo. Il sentiero dei nidi di ragno. 1. ed. Milano: Oscar Mondadori, 1993, lxi, 159. ISBN 8804375914. info
    recommended literature
  • Marco Berenghi, Calvino. Profili di storia letteraria, Il Mulino, Bologna 2009
  • Francesca Serra, Calvino, Salerno, Roma 2006
Teaching methods
The course will be conducted in Italian and texts will be read in Italian. Students will receive weekly assignments and will be expected to actively participate in the class discussion. Texts will be previously read at home, and then discussed in the class.
Assessment methods
Oral exam on all the topics studied in the course and written exam on a topic previously decided with the instructor. Both essays: written and oral must be sufficient to successfully pass the course. Active participation in the class discussion. Non-justified absences may be 20% of the total hours (2 lessons).
Language of instruction
Italian
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2024/IJ2B009