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Single discipline educational activity
Course Sheet Academic Year of enrolment:
Professor and Collaborators:
Hours of classroom activity:
Prerequisites:
Prerequisites
At least a basic knowledge of English grammar and vocabulary as well as a general awareness of the history of English literature and its main authors and tendencies.
Objectives Contents Course contents
The aim of the course is to expose students to the central themes of Nineteenth and Twentieth century English literature through an examination of works by authors representing different artistic sensibilities and stylistic approaches as well as different ways of confronting the epistemological, existential and moral dilemmas of the age.
Extended Syllabus Course description
The first module will take into consideration two works by authors distant in time but who share a similar concern with the ways in which class divisions underscore the socio-political problems of their time. Whilst Dickens's novel explores the consequences of Utilitarian thought on the education of young children, Orwell's novel reveals the extent to which the manipulation of thought and language lies at the very heart of a totalitarian state.
The second module takes into consideration the development of the science fiction genre of which H.G. Wells is the forerunner. Both Wells and Huxley incorporate scientific elements in their fiction in order to heighten the verisimilitude of their narrative works and both create imaginary worlds set up as a warning of the future dystopic transformations of our society.
The division of the course into two separate modules does not, of course, preclude the possibility of considering the intertextual connections of the works chosen. Therefore, students will be encouraged to reflect on the thematic convergences as well as the literary and ideological objectives behind their composition
Recommended Bibliography Main texts
Charles Dickens, Hard Times, Oxford University Press.
George Orwell, 1984, Penguin.
H.G. Wells, The Time Macchine, Penguin.
Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Vintage.
Recommended reading
Andrew Sanders, Charles Dickens, Oxford University Press, 2009.
Gardner, Averil. George Orwell. Boston: Twayne, 1987.
Kieron O'Hara, Huxley, One World, 2012.
Other material may be indicated during the course.
Methods of Provision Teaching Methods Teaching methods
Lessons with powerpoint and seminar activities (group discussions). It is imperative that students read the texts before the beginning of the course.
Each author will be presented in terms of their historical context. Besides illustrating their literary development references will also be made to works considered relevant to the course or worthy of note.
Evaluation methods Verification of learning:
Course grade determination
Oral exam with marks out of thirty. The topics will reflect the issues dealt with during the course. Besides showing an in-depth knowledge of the texts students must be able to discuss the themes they deal with appropriately as well as express their own reading responses and interpretations.
Non-Italian students can take the exam in English.
Contacts/More Information Other information
Students must see the teacher individually during office hours before the beginning of the course in order to plan the work necessary for their individual attainment of the objectives of the syllabus.
