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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 English literature from the Eighteenth to the Twentieth century through an examination of works by authors representing different artistic visions and stylistic approaches as well as different ways of confronting the epistemological, existential and moral dilemmas of their time.
Extended Syllabus COURSE DESCRIPTION
The first module will explore two works by authors from different historical periods which deal with similar themes in connection with the notion of survival and self-determination. Defoe’s classic tale has enthralled generations of readers and continues to stimulate critical debate. Besides the political and social implications of the novel, consideration will be given to the author’s literary development within the historical context as well as the stylistic and rhetorical features of the quasi-documentary realism of his writing. Orwell’s allegorical fable reveals the treacherous and insidious intent behind the creation of a utopia which, with the complicity of an ignorant and distracted animal-population, becomes a cruel dystopia. In this dysphoric transformation language becomes the most ruthless weapon of those in power in order to impose their regime.
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
Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe, OUP.
D.H. Lawrence, The Princess, Penguin.
Jean Rhys, Voyage in the Dark, Penguin.
Recommended reading
Gardner, Averil. George Orwell. Boston: Twayne, 1987.
Ian Watt, The Rise of the Novel. Studies in Defoe, Richardson and Fielding, Pelican, 1957.
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. Non-Italian students will receive assistance in English.
