Study-unit ENGLISH LITERATURE III AND LITERARY TRANSLATION
| Course name | Foreign languages and cultures |
|---|---|
| Study-unit Code | A001063 |
| Curriculum | Comune a tutti i curricula |
| Lecturer | Annalisa Volpone |
| Lecturers |
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| Hours |
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| CFU | 6 |
| Course Regulation | Coorte 2022 |
| Supplied | 2024/25 |
| Supplied other course regulation | |
| Learning activities | Affine/integrativa |
| Area | Attività formative affini o integrative |
| Sector | L-LIN/10 |
| Type of study-unit | Opzionale (Optional) |
| Type of learning activities | Attività formativa monodisciplinare |
| Language of instruction | Italian |
| Contents | Prof. Caporicci’s part of the course offers an in-depth study of Thomas Stearns Eliot’s The Waste Land, exploring its themes, the use of the “mythical method”, and the complex intertextual dynamics it establishes with a variety of texts crucial to the canon of world literature. Prof. Volpone’s part of the course offers an in-depth study of Kazuo Ishiguro's novel Never Let Me Go, exploring its themes, narrative structure, and stylistic features. We will examine the novel's treatment of identity, memory, ethics, and the human condition, as well as its commentary on societal issues such as cloning and organ donation. Through close readings, critical analysis, and class discussions, students will engage with the text to uncover its complex layers and broader implications. |
| Reference texts | Breve storia della letteratura inglese, edited by P. Bertinetti, Torino, Einaudi, 2004 (Chapter 8 – Il primo Novecento). Thomas Stearns Eliot, The Waste Land (any edition). Kazuo Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go, London, Faber & Faber (Educational Edition), 2017. Supplementary Readings: Selected essays and critical articles will be provided via Unistudium: https://www.unistudium.unipg.it/unistudium/login/index.php in the page dedicated to the course Letteratura Inglese III e Traduzione Letteraria. Students with disabilities and/or with SLD who, having completed regular accreditation through SOL, have obtained access to University services, can apply for the compensatory tools ensured by law (e.g. textbooks in digital format; teaching materials in accessible formats: presentations, handouts, workbooks, provided if necessary in advance of the lessons), for which consult https://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa. For the request, students are invited to ask the teacher, who will put them in contact with the Disability and/or DSA Department Coordinator (prof. Alessandra Di Pilla: alessandra.dipilla@unipg.it). |
| Educational objectives | By the end of Prof. Caporicci’s part of the course, students will be able to: Situate Eliot’s poetic output within the cultural and literary panorama of twentieth-century England. Recognize and discuss Eliot’s use of the mythical method. Actively engage with critical interpretations of The Waste Land, expressing their own perspective. Communicate their knowledge in an effective way, both in oral and written form. By the end of Prof. Volpone's part of the course, students will be able to: Analyze the major themes and motifs in Never Let Me Go. Discuss the narrative techniques and stylistic choices employed by Kazuo Ishiguro. Engage with critical interpretations and scholarly debates surrounding the novel. Develop and articulate their own interpretations of the text in written and oral form. Contextualize the novel within contemporary literary and ethical discussions. |
| Prerequisites | Knowledge of the historical and literary context (important) and of the texts examined (useful). |
| Teaching methods | Lectures: Frontal teaching with the use of slides. In Prof. Volpone’s part of the course, each class will begin with a lecture providing context, background information, and an overview of key themes and concepts related to the day's readings. Close Readings: Detailed analysis of selected passages to uncover deeper meanings and stylistic techniques. Class Discussions: Active participation in discussions, sharing insights and interpretations of the texts. Multimedia Resources: interviews, and other media to provide additional perspectives and enhance understanding of the texts. Supplementary discussions and activities on Unistudium for extended engagement with the material. |
| Other information | Students with disabilities and/or SLD: for any information on University services, consult the page https://lettere.unipg.it/home/disabilita-e-dsa and contact the Disability and/or DSA Department Coordinator (prof. Alessandra Di Pilla: alessandra.dipilla@unipg.it) |
| Learning verification modality | For Prof. Volpone's part of the course will be required a 2500 word essay to be submitted at least 10 days before the exam session. For Prof. Caporicci’s part of the course, the exam will consist of an ORAL test, on texts and topics examined during the course and on the assigned bibliography. The duration of the exam will be about 15 minutes. Grading: Each part of the exam (the written essay and the oral test) is worth 50% of the final grade. The course programme is valid for one year only. Students with disabilities and/or with SLD who, having completed regular accreditation through SOL, have obtained access to University services, can apply for compensatory tools, dispensatory measures and inclusive technologies ensured by law, to be requested and agreed with the teacher well in advance of tests and exams. For general information, consult the page https://www.unipg.it/disabilita-e-dsa and contact the Disability and/or SLD Department Coordinator (prof. Alessandra Di Pilla: alessandra.dipilla@unipg.it).. |
| Extended program | Prof. Caporicci’s part of the course: Introduction to Modernism in English Literature. Introduction to T.S. Eliot. Close reading of The Waste Land, with particular attention to the use of the mythical method and the intertextual dynamics characterizing the text. Step-by-step Course Programme (Prof. Volpone's part): Introduction to Kazuo Ishiguro and Never Let Me Go Overview of Ishiguro's life and works Introduction to the novel's context and themes Reading and Initial Impressions Never Let Me Go: Chapters 1-6 Discussion on initial impressions and key questions Identity and Memory Never Let Me Go: Chapters 7-12 Themes of identity, memory, and childhood The Role of Hailsham Never Let Me Go: Chapters 13-18 The significance of Hailsham and the education system The Ethics of Cloning Never Let Me Go: Chapters 19-23 Ethical considerations and societal implications of cloning Characters Analysis Never Let Me Go: Chapters 24-28 In-depth analysis of main characters: Kathy, Tommy, and Ruth Narrative Techniques Never Let Me Go: Chapters 29-34 Examination of Ishiguro's narrative style and structure Thematic Analysis Never Let Me Go: Chapters 35-37 Discussion of overarching themes and motifs Critical Perspectives Review of critical essays and secondary sources Application of literary theories to the novel Comparative Analysis |
| Obiettivi Agenda 2030 per lo sviluppo sostenibile | 4 and 5 |