This course consists in the analysis of texts from the core canon of Italian literature. Analysis begins by assessing their philological and documentary features, and develops through issues regarding their literary genre, theoretical and critical debates involved, and the stylistic and linguistic aspects of these works. The course focuses particularly on plays by Giacosa and Verga.
Texts:
G. Giacosa, Teatro, a cura di Giorgio De Rienzo, Milano, Mursia, 2009 (1987);
G. Verga, Tutto il teatro. Con i libretti d'opera e le sceneggiature, edited by G. Oliva, Milano, Garzanti, 2006 (IV ed.).
Criticism:
S. Ferrone - F. Simoncini, Il teatro, in Storia della letteratura italiana, diretta da Enrico Malato, VIII, Tra l'Ottocento e il Novecento, Roma, Salerno, 1999, pp. 911-960;
A. Barsotti, Giuseppe Giacosa, Firenze, La Nuova Italia, 1973;
A. Manganaro, Verga, Acireale-Roma, Bonanno, 2011.
G. Tellini, Verga e gli scrittori, Firenze, Sef, 2016
Learning Objectives
Knowledge
The course delves into the study of Italian theatrical literature in the late Nineteenth centuries, with text reading and commentary. More specifically, it aims to illustrate specific methods of literary text analysis applied to plays by Giacosa and Verga.
Competence
The course involves a first look at scientific editions from Italian literary tradition; it will also prepare students to use text commentary tools properly; their public speaking skills will be put to the test.
Behaviour
The course strives to motivate students to take advantage of the university structure, the CdS (Degree Course), student orientation and career management tools, to promote intellectual participation from students as well as the correct approach to the student-teacher relationship.
Prerequisites
An excellent knowledge of the Italian language is necessary, as are mastery of grammatical and syntactical structures of written Italian, good ability to read literary and critical texts, as well as reasonable competence in using dictionaries and commentaries. Finally, an important prerequisite is a thorough knowledge of Italian national history, particularly with regard to events surrounding the Italian Risorgimento and the first decades following the unification of Italy.
Teaching Methods
Lectures. Students are encouraged to participate, ask questions and maintain a direct relationship with the professor, even during weekly receiving hours.
Further information
Students are expected to keep dutifully to attendance rules: with the exception of part-time students, the course is considered valid (and students are admitted to the examination) only if their attendance is recorded by signature for at least two thirds of the lessons. Every student must personally sign the attendance sheet at the beginning of each lesson.
Type of Assessment
All students (even those who do not attend lessons or are participating in exchange programs) must take a final exam, which is divided into two components: a written report on specific aspects of the curriculum (to be decided between student and professor) and an oral exam which assesses general knowledge of all the material covered in the course.
The written report is evaluated according to criteria of accuracy, clarity of expression and ability to summarise; it must demonstrate skill in discussing and interpreting the theme/text. The written report is due a week before the oral.
The oral examination is an interview aimed at assessing the following learning objectives: familiarity with the bibliography and materials discussed in lectures and made available on our e-learning platform; acquaintance with the distinctive features of Italian literature as pertaining to the specific focus of the course; skill in using the methodological and critical tools of the discipline; skill in reading, analysis and commenting on texts on the curriculum.
Students must demonstrate a sufficient grasp of the learning objectives for the course in order to pass the final examination.
The final mark is based on the overall marks obtained in the two tests (written and oral).
Course program
Course Title: Plays for a New Italy: Giacosa and Verga
The course focuses on reading and critical commentary of texts from late Nineteenth-century Italian theatrical literature. More specifically, it aims to illustrate specific methods of reading and literary text analysis applied to plays by Giacosa (Una partita a scacchi, Tristi amori, Come le foglie) and Verga (I nuovi tartufi, Rose caduche, Cavalleria rusticana, In portineria, La lupa, Caccia al lupo, Caccia alla volpe, Dal tuo al mio).