B024131 - ENGLISH LITERATURE

Italian

The course is focused on the main features of English literature and
British drama. The course aims at providing the students with a solid background, developing their critical reading, through the study of the most significant authors of English literature and British drama from the Renaissance to the twenty-first century.

Keir Elam e Lilla Maria Crisafulli Manuale di letteratura e cultura inglese, Bologna, BUP, 2009
Booklet with articles and essays

NO-ATTENDIG
The attendance is highly recommended. No-attending students should contact Prof. Cioni.

The course will focus on various aspects of contemporary British theatre since 1968. The course aims at giving students a first approach to British contemporary theatre, giving them a background on British contemporary theatre and drama, developing their critical skills through the study of some of the most important plays by Harold Pinter, Samuel Beckett, Christopher Hampton, Tom Stoppard, Sarah Kane, David Hare, Caryl Churchill

Knowledge and understanding: Students will become familiar with historical and cultural contexts of British Contemporary Theatre and literature, and will acquire the critical tools to cope with the formal and substantive components of the literary and dramatic texts analyzed during the lessons.
Applying knowledge and understanding: Students learn how to apply processes, models, questions, and theories that result in enhanced clarity in the comprehension of literary and dramatic texts, which will be appreciated in both their formal and their contentual features.
Making judgements: Students are able to discuss the literary, dramaturgical, amd theatrical questions considered during the course, proposing critical perspectives and well-grounded judgements on the texts included in the programme.
Communication skills: Ability to convey meaning orally effectively, with particular reference to themes and questions considered during the lessons.
Learning skills: Students acquire the methodological tools needed to read, analyse and understand literary and dramatic texts in their various generic structures.

the prerequisites are those provided for the course of study

lectures with the aid of powerpoint presentation, DVD, internet

Te course will take place in the second semester.
You can contact prof. Cioni via e-mail at
fernando.cioni@unifi.it

Type of Assessment
Oral and/or written exam. The exam will test students knowledge of:
1. The history of English literature and theatre.
2. Specific issues and themes in contemporary British theatre.
3. The key texts and critical literature included in the reading list.
Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze and critically evaluate the key texts included in the reading list, and to place them within their contexts of production and reception.

The test will be considered passed if the candidates demonstrate adequate knowledge in 1,2,3.
The exam aims to assess:
- The knowledge of key concepts in the history of English literature and theatre.
- The ability to describe and place literary and theatrical phenomena within their contexts of production and reception;
- The ability of close reading and appreciation of all the texts included in the reading list as well as a thorough command of methodological and theoretical tools;
- The ability to use formal and critical terminology.

Students will demonstrate that they can discuss the subjects treated during the course, propose connections between different authors and works, and express themselves clearly.
Grades are given on the basis of 30 points. Points are awarded if students are able to 1) describe form and contents of the texts studied, 2) understand, summarize and propose critical readings of those texts, 3) elaborate personal judgements that are solidly grounded on the text and/or secondary literature, 4) use appropriate terms. Nos. 1 and 4 are essential in order to obtain the minimum passing grade (18/30); higher evaluations depends on how students have developed their skills in all four points listed above.

activities and tests on e-learning Platform moodle

Differently-abled students, students with certified learning difficulties or students who, for health reasons, are momentarily unable to sit their exams according to the established exam procedure should consult the Unifi Includes help desk (Sportello Unifi Include) in order to formulate a personalized study plan, best suited to their special needs. Students are required to present this special study programme describing the necessary compensatory measures to their teachers as soon as possible.

"Introdution to British Contemporary Theatre"

Caryl Churchill Cloud Nine and Top Girls, Milano, Costaln, 2005
Christopher Hampton Le relazioni pericolose, Torino, Einaudi, 1989.
Sarah Kane Teatro, Torino, Einaudi, 2000.
Harold Pinter Teatro, Torino, Einaudi, 2005.
Tom Stoppard Plays (in particular Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are
Dead, 15-minute Hamlet, Cahoot’s Macbeth), London, Faber and Faber,
1996-2008.
Paolo Bertinetti Il teatro inglese contemporaneo, Torino, Einaudi, 2003
Keir Elam e Lilla Maria Crisafulli Manuale di letteratura inglese, Bologna, Bononia University Press, 2009.
slides and other material available in e-learning moodle (http://e-l.unifi. it/)

Students must read also one of Shakespeare's play: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, The Tempest, The Merchant of Venice, Romeo and Juliet, and study the Guide to the play published by Carocci.

4 Quality education
5 Gender equality
10 Reduced inequalities