66467 - Northern Literatures

Learning outcomes

At the end of the classes the student will have theoretical and methodological instruments in order to know Nordic literatures. Nordic literatures it means literary expressions in Danish, Feroese, Icelandic, Norwegian and Swedish languages, from the very beginnings to the contemporary age. Due to the strong linguistic and cultural similitude, the classes will follow a comparatistic approach to Nordic literatures taking into account also other arts (painting, movie, music, etc.). The student will be able to know the most important social aspects of the Nordic culture which will be useful in a larger humanistic learning.

 

Course contents

Classes in 2nd Semester (Febraury - May 2015)

The classes will be shared in two modules (Module A) and (Module B).

Module A (30 hours):

Representations of women in Nordic literature.

Since the early medieval literary examples, woman plays a key role within the nordic society, ranging from a matriarchal social structure, through an aristocratical  world and, during the 19th and 20th century, to the emancipation of women's role in society. The module will examine some of the specimens that will be used to capture the distinctive and peculiar aspects of women's role in Nordic society.

Module B (30 hours): The soul of North between tradition and every-day reality.

The module will be articulated in two sections:

B1) The Nordic literature: from the myth of the sagas to urban life. It will be investigated the concept of Nordic identity through the works of some important writers of the Scandinavian literature. Among them: Hans Christian Andersen (Denmark), Henrik Ibsen (Norway), Selma Lagerlöf (Sweden), which will be read in Italian translation.

B2) Being Scandinavians: representation of the identity in the movie. The Scandinavian cinema is worthly reputed since the beginning of 20th century. Very few cultural areas have investigated the inner soul as deep as the Scandinavians, and they produces masterpieces. They are, at the same time, art and mirror of the Scandinavian soul. The following films will be proposed and analysed: Il settimo sigillo, Il posto delle fragole (Bergman), Il pranzo di Babette (Axel), Italiano per principianti (Scherfig) and the Sigur Rós documentary Heima..  Some literary works near to the spirit of the films will be commented.

Readings/Bibliography

-         Laxdæla saga, Milano, Iperborea, 2015

-         Henrik IBSEN, Casa di bambola, Torino, Einaudi (or any other edition)

- Henrik IBSEN, Quando noi morti ci destiamo (any edition)

-         Kristín Marja BALDURSDOTTIR, Il sorriso dei gabbiani, Roma, Elliot, 2010

Furhter material for the understanding of the historical and sociological context will be provided by the teacher.

Module B1)

-          Petter DASS, La tromba del Nordland o descrizione della provincia del Nordland (anthological choice of texts provided by the teacher)

-          Hans Christian ANDERSEN, La regina della neve, in Id., Fiabe, Milano: Mondadori, 2005, pp. 202-230 (or any other edition);

-          Selma LAGERLÖF, L'imperatore di Portugallia, Milano: Iperborea, 2003

-          Halldor LAXNESS, L'onore della casa, Milano, Iperborea1996

-          Gunnar GUNNARSSON, Avvento (anthological choice provided by the teacher)

-          Jón Kalman STEFANSSON, Paradiso e Inferno, Milano, Iperborea, 2011

­­­-Peter DAVIDSON, L'idea di nord, Roma: Donzelli, 2005, pp. 3-174;

- Francesco REMOTTI, Contro l'identità, Roma - Bari, Laterza, 1996

Module B2)

One text among::

1-          Karen BLIXEN, Il pranzo di Babette, in Ead. I capricci del destino, Milano: Feltrinelli, 200521, pp. 7-46

2-          Ingmar BERGMAN, Il settimo sigillo, Milano: Iperborea, 2005

3-          Ingmar BERGMAN, Il posto delle fragole, Milano: Iperborea, 2004

4-        Jan SONNEGAARD, Sara, in Nordic Light. Antologia di giovani narratori scandinavi, a cura di S. R. Sperti, Milano, Mondadori, 2006, pp. 81-122

 

Teaching methods

Front lessons and seminars

Assessment methods

The exam consists in an oral interview on both modules, which can not be shared into separated moments. During the interview the methodological and critical skills acquired by the student will be evaluated . The student will be invited to discuss the texts covered during the course and to move within the sources and bibliographical material in order to be able to identify in them the useful information that will enable to illustrate the similarities and cultural areas of the discipline. The achievement of an organic vision of the issues addressed during the classes and their critical use, which demonstrate ownership of a mastery of expression and specific language, will be assessed with marks of excellence. Mechanical and / or mnemonic knowledge of matter, synthesis and analysis of non-articulating and / or correct language but not always appropriate will lead to discrete assessments; training gaps and / or inappropriate language - although in a context of minimal knowledge of the material - will lead to votes that will not exceed the sufficiency. Training gaps, inappropriate language, lack of guidance within the reference materials offered during the course will lead to failed assessments.

Teaching tools

Film projection

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Zironi