B3368 - Contemporary Italian Literature - 21st Century

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students will be familiar with and able to analyse a selection of contemporary Italian literary texts produced in the 2000s. The texts will be related to the following themes: 1. Cultural industry and the transformation of the literary field; 2. Young writers; 3. Experimental poetry and prose; 4. Mass literature; 5. The quest for the Italian masterpiece of the 2000s; 6. The rise of women’s writing; 7. The new role of the authors within the media and social networks

Course contents

The dissolution of the bourgeois family. An open canon in contemporary italian literature

The course explores the "dead of the fathers" theme in italian literature between the end of the Twentieth century and the beginning of the Twentyfirst century. The theme has to be intended as the necessary clash and overcome of the conventional institutions of the bourgeois society (family, sexual identity, law, power, economical development, etc.), in order to establish new social and cultural instances.

The literary texts chosen for the course are all characterized by the narration of the inner tension that lead to contravene the rules, depart from the norm and break with the respectability of the contemporary bourgeois society.

The course is held by Professor Bazzocchi but will involve lectures by other faculty members and external professors.

Attending students will follow the lecturer's interpretations and prepare the texts indicated in the Bibliography section of the program.

Students that won't attend the lectures will prepare the texts indicated in the Bibliography section of the program, placing a particular attention in the study of the manual: Cento anni di letteratura italiana, by M.A. Bazzocchi (Einaudi, 2021).

Others essays will be indicated during the lectures and uploaded on Virtuale among the downloadable contents of the course.

Students with DSA or permanent / temporary disabilities are invited to contact the appointed office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it) and Professor Bazzocchi, in order to find the best ways for them to keep up with the course and prepare the exam.

Readings/Bibliography

Students will prepare the following texts:

Literary texts:

1. Goliarda Sapienza, Lettera aperta, Torino, Einaudi, 2017
2. Walter Siti, Troppi paradisi, Torino, Einaudi, 2006 (o edizioni successive).
3. Alice Ceresa, La morte del padre, Milano, Baldini e Castoldi, 2022
4. Nicola Lagioia, Riportando tutto a casa, Torino, Einaudi, 2009 (o edizioni successive)

Essays:

• Cento anni di letteratura italiana (1910-2010), a cura di M.A. Bazzocchi, Torino, Einaudi, 2021: i capitoli dedicati agli anni ’80, ’90, 2000.

Teaching methods

The course is based on the reading, the analysis and the discussion of the literary texts in bibliography.

Assessment methods

Assessment consists of a viva voce examination aiming to assess the knowledge and critical skills acquired by the candidate during the course.

1. First-class marks will be awarded to candidates who demonstrate an ability to analyse texts in depth and to produce an organic overview of the topics covered in the course. Overall mark between 27 and 30 cum laude (high linguistic ability is required).

2. A mostly mnemonic knowledge of the subject, analytical skills lacking depth, and correct but not always apposite expression will result in a modest mark. Overall mark between 23 and 26.

3. Elementary knowledge, superficial understanding, poor analytical skills, and inapposite expression will lead to a pass or only slightly higher mark. Overall mark between 18 and 22.

4. Gaps in the candidate’s knowledge, inapposite language, and inadequate engagement with the secondary literature offered in the course will result in a fail mark.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Antonio Bazzocchi