Italy within the world: literary and cultural comparative paths [ LROM2854 ]

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Good knowledge of written and spoken Italian (level B2 of Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) .

The aim of the course is the study of how Italian literature and culture had an influence in Europe and internationally, through networks of relationships which became established between Italy and countries all over the world (Europe, North and South America, Australia and Africa). Through this perspective we will analyse literary movements, authors and works which, starting from Italy, had an impact on the literature, poetry and culture of other linguistic and literary regions (e.g. Dante in Latin America, visits to Italy made by European writers, Manzoni and the European historical novel, migration and Italian literature between the XIXth and  XXth centuries etc. ).
These comparative approaches will enable students to understand the place and the role of Italy in a more global perspective, at particular times relating to international literary history and culture. This analyses will bring out the special characteristics of Italian writers and their work, while also emphasising the links of continuity which these authors and their creations form with work from other parts of the world.

1.    to be able to analyse movements, authors and literary works in the Italian language ;
2.    to be able to make a relationship between these Italian movements, works and authors with writers and literary and cultural works from all over the world ;
3.    to be able to make use of a comparative approach to gain greater understanding of Italian literature and culture ;
4.    using the Italian example, to be able to interpret literature as an open, international system.

An oral exam on the content of the course and the required readings.

Formal lectures
Individual required readings

The topic of the cours of this academic year (2014-2015) is Dante's reception through the world and during the centuries. After a presentation of the formal and thematic characteristics of Inferno, we will study some examples of international writers and artists who conceived their own creations under the sign of Dante.

BORGES Jorge Luis, Neuf essais sur Dante, trad. de l'espagnol (Argentine) par Françoise Rosset, Paris, Gallimard, 1987 (Arcades), 128 p.
BROWN Dan, Inferno, trad. de l'anglais (USA) par Dominique Defert et Carole Delporte, Paris, Livre de Poche, 2014 (LDP Policier), 608 p.
ALIGHIERI Dante, La Divina Commedia. Inferno, commento di Anna Maria Chiavacci Leonardi, Milano, Oscar Mondadori, 2011 (a selection of some cantos, that students will have to read, will be indicated at the beginning of the course).

The course is given in Italian.