KU - Department of French, Francophone and Italian - The University of Kansas
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KU – Department of French, Francophone and Italian
Fall 2017
Wescoe 4046, TR, 2:30-3:45 p.m.
Professor Patrizio Ceccagnoli patrizio@ku.edu
Office Hours: TR, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., and by appointment (WES 2062)
Readings, textual analysis, and writing on a
broad selection of texts from different genres and
periods, from writers of the Middle Ages to
contemporary authors. Emphasis on study of
Italian literature in its cultural context. Close
reading approach and introduction to literary
terms and concepts.
This year’s topic will be a selection from 20th
century Italian literature and culture through
different genres and media, including film, music
and comics. Among other texts, students will read
and analyze poems by Eugenio Montale, short
stories by Italo Calvino and Italo Svevo, and the
acclaimed first book from E. Ferrante’s
Neapolitan novels, My Brilliant Friend. In
Italian.
This course counts toward a minor/major in
Italian.
Prerequisite: ITAL 240 or reading knowledge of Italian.
Satisfies: Goal 4 Outcome 2 (AE42), Foreign Language Proficiency (FP), Goal 3
Social Sciences (GE3S), H Humanities (H), World Culture (W).
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CORE GOALS
This course satisfies the requirement for CORE Goal 3:
Upon reaching this goal, students will be able to demonstrate basic competence in
the principles, theories, and analytic methods used in the arts and humanities.
This course also satisfies the requirements for CORE Goal 4, Learning Outcome 2:
Upon reaching this goal, students will be able to examine a variety of perspectives
in the global community, distinguish their own cultural patterns, and respond
flexibly to multiple worldviews.
REQUIREMENTS: Students are expected to participate actively in class
discussions. Each student is required to bring to class observations, questions, and
quotations drawn from the reading that they wish to discuss. Regular attendance is
mandatory. More than two unjustified absences will affect your grade,
while more than three will impair your course status.
Primary readings, lectures and class discussions will be in Italian. Written exams in
Italian and/or English.
- Oral presentation 15%
- Short Written Assignments (Four, 5% each) 20%*
- Midterm exam 20%
- Final exam 25%**
- Class participation and attendance 20%
* One of the written assignments will be assessed for student outcomes using the
rubric for CORE Goal 3. Assessment will include the acquisition of a broad base of
knowledge in Italian literary studies, a grasp of basic materials studied and an
ability to describe them, making connections between key ideas and methodologies,
and applying them, the ability to cite evidence persuasively, and the ability to apply
the ideas and materials encountered in the course to contemporary
questions/issues.
** This final exam will be assessed for student outcomes using the rubric for CORE
Goal 4.2. Assessment will include the students’ ability to discuss, debate, and
analyze non-US cultures in relation to the student’s own value assumptions.
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RESOURCES :
- Required Reading: Ferrante, Elena. L’amica geniale (Italian
Edition) Roma: Edizioni e/o, 2011. Kindle Edition. (Kindle Edition:
$ 12.99) ISBN 9788866320951
- Handouts distributed in class and posted on Blackboard
- Guest lectures
- Visits and Field trips
- Films and videos
ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED READINGS:
Beltrami, Pietro. La metrica italiana. Bologna: il Mulino, 2011 (5th Edition).
Cavalloro, Valeria. Leggere storie. Introduzione all’analisi del testo narrativo.
Roma: Carocci, 2014.
Gineprini, Mario, Benedetta Livi, and Simona Seminara. L’isola. Vol. A (La
Narrazione) and B (La Poesia e il Teatro). Torino: Loescher, 2015.
Grosser, Hermann. Narrativa. Manuale/Antologia. Milano: Principato, 19851.
Migliorini, Bruno. Storia della lingua italiana. Milano: Bompiani, 2001.
Pertile, Lino and Charles Brandt (eds), The Cambridge History of Italian
Literature. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1996.
UNIVERSITY AND DEPARTMENTAL POLICIES
I. GRADE DEFINITIONS ACCORDING TO THE UNIVERSITY
SENATE RULES AND REGULATIONS
2.2.1.1. The grade of A will be reported for achievement of outstanding
quality.
2.2.1.2. The grade of B will be reported for achievement of high quality.
2.2.1.3. The grade of C will be reported for achievement of acceptable
quality.
2.2.1.4. The grade of D will be reported for achievement that is minimally
passing but at less than an acceptable quality.
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II. RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES
Where examinations and tests other that final examinations conflict with religious
observations of a generally recognized nature, a student under obligation to
participate in such religious observances shall, upon request to the instructor
involved (which shall be made at least a week in advance of the scheduled
examination or test), be accorded the opportunity to take the examination or test at
some other time not in conflict with his or her religious obligations.
III. THE DEPARTMENT STRICTLY ADHERES TO THE FOLLOWING
POLICY ON PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING:
"Plagiarism and cheating are serious academic offenses that should be brought to
the attention of the Chairperson or Language Coordinator. Whenever a student is
caught cheating (whether copying from another student's paper, exam, or quiz, or
plagiarizing printed or electronic sources or other sources), the instructor will
inform the Chairperson of the Department, who--upon consulting with the
instructor--will forward a "CHARGE OF ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT FORM" to
College of Liberal Arts with a recommendation for the appropriate sanction."
IV. WITHDRAWALS
Students who wish to withdraw from this class must note that they need to do so by
the last day of the First Drop Period (September 11), in order for the withdrawal
to have no effect on their transcripts. September 18 is the last day to add a class
or increase credits for Fall 2017. Withdrawals during the Second Drop Period
(September 18-November 18) will result in a grade of W on the student’s
transcript.
V. USE OF COURSE MATERIALS
Materials provided to you by your instructor, and/or posted for you on Blackboard,
are for your use, and may not be reposted or resold to websites for any reason.
Pursuant to the University of Kansas’ Policy on Commercial Note-Taking Ventures
(https://documents.ku.edu/policies/provost/CommercialNotetaking.htm), commercial
note taking is not permitted in courses in the Department of French and Italian.
Lecture notes and course materials may be taken for personal use, for the purpose
of mastering the course material, and may not be sold to any person or entity in any
form. Any student engaged in or contributing to the commercial exchange of notes
or course materials will be subject to discipline, including academic misconduct
charges, in accordance with University Policy.
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VI. RECORDINGS
Recordings of class lectures are prohibited without the previous approval of the
instructor.
VII. CONCEALED CARRY
Individuals who choose to carry concealed handguns are solely responsible to
do so in a safe and secure manner in strict conformity with state and
federal laws and KU weapons policy. Safety measures outlined in the KU
weapons policy specify that a concealed handgun:
• Must be under the constant control of the carrier.
• Must be out of view, concealed either on the body of the carrier, or backpack,
purse, or bag that remains under the carrier’s custody and control.
• Must be in a holster that covers the trigger area and secures any external
hammer in an un-cocked position
• Must have the safety on, and have no round in the chamber.
5SCHEDULE
A. How to read a short story.
WEEK 1
Tuesday, August 22:
Introduction to the course and the materials on Blackboard.
In class reading: Sebastiano Vassalli, Chi, io? From L’Italiano, p. 5.
Thursday, August 24:
Il racconto fantastico.
Analysis and discussion of the short story I giorni perduti, from Dino Buzzati, Le
notti difficili, 1971.
WEEK 2
August 29:
Il racconto autobiografico.
Analysis and discussion of the excerpt “Inverno in Abruzzo,” from Natalia Ginzburg,
Le piccole virtù, 1962.
August 31:
Il racconto di guerra.
Analysis and discussion of Ultimo viene il corvo,
from Italo Calvino, Ultimo viene il corvo, 1949.
WEEK 3
September 5:
Il racconto psicologico.
Analysis and discussion of La madre, from Italo Svevo, Racconti, 1926.
6September 7:
Il racconto giallo.
Analysis and discussion of Stazione centrale ammazzare subito, from Giorgio
Scerbanenco, Milano calibro 9, 1969.
WEEK 4
B. How to read a novel: L’amica geniale [lettura integrale].
September 12:
Who is Elena Ferrante? A modern case of authorial anonymity.
Analysis and discussion of Elena Ferrante, L’amica geniale: Indice dei personaggi;
Prologo, Cancellare le tracce, pp. 15-19.
September 14:
Elena Ferrante, L’amica geniale: Infanzia. Storia di don Achille, capitoli 1, 2, 3, 4,
pp. 23-33.
* First composition: Descrivete il/la vostra/o migliore amica/o
d’infanzia. Fate una descrizione fisica e psicologica. Le due descrizioni
corrispondono? Usate metafore e similitudini. Siate creativi. (250-300
parole).
7WEEK 5
September 19:
Elena Ferrante, L’amica geniale: Infanzia. Storia di don Achille, capitoli 5-9, pp. 33-
49.
September 21:
Elena Ferrante, L’amica geniale: Infanzia. Storia di don Achille, capitoli 10-14, pp.
49-63.
WEEK 6
September 26:
Elena Ferrante, L’amica geniale: Infanzia. Storia di don Achille, capitoli 15-18, pp.
63-81.
September 28:
Elena Ferrante, L’amica geniale: Adolescenza. Storia delle scarpe, capitoli, 1-5, pp.
85-100.
WEEK 7
October 3:
Elena Ferrante, L’amica geniale: Adolescenza. Storia delle scarpe, capitoli, 6-10, pp.
100-123.
October 5:
Elena Ferrante, L’amica geniale: Adolescenza. Storia delle scarpe, capp. 11-15, pp.
123-139.
Class visit to Watson Library.
* Second composition: Lila o Elena? Scegliete una delle due
protagoniste del romanzo di E. Ferrante. Descrivetene azioni e
psicologia. Usate il testo per supportare la vostra analisi e fate
riferimento alla teoria letteraria studiata durante il corso. (400 parole,
citazioni escluse).
8WEEK 8
October 10:
Elena Ferrante, L’amica geniale: Adolescenza. Storia delle scarpe, capp. 16-22, pp.
139-173.
October 12:
Elena Ferrante, L’amica geniale: Adolescenza. Storia delle scarpe, capp. 23-26, pp.
173-193.
WEEK 9
October 17: FALL BREAK
October 19: MIDTERM EXAM
WEEK 10
October 24:
Elena Ferrante, L’amica geniale: Adolescenza. Storia delle scarpe, capp. 27-36,
pp.193-235.
October 26:
Elena Ferrante, L’amica geniale: Adolescenza. Storia delle scarpe, capp. 37-45, pp.
235-266.
WEEK 11
October 31:
Elena Ferrante, L’amica geniale: Adolescenza. Storia delle scarpe, capp. 46-55, pp.
266-302.
November 2:
Elena Ferrante, L’amica geniale: Adolescenza. Storia delle scarpe, capp. 56-62, pp.
302-327.
9WEEK 12
C. How to review a movie.
November 7:
Screening of I giorni dell’abbandono by Roberto
Faenza, 2005 (96 min.), part 1.
November 9:
Screening and discussion of I giorni
dell’abbandono, part 2.
WEEK 13
D. How to read a poem
November 14:
Analysis and discussion of Xenia I, from Eugenio Montale, Satura, 1971: 1. Caro
piccolo insetto…; 2. Senza occhiali né antenne…; 3. Al Saint James di Parigi dovrò
chiedere…; 4. Avevamo studiato per l’aldilà…; 5. Non ho mai capito se io fossi…
* Third composition: Recensione del film “I giorni dell’abbandono” (450
parole).
November 16:
Analysis and discussion of Xenia I, from Eugenio
Montale, Satura, 1971: 6. Non hai pensato mai di
lasciar traccia…; 7. Pietà di sé, infinita pena e
angoscia…; 8. La tua parola così stenta e
imprudente…; 9. Ascoltare era il solo tuo modo di
vedere…
10WEEK 14
November 21:
Analysis and discussion of Xenia I, from Eugenio Montale, Satura, 1971: 10.
«Pregava?». «Sì, pregava Sant’Antonio…»; 11. Ricordare il tuo pianto (il mio era
doppio)…; 12. La primavera sbuca col suo passo di talpa…; 13. Tuo fratello morì
giovane; tu eri… 14. Dicono che la mia…
November 23: THANKSGIVING
WEEK 15
November 28:
Analysis and discussion of Xenia II, from Eugenio Montale, Satura, 1971: 1. La
morte non ti riguardava…; 2. Spesso ti ricordavi (io poco) del signor Cap…; 3.
L’abbiamo rimpianto a lungo l’infilascarpe…; 4. Con astuzia…; 5. Ho sceso, dandoti
il braccio, almeno un milione di scale…; 6. Il vinattiere ti versava un poco…; 7. «Non
sono mai stato certo di essere al mondo»; 8. «E il Paradiso? Esiste un paradiso?».
* Fourth Composition: Analisi di un testo poetico. Scegliete una poesia
di Montale che non appartenga agli Xenia e analizzatela. Traducetela
in inglese. Fate un’analisi formale e tematica (minimum 500 words).
November 30:
Analysis and discussion of Xenia II, from Eugenio Montale, Satura, 1971: 9. Le
monache e le vedove mortifere…; 10. Dopo lunghe
ricerche…; 11. Riemersa da un’infinità di tempo…; 12. I
falchi…; 13. Ho appeso nella mia stanza il dagherròtipo…;
14. L’alluvione ha sommerso il pack dei mobili…
WEEK 16
Music intermission: Is Songwriting Literature? On
Bob Dylan and others…
December 5:
Fabrizio De André (and Edgar Lee Masters): Non al denaro,
non all’amore né al cielo (1971).
Course Evaluations
11December 7:
E. Are Graphic Novels Literature?
How to read a graphic novel.
Zerocalcare, Lo spostamento dal divano al letto,
from www.zerocalcare.it, April 2017.
Wednesday, December 13, 1:30 – 4:00 pm: FINAL EXAM
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