The course presupposes some basic knowledge of the Italian language. This will be provided by the course of Italian as a second language, level A1.

The course provides an overview of the Italian Literature from the first documents (13th century) to the contemporary age (beginning of the 21st century). It will present the main literary works (poetry and prose) produced during these centuries, of the cultural movements, and of the interactions among authors. All literary works will be set in their historical context, showing their connections with the broad European context. For each century, a summary of the main social, political, and cultural developments will be provided, with a special attention to the geopolitical situation of the Italian territory. For each period (generally a century), two or more main authors will be chosen, whose works will be explained and summarized more in detail. Short texts in Italian will be presented, with an English translation, and their more important linguistic and literary characteristics will be explained.

Students will acquire a clear, although general, knowledge of the development of the Italian literature from the origins to our century. They will be able to understand the main characteristics of the Italian language, literature, and culture over time. They will be able to recognize some basic characteristics of the Italian texts.

Lectures with the support of PPT presentations.

Module will be taught in a 4-week block mode.

A detailed plan of the course (lectures + PPT presentations) will be made available.

The module will be taught in English.

Final Exam: This course will have a final exam (written).

The course focuses on the most important Italian authors from the origins of the Italian literature to the 21st century. The main developments of the history of Italy (and some reference to the European context) will be illustrated. The narrative will be divided into large chronological periods encompassing:

• the origins of the Italian literature and the Middle Ages: from the Sicilian School and the first documents of the Italian literature to Dante, Petrarca, and Boccaccio;

• the Renaissance: from the Humanism to Ariosto;

• the 16th century (Machiavelli, Tasso);

• the 17th-18th centuries: the Enlightenment, Galilei, Goldoni, Parini;

• the 19th century: from Romanticism to Realism: Foscolo, Manzoni, Leopardi, Verga;

• end 19th- 20th century: Symbolism; Pascoli, d’Annunzio, Pirandello, Ungaretti;

• first 20th century: Saba, Montale, Ungaretti;

• from the 20th to the 21st century: Calvino, Levi, Ginzburg, Sciascia, Eco, to the most recent narrative developments (Elena Ferrante).

All the texts will be presented by the teacher via presentations and slides.