SERBIAN AND CROATIAN LITERATURE

This module, offered as part of the Master's Degree programmes in LLEAP and in Language Sciences, is intended for students wishing to acquire an in-depth understanding of the cultural and literary history of the countries that emerged from the dissolution of Yugoslavia.

At the end of the course the student will know how to:
- correctly use the philological and historical-cultural terminology in the main areas in which the teaching is organized;
- orientate oneself in the critical debate on studied topics, in order then to formulate hypotheses on various issues of the discipline;
- communicate the contents of the course in a clear and technically adequate manner, using the register relevant to the communicative situation;

Basic knowledge of European history of the 20th century and geography of the Balkans.

The course provides an overview of literary works produced in the post-Yugoslav countries that engage with the conflicts of the 1990s. More than thirty years after the outbreak of the wars that led to the disintegration of the Yugoslav federation, war remains the central theme of literary production in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia and, to a lesser extent, in Slovenia, Montenegro and North Macedonia.
Through the analysis of works written both during the conflicts and in the decades that followed, the course explores the main developments and transformations of a theme that continues to occupy a central place in the region's literary imagination.
The course adopts an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on memory and trauma studies, literary theory (with particular attention to narrative techniques, paratextual elements, and the use of photography and documentary materials), as well as historical studies of the Yugoslav conflicts (Baker 2015).
Following a series of introductory lectures providing the historical and theoretical background, the course will focus primarily on the novels "Mamac" by David Albahari, "Sabo je stao" by Oto Horvat, "Leto kada sam naučila da letim" by Jasminka Petrović, and "Poslije zabave" by Stevo Grabovac. In addition to lectures, the course will include meetings and discussions with some of the authors studied during the module.

C. Baker, *The Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s*, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2015. *(reference monograph for the historical background)*
A. Hemon, *Il libro delle mie vite*, trad. Maurizia Balmelli, Torino, Einaudi, 2013 *(selected stories).*
A. Hemon, *My prisoner* *(e-book with video installation, available online in English only).*
M. Jergović, *Le marlboro di Sarajevo* *(any edition, selected stories).*
S. Mehmedinović, *Sarajevo blues*, Sarajevo, 1992. *(selected texts).*
O. Horvat, *Sabo si è fermato*, trad. Ljiljana Banjanin, Bari, Stilo editrice, 2019.
S. Grabovac, *Dopo la festa*, trad. Marija Bradaš e Marijana Puljić, Venezia, Marsilio, 2025.
J. Petrović, *L’estate in cui ho imparato a volare*, trad. Ginevra Pugliese, Lecce, Besa, 2021.

D. Albahari, *L’esca*, traduzione di Alice Parmeggiani, Rovereto, Zandonai, 2008.

The knowledge assessment takes place through an oral test that lasts 20-30 minutes. During the test the student must demonstrate knowledge of the topics covered during the course and know how to present them in a formal way.

oral

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

The grade is determined by: - knowledge of the topics (range 10 points); - ability to explore the topic in depth (range 5 points); - detailed and accurate knowledge of the historical context (e.g., knowledge of dates and classification of events) (range 5 points); - confidence in exposition (range 5 points); - ability to articulate the discourse independently (range 5 points).

Lectures and seminars with guest lecturers.

Students who are unable to attend the lectures are invited to contact the professor.