ITALIAN LITERATURE FROM 13TH TO 16TH CENTURY MOD. 1
- Academic year
- 2026/2027 Syllabus of previous years
- Official course title
- LETTERATURA ITALIANA SECOLI XIII-XVI MOD. 1
- Course code
- FM0681 (AF:737806 AR:438693)
- Teaching language
- Italian
- Modality
- On campus classes
- ECTS credits
- 6 out of 12 of ITALIAN LITERATURE FROM 13TH TO 16TH CENTURY
- Degree level
- Master's Degree Programme (DM270)
- Academic Discipline
- ITAL-01/A
- Period
- 3rd Term
- Where
- VENEZIA
Contribution of the course to the overall degree programme goals
The class thus has three main objectives: to trace the development of Italian literature, by way of specific examples; to foster the capacity of autonomous reflection on a literary text; to furnish the methodological tools of textual analysis. Particular attention is devoted to the centrality of the text, be it poetic or prose, as an indispensable starting point in any theoretical or critical discourse.
Expected learning outcomes
Ability to use said knowledge: Students should be able to employ their historico-critical knowledge in the study of Italian literary history; to use correctly the specific terminology of the discipline; to analyse a literary text in its various aspects.
Judgment: Students should be able to autonomously formulate and argue hypotheses, as well as critically evaluate alternative hypotheses.
Communication skills: Students should be able to express the specifics of critical discourse on literature with adequate terminology.
Learning skills: Students should be able to critically consult the assigned texts as well as the bibliography therein.
Pre-requirements
Contents
The course will deal with the novelistic form from its origins to the developments of the middle of the sixteenth century, focusing on a particular and very lucky typology: that of love topic.
The first part of the course will be dedicated to the theoretical and critical in-depth study of the new form/genre; will follow the reading and analysis of amorous "novella" by Giovanni Boccaccio ("Decameron"), Enea Silvio Piccolomini ("Historia de duobus amantibus", in translation); Luigi da Porto ("The Juliet"), Matteo Maria Bandello ("Juliet and Romeo").
Referral texts
E. S. Piccolomini, "Historia de duobus amantibus", introduzione, traduzione e note a cura di D. Pirovano, Alessandria, Edizioni dell'Orso, 2001.
D. Perocco, "La prima Giulietta. Edizione critica e commentata delle novelle di Giulietta e Romeo di Luigi Da Porto e di Matteo Maria Bandello", Milano, Franco Angeli, 2017.
At the end of the course, a list of passages to be studied in depth will be published.
An extensive list of critical essays will be provided during the course as a bibliographical basis from which to choose a course of study to take in the oral examination.
Assessment methods
The interview, which lasts approximately half an hour, aims to test knowledge of the texts under examination and the problems associated with their interpretation and historical-literary context.
In addition to the literary-historical preparation, particular attention will be paid to the ability to establish critically grounded relationships between the various problems examined and to account for them using appropriate language.
Type of exam
The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.
Grading scale
An overall mark of between 23 and 26 will be awarded to those who demonstrate (orally and in writing): a good knowledge of the syllabus; the ability to carry out an analysis of the texts that is on the whole correct, even if marked by some imperfections of method and content; a good property of language with some uncertainty in exposition and/or imprecision in the use of technical language.
An acceptable but sketchy knowledge of the syllabus, a superficial understanding of the texts, a limited ability to analyse and an expression that is not always appropriate will lead to barely sufficient marks (between 18 and 22).
Poor knowledge of critical and literary texts, inadequate ability to analyse; incorrect or inappropriate written and oral expression will result in a negative assessment.
Teaching methods
These textual and critical materials offer cues for further study, with respect to the reference texts listed above.