Italian Literature - Fall 1998

This course provides an introduction to the major writers, periods, and genres of Italian Literature. The course is divided into three sections: prose, drama, and poetry. In each section, we examine a selection of exemplary texts, Medieval, Renaissance, and Modern. Attention to the stylistic features of each text, as well as to issues such as cultural context and gender. Among authors to be studied are: Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio, Machiavelli, Carlo Goldoni, Giovanni Verga, Pirandello, Moravia, Natalia Ginzburg, Italo Calvino, Primo Levi, Umberto Eco, Eugenio Montale.

The class meets twice a week, and runs as a seminar; class participation is an integral part of the course. Students are required to bring written comments to class each day for discussion. Requirements: oral presentations; short writing exercises; in class mid-term; final paper. The class is conducted in Italian; all readings are in Italian.

Prerequisites: Italian 6 or consent of professor.

Revised 7/19/04.