THEORY OF LITERATURE

The course is part of LLEAP degree course of study.
Aim of the course is to provide the fundamental critical tools for a theoretical and methodological reading of literary texts; to provide a comparative knowledge of these tools referred to their specific historical contexts and to the general context of the history of humanistic scholarship; to reflect on the creative quality of critical writing.

Knowledge.
Knowledge of the fundamental critical tools for a theoretical and methodological reading of literary texts; knowledge of the literary traditions of the countries in which the studied languages are spoken.
Competence.
The acquired theoretical knowledge is essential to develop the following competences: appropriate application of the theoretical tools for the analysis of the literary texts; to methodically develop an interdisciplinary approach to the subjects of study; to develop theoretical attention to the problem of the linguistic and cultural transfert of literay texts; to formulate, organise and develop autonomous research activities connected to the subject of study; to organise a scientific bibliography pertinently connected to a specific topic of study.
To develop a personal critical perspective on a specif subject of study and to debate it publicly.
Abilities.
To improve one’s abilities in scholarly oral and written expression.

The course has non specific pre-requisites.

THE AUTHOR AS A CRITIC: PROUST AND ELIOT AS THEORISTS OF WRITING AND THE POETIC WORD.
The course will focus on Marcel Proust's (Contre Sainte-Beuve) and T.S. Eliot's (The Sacred Wood) critical and theoretical understanding of the "creative act", through their writings on poetry and the art of novel.

Marcel Proust,
Contre Sainte-Beuve, éd. Bernard de Fallois, Paris, Gallimard, 2019 [1° 1954]
Contre Sainte-Beuve, éd. Pierre Clarac, Paris, Gallimard, 1971 (précedé de Pastiches et mélanges et suivi de Essais et articles)
(Italian translation, based on P. Clarac’s edition, Torino, Einaudi, 1991 [1° 1974], a c. di Paolo Serini, Mariolina Bongiovanni Bertini, con un saggio di Francesco Orlando)
T.S. Eliot
The Sacred Wood, London, Methuen, 1920
(any Italian translation)
Other essays not included in the Sacred Wood will be provided in class.
Critical bibliography will be provided in class.

The learning will be verified by means of an oral examination.

Front lectures. Programmed students’ presentations.

Italian

The students unable to attend classes should refer to the lecturer for additional readings.

oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development