COMPARATIVE LITERATURE

The course is part of the LCSL degree course. Aim of the course is to provide fundamental critical tools for a comparative analysis of literary texts; to familiarise the students with the theoretical debate on different possible ways of comparing literary texts, namely: thematic comparative analysis; comparative study of the models of thinking and knowledge whereby the literary expression is informed; comparative analysis of the modes of literary representation: styles, genres, poetic diction etc.; to provide pertinent tools for an interdisciplinary and intercultural reading of the literary texts.

Knowledge and Understanding.
Knowledge of the fundamental theoretical tools for the comparative analysis of literary texts. Knowledge of the literary traditions of the countries in which the studied languages are spoken.
Competence.
Appropriate application of the acquired theoretical knowledge described above; 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 no specific pre-requisites

Title of the course: PERFECT BEAUTY: THE OBSESSION WITH THE BELOVED BODY.
We will explore the mirage of ideal beauty in European Aestheticism and Early Modernism as the reverse of obsessive love.
Texts by Balzac, Gautier, Flaubert, Wilde, Mann, Sá-Carneiro (see the list below).

Ovidio, Le Metamorfosi (any edition with Latin text)
Honoré de Balzac, Sarrasine, Paris, Gallimard, coll. Folio, éd. de Pierre Brunel, nouvelle édition 2007 (Balzac, Sarrasine - Gambara - Massimilla Doni, Folio Gallimard, Paris, 2007, éd. de Pierre Brunel)
Honoré de Balzac, Le chef d'oeuvre inconnu et autres nouvelles, Gallimard, Coll. Folio classique, Paris 1973
Théophile Gautier, Madamoiselle de Maupin, Gallimard, coll. Folio classique, éd. de Michel Crouzet Paris, 2005
Gustave Flaubert, La tentation de Saint'Antoine, Gallimard, coll. Folio classique, éd. de Claudine Gothot-Mersch, Paris, nouvelle édition 2006
Oscar Wilde, The picture of Dorian Gray, ed by Robert Mighall, Penguin Classics.
Thomas Mann, Der Tod in Venedig/La morte a Venezia, ed. by Elisabeth Galva, Venezia, Marsilio, 2009 (German and Italian text)
Mario de Sá-Carneiro, A Confissão de Lúcio, in Mario de Sá-Carneiro, Verso e Prosa, Assìrio & Alvim, Lisboa, 2016 (Italian translation: Mario de Sá-Carneiro, La confessione di Lucio, traduzione di Luciano Allamprese, edizioni Sellerio, 1987 or edizioni Federico Tozzi, Saluzzo, 2016).

The final exam will consist of an oral text on the contents indidcated in the programe.

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