CULTURES AND SOCIETY OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE

The module is part of the modules specifically related to the Languages taught in the LCSL degree course. Its aim is that of enlarging the knowledge of the linguistic, literary and cultural heritage of Great Britain by focussing on some of its main characteristics, as far as its history, social and political culture are concerned, while – at the same time - further widening, through the reading of texts in the original language, the students’ lexical mastery of the English language.

The course will investigate, through the reading of classics and critical texts, the characteristic features and peculiarities of British history and British social and political culture, as they have developed historically over the centuries in the wider context of European history. Students will develop their critical capacity of analysis of those phenomenons, and their consciousness of the implied social, scientifical, and ethical issues. Through the analysis of the texts on the syllabus, the students’ capacity of critical understanding and judgement - in a language both specific and proper- will be enhanced, also in a larger comparative perspective involving their knowledge and experience of Italian national culture.
In particular the students will build:
1. a knowledge of the historical and cultural context from which postmodernism has emerged;
2. the capacity to analyse contemporary literary texts with regard to their use of techniques such as irony, parody, intertextuality, metafiction, self-reflexiveness, deconstruction, etc.
3. the ability to recognise the postmodern treatment of social complexity, indeterminacy, gender difference, cultural dialogue, mimesis and simulacrum, hermeneutics, the carnivalesque, psychological, existential and social identity, plural identity, poliphony.

A very good knowledge of the English language; a good knowledge of modern and contemporary culture.
The majority of lessons will be delivered in Italian; some lessons will be delivered in English.

"The Postmodern HIstorical Novel in England and the End of History"
The module will discuss the rise of postmodernism both a historical phenomenon (postmodernity) and its literary and cultural aspects (postmodernism). Starting from the socio-cultural analysis of the "postmodern condition" in the works of Jean-François Lyotard, and other sociologists and philosophers, we will analyse the ways in which English writers used the main concepts of postmodernism in their works, through a discussion of two important novels as specimens of postmodern fiction, in particular for their treatment of history.
The module will provide:
- a knowledge of the historical and cultural context from which postmodernism has emerged;
- the capacity to analyse postmodern novels with regard to their use of techniques such as irony, parody, intertextuality, metafiction, self-reflexiveness, deconstruction, mise en-abyme;
- the ability to recognise the postmodern treatment of social complexity, indeterminacy, gender difference, cultural dialogue, psychological, existential and social identity, and the 'end of history'.

Students will have to read the following books:

Graham Swift, "Waterland", Vintage Books , or Scribner (BALI library E SWI/Wat ) (this novel will be analysed and discussed in class)

Bran Nichol, "The Cambridge Introduction to Postmodern Fiction", Cambridge U.P.: read the "Introduction", chapter 1, and chapter 4, pp. 1-49 and 99-139 (BALI library EF Nic/Cam) (background reading to be done at home)

The examination will consist in a written test on the programme.
It will comprise:

A. 2 questions with open answers (10 to 15 lines) on the main concepts and notions considered in the general part of the programme (open answers or multiple-choice answers) (Aims 1 and 3)
B. A one page (facciata) a commentary on a selected passage taken from "Waterland" (Aim 2)
C. 2 questions with short answers on the characters, plot, themes, etc. of "Waterland" (Aim 2)

The examination will be in Italian for questions A and C, and in English for question C. Students will be allowed to use a monolingual dictionary of English; no other dictionaries, books, nor tablets, smartphones etc. will be allowed during the exam.

Front lectures, analysis of literary text(s), and seminar discussions.

Italian

Non attending students, especially 701 students, are requested to contact the teacher at the beginning of the course.

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