THEORY OF LITERATURE

Module (characterizing) aimed to analyze the main contemporary theories of analysis of literary texts and in particular mechanisms, elements and structure of the detective narrative genre. Through the detailed analysis of the theoretical attitudes towards the literary work, we intend to provide a technical framework of the different methods of analysis of the literary text which from the antiquity and up to the contemporary have defined the primary lines of literary hermeneutics, with particular attention to the twentieth century methodological directions. We intend to focus mainly on the identification of the different dynamics of literary criticism, in order to acquire a competence in the analysis of the literary text (the different methodological perspectives allow to grasp different elements to try to define the “literariness” of a text). Considering the structure of the detective narrative genre and its functioning it will be possible to develop a specific competence of active text analysis, starting from an understanding of its mechanisms to arrive at the consideration of its aims and effects on the reader.

The expected results of learning refer to the knowledge of the different critical approaches to the literary work, in general from antiquity to the late nineteenth century and specifically in the concrete methods of criticism of the twentieth century, with particular attention to the technical terminology related to the issues of the literary text and critical analysis. The monographic part also takes into consideration the technical dynamics of the structure and functioning of the detective narrative genre. It will therefore be possible to acquire an effective awareness of the functioning and structure of a literary text and the direct ability to identify the critical mechanisms functional to a interpretative reading of the literary text; in this case, thanks to the investigation of the detective narrative genre, it will be possible to evaluate the functioning of a literary text under a specific genre structure perspective.

Knowledge of the basic structure and functioning of the literary text and knowledge of the general frameworks of the history of literature (in particular of the modern and contemporary period); general knowledge of the main problems related to the critical approach to the literary text. The prerequisites here indicated are an integral part of the natural path of the three-year degree in Lettere – Scienze del testo letterario e della comunicazione.

Overview of the general lines that from antiquity to modernity have characterized the critical approach to the literary text, with particular attention to the specific critical directions of the twentieth century. Analysis of the structure, elements and mechanisms of the detective narrative genre.

Mandatory texts:
FRANCESCO MUZZIOLI, "Le teorie della critica letteraria", Roma, Carocci, 2005;
ILARIA CROTTI, "La «detection» della scrittura. Modello poliziesco ed attualizzazioni allotropiche nel romanzo del Novecento", Padova, Editrice Antenore, 1982.

Integrative reading:
HERMANN GROSSER, “Narrativa. Manuale/Antologia”, Milano, Principato, 1985.

Students who have not had active or passive experience in the classroom of the analysis of detective story texts are required to read a text of their choice that can be analyzed in this way.

The exam will consist of some questions which will stimulate an active conversation about the topics covered in class and included in the program. The questions will aim in particular to verify the mastery of content.

There are several exam methods available (including the possibility of writing an analysis of a literary text among those proposed by Crotti):
- Normal exam: topics covered in class, Muzzioli's text, Crotti's text and Grosser's volume.
- Exam with essay without exposition in the classroom: essay to be delivered about ten days before the exam and to be presented in summary during the exam; a couple of additional questions on Muzzioli's text.
- Exam with essay exposed in the classroom: classroom exposition (30 to 45 minutes); delivery of the essay in a definitive form about ten days before the exam; during the exam a short conversation in relation to the essay itself.

Evaluation ranges (indicative): 18-22 poor mastery of concepts and poor presentation skills; 23-26 moderate mastery of concepts and reasonable presentation skills; 27-30 good mastery of concepts and good ability to explain them; 30 cum laude excellent mastery of concepts and excellent ability to explain them.

Lectures and seminars. The second half of the module, structured mostly as a seminar, will include presentations by students. The seminar work option allows an active application in the textual analysis, thus providing a more articulated, complete and formative experience.
The MOODLE platform is also used to support teaching, in which additional materials are inserted (specific in-depth materials linked to topics covered in class) and in which it is possible to interact: an online reference point for communications and notices.

Italian

The module is scheduled for the first semester and is divided into two parts: a first part in the first half of the semester and a second part in the second half of the semester.

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