AMERICAN LITERATURE 1 MOD. 2

The course is part of the Master’s Degree programs in European, American and Postcolonial Language and Literature and in Language Sciences and aims at providing students with advanced knowledge and skills in the field of American literature (late 19th and early 20th century). Students will improve their skills in analyzing prose texts and in relating such texts to their historical and cultural contexts. The analytical skills students have learnt during the BA course will be further verified and developed, to include more specialized knowledge of literary history, critical theory and methodology. In addition, they will broaden their experience in working autonomously and in presenting the results of their own research.

The learning outcomes of the course are 1. development of knowledge and understanding of the key literary texts of late 19th- and early 20th-century US literature; 2. the skill to apply this knowledge and understanding to other texts; 3. the development of advanced communication skills in English; 4. autonomous formulation of judgements in analyzing primary and secondary texts; 5. ability to work synergically with other students.

Advanced knowledge of oral and written English (≥ C1). Good knowledge of the history of American literature and of the key concepts of literary theory previously learned during the BA course in Languages, Civilisation and the Science of Language and/or through the reference books indicated below.

The course will examine representative of 19th and 20th century US literature
Mandatory and suggested critical material will be available on Moodle.

Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage (1895)
Charles Chesnutt, «The Web of Circumstance» (1899)
Frank Norris, «The Third Circle» and «Little Dramas of the Curbstone» (1909)
Jack London, Martin Eden (1909)
Edith Wharton, The Children (1928)

Other short texts and critical readings will be available on the course's Moodle

The written exam (in English) lasts 2 hours and consists of the analysis of three short passages from the texts presented in class. In the exam, students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of the content of the texts discussed in class (including the plot), to compare them with each other and discuss them independently, to know the cultural-historical context of the texts, to be able to apply the theoretical tools of criticism, and to be able to reflect on the theoretical debates addressed in the course. The oral exam (about 20 min) is a further assessment of the preparation tested in the written exam. Participation in class discussions will also be positively valued.

written and oral

The minimum grade is 18, the maximum grade is 30 cum laude. The grades will be assigned as follows:
A. band 18-22: sufficient content knowledge; limited ability to discuss independently, limited knowledge of theoretical tools, limited knowledge of the cultural-historical contexts and debates.
B. band 23-26: decent content knowledge; decent ability for independent discussion, decent knowledge of theoretical tools, decent knowledge of the historical-cultural contexts and debates.
C. band 27-30: good content knowledge; good ability for independent discussion; good knowledge of theoretical tools; good knowledge of the cultural-historical contexts and debates.
D. Cum Laude: awarded in case the content knowledge, independent discussion skills and knowledge of the theoretical tools, historical-cultural context and debates are excellent.

Lectures, seminars, and class discussion

English

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development