Syllabi are available for download from the Umbra Institute website only with the purpose of informing students and advisers about course content. All rights are reserved.

ITAL 420: Il Racconto Italiano

Course Syllabus

Fall Semester 2019

Instructor: Francesco Gardenghi Credits: 3 Contact Hours: 45 Prerequisites: B1/B2 Level of the European Framework, equivalent to 210 and 310 courses. Class Hours: TBA Office Hours: TBA Course Type: Course taught exclusively in Italian Lab Fee: None

Descrizione del corso (see English version below): Il corso si propone di offrire uno spaccato della cultura italiana e dei suoi rapidi cambiamenti attraverso il genere del racconto. Si analizzeranno le opere dei più significativi esponenti della narrativa italiana del Novecento. La scelta dei testi si basa su una doppia griglia di lettura, sia storica che tematica, e si prefigge di offrire diversi stili letterari e linguistici. Gli stili presentati saranno legati all’evoluzione culturale e della lingua e a diversi nuclei narrativi: dal racconto verista, a quello psicologico, a quello fantastico. Lo studente deve riuscire ad immergersi e lasciarsi coinvolgere nello svolgimento narrativo, ma anche acquisire un atteggiamento critico che gli permetta di analizzare il testo e di godere sia della perizia costruttiva che delle diverse tecniche narrative. Le tematiche proposte sono incentrate sulla realtà italiana e sulle sue eredità culturali. Lo studente sarà invitato a partecipare attivamente all’incontro con il racconto italiano e a produrre a sua volta scritti che stimolino le proprie abilità creative e linguistiche.

Metodologia (see English version below): Il corso è basato sulla lettura e l’analisi dei testi, sull’esame di differenti tecniche di scrittura e di specifiche caratteristiche costruttive del racconto. Dopo la lettura verrà proposta una discussione critica, atta a sviluppare le capacità analitiche e valutative degli studenti. Gli studenti affineranno infine le loro capacità compositive attraverso la scrittura di propri racconti.

Obiettivi del corso (see English version below): – Introdurre gli studenti ad alcune opere particolarmente rappresentative della letteratura italiana; – Utilizzare con crescente proprietà la lingua italiana leggendo e analizzando i testi e infine scrivendo in italiano; – Conoscere più approfonditamente la cultura italiana; – Apprendere ed analizzare i differenti generi letterari, gli stili, i contenuti, e tecniche di scrittura; e – Acquisire maggiori capacità critiche e creative.

I Syllabi are available for download from the Umbra Institute website only with the purpose of informing students and advisers about course content. All rights are reserved.

Materiale del corso Letture Turchetta, G. (a cura di), Racconti italiani del Novecento, Milano: Edizioni Scolastiche Bruno Mondadori, 2001.

Bibliografia Guido Gozzano Le giuste nozze di serafino Grazia Deledda Il cinghialetto Luigi Pirandello Nell’albergo è morto un tale Luigi Pirandello La casa del Granella Paura e tristezza Il cugino Venanzio Ignazio Silone Un pezzo di pane Leonardo Sciascia Giufà Vanda Beppe Fenoglio Nove lune Pioggia di maggio Una notte a Fiume Aurelio Grimaldi Tema: una storia d’amore Solidarietà eccessiva? Clara Sereni Primavera Stefano Benni La storia di Pronto Soccorso e Beauty Case

Course Description The course Il Racconto Italiano offers an overview of the rapid changes in 20th century Italian culture based on short stories from many of ’s most renowned authors. The reading selection includes a variety of literary and linguistic styles, focusing on realistic, fantasy, and psychological short stories. Students will acquire critical analysis skills by closely examining the texts to uncover themes of cultural heritage in Italy. To encourage linguistic creativity, students will also be required to produce their own short stories.

Methodology The course is based on reading and analysing texts, as well as examining the different writing techniques and the specific constructive characteristics of the stories. After reading each text, a critical discussion will be held to develop and confront the students’ analytical capacity. Different arguments of creative writing will be proposed to aid the students in the creation of their own short stories.

Course Objectives – Introduce students to Italian literature through short stories containing the main features of Italian culture; – Use a growing knowledge of Italian language in reading and analysing texts to write in Italian; – Gain a deeper knowledge of Italian culture; – Learn and analyse different literature genres, styles, and writing techniques; and – Improve student’s critical and creative capacity.

II Syllabi are available for download from the Umbra Institute website only with the purpose of informing students and advisers about course content. All rights are reserved.

Course Materials Reading Turchetta, G. (a cura di), Racconti italiani del Novecento, Milano: Edizioni Scolastiche Bruno Mondadori, 2001.

Bibliography Guido Gozzano Le giuste nozze di serafino Grazia Deledda Il cinghialetto Luigi Pirandello Nell’albergo è morto un tale Luigi Pirandello La casa del Granella Carlo Cassola Paura e tristezza Elsa Morante Il cugino Venanzio Ignazio Silone Un pezzo di pane Leonardo Sciascia Giufà Vasco Pratolini Vanda Beppe Fenoglio Nove lune Alberto Moravia Pioggia di maggio Fulvio Tomizza Una notte a Fiume Aurelio Grimaldi Tema: una storia d’amore Domenico Starnone Solidarietà eccessiva? Clara Sereni Primavera Stefano Benni La storia di Pronto Soccorso e Beauty Case

Assessment Class Participation 20% Composition and Presentation 15% + 5% Mid-Term Exam 30% Final Exam 30%

Grading Letter grades for student work are based on the following percentage scale:

Letter Grade Range Numerical Score Student Performance Equivalent A 93% - 100% Exceptional Excellent A- 90% - 92% B+ B 87% -89% B- 83% - 86% Superior 80% - 82% C+ 77% - 79% C 73% - 76% Satisfactory C- 70% - 72% D+ 67% - 69% D 63% - 66% Low Pass D- 60% - 62% F 59% or less Fail (no credit) III Syllabi are available for download from the Umbra Institute website only with the purpose of informing students and advisers about course content. All rights are reserved.

Course Requirements Grades are based on class participation, composition, presentation, a mid-term exam, and a final exam.

Class Participation (20%) Class participation grades are based on oral contributions to the collective learning experience of the class. Participation means active engagement in the course: being consistently prepared for class (having carefully read and/or written that day’s assignments), asking and responding to questions, offering your own insights and opinions, and attentively listening to others. Reading assignments should be done for the class day they are assigned, filling in the required homework.

Composition and Presentation (15% + 5%) During the semester, students will write various compositions in Italian. At the end of the semester, students will write their own short story based on the study of the racconto structure and on the stories read in class.

Mid-Term Exam (30%) Students will write a critical essay in Italian on the literary pieces read in class.

Final Exam (30%) Students will have to answer two questions on theoretical aspects of the racconto and write a reflection piece on the work done throughout the term.

Attendance Policy Class attendance is mandatory. Students are allowed two “free” absences, which do not need to be justified. It is the students’ responsibility to keep them in case of real necessity (sickness or any other unforeseen inconvenience that may prevent students from being in class). Each additional absence, unless for a very serious reason, will lower the students’ grade by one grade level (i.e., a final grade of a B+ would be lowered to a B).

If students miss class, they are responsible for obtaining class notes from other students and/or for meeting the professor during office hours. It is also the policy of the Institute that any student who has eight or more absences automatically fails the class.

Except in the case of medical emergencies, absences are not accepted when tests are scheduled; tests cannot be made up. Furthermore, scheduled times and dates indicated for exams, quizzes, oral presentations, and any other graded assignments cannot be changed for any reason. Even if more sections of the same class are activated, students may only take exams during the scheduled times and dates for the section they are enrolled in.

Presence during mandatory field trips is especially important for student performance in class. Missing a mandatory field trip, unless for a very serious reason that is communicated to the professor and Umbra Academic Director in a timely manner, will lower students’ final grade by one grade level (i.e., a final grade of a B+ would be lowered to a B).

Academic Integrity All forms of cheating (i.e., copying during exam either from a fellow student or making unauthorized use of notes) and plagiarism (i.e., presenting the ideas or words of another person for academic evaluation without acknowledging the source) will be handled according to the Institute Academic Policy, which can be found in the Umbra Institute Academic Policies and Conduct Guidelines.

IV Syllabi are available for download from the Umbra Institute website only with the purpose of informing students and advisers about course content. All rights are reserved.

Classroom Policy Students are expected to follow the policy of the Institute and demonstrate the appropriate respect for the historical premises that the school occupies. Please note that cell phones must be turned off before the beginning of each class. Computers and other electronic devices cannot be used during class lectures and discussions.

Schedule of Topics, Readings, and Assignments

WEEK 1

History and Development of the Italian Language.

History and Structure of Short Stories in Italy.

Readings Story 1: Le giuste nozze di Serafino – Guido Gozzano, pp. 11-18

WEEK 2

Discussion: Analysis and Considerations of Story 1.

Readings Story 2: Il cinghialetto – Grazia Deledda, pp. 49-54.

Discussion: Analysis and Considerations of Story 2.

Readings Story 3: La casa del Granella (Prima parte) – Luigi Pirandello, pp. 79-87

WEEK 3

Discussion: Analysis and Considerations of Story 3 (Prima parte).

Readings Story 3: La casa del Granella (Seconda parte) – Luigi Pirandello, pp. 87-93

Discussion: Analysis and Considerations of Story 3 (Seconda parte).

Readings Story 4: Nell’albergo è morto un tale – Luigi Pirandello, pp. 31-37

WEEK 4

Discussion: Analysis and Considerations of Story 4.

Readings Story 5: Paura e tristezza – Carlo Cassola, pp. 117-122.

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Discussion: Analysis and Considerations of Story 5.

Readings Story 6: Il cugino Venanzio – Elsa Morante, pp. 225-228

WEEK 5

Discussion: Analysis and Considerations of Story 6.

Readings Story 7: Un pezzo di pane – Ignazio Silone, pp. 247-252

Discussion: Analysis and Considerations of Story 7.

Readings Lettura: Breve storia del Medioevo (photocopy).

WEEK 6

Film: Il nome della rosa di Jean Jaques Anneaud.

Exercises Composition: Consideration about the film.

Discussion and Considerations About the Film in Class.

Exercises Composition: Considerations and impressions about the stories read so far.

WEEK 7

Reading and Considerations of the Compositions. Review

Exercises Story 8: Giufà Part 1 – Leonardo Sciascia, pp. 272-278

MID-TERM EXAM

SEMESTER BREAK

WEEK 8

Reading in Class and Discussion of Story 8: Part 1.

Readings Story 8: Giufà Part 2 – Leonardo Sciascia, pp. 272-278

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WEEK 9

Reading in Class and Discussion of Story 8: Part 2.

Readings Story 9: Vanda – Vasco Pratolini, pp. 123-1

Discussion: Analysis and Considerations of Story 9.

Readings Story 10: Nove lune – Beppe Fenoglio, pp.169-178

WEEK 10

Reading in Class and Discussion of Story 10.

Readings Story 11: Pioggia di maggio – Alberto Moravia, pp.179-184

Discussion: Analysis and Considerations of Story 11.

Readings Story 12: Una Notte a Fiume – Fulvio Tomizza (photocopy)

WEEK 11

Discussion: Analysis and Considerations of Story 12.

Readings Story 13: Tema: una storia d’amore – Aurelio Grimaldi

Discussion: Analysis and Considerations of Story 13.

Readings Stories 14-15: Solidarietà eccessiva – Domenico Starnone (photocopy). Primavera – Clara Sereni (photocopy).

WEEK 12

Discussion: Analysis and Considerations of Story 14-15.

Readings Story 16: La storia di Pronto Soccorso e Beauty Case – Stefano Benni, pp.327-336

Discussion: Analysis and Considerations of Story 16.

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WEEK 13

Writing Short Stories in Groups in Class Using Structures Acquired. Discussion: analysis and considerations of story wrote in class.

Exercises Review and complete whit a different final the last short story. Delivery of your “Racconto”.

Review and Discussion of All Short Stories. Review Test.

WEEK OF FINAL EXAMS AND SPECIAL ACADEMIC EVENTS

The Final Exam and Special Academic Events Calendar will be provided later in the semester.

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