Lecture Course SANTA REPARATA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF ART Course Syllabus Semester: SPRING 2018 th Course Title: 14 Century Italian Literature: Dante, Petrarca, Boccaccio Course Number: ENGL 287 Meeting Times: Mondays 10:45-12:05 Location: Room 207, Main Campus Instructor: Professor Lorenzo Pubblici Ph.D. E-mail: [email protected] Office Hours: Wednesdays 1pm-2pm, but don’t hesitate writing for any problem or doubt to my email address. 1. COURSE DESCRIPTION This course focuses on the origin of Italian literary language and poetry. Special attention will be given to Dante’s Divina Commedia, Petrarca’s Canzoniere and Boccaccio’s Decameron; the three masterpieces of Italian and European literature. The study of selected works and authors will be combined with readings and discussions conducted by the instructor in English, though students will be constantly referring to the original texts. This course will provide a basic but exhaustive outline of medieval history, thought, and aspects concerning everyday life. Students will begin by briefly examining the birth and development of the Italian language. They will then study the rise of secular verse as well as newer literary topics such as profane love and the observation of nature. This will be followed by the study of everyday speech in the literary language. These themes and others will be discussed as the class studies the masterpieces of this period. 2. CONTENT INTRODUCTION This is a course for students who are interested in Italian literature, culture and civilization. The th literature of the 14 century is key to understanding Italian and European history from the st Middle Ages to the 21 century. Particular attention will be given to politics, ideology as well as the art and life of this historical time. The course will begin with an historical outline of Europe th and Italy, from antiquity through to the 14 Century. Students will read literary texts, poetry and prose, presented in English translation, but constantly compared with the original Italian version. Students will study the Italian and European literary tradition, which is crucial for a deep comprehension of Italian civilization and artistic sensibility. Dante's poem, in particular, represents a unique synthesis of Medieval culture, for its integration of ethics, political thought, and theology with poetic imagination. 3. PREREQUISITES English Composition course. 4. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES At the successful completion of this course students should have: th • A thorough knowledge of 14 century Italian literature • The ability to analyze poetic texts, in comparison with the Italian original editions • An understanding of costumes, tradition and Medieval Italian life, with a reflection on the cultural development in the western world • The ability to read and reflect on literature as a language, to search out their own approaches to literature and to draw connections between various facets of Italian th culture of the 14 centuries, such as history, art and architecture. 5. REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS Reading assignments will be given during the course. An Italian vocabulary is recommended. 6. GRADING POLICY AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES Your final grade will be based on the following percentages: 20% Attendance/Class participation 15% First paper 20% Midterm exam 15% Second paper 30% Final exam Following grading system will be observed: A Excellent 4.0 (grade points awarded) 95% percentage of 100% A- 3.7, (90% to 94%) B+ 3.3 (87% to 89%) B Above Average 3.0 (83% to 86%) B- 2.7 (80% to 82%) C+ 2.3 (77% to 80%) C Average 2.0 (73% to 76%) C- 1.7 (70% to 72%) D Below Average 1.0 (60% to 69%) F Failure 0.0 (59% and below) W Withdrawal 0.0 7. EXAMS There are a Midterm and a Final Exams. No make-ups are admitted for the exams and the dates of the exams CANNOT be changed for any reason, if a student misses the Final exam the final grade will be “F”. Two papers: Midterm and Final exam. One looking assignment on a student topic choice. 8. ATTENDANCE AND BEHAVIOR POLICY Students are required to attend all classes. If you miss class without an excused absence your grade will be lowered by one letter grade for each unexcused absence. If you are ill you should obtain a doctor's note in order to receive an excused absence. Missing more than four classes will result in an “F” on your transcript. • Excused absences require a doctor's note or a written note from the Director. • Tardiness: After 20 minutes into class time, students are considered absent. • Students who leave 20 minutes before class time ends will be considered absent. • Arriving in class unprepared to work is considered an unexcused absence. • The use of cellular phones is prohibited during class time. • Students are expected to participate in class, act responsibly, and behave properly while on the school premises. • Classrooms are to be left in order and clean. • Students must take care of equipment and materials and promptly report any damage and/or loss. Students are expected to participate in class, act responsibly, and behave properly while on the school premises. Classrooms are to be left in order and clean. Students must take care of equipment and materials and promptly report any damage and/or loss. 9. COURSE CALENDAR st 1 week January 15 – 18 General introduction of the Middle Ages and the Medieval Italian literature, from the th origins to the 14 century nd 2 week January 22 – 25 The Stilnovo and Dante Alighieri rd 3 week January 29- February 1 rt The Divina Commedia: structure, contents and poetry 4 week February 5 - 8 The Divina Commedia: structure, contents and poetry. Inferno: readings of selected passages text rt 5 week February 12 - 15 th The Divina Commedia. Purgatorio: readings of selected passages. 6 week February 19 - 22 th The Divina Commedia: Paradiso: readings of selected passages text 7 week February 26 – March 1 General review for the Midterm exam Midterm Exam: March 1st th th 8 week : March 2- 11 Spring break 9 week March 12 – 16 Petrarca and his poetry th 10 week March 19 - 22 th Reading of selected poems from the Canzoniere. 11 week March 26 - 29. Boccaccio and his age. th 12 week April 3 - 5 The Decameron. th 13 week April 9 - 12 th The Decameron: reading and analysis of selected novels 14 week April 16- 19 General review for the Final exam th 15 week April 23 - 25 Final exam: April 24 10. DISCLAIMER This syllabus may be amended as the course proceeds you will be informed ahead of time. .