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ITAL30340

Academic Year 2024/2025

Contemporary Italian Texts (ITAL30340)

Subject:
Italian
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Languages, Cultures & Linguis
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Mara Josi
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

‘Rupture’ Writings: War, Memory, and Representability

Two world wars. Two authors: a man and a woman - a soldier and an anarchist - and their rupture writings. This module explores the concept of rupture writing, examining how Giuseppe Ungaretti and Elsa Morante depict their experiences of war through innovative forms and fragmented and multifaceted narratives. By disrupting conventional literary strategies and structures, language, and thematic expectations, these authors offer new perspectives on the war experience addressing questions of vulnerability, precariousness, displacement, discrimination, segregation, and sexism. The collection of poems L’allegria (1931) by Ungaretti and the historical novel La Storia. Romanzo (1974) by Morante will be discussed as prime examples of rupture writing in 20th-century Italian literature and will be read against their historical context and cultural setting.
The module delves into trauma theory to explore how war, violence, and physical and psychological wounds are differently translated into poetry and prose. It also introduces principles of intersemiotic translation, to consider how traumatic experiences narrated in literature can be reworked and transposed into other modes of expression: film, visual art, and music, for example.

Content Warning: This module discusses images, texts, and screenings of a disturbing nature including but not limited to racism, discrimination, violence, self-harm, and representations of war.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
- Engage in analytical discussion on 20th-century Italian literature, focusing on the concept of rupture writing:
- Critically evaluate two canonical authors of 20th-century Italian literature through innovative and interdisciplinary frameworks;
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the transformation of the literary representation of traumas of war;
- Analyse and discuss the application of strategies of intersemiotic translation;
- Use empirical evidence to support synthetic conclusions and interpretations;
- Effectively navigate library, electronic, and online resources to conduct independent research and select material judiciously;
- Actively and constructively participate in group activities.

Indicative Module Content:

Indicative Module Content:

Week 1: Lecture - Introduction to the Module; Tutorial - Trauma and Literature. Mind mapping.

Week 2: Lecture - Futurism and World War I; Tutorial - Representing War in Poetry. Group discussion on extracts from poetry of World War I

Week 3: Lecture - Rupture Writings I: Giuseppe Ungaretti’s L’allegria (1931); Tutorial - Mattina. Close reading and introduction to intersemiotic translation

Week 4: Lecture - Self-portrait of a Soldier (analysis of I fiumi; Sono una creatura; Girovago); Tutorial - Evolving Experiences of War. Literature jigsaw. (analysis of In memoria, Veglia; Natale)

Week 5: Lecture - Precariousness and Vulnerability (analysis of Fratelli; Soldati; San Martino sul Carso); Tutorial - Formative Assessment. Poster presentation: Intersemiotic translation of a poem by Ungaretti

Week 6: Revision; Class Test: (25%): Multiple-choice and open-ended questions

Week 7: Lecture - Fascism and World War II; Tutorial - Representing War in Prose. Group discussion on extracts from (post-) World War II prose

Reading Week

Week 8: Lecture - Rupture Writings II: Elsa Morante’s La Storia. Romanzo (1974); Tutorial - Facts and Fiction. Survey of paratextual elements and close reading of section 1 of Chapter 19**

Week 9: Lecture - Against the Patriarchive; Tutorial - Disruptive Narratives of the Resistance and the Axis War. Reading circle

Week 10: Lecture - Multiple Perceptions of War Traumas (Ida, Nino, and Davide Segre); Tutorial - Formative Assessment. Poster presentation: Intersemiotic translation of Useppe’s traumas

Week 11: Lecture - Traumas of Rome: Bombing and Deportation; Tutorial - Comparative Analysis. Ungaretti’s poems from Il Dolore (1947) and Chapter 1943 from La Storia. Romanzo

Week 12: Revision; How (not) to use AI. Workshop.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

43
Autonomous Student Learning

43
Lectures

12
Seminar (or Webinar)

12
Total

110

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures and tutorials will focus on in-depth discussions of core texts and critical readings, supplemented by interactive exercises, textual and paratextual analysis, and intersemiotic translation. The course prioritises active, task-based, and case-based learning, incorporating group work as an integral component of the learning process. Active class participation is strongly encouraged, with students expected to fully engage with the materials provided on the educational platform each week.
The module encourages critical thinking and empathy, preparing students to engage with complex societal issues and making them more informed, active, and responsible citizens.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Quizzes/Short Exercises: In-Class Test: A combination of multiple-choice and open-ended questions on L’allegria in Week 6 (25%). Traffic light system: Red. Week 6 Graded No
25
 No
Exam (Take-Home): Video Commentary: A 7-minute critical video commentary on La Storia is due in Week 12 (25%), which needs to be accompanied by a 500-word explanatory rationale Traffic light system: Amber. Week 12 Graded No
25
 No
Exam (Take-Home): Essay: A 2,500-word essay is due at the end of the term (50%). Students can choose one out of five essay questions, which will be shared by week 10. Traffic light system: Amber. Week 15 Graded No
50
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Class test results will be discussed during the final part of the module without identifying individual students, focusing instead on important issues such as common misconceptions, challenging concepts, and difficulties with written expression. Additionally, further individual feedback can be provided upon request. Individual feedback on the Video Commentary and the Essay will be available within 20 days of submission.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Fri 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 15:00 - 15:50
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