Italian Text Study and Literary Theory Analysis

ECTS Credits

15

Level of Study

Master

Teaching semester

Fall

Place of Instruction

Bergen and online

Objectives and Content

ITAL302 aims to give students extended knowledge of Italian literature and to practice a critical and independent understanding of central questions in the study of literature. The course also aims to give insight into selected and central literary theories.

The course is comprised of two components: a theoretical and methodological part, and a literary part. The main purpose if the course is to provide central theories and methods that are relevant to Italian literary studies.

Moreover, the course provides broader insight into Italian literature through a submersion into a selection of literary works. In this way, the course aims to provide students with a better basis for the choice and theoretical frame for the master¿s thesis.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge The student should

• have a understanding of selected theories in modern literary studies
• have gained knowledge of methods that are relevant for literary theses and questions
• have gained specialized knowledge on individual works of fiction, topics and genres, as well as the cultural and historical framework they are a part of

Skills The student should

• be able to work independently with topics of the basis of insight into the field
• be able to evaluate the relevance of the theories and methods that have been discussed, in relation to a concrete question or thesis- be able to use the theoretical tools that have been acquired through textual analysis in an independent manner

General competence The student should

• be able to complete a theoretically demanding project with several dimensions
• be able to work independently with analytical issues related to the subject matter
• be proficient in high level Italian

Required Previous Knowledge

Bachelor¿s degree with specialization in Italian, or the equivalent.

Recommended Previous Knowledge

Italian 100- and 200-levels, or equivalent.

Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

None

Access to the Course

The course is open to all students who have been admitted to the master's program in Italian at the University of Bergen

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures and seminars with exercises. Approximately 4 hours per week for 10 weeks. The teaching will be both on campus and online (hybrid).

In the case that less than five students register for a course, the organized teaching may be adapted to fit the number of students. If this occurs, students will be informed at the start of the semester, and before the registration deadline 1 February/1 September.

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

In the course of the semester the student must hold an oral presentation of about 10-15 minutes. The term paper is supervised, and the students must complete a mandatory tutorial with the course instructor in order to be allowed to submit the paper. The topic for the oral presentation and the term paper cannot be the same.

The presentation must be passed and the tutorial must be completed in the same semester in order to qualify to sit for the exam of the course.

Compulsory assignments are only valid in the instruction semester.

Forms of Assessment

The exam has two components:

1. A supervised term paper, which must be submitted by 1 December (or first week day after this date), of about 4000 words, written in Italian.
2. An oral exam where the question for the conversation can be taken from any part of the reading list from the course. The candidate may choose to do the oral exam either at campus or digitally.

The term paper and the oral exam both counts for 50 percent of the grade.

Students who receive an F on the term paper, will not be eligible for the oral exam. Students who receive an F at the oral exam, receive an F for the course as a whole. Both components of the exam must be completed in the same semester.

Examination Support Material

None

Grading Scale

The department uses a grading scale ranging from A to F. F is a failing grade.

Assessment Semester

Fall.

Reading List

Information about the selection of literature can found at all times in the reading list online. The reading list will be made ready within 1 June for the fall semester.

Course Evaluation

The course will be evaluated in accordance with University of Bergen¿s quality assurance system.

Programme Committee

The Programme Board is responsible for the academic content and structure of the study program, and for the quality of all the subjects therein.

Course Coordinator

Program Board for Italian

Course Administrator

The Department of Foreign Languages at the Faculty of Humanities has the administrative responsibility for the course and the study program.