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| Unit name |
Magic Realism |
| Unit code |
ITAL20028 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
I/5
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
|
| Unit director |
Professor. Glynn |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None
|
| School/department |
Department of Italian |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Arts |
Description including Unit Aims
This unit introduces students to the genre of magic realism and the way in which a selection of Italian writers have used the language of the fantastic to address major issues concerning personal identity, Italian history and society.
It begins by exploring Primo Levi's use of the genre in his short stories to confront the memory of violence/persecution and the threat posed by relentless scientific innovation. The course then looks at Italo Calvino's Il barone rampante, and its exploration of the memory of the Resistance, the disappointment of post-war politics and the validity of idealism through the fantastic adventures of Cosimo di Rond�. This is followed by Anna Maria Ortese's account of the voyage of Conte Daddo and the relationship between humanity and nature in Liguana. The course concludes by examining the use of comedy, social satire and magic realism in selected short stories by the best-selling author, Stefano Benni.
Aims:
- To introduce students to a significant body of knowledge of a complexity appropriate to second year level. The content matter will normally include one or more of the following: literature; social, cultural or political history; linguistics; cultural studies; film, television or other media.
- To facilitate students engagement with a body of literature, including secondary literature, texts, including in non-print media, primary sources and ideas as a basis for their own analysis and development. Normally many or most of these sources will be in a language other than English and will enhance the development of their linguistic skills.
- To develop further skills of synthesis, analysis and independent research, building on the skills acquired in units at level C.
- Some options may prepare students for the experience of the Year Abroad.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Successful students will:
- be knowledgeable about a significant cultural, historical or linguistic subject related to the language they are studying;
- be skilled in the selection and synthesis of relevant material;
- be able to evaluate and analyse relevant material from a significant body of source materials, usually in a foreign language, at a high level;
- be able to respond to questions or problems by presenting their independent judgements in an appropriate style and at an high level of complexity;
- be able to transfer these skills to other working environments, including study at a foreign university and on work placements during the year abroad.
Teaching Information
2 x 1hr slots weekly.
Assessment Information
Method of assessment: one assessed essay (3,000 words )(75%), and one assessed class presentation (15mins)(25%). Students are also required to do a short formative piece of work.
Reading and References
Set Texts:
- Primo Levi, I racconti (Turin: Einaudi, 1996).
- Italo Calvino, Il barone rampante (Milan: Mondadori, 2003 [1957]).
- Anna Maria Ortese, Liguana (Milan: Adelphi, 1997 [1965]).
- Stefano Benni, Il bar sotto il mare (Milan: Feltrinelli, 1987).
Preparatory Reading:
- Maggie Ann Bowers, Magic(al) Realism (London: Routledge, 2004).
