The main aim is to invite students to look into a selection of twentiethcentury
novels and poetry, and to participate in certain of the major
debates that have animated twentieth-century literature and criticism.
Starting from the variety of historical contexts in which the literary texts
and the critical debates have arisen, the course attends in detail some of
the most intriguing texts of the twentieth century and the debates that
followed their publication. The course unit is organized into two modules,
with each module focussing on a particular literary genre (prose and
poetry).
For each literary text, the course will undertake a close analysis of its
literary language; examine its historical context(s); discuss competing its
critical reception to the general debates covered in the module. The
objective is that the student should feel encouraged to develop his/her
own readings of the texts by combining close critical analysis and
historical contextualisation, in relation to the relevant critical and
theoretical perspectives.
Abilities:
At the end of the course, students will be able to read critically and
analyze some of the fundamental texts of the British canon in the original
language.
Self-assessment:
Students will have to acquire sufficient skills in order to give a critical
response to the texts proposed and their contexts
Communicative Skills:
Students will have to use appropriate language and speak of texts,
contexts, topics and writing strategies connected to the primary texts
also in relations to other literatures and cultures.
An upper-intermediate/advanced level of English is required in order to
attend lectures and participate into the course unit's activities.