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Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


PL20779: Italian culture in the 20th Century

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 2
Click here for further information Assessment: CW33ES67
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: Supplementary assessment information not currently available (this will be added shortly)
Click here for further information Requisites:
Click here for further information Description: Aims:
To build on the textual and cultural awareness acquired in Year 1 and on the knowledge of social and political issues and transformations studied in the Year 2 Semester 1 unit Italy since 1945; to provide an overview of Italian cultural production in the 20th Century; to develop students' skills in analysing and interpreting dramatic, literary and cinematic texts.

Learning Outcomes:
On completion of this unit, students should:
1) have in-depth knowledge of the major cultural trends in 20th Century Italy;
2) be familiar with theories relating to these issues;
3) be familiar with the major intellectual debates of the period;
4) be able to produce critical analyses of the set texts and films.

Skills:
Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, teamwork and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are taught and assessed in this unit. Skills in effective learning and language skills are developed in this unit.

Content:
Lectures and seminars will address 20th Century Italian literary and cultural developments by means of key examples of drama, narrative and film. Set prose texts will cover decadentismo, neorealism, women's writing in the 1970s, and the 1990s giovani cannibali writers. Cinematic representations by 1960s and contemporary film directors will focus on the social and political changes affecting Italy between the 1960s and the 1990s.
Prose texts include a play and three novels:
* Luigi Pirandello, Sei personaggi in cerca d'autore (1921)
* Ignazio Silone, Fontamara (1933, 1949)
* Dacia Maraini, Donna in guerra (1975)
* Aldo Nove, Superwoobinda (1998)
Four films, to be chosen from the following:
* Federico Fellini, La dolce vita (1960)
* Luchino Visconti. Rocco e i suoi fratelli (1960)
* Francesco Rosi, Tre fratelli (1981)
* Nanni Moretti, Caro Diario (1995)
* Nanni Moretti, Aprile (1998)
* Marco Tullio Giordana, I cento passi (2001)
* Paolo Sorrentino, Il divo (2008)
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

PL20779 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB16 : BA (hons) Italian (ab initio) and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AYB14 : BA (hons) Italian and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AYB08 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and ab initio Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AYB04 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AYB06 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (German and ab initio Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AYB02 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (German and Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AYB20 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (Spanish and ab initio Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 2
  • UHPL-AYB19 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (Spanish and Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 2

NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.