World Literature: Italian Family in Lit and Film

Selected topics in the literature of Italy. Readings and discussion of representational work in English translation. No knowledge of Italian is necessary. May repeat for credit with different content. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years.

Open to Degree and PACE students

Paolo Pucci ppucci@uvm.edu 512Waterman Office hrs: + by appointment • Meeting days: ◦ Meeting time: ◦ Class location: Course Description: This interdisciplinary course focuses on the representations of the Italian family and society in novels and movies from the end of WWI until today. This broad topic is broken up into several specific categories: Sibling relationships, family responses to historical challenges (Anti-Semitism and Fascism) and physical difficulties (a disabled family member), the relationship between teenagers and adults, and alternative family configurations (same-sex unions). The course consists of reading and analysis (in the form of lectures, class discussions, and reaction papers) of the selected works of fiction and films examined against the corresponding historical background. In WLIT 1450B, a 3-credit course, a student should expect to work at least 6 hours a week outside of the classroom. Course Objectives: By the end of WLIT 1450B, you will be able to - Identify a literary text’s and film’s main themes and make reasonable assertions about their meaning against the historical context; - Recognize and interpret images and symbols to infer their relationship to the main themes of the text; - Generate argument summaries of secondary literature texts; - Write an analytical essay on previously discussed literary texts/films and their authors; - Develop skills for independent research through the ‘scaffolding’ process applied during the semester; - Acquire awareness of exclusion vs inclusion dynamics implemented by mainstream Italian society against, or in favor of, groups historically marginalized for reasons of race, ethnicity, disability, gender identities, sexualities. Requirements: Daily preparation. Active class participation. Reaction papers: Each student will hand in 3 reaction papers. All written work must be in Times Roman 12, double spaced, and 1” each margin. Required Textbooks: Vasco Pratolini, Family Chronicle. New York: Italica Press, 1988 Giorgio Bassani, The Garden of the Finzi-Continis. New York: Everyman’s Library, 2005 Elsa Morante, Arturo’s Island. South Royalton, VT: Steerforth Italia, 2002 Movies: Links on Brightspace Emanuele Crialese, Respiro: Grazia’s Island, 2002 Gianni Amelio, The Keys to the House, 2004 Ferzan Ozpetek, His Secret Life, 2001 Grading Policy: Class participation 20% Outline and Annotated Bibliography of Final Research Paper 10% Final Research Paper 20% Midterm 15% 1 Paper 20% Presentation 15%