Loyola University Chicago

Dr. Sergio Corsi

scorsi@luc.edu

Office Hours: MTuW by appointment

Course Description:  This course will focus on Dante and the Medieval world. The Divine Comedy is the founding text of Italian literature and one of the most influential masterpieces in the Western tradition. We will study the Vita Nuova as precursor of the Divine Comedy and then go on to read key cantos from the Inferno, the Purgatorio, and the Paradiso. The objective  of this course is twofold: first, to help the students comprehend Dante’s poetic world in the context of Medieval culture and, second, to make them aware of the critical process itself.

General Learning Outcomes:

1.  To develop, through oral and written communication, reading and analytical skills appropriate to the study of literature.

2.  To provide the student with the opportunity, both in and out of class, to practice writing clear, concise and effective prose.

3.  To introduce basic concepts of literary criticism.

4.  To develop the practice of reading literary texts within their social, historical and cultural contexts.

5.  To explore the relationship of literature to other disciplines.

6.   To broaden the student’s understanding of the multifaceted relationship of literature to society as mediator, mirror, interpreter and critique.

7.  To deepen the student’s understanding of the ethical implications in literature of the depiction of self and others.

8.  To encourage students to discover the pleasure of reading.

Core Program Literary Knowledge Learning Outcomes:

a.  Acquire the critical and technical vocabulary enabling them to describe and analyze, and formulate an argument about Italian masterpieces and about literary narratives and types (e.g., historical novel, psychological novel,  experimental novel).

b.  Assess how formal qualities of Italian  masterpieces determine the nature of the experience offered and affect the response of the audience. Students should be able to distinguish and recognize formal aspects of literary Realism.

c.  Examine multiple interpretive possibilities of Italian literary works, and know that such interpretations  change over time. 

d.  Assess the relationships of Italian literature to the cultural-historical contexts in which they were created.

Core Program  Writing Skills Learning Outcomes:

a.  Write clearly and effectively in a variety of forms:  description, analysis, informal journals, discussion-point papers, and formal persuasive essays. This will include in-class writing: responses to specific reading questions as well as in-class essay writing (interpretive).

b.  Discuss and criticize both the works studied and other students' responses thereto, orally and in writing, the latter both extemporaneously and with preparation.  Students will be expected to follow writing guidelines, and to critique the works of others according to those guidelines.

c.  Revise all formal writing assignments for the course, with careful attention paid to precision and clarity of language and argument and resubmit to the professor.

d.  Write honestly and clearly at all times, adhering to the standards of academic integrity laid down in the syllabus.  They will also treat others' points of view with fairness and respect, both orally and in writing.

COURSE FORMAT:

A combination of lectures, close textual analysis, discussion of student writing and general class discussion of the issues raised by the texts.

READING ASSIGNMENTS:

Students are expected to have completed reading assignments by date noted on syllabus. The grade for the course earned by class participation will depend on attendance and preparation.

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS:

The teacher will make suggestions for topics, and the students are free to write on a subject or issue that is of particular interest to them, as long as it pertains to the course. The student’s progress in the course depends on a process of writing, receiving comments, and revision. Papers and journal assignments must be handed in on time: failure to conform to this rule will affect the portion of the grade earned for writing.

Text:

The Portable Dante. Translated, Edited and with an Introduction by Mark Musa.

New York: Penguin Books (Penguin Classics), 1995 and 2003.

• Daily attendance and active participation in class are vital factors in determining the student’s performance;
• the student is welcome to see the instructor at regular office hours or by appointment when additional help is needed;
• students are invited to prepare all readings before  discussion in class;
• topics for the papers are to be discussed with the instructor before writing: these present such a wide spectrum that the choice will rest ultimately on the  student.

Statement of Academic Honesty:

“Pursuit of truth is the prime activity in a  university community.  As a member of this community each student pledges to maintain standards of honesty and integrity in academic work.  On exams, students must rely exclusively upon their knowledge.  On papers, students must document sources of secondary information including any internet sources and any source of personal assistance. Failure to comply with these standards will result in a failing grade.”

Grading:                    

The course grade will be determined as follows:

• classroom participation                25%
• first paper (4-5 pages)                 10%
• first examination                         15%
• second paper (6-8 pages)            20%
• second examination                     30%

Grading Scale:  A= 94-100; A-= 90-93.9;  B+=86-89.9; B=83-85.9; B-=80-82.9; C+=76-79.9;

C=73-75.9; C-=70-72.9; D+=66-69.9; D=60-65.9; F=59.9 and below.