Introduction to Italian Culture and Literature



The first hour of this course analyzes and discusses some of the most significant cultural moments in Italian civilization through a series of discussions and debates based on important trends, leading figures and controversial and classical topics. In the second hour, students will discuss texts spanning all periods of Italian literature and exploring all major literary forms: poetry, prose (narrative and expositional), and theater (in prose and in verse). Students will gain an understanding of the sweep of Italian literature, while sharpening their reading and analytical skills, as well as their ability to express themselves in Italian.



Required Texts: Letteratura italiana per stranieri. Nuova edizione a cura di: Paolo E. Balboni - Anna Biguzzi. (ISBN 978-88-557-0096-2)

Il sentiero dei nidi di ragno. Italo Calvino. Milano: Mondadori. (ISBN 9788804375913)

Minchia di re. Giacomo Pilati. Milano: Mursia, 2004 (ISBN 9788842544203)

Additional material for the course will be provided by the Instructor



* Students are also required to participate in all the workshops offered in the evening for their level and to participate in the Diction & Pronunciation and in the workshops offered in the evening for this level.