Students

ITL 302 – Contemporary Italian Literature

2018 – S2 External

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Emilio Lomonaco
Contact via emilio.lomonaco@mq.edu.au
AHH L2 North
Monday : 2-3 pm; Wednesday : 2-3 pm
Credit points Credit points
3
Prerequisites Prerequisites
6cp at 200 level including ITL211
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit analyses Italian culture, history and society through the study of key literary works by prominent twentieth century writers and, where possible, their cinematic adaptations. The aim of this unit is to promote fluency in reading Italian and to develop students' skills in critical analysis and introduce students to the basics of academic research including essay writing skills and literary criticism.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • introduce students to Italian literature and literary criticism;
  • deepen students’ cultural and historic understanding of Italy;
  • allow students to develop and consolidate skills in critical analysis and textual interpretation;
  • further students’ linguistic competence through reading and writing in the target language;
  • to develop students’ independent research skills and motivate students to conduct self-directed research of Italian literature for their end-of-semester oral presentation.

General Assessment Information

Indicative examples of assessment tasks will be available on iLearn.

Late Assessment Penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Written assignment 30% No Weeks 5 & 8
Final essay 40% No Week 13
Oral presentation 20% No Week 13
Class participation 10% No Ongoing

Written assignment

Due: Weeks 5 & 8
Weighting: 30%

2 written assignments in Italian, 500 words each


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • introduce students to Italian literature and literary criticism;
  • deepen students’ cultural and historic understanding of Italy;
  • allow students to develop and consolidate skills in critical analysis and textual interpretation;
  • further students’ linguistic competence through reading and writing in the target language;
  • to develop students’ independent research skills and motivate students to conduct self-directed research of Italian literature for their end-of-semester oral presentation.

Final essay

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 40%

1 final essay in Italian, 1500 words


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • introduce students to Italian literature and literary criticism;
  • deepen students’ cultural and historic understanding of Italy;
  • allow students to develop and consolidate skills in critical analysis and textual interpretation;
  • further students’ linguistic competence through reading and writing in the target language;
  • to develop students’ independent research skills and motivate students to conduct self-directed research of Italian literature for their end-of-semester oral presentation.

Oral presentation

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 20%

1 Oral presentation

 

Oral Presentation      Due: week 13

The student will present to the class another work of one of the three authors. (That includes short stories, bookchapters, screenplay or a filmversion representing or illustrating an important aspect of the authors studied.

Your presentation should be delivered freely (not read from notes) and last no longer than 7 minutes. At the end of the presentation one student and the tutor, will ask one question each (two questions in total) about the author/topic presented.

You should prepare a handout (ie. photocopy page(s) from the work to be presented). Please let your tutor have the materials ahead of time, so that photocopies can be made before the class starts.

External students will be assessed via Zoom or over the phone.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • introduce students to Italian literature and literary criticism;
  • deepen students’ cultural and historic understanding of Italy;
  • allow students to develop and consolidate skills in critical analysis and textual interpretation;
  • further students’ linguistic competence through reading and writing in the target language;
  • to develop students’ independent research skills and motivate students to conduct self-directed research of Italian literature for their end-of-semester oral presentation.

Class participation

Due: Ongoing
Weighting: 10%

-
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • introduce students to Italian literature and literary criticism;
  • deepen students’ cultural and historic understanding of Italy;
  • allow students to develop and consolidate skills in critical analysis and textual interpretation;
  • further students’ linguistic competence through reading and writing in the target language;
  • to develop students’ independent research skills and motivate students to conduct self-directed research of Italian literature for their end-of-semester oral presentation.

Delivery and Resources

Required Texts

This course introduces students to three important Italian writers: Luigi Pirandello, Leonardo Sciascia e Alessandro Baricco. The novels studied in this course provide opportunities to reflect on key issues of Italian culture and society from the end of the XVIII century to the end of the XX century.

Pirandello, Luigi. Il fu Mattia Pascal – Oscar Moderni - Mondadori, I ed. 2016, ISBN 978-88-04-66807-7

Sciascia, Leonardo. Il giorno della civetta – Gli Adelphi – ed. 2018  ISBN 978-88-459-1675-5

Baricco, Alessandro. Novecento – Universale Economica Feltrinelli, ed. 2017  ISBN 978-88-07-88088-9

Suggested Readings

On Pirandello

Caputi Anthony    Pirandello and the crisis of modern consciousness, 1998

Bassanese Fiora A. Understanding Luigi Pirandello, 1997

Strong Cincotta Madeleine  Luigi Pirandello: the humorous existentialist, 1989

Luigi Pirandello    The late Mattia Pascal  - Translated by William Weaver, 1995/2005

Bondanella P. / Ciccarelli  A. The Cambridge Companion to the Italian Novel,  2003

On Sciascia

Leonardo Sciascia    The day of the owl, 1987

Fano Nicola    Come leggere Il giorno della civetta – Mursia Editore, 1993

Porzio D. /Sciascia L.  Fuoco all’anima: Conversazioni con Domenico Porzio/Leonardo Sciascia,    1992

TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED

Online Unit

Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/

Is my unit in iLearn?: http://help.ilearn.mq.edu.au/unitsonline/ to check when your online unit will become available.

Technology

Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.

For students attending classes on campus we strongly encourage that you bring along your own laptop computer, ready to work with activities in your online unit. The preferred operating system is Windows 10.

Students are required to access the online unit in iLearn by the end of Week 1 and follow any relevant instructions and links for downloads that may be required. If applicable, students are required to download the relevant language package prior to Week 2.

Please contact your course convenor before the end of Week 1 if you do not have a suitable laptop (or tablet) for in-class use.

Unit Schedule

 

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • introduce students to Italian literature and literary criticism;
  • allow students to develop and consolidate skills in critical analysis and textual interpretation;
  • further students’ linguistic competence through reading and writing in the target language;
  • to develop students’ independent research skills and motivate students to conduct self-directed research of Italian literature for their end-of-semester oral presentation.

Assessment tasks

  • Written assignment
  • Final essay
  • Oral presentation
  • Class participation

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • to develop students’ independent research skills and motivate students to conduct self-directed research of Italian literature for their end-of-semester oral presentation.

Assessment tasks

  • Written assignment
  • Final essay
  • Oral presentation
  • Class participation

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • introduce students to Italian literature and literary criticism;
  • deepen students’ cultural and historic understanding of Italy;
  • allow students to develop and consolidate skills in critical analysis and textual interpretation;
  • further students’ linguistic competence through reading and writing in the target language;
  • to develop students’ independent research skills and motivate students to conduct self-directed research of Italian literature for their end-of-semester oral presentation.

Assessment tasks

  • Written assignment
  • Final essay
  • Oral presentation
  • Class participation

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • introduce students to Italian literature and literary criticism;
  • deepen students’ cultural and historic understanding of Italy;
  • allow students to develop and consolidate skills in critical analysis and textual interpretation;
  • further students’ linguistic competence through reading and writing in the target language;
  • to develop students’ independent research skills and motivate students to conduct self-directed research of Italian literature for their end-of-semester oral presentation.

Assessment tasks

  • Written assignment
  • Final essay
  • Oral presentation
  • Class participation

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • introduce students to Italian literature and literary criticism;
  • deepen students’ cultural and historic understanding of Italy;
  • allow students to develop and consolidate skills in critical analysis and textual interpretation;
  • further students’ linguistic competence through reading and writing in the target language;
  • to develop students’ independent research skills and motivate students to conduct self-directed research of Italian literature for their end-of-semester oral presentation.

Assessment tasks

  • Written assignment
  • Final essay
  • Oral presentation
  • Class participation

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • introduce students to Italian literature and literary criticism;
  • allow students to develop and consolidate skills in critical analysis and textual interpretation;
  • further students’ linguistic competence through reading and writing in the target language;
  • to develop students’ independent research skills and motivate students to conduct self-directed research of Italian literature for their end-of-semester oral presentation.

Assessment tasks

  • Written assignment
  • Final essay
  • Oral presentation
  • Class participation

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • introduce students to Italian literature and literary criticism;
  • allow students to develop and consolidate skills in critical analysis and textual interpretation;
  • further students’ linguistic competence through reading and writing in the target language;
  • to develop students’ independent research skills and motivate students to conduct self-directed research of Italian literature for their end-of-semester oral presentation.

Assessment tasks

  • Written assignment
  • Final essay
  • Oral presentation
  • Class participation

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • introduce students to Italian literature and literary criticism;
  • deepen students’ cultural and historic understanding of Italy;
  • allow students to develop and consolidate skills in critical analysis and textual interpretation;
  • further students’ linguistic competence through reading and writing in the target language;
  • to develop students’ independent research skills and motivate students to conduct self-directed research of Italian literature for their end-of-semester oral presentation.

Assessment tasks

  • Written assignment
  • Final essay
  • Oral presentation
  • Class participation

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • deepen students’ cultural and historic understanding of Italy;

Assessment tasks

  • Written assignment
  • Final essay
  • Oral presentation
  • Class participation

Changes since First Published

Date Description
27/07/2018 Updated unit convenor details.
19/07/2018 Sone dates edited