Italian literature history

from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance

The course provides an introduction to the history of Italian literature from its origins to the end of the Cinquecento.

It combines chronological, geographical, and genre-based approaches to offer an overview of the major 'currents' and authors of medieval and Renaissance Italian literature. The methods of constructing literary history, issues related to manuscript texts, and the formation of the Italian literary canon from its origins to the 16th century will be addressed.

Selected excerpts from works will be analyzed in class to illustrate key paradigmatic features of the periods, works and authors under consideration.

from the Baroque period to the 20th century

The course aims to focus on significant literary movements and texts, extracts of which will be commented on in class, which are crucial in a specific historical context ranging from the late eighteenth century to the twentieth century (A. Manzoni, G. Leopardi, G. Verga, L. Pirandello, E. Montale, etc.).
Students will be able to focus on Antonio Tabucchi.

from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance

By the end of the course, the student will be able to:

- situate the discussed works and authors in time and space,

- trace the history of a literary genre,

- provide an overview of a specific period or place,

- recognize and comment on the excerpts studied,

- define the terms, notions, and concepts introduced in the course,

- compare the texts and authors,

- summarize the work read, highlight its key characteristics, and link it to a period, trend, or movement.

from the Baroque period to the 20th century

At the end of this course, students will have acquired a knowledge of the Italian historical framework and will have understood the transformations of Italian literature in relation to socio-cultural changes. In particular, they will be able to situate authors historically and analyse and comment on the texts taught.

from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance

Passive and active proficiency in the Italian language.

from the Baroque period to the 20th century

Passive and active competence in the Italian language

from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance

The student will be required to conduct research and readings to complement the course (works, excerpts from textbooks and encyclopedias).

A weekly one-hour conversation session, led by the Italian language assistant, is offered to students to support their language practice.

Cultural activities (screenings, performances, lectures, visits, etc.) may be organized. If applicable, these will be an integral part of the course program and may be subject to evaluation. Organizational details will be communicated to students in due time.

from the Baroque period to the 20th century

Students will be required to do additional reading.

Optional practical exercises may be organised by student monitors to practise fluency of expression.

from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance

Face-to-face course


Further information:

The course is taught exclusively in person, with one session in the first semester (Monday, September 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and seven sessions in the second semester.

Varied teaching methods, in Italian: traditional lectures, participatory sessions, and flipped classroom.

from the Baroque period to the 20th century

Face-to-face course


Further information:

Face-to-face course

Additional information:

The language of the course is Italian. 

from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

Reading of selected excerpts provided by the instructor (reading portfolio), as well as Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy (entire work), using one of the following bilingual editions or an Italian-language edition:

• Dante, The Divine Comedy, bilingual edition edited by Carlo Ossola, translated by Jacqueline Risset, Paris, NRF (Bibliothèque de la Pléiade).
  
  
• Dante, The Divine Comedy: Inferno - Purgatorio - Paradiso, translated by Jacqueline Risset, Paris, GF, 3 volumes.
  
  
• Dante Alighieri, The Comedy (Inferno. Purgatorio. Paradiso), bilingual edition, introduction and translation by Jean-Charles Vegliante, Paris, NRF.
  
  

from the Baroque period to the 20th century

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

Required readings

Reading of extracts provided by the teacher and of the novel "Piazza d'Italia" (1975) by A. Tabucchi. 

Course materials will gradually be uploaded to eCampus.

Reference works

G. Alfano & alii (a cura di), Letteratura italiana. Manuale per studi universitari. 2: Da Tasso a fine Ottocento, Milano, Mondadori, 2018.

M. Tortora, B. Mainetti (a cura di), Letteratura italiana contemporanea : narrativa e poesia dal Novecento a oggi, Roma, Carocci, 2022.

The Power Point will be posted on eCampus. 

from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam AND oral exam


Further information:

Exam(s) in session

All sessions

• In-person

• describe, contextualize, identify, and comment on a given excerpt;
  
  
• answer questions about the required reading, demonstrating personal engagement and making connections with course content;
  
  
• provide an in-depth response to a question related to the course content;
  
  
• briefly respond to one or more targeted questions.
  
  

from the Baroque period to the 20th century

Exam(s) in session

January exam session

- In-person

written exam

May-June exam session

- In-person

oral exam

August-September exam session

- In-person

oral exam


Further information:

The exam includes a midterm (written) in January, which will cover the required reading (the novel "Piazza d'Italia) and will count for 5% of the final grade.

Additional information:


Oral examination: students will be required to :

- identify and comment on extracts

- give an in-depth answer to questions on the course content



Pondération 60% , note absorbante appliquée. 

from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance

This course is an introduction to the history of Italian literature intended for beginners. It is therefore strongly discouraged for students who have completed part of their education within the Italian educational system.

from the Baroque period to the 20th century

As this is an introduction for students who have not yet taken a course in the history of Italian literature, this course is strongly discouraged for students who have spent part of their schooling in the Italian system.

In the event that Erasmus students from Italy choose this course, an adapted program will be provided. 

Cultural activities (screenings, shows, lectures, visits, etc.) will be organised. These are an integral part of the course programme and may be assessed. Organisational details will be communicated to students in due course.

from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance

Hélène MIESSE, Chargée de cours
Bureau A2/4/6
E-mail: helene.miesse@uliege.be


Secrétariat
Ariane NÜSGENS
Tél. 04 366 56 50

from the Baroque period to the 20th century

Thea Rimini
Office: A2 6/18 
E-mail: thea.rimini@uliege.be