116-075 Italian Neoclassicism and Romanticism

Note

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

37.5 points at either post-beginners or post-VCE sequence for third year, admission to the Postgraduate Diploma or Fourth Year Honours in Italian for fourth year. European studies students wishing to enrol in this subject would normally have completed 37.5 points of European studies at second/third year, see Prerequisites.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

This subject has three directions, according to the writers under consideration. In the case of Neoclassicism, the principal focus will be provided by the poetry of Ugo Foscolo which will be considered within a broader sociological and artistic framework. In the case of Romanticism, the poetry of Giacomo Leopardi will be considered within the context of European Romanticism characterised by the importance given to sensibility, spontaneity and originality, as well as the necessary uniqueness of form and language. Alessandro Manzoni's novel, I promessi sposi will be considered as a specific product of Italian Romanticism. Students who complete the subject should be able to comprehend and appreciate the meaning of the terms Neoclassicism and Romanticism and develop techniques of analysis of both prose and poetic texts.

Assessment

A 1-hour class paper and two essays totalling 3000 words for third year, 4000 words for fourth year.

Prescribed Texts

• A Manzoni, I Promessi Sposi. Mursia, 1992.
• U Foscolo, Sepolcri, odi, sonetti. (a cura di) D Martinelli Mondadori.
• G Leopardi, Canti. (a cura di) M Fubini & E Bigi Loescher.