FRIT M 307 (#30558) Fall 2017

Masterpieces of Italian Literature 1

Class Meetings: Tu / Th 11:15am 12:30pm Teacher: Lucia Gemmani

Room: BH 245 Office: GA 3130
Counts towards: COLL (CASE) A&H Breadth of Office Hours: Wed. 11am-12pm; 2:30-3:30pm
Inquiry credit; COLL (CASE) Global Civ & Culture Email: lgemmani@indiana.edu
credit.

Course Description:
This course focuses on Italian literature from the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods. We will analyze
texts from the early centuries of Italian literature, especially the most influential works, such as Dantes Divine
Comedy, Petrarchs Canzoniere, Boccaccios Decameron, Machiavellis Prince, Ariostos Orlando Furioso,
Tassos Gerusalemme Liberata, Marinos Adone, Isabella Andreinis theater, Michelangelo and Leonardos
literary production, Veronica Francos letters, Vittoria Colonnas poetry, and Galileos scientific prose. We will
explore the different genres and forms of literature they belong to and negotiate with; the themes and cultural
trends they address; the historical and intellectual contexts surrounding and informing them. We will also look at
these works through a comparative approach meant to emphasize the relationship between models and
innovators, tradition and challenging revisions, in order to understand the interlaced dialogue among these texts.
Through the study of literature, we will also continue the study and practice of Italian advanced grammar and
style. This course is taught in Italian.

Learning goals:
By preparing the material for each lesson and participating in class you will
- discover, appreciate and deepen your knowledge of Italian literary masterpieces from Medieval,
Renaissance and Baroque culture;
- acquire a basic knowledge of these works, including themes, forms and genres, metrical, rhetorical and
stylistic structures, particularly, but not only, through discussions and assignments;
- be able to interconnect and explain such relationships between literary texts, their authors, and the
specific social, political and cultural context in which they were produced, as well as the system of
influences that interlaces these works;
- be able to analyze how form and content changed according to the chronological and geographical
context of these works;
- be able to build a set of concepts, as well as the technical terminology in Italian, necessary for a rigorous
historical and critical analysis of literary texts, useful also for future culture and literature courses and
studies in Italian
- practice and strengthen you Italian language skills.

Assignments at a glance:
Participation: 20%
Quizzes on readings and homework: 15% (5 short tests 3% each)
Short Essays: 30% (3 of about 2-3 pages 10% each)
Oral Presentation: 15% (10-15 minutes)
Final Exam: 20 %

Assignments are graded on a 100-point scale, where not differently indicated.

Papers, homework, participation and appropriate sections of exam are graded on the following criteria: focus,
integration of assigned materials, argument (or analysis), evidence, language, and prose.

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Perspective schedule:

Aug. 22-24 Introduction to Italian literature from the Origins to the 1700.
Historical, cultural, linguistic, political and social context.

Literature: Origins, Medieval and Humanistic Cultures

Occitan poetry and Troubadours influences; Siciliani; Siculo-Toscani; Dolce Stil Novo:
Psychology and Philosophy and Phenomenology of Love. Dante and Medieval Culture

Aug. 29-31 Dante lirico (Vita Nova). Introduction to Commedia. Inferno 1

Sep. 5-7 Dante, Inferno 1 (cont.); Inferno 10 (excerpt).

Quiz 1 Settembre 7

Sep. 12-14 Boccaccio, Decameron (Cornice the game). Decameron 6.9

Sep. 19-21 Boccaccio, Decameron 4 Intro.; Decameron 2.5

Sep. 26-28 Petrarca, Rerum Vulgarium Fragmenta (Rvf) 1-4, 59, 106, 128, 134, 237, 359 [363]
Quiz 2 Settembre 28

Oct. 3-5 Essay 1 da consegnare in classe Ottobre 3

Introduction: Italian Umanesimo and Renaissance Culture. Historical, cultural, linguistic, political
and social context: LItalia delle corti, La questione della Lingua.

Literature: Forms of the Renaissance. Petrarchismo and its forms.

Isabella Morra, Se a la propinqua speme nuovo impaccio;
Michelangelo Buonarroti, Rime 84, 151, (72), 102, 285, (15, 87),106;
Vittoria Colonna, Rime, 1, 4, 5, (10), 21; Rime Spirituali, Poi che l mio casto amor gran tempo
tenne.

Oct. 10-12 Castiglione, Cortegiano, libro 1, excerpts from VI, XII, XVII, XX, XXIV, XLV; libro 4, V.

Oct. 17-19 Marted 17 Ottobre: Visita alla Lilly Library: Manoscritti, Incunabula, Libri a Stampa,
Storia e Cultura del Libro.

Leonardo da Vinci, Trattato della Pittura, Parte prima, 1, 2, 3, 4.

https://it.wikisource.org/wiki/Trattato_della_pittura_di_Leonardo_da_Vinci/Trattato/Parte_prima;
Veronica Franco, Lettera 22
Quiz 3 Ottobre 19

Oct. 24-26 Machiavelli, Principe, dedica; Chapter XVII, XVIII, XXV, XXVI

Oct. 31- Ariosto, Orlando Furioso, canto I, VIII, XXIII, XXIV (excerpts)
Nov. 2 Quiz 4 Novembre 2

Nov. 7-9 Tasso, Gerusalemme Liberata, excerpts from canto I, XII

Nov. 14-16 Essay 2 da consegnare in classe Novembre 14

Introduction: Italian Baroque and the Passage to Modernity. Historical, cultural, linguistic, political

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 and social context: breaking with traditions; expanging borders.

Marino, Adone: excerpts from canto I, III, V, X, XX

Quiz 5 Novembre 16

Nov. 21-13 Thanksgiving Break

Nov. 28-30 Baroque culture:

Galileo, Il Saggiatore, excerpts from 6, 21.
Commedia dellArte: Flaminio Scala, Il teatro delle favole rappresentative, Lautore a cortesi
lettori; Cortesi Lettori (di Fra. Andreini); La finta pazza;
Isabella Andreini, Amoroso Contrasto sopra la Commedia; Amoroso Contrasto sopra la Tragedia;
Francesco Andreini, Le bravura del Capitano Spavento, Libro 1, Ragionamento Primo, Quarto,
(Sesto), (Settimo), Ottavo; Libro 2, Rag. Settimo.

Dec. 5-7 Tirando le somme:

- Italian literature and culture from the Middle Ages to the Baroque.
- Why and how do we read literature?

Dec. 13 5:00-7:00 pm final exam

Class policies:

Attendance: Students are allowed 2 unexcused absences. Each additional absence, unless excused (e.g., illness
when accompanied by a medical note, family emergency, etc.), will lower your OVERALL final grade by 2%. If
you miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain homework assignments and notes from your classmates.
Arriving to class after the door is closed will result in a late. Three lates equal one unexcused absence.
Please be aware that even one or two unexcused absences will impact your grade of attendance and participation.

Academic integrity: As a student at IU, you are expected to adhere to the standards and policies detailed in the
Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct (Code) http://www.iu.edu/~code/. When you submit a
paper with your name on it in this course, you are signifying that the work contained therein is all yours, unless
otherwise cited or referenced. Any ideas or materials taken from another source for either written or oral use
must be fully acknowledged. If you are unsure about the expectations for completing an assignment or taking a
test or exam, be sure to seek clarification beforehand. All suspected violations of the Code will be handled
according to University policies. Sanctions for academic misconduct may include a failing grade on the
assignment, reduction in your final grade, a failing grade in the course, among other possibilities, and must
include a report to the Dean of Students.

Religious observances: IU respects the right of all students to observe their religious holidays and will make
reasonable accommodations, upon request, for such observances. If a conflict with a religious observance exists,
a student must make a request for a reasonable accommodation by the end of the second week of class.

Accessibility and Accommodations: Indiana University is committed to creating a learning environment and
academic community that promotes educational opportunities for all individuals, including those with
disabilities. Students requesting disability-related accommodations and/or services should contact Office of
Disability Services for Students at (812)855-7578 or visit the website for Disability Services for Students
(www.indiana.edu/~iubdss). Course directors are asked to make reasonable accommodations, upon request by
the student or the university, for such disabilities. It is the responsibility of students with documented physical or
learning disabilities seeking accommodation to notify their course directors and the relevant campus office that
deals with such cases in a timely manner concerning the need for such accommodation. Indiana University will

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make reasonable accommodations for access to programs, services, and facilities as outlined by applicable state
and federal laws.
Assignments description:
Preparation and Quizzes:
Every class material will be provided on Canvas, and can be found in Files.
Preparation is intended as reading BEFORE the class for which each reading is assigned. As classes are built
upon the discussion on the readings, it is paramount that you come prepared for the discussion. The quizzes are
meant to test briefly if you have done the readings. They will test the material from the beginning of classes or
the last quiz, what comes later.

Participation:
The grade for participation is based on active and informed daily participation in class.

Short Essays:
These are 2-3 pages writings (see below for format), that analyze and discuss a text or develop a more general
and contextual topic. The essays will be expand on one of 3 or 4 topics given by the teacher.
Format: Letter page, double spacing, 0.75 margins, Times New Romans 12points character, no additional space
between paragraphs, only a Tab at the beginning of each paragraph. Further instruction on how to structure your
essay will be given with the prompt.

Oral Presentation:
This is a 10-15 minutes presentation to the class that may be supported by visual aids (PowerPoint, Prezi,
Storymap, handout,), to be determined with the teacher in advance. The topic will be the discussion of a text
from the Divine Comedy or the Orlando Furioso, previously agreed upon with the teacher. It is mandatory to
meet with the professor at least 2 weeks before the presentation to allow for enough time for preparation.

Final Exam:
The final exam will cover the entire course material and discussions. It will be administer on December 13,
5:00-7:00 pm, in our classroom, as scheduled by the Registrar Office. No special arrangements can be made to
accommodate early departures.

Important Library Tools:

Biographical and Historical references works:
- CDIL Cassell Dictionary of Italian Literature, P. Bondanella, J. Conaway Bondanella, co-editors
(PQ4006 .C37 1996): closed res. 4 hours (Kent Cooper Room, Wells Library)
- CHIL Cambridge History of Italian Literature Revised Edition (1999), L. Pertile, Ch. Brand, co-
editors (PQ4038 .C35 1999): closed res. 4 hours (Kent Cooper Room, Wells Library)
- Enciclopedia Dantesca, voll. 1-5, elAppendice (PQ 4333 .E566 and PQ4333 E566 Supplemento)
- Dante Encyclopedia (PQ4333 .D36 2000)
- Medieval Italy:An Encyclopedia (DG443 .M43 2004 v. 1 and 2)
- John Larner, Italy in the Age of Dante and Petrarch, 1216-1380 (DG467 .L67 1980 vol.2 on reserve)

Important websites:
http://tlio.ovi.cnr.it/TLIO/
http://dcl.slis.indiana.edu/petrarchive/
http://www.wordreference.com/
www.medioevoitalia.com/ (especially for lemmi medievali)
http://www.garzantilinguistica.it/ (youll need to register for free)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1LLc2l-vZE (Treccani Scuola: simple explanations on Literary
terminology, history, authors and their works: you will also see a few of them as homework)
http://www.palazzodiamanti.it/1434 (look more specifically at Ariosto 500, which also connects to Video
readings of Orlando Furioso on Youtube, as well as to the exhibition materials)

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Important reminders:
Students are responsible for keeping themselves informed about the assignments, for getting notes from a
classmate in case they miss class, and for presenting the teacher with the proper documentation to justify
their absences.
If anything on this syllabus is unclear, it is the students responsibility to contact the teacher and ask for
clarifications so that readings and assignments can still be completed before they are due.
The syllabus assumes that you will do the readings ahead of class. You need to keep up with the reading
schedule outlined here in order to follow what is said in class, contribute to the class discussions, take the
quizzes, write the essays and be prepared for the final exam. Come to class and take notes.
The use of laptops, iPhones, iPads, etc. is not allowed during classes. Only those devices that will allow you
to read the course materials are allowed.
Every Indiana University student is responsible for reading and understanding the Code of Student Rights,
Responsibilities and Conduct, particularly regarding Academic Misconduct under Responsibilities,
particularly point G.