units

ATS3058

Faculty of Arts

18 September 2017 26 April 2024
Monash University

Undergraduate - Unit

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2013 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

print version

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

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LevelUndergraduate
FacultyFaculty of Arts
Organisational UnitItalian Studies
OfferedAustralia (Other) Summer semester B 2013 (On-campus block of classes)
Coordinator(s)Prof Rita Wilson

Synopsis

The strong worldwide impact of globalization of the last few decades has introduced new economic and cultural challenges in Italy. The aim of this unit is to analyse and understand how the late-twentieth century process of transformation in Italian society has been reflected in the literary production. Students will read and study a number of texts, both fiction and non-fiction, dealing with aspects of contemporary Italian life and society. Students will have the opportunity to learn more about Italy today, and about the way in which Italian writers use their craft to respond to important social issues. In particular, this subject intends to highlight the main traits of a 'new' literature that is gradually enriching the Italian cultural horizon: texts produced in Italian by writers who originally belong to other cultures and who have chosen Italy as destination of their migration, as well as texts exploring Italy's place in the world and its interaction with other cultures. The unit will be taught in intensive mode over three weeks by academics from both La Trobe University and Monash University, and will be offered to students from the two institutions. The language of instruction will be Italian and all assessment tasks will be in Italian.

Outcomes

  1. Ability to communicate in written Italian at the threshold of language professionalism; ability to report and summarize arguments.
  2. Ability to participate in class discussions using the appropriate register of Italian; ability to express themselves fluently and convey finer shades of meaning.
  3. Ability to synthesize and perform critical analysis of literary texts and to develop and evaluate arguments.
  4. Ability to work in pairs or small groups for class discussions and activities, with commitment to shared goals appropriate interpersonal skills.
  5. Familiarity and critical engagement with Italian contemporary culture, including the role of literature and intellectual engagement in Italian society.

Assessment

Short preparatory task: 20%
Reviews of assigned reading: 35%
Participation and discussion of readings: 15%
Final essay: 30%

Chief examiner(s)

Prof Rita Wilson

Contact hours

Seminars: 3 hours a day, Monday-Thurs for 3 weeks = total of 36 hours (equivalent to a 12-week semester).

Off-campus attendance requirements

Interactive 2-hour seminar plus 1-hour workshop (4 days per week for 3 weeks = total of 36 hours equivalent to 12 week semester)

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Italian language and studies

Prerequisites

Students must have achieved a level equivalent to Italian B2 + Italian Studies (Independent User). See http://artsonline.monash.edu.au/language-framework/italian-b2/