Corso di laurea magistrale in Letteratura, Filologia e Linguistica italiana

The students will acquire an in-depth knowledge of the contents, problems and methods related to the subject of the course, with particular attention to the textual, stylistic and rhetorical aspects of the texts examined, of which the sources and fortune will also be studied. The students will also learn to know the main interpretations and the different critical approaches regarding the short stories examined, of which he will be able to carry out a thoughtful reading, applying to each one the appropriate critical methodology.

At the end of the course the students must demonstrate that he has assimilated the notions and concepts studied in class, that he is able to apply the appropriate critical and interpretative tools to the texts, showing at the same time autonomy of judgment and good argumentative and expository skills.

I disonesti essempli.

The course offers students a journey through the manifestations of evil, vices, chaos, irrationality and negative emotions in the Decameron. Starting from the "horrid beginning" and a careful analysis of the generative text on the plague, comparing different interpretations we will focus on the "worst man perhaps ever born" that opens the first day, on the love-fury of the fourth, on the atrocious revenge of the schoolboy on Madonna Elena, on the dreams of Lisabetta, Andreuola, Gabriotto and Talano and on much more (with some forays into the youthful worksand into Latin ones) to show how chaos, anger, revenge, betrayal, cruelty, fear, nightmares are part of a journey of knowledge and education of the narrators and readers that leads them to "know what is to be avoided", avoid excess and achieve an authentic and complete experience of the world and of themselves.

3-hour lessons for a total duration of 36 hours (6 credits), which will take place in the classroom.

Assessment of student learning is through oral exams and grades are given on the basis of a 30-point scale. In the oral exam, students will be asked two types of questions. The first two are general questions to assess the students' capability of reformulating knowledge, of identifying and organising the main subject matters, and of using literary language to clearly and correctly expound upon topics discussed during the course. The other two questions  relates to the reading and commentary some passages of the texts to assess the students' proficiency in understanding and interpreting a literary text

The text of the Decameron must be read and studied in its entirety.

The specific bibliography will be indicated to the students as they go along 
and will be the subject of discussion during the seminar.

Non-attending students are requested to contact the teacher.