Identify continuities with previous knowledge

Acquire specific vocabulary

Acquire critical analysis tools

Recognize the literary text as a negotiating arena between past and present

Understanding American literary and cultural identity

Being able to distinguish between different genres and authors

Find intersections and interfaces between disciplines (history, geography, cinema, music, etc.)

Being able to apply the study and research methodology to other areas of literary study
 

The genres of utopia and dystopia are very popular in American literature; generally we find the most important utopias in the nineteenth century while the twentieth century is more related to dystopia.

We will see the socialist utopia of Edward Bellamy (Looking Backword 1888),

the feminist utopia of Perkins Gilman (Herland 1915),

the "Martian" utopias of the end of the century,

to arrive at the "future" society imagined in Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 (1953)

and in Ubik by PKDick (1969).

We will also see how to interpret two fundamental facts that are placed in the same year in which this last dystopian novel comes out: the landing on the Moon

and the Woodstock concert,

which seem to sanction the victory of utopia over dystopia, beyond any reasonable doubt .

But also the movie Easy Rider, which states in its own way the end of the American dream.
 

none for the first year

to access the second year students must have passed the examination of the first year

Knowledge and understanding

The student will come to possess knowledge and ability to understand contents and problems characteristic of the discipline (issues concerning American literature) and its specific subject of the course, also identifying possible continuities with previous knowledge and learning how to find intersections and interfaces with other disciplines (history, geography, cinema, political science). In particular, they'll get a basic knowledge of Anglo-American literature (origins-1900, I year and 1900-today, II year)  and apply this knowledge and understanding to text analysis. Also, the knowledge and understanding of the historical-cultural context of the examined literary works will be relevant in providing critical tools for text analysis.

Applying knowledge and understanding

The student will be able to apply his / her knowledge and understanding in order to demonstrate a professional approach to work and / or adequacy to continue studies in the Laurea Magistrale; both the aptitude to support arguments and to solve problems go in this direction, also with reference, for those who want to continue their studies, to new and interdisciplinary situations;

Making judgements

The student will have acquired information and / or data in the field of studies in question, useful for reflection, hypothesis formulation and determination of independent judgments; he/she will also be able to apply the study and research methodology to other aspects of US culture that are not specifically treated.

Communication skills

The student will be able to clearly communicate knowledge, ideas, problems and solutions to specialist and non-specialist interlocutors. This also includes the acquisition of specific vocabulary. Also, they will learn how to express opinions through analysis and evaluation of a text, giving personal opinions on genres and forms belonging to different ethnic groups and/or historical periods.

Learning skills

The student should have already learned to study and learn independently. If not, this will be a good opportunity. Also, they will kow how to write a bibliography and use research methods in order to continue studying in the master's degree (Anglo-American Literature)

Students are encouraged to use up-to-date and flexible methodologies during class discussions and through on-going tests and the final test will be able to correctly ascertain the skills acquired.

The autonomy of the students in the choices, critical learning and organization of the study is also encouraged, ensuring adequate guidance and support for this purpose.
 

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

seminar on Taking Woodstock film

Teaching

lectures, group work, individual study

Attendance

Attendance is not mandatory but strongly encouraged

Students are required

- to study / read all the material that will be progressively inserted on the moodle platform

- to bring texts into the classroom either on paper or in electronic support

In case of communication with the teacher it is mandatory to use the uniurb institutional account

Course books

Study:

A history of Anglo-American Literature, either on paper or in electronic format: first year: origins-1900 / second year: 1900-today

A.Calanchi, Marziani a stelle e strisce, Aras 2019  n.e.

Readings:

S. Bellow, Mr Sammler’s Planet

P.K. Dick, Ubik 

Excerpts from Bellamy, Gilman, Bradbury - on Moodle

Films:

Taking Woodstock (2009), Easy Rider (1969)

Assessment

Final written test. This is a structured multiple choice test, with 31 questions on the program (sufficiency = 18 correct questions, 31 = 30 and praise), in Italian, to which can be added extra points obtained with assessments (written and / or oral, individual and / or group) agreed during the course. The questions are distributed in such a way as to include in the evaluation: notions, concepts, adequate vocabulary, argumentative ability.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

individual study

Attendance

Students are required to study / read all the material that will be progressively inserted on the moodle platform

Course books

Study:

A history of Anglo-American Literature, either on paper or in electronic format: first year: origins-1900 / second year: 1900-today

A.Calanchi, Marziani a stelle e strisce, Aras 2019  n.e.

Readings:

S. Bellow, Mr Sammler’s Planet

P.K. Dick, Ubik 

Excerpts from Bellamy, Gilman, Bradbury - on Moodle

Films:

Taking Woodstock (2009), Easy Rider (1969)

Assessment

Final written test. This is a structured multiple choice test, with 31 questions on the program (sufficiency = 18 correct questions, 31 = 30 and praise), in Italian, to which can be added extra points obtained with assessments (written and / or oral, individual and / or group) agreed during the course. The questions are distributed in such a way as to include in the evaluation: notions, concepts, adequate vocabulary, argumentative ability.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

students are required to use their campus email address in order to communicate with prof. Calanchi