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

American Detective Novel

This course aims to introduce the peculiarities of American Detective Novels through three fundamental works: Dashiell Hammett’s The Maltese Falcon, Raymond Chandler’s The Big Sleep, and Elmore Leonard’s by Glitz

None

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

books, articles, slides, films, classroom debate

Teaching

lectures, group work, individual study

Attendance

Attendance is not mandatory but strongly encouraged

Students are required

- to study 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

Primary texts:

• Dashiell Hammett, The Maltese Falcon (1930)

• Raymond Chandler, The Big Sleep (1939)

• Elmore Leonard, Glitz (1985)

Primary texts can be read in any edition, provided that they are unabridged and in English. As far as possible, handouts will be provided for.

Required secondary sources:

• D C. J. Rzepka, L. Horsley, A Companion to Crime Fiction (Malden: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010). Only: “Introduction: What is Crime Fiction?”, chapter 10 “The Hard-Boiled Genre”, chapter 32 “Raymond Chandler”, c. 36 “Dashiell Hammett”, c. 42 “Elmore Leonard”

• Giulio Segato, Una commedia americana: temi, innovazioni e religione nell’opera di Elmore Leonard (Mimesis, 2018)

• H. Bertens e T. D’haen, American Literature. A History (Routledge, 2014)

Assessment

Final oral exam. It will be about 30 minutes long

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 who cannot attend classes will get in touch with the lecturer to arrange a specific program

Assessment

A final oral exam and a paper. The oral exam will be about 30 minutes long.

Foreign students can choose oral examination in English

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.