Corso di laurea in Culture e letterature
del mondo moderno

The module aims to explore several models of programmatic writing that were published in French during the XIX^th and the XX^th centuries. It also aims to provide the students with the critical analysis methods and tools that are needed to interpret the ideological impulses and the discursive strategies on which these texts are anchored.

The teaching is part of the general objective of the course of study to provide an articulated and systematic knowledge of the modern world in its multiple cultural expressions and to develop the observation and critical evaluation of the various expressive and artistic phenomena, especially in a comparative form.

Acquired knowledge

At the end of the course, students will be able to contextualise the evolution of the some fundamentals phases of engagement's writing in French and Francophone's XX Century  in relation to the main historical and cultural developments that occurred in the francophone cultural framework of the time; identify and describe key themes and motifs in the contemporary French literature using an appropriate terminology; develop appropriate analysis tools for an in-depth study of the literary works; demonstrate a basic knowledge of narratology and aesthetic of theatre.

Ability to apply knowledge and independent judgement

The course will provide students with a deeper understanding of the literary themes covered in class, which they will be able to analyse independently. Students will be able to answer interpretative questions about cultural texts and frameworks and they will develop critical awareness and intellectual autonomy of the main topics of the course.

Communicative abilities

Students will have to apply their analytical skills to the comparative and critical study of literary texts and key themes. They will also be able to demonstrate their ability to understand structures, ideas and contexts.

Learning abilities

Students will be asked to demonstrate their ability to independently identify key themes that allow deeper study by using literary criticism’s concepts and methodologies. They will get to know how to use bibliographical online and offline tools and how to find sources for their research.

a) Literary Manifestos between the 19th and 20th centuries

b) 1924-2024: the first Manifesto of Surrealism is 100 years old

a) The course aims to reflect on the specificity of the literary Manifesto as a bridge connecting literature to society. Through the selection of a conspicuous number of programmatic texts that are united by the common tendency to break with the traditional literary codes, we intend to investigate the philosophical, aesthetic, political and literary functions of the literary Manifestos. In particular, the course will be centred on the study of the persuasive role played by the Manifestos in relation to the development of mass society, to the fruition of the intellectual product by a vast public and to the expansion of cultural industries.

b) In particular, the first Manifesto of Surrealism will be studied, on the occasion of the celebraation of the centenary of his birth.

The Lessons of the first module will be  mainly in French. The reference texts will be in French.  Lessons will take place in the classroom with the support of electronic technologies (slides and further materials) stimulating the students’ direct participation and also entailing their individual contribution.

Knowledge and skills will be verified by means of an oral examination based on questions. The preparation will be considered adequate (with a vote expressed in a scale from 18 to 30), if the students will demonstrate to express themselves in an appropriate way using the necessary terminology; if they will show familiarity with the various topics and problems discussed during the course in an autonomous way - i.e., without depending in a pedestrian way on the presentation of the topics offered by the texts; if - among these - they will be able to point out relations and interdependencies; if they will be able to consider them at their respective level of analysis, domain and conceptual relevance.

- E. HOBSBAWM, Manifesti, in La fine della cultura, Milano, Rizzoli, 2013.

- J. DEMERS, L. Mc MURRAY, L’enjeu manifeste et le Manifeste en jeu, Québec, Editions du Préambule, 1986.

- Les Manifestes, sous la dir. de Cl. Abastado, « Littérature », n. 39, 1980.

The module, intended for students of the degree course in Cultures and Literatures of the Modern World, is open to students of all degree courses.

Students are kindly requested to consult the teacher's web page for all information relating to the course. Those who do not attend are requested to contact the teacher.

For students with DSA or disabilities, please read the support (https://www.unito.it/servizi/lo-studio/studenti-con-disabilita) and reception (https:// www.unito.it/reception-studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa) of the University, and in particular of the procedures necessary for support during the exam (https://www.unito.it/servizi/lo- study/students-with-disabilities/support-students-with). Students with DSA are requested to inform the teacher at the beginning of the course, to agree on a personal learning path suited to their needs, even beyond the compensatory and dispensatory measures envisaged for the exam.

No restrictions.

For any information about the course, students are requested to visit the teacher's website.

Non-attending students are required to contact the teacher.

The teacher is responsible of the Erasmus Exchange Programme with the University Côte d'azur and with Paris X Nanterre.