Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2007-2008 (archived)

Module ITAL2041: DANTE'S INFERNO AND ITS INFLUENCE

Department: Modern Language and Cultures (Italian)

ITAL2041: DANTE'S INFERNO AND ITS INFLUENCE

Type Open Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2007/08 Module Cap 30 Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Italian Language 1B (ITAL1021) OR an equivalent qualification to the satisfaction of the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

Corequisites

  • Modern European Languages, Combined Honours and all Joint and 'with' programmes: Italian Language 2B (ITAL2031) or Italian Language 2B and Year Abroad (ITAL2051). Others: see Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To introduce students to the first canticle of Dante's cornerstone text and to examine its influence on subsequent Italian literature by tracing its recurrence in art, literature and film through the ages.

Content

  • An in-house booklet will be prepared in the department, and lectures and seminars will focus on representative works of twentieth century Italian literature and film.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Students should learn to read the Inferno within its cultural and literary context as well as acquiring an understanding of its legacy to Italy's subsequent cultural production.
  • In addition, students should develop a critical approach to literature and other media and be able to express their views in written form.
Subject-specific Skills:
    Key Skills:

      Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

      • This module is taught by means of a weekly lecture and fortnightly seminars in smaller groups. Students will be encouraged to participate in class discussion, to contribute with seminar presentations and to work in close relationship with their peers. The learning environment will be supplemented by the use of duo (Durham University Online), a software that will facilitate communication between students and teacher.
      • Students are required to attend all lectures and seminars and are expected to prepare themselves for classes and participate actively in discussions.

      Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

      Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
      Lectures 21 1 per week 1 hour 21
      Seminars 10 1 fortnightly 1 hour 10
      Preparation and Reading 169
      Total 200

      Summative Assessment

      Component: Essay Plan Component Weighting: 10%
      Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
      Essay plan 750 words 100%
      Component: Essay Component Weighting: 40%
      Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
      Essay 2000 words 100%
      Component: Examination Component Weighting: 50%
      Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
      Examination 2 hours 100%

      Formative Assessment:

      None


      Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University