Module ITAL2041: THE WORLD OF DANTE

Department: Modern Languages and Cultures (Italian)

ITAL2041: THE WORLD OF DANTE

Prerequisites

• Italian Language 1B (ITAL1102) OR Italian Language 1A (ITAL1071) OR an equivalent qualification to the satisfaction of the Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

Corequisites

• Modern Languages, Combined Honours and all Joint and 'with' programmes: Italian Language 2B (ITAL2031) OR Italian Language 2A (ITAL2111). Others: see Chairman/Chairwoman of the Board of Studies in MLAC or his/her representative.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Understanding Italy from the 1960s to Today (ITAL1061), Italy and the Arts (ITAL1081), Introduction to Italian Literary Culture and Theory (ITAL1091) and Italian Language 4 (ITAL3021)

Aims

• To introduce students to the works of Dante in their historical and cultural context and to examine Dante’s influence on Italian and world culture 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

• Students should learn to read a selection from Dante’s works and specifically from his Divine Comedy within their cultural and literary context, as well as acquiring an understanding of the relevance of Dante’s legacy for Italian and world culture.

• Students should develop a critical approach to literature and other media and be able to express their views in written form.

• The further development of general written communication skills.
• The ability to seek out and identify appropriate sources of evidence and information.

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

Summative Assessment

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