IT10MI-Making Italians: A Journey in the History and Culture of Modern Italy

Module Provider: Languages and Cultures
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Prof Daniela La Penna
Email: d.lapenna@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module introduces students to the history and culture of modern Italy from the struggle for Unification (achieved in 1861-1870) to the present day. Through a series of lectures and seminars students will learn about the factors and people that contributed to the birth of Italy as a nation and how these continued to shape the political debate in the fascist regime and in the Republic. Students will also learn how the narrative of national identity was used in the subsequent years after the Unification in literature and film.

Aims:

This module aims to introduce students with no previous knowledge to the study of modern Italian culture, and to equip them to undertake a degree in Italian Studies. The course focuses on history and culture (both written and visual, including film) of modern Italy. Depending on the language level of the students, texts and topics in Italian culture are either studied in translation (beginners and intermediate levels) or in Italian original (advanced level). 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

• demonstrate a basic understanding of elements of the history and culture of modern Italy;


• analyse key themes and issues in a choice of set texts - historical or literary - and/or films;


• a detailed knowledge of the cultural products of that same period.

Additional outcomes:

The module also aims to encourage students to:

• express their points of view clearly, orally and in writing;


• develop their problem-solving abilities;


• make good use of appropriate reference materials (e.g. dictionaries, works of criticism, etc.);


• carry out group discussions and, where appropriate, to improve their team-working skills.

Outline content:

Students will study the history of Italy from the struggle for Unification to the Berlusconi years through a series of lectures. Depending on their language abilities, students will also read a series of texts (either in Italian if advanced or in English translation if beginner or intermediate language students) and analyse films and examples of Italian visual culture. The texts will be read in translation and will normally be taken from the following list: either Ugo Foscolo's the Last Letters of Jacopo Ortis (1803) OR ’Senso’ by Camillo Boito (1882) and Luchino Visconti’s filmic adaptation under the same title (1954) OR The Leopart (1957) by Tomasi di Lampedusa; either Italo Calvino’s 'The Path to the Spiders’ Nest' (1947) or a series of historical documents relevant to the first half of the twentieth century; Primo Levi’s 'If This is a Man' (1947); and one film component.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The course will be taught through a combination of formal lectures and small-group tutorials in which students are expected to participate actively by providing presentations followed by group discussion. One hour per week will be devoted to lectures, and one hour to tutorials. Students will write one essay per term on one of the topics studied either through lectures or in tutorials.

The Autumn term's essay will be formative, and the Spring term essay will be summativ e. 

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10	10
Seminars	10	10	2
Guided independent study:	79	79
Total hours by term	99	99	2
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	90
Oral assessment and presentation	10

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

In week 5 of the Spring Term, students will submit a 1,500 word summative essay introduced by a compulsory 300-word reflective report. The summative essay will be a revised version of the compulsory formative essay submitted in week 12 of the Autumn Term.

The 300-word reflective report will focus on the feedback received on the compulsory formative essay. This summative assignment will be submitted as a single document by week 5 of the Spring Term and will provide 45% of the final mark for the module. 

The students will be also asked to prepare a presentation (individual or in pairs) on a history topic. This presentation will count for 10% of the final mark.

The remaining 45% will be provided by a 1500 word essay to be submitted in the Summer Term where students will be required to explore on topic amongst those discussed during the Spring Term.

Formative assessment methods:

Students will write one compulsory formative essay (1,500 words excluding bibliography) to be submitted at the end of the Autumn Term.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40% overall.

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination in August via written coursework in the event of failure in this module and in Part 1 as a whole. Coursework bearing a confirmed mark of 40% or more can be carried forward; all other coursework to be resubmitted by 12 NOON  on the third Friday of August or, if the University is closed, by 12 NOON on the first working day thereafter. 

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1. Required text books: 


2. Specialist equipment or materials: 


3. Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 


4. Printing and binding: 


5. Computers and devices with a particular specification: 


6. Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022