Course Description.

The course “Literary Journeys” is a cultural program dedicated to exploring Italian literature through the cities, landscapes, and locations that inspired Italy’s greatest authors. Italy has a profound connection with the written word: from medieval works to contemporary novels, Italian literature has narrated the country’s territory, history, social transformations, and cultural identity. This course offers an ideal journey across centuries and regions, linking authors, works, and their geographical contexts. Each lesson represents a stage of this itinerary: Dante’s Florence, Shakespeare’s Verona (as represented in Italian tradition), Manzoni’s Milan, Verga and Pirandello’s Sicily, Svevo’s Trieste, and extending to contemporary narratives. Lessons are enriched with brief text excerpts, explanations of historical and cultural contexts, and analyses of key themes. The course is designed for international students who wish to understand Italian culture through its literature, with an accessible yet content-rich approach.

Objectives.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Identify the main authors of Italian literature and their fundamental works

• Understand the evolution of Italian literature from the Middle Ages to contemporary times

• Connect authors and works to the Italian locations that inspired them

• Comprehend key themes in Italian literature, including love, politics, religion, identity, and society

• Recognize major literary movements (Humanism, Renaissance, Romanticism, Verismo, Decadentism, etc.)

• Expand their cultural and literary vocabulary in Italian

• Develop skills in reading and interpreting brief literary texts

• Understand the role of literature in shaping Italian national identity

Target Audience.

This course is intended for:

• International students interested in Italian culture and literature

• Book and writing enthusiasts who wish to learn about Italy’s great authors

• Italian language learners seeking to improve comprehension and vocabulary through authentic texts

• Travelers wishing to experience Italy with a deeper cultural perspective

• Readers who want to explore Italy through its literary landscapes

The course is recommended for students at B1/B2 level but can also be adapted for higher levels (C1/C2). No advanced knowledge of literature is required, as lessons are progressive and guided.