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2015/16 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ITAL3020 Dante, Purgatorio and Paradiso

20 creditsClass Size: 20

Module manager: Dr Matthew Treherne
Email: M.Treherne@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

Pre-requisite qualifications

Level 2 Italian or equivalent

ITAL2020 or ITAL2021

This module is mutually exclusive with

ITAL3035

Dante: Purgatorio and Paradiso (in translation)

Module replaces

ITAL3020 (previous version; changes to assessment only)

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

Dante Alighieri is one of the most important and innovative figures of the European Middle Ages. His Commedia tells the story of the journey to God of a character who is, at one and the same time, both Dante himself and Everyman. This module aims to give students an in-depth knowledge of the Purgatorio and the Paradiso, both in terms of a detailed knowledge of the text of the poem and in terms of the general ideas contained therein. This module will examine Dante's views on politics, religion, poetry and so on, as well as suggesting some of the reasons for his poem's enduring importance in Italian literature. The module will build on the knowledge of Dante and the Commedia already acquired at Level 2, and the module ITAL2020/1 is therefore a prerequisite for this module. A good reading knowledge of Italian is essential.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be:
- able to show an informed understanding of the whole of Dante's Commedia, with particular reference to Purgatorio and Paradiso;
- familiar with the main themes of the text and with its historical, religious and cultural context
- able to comment in detail on the language and style of the poem.

Skills outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- read, analyse and understand a text written in 14th-century Florentine;
- gather, evaluate and use information from secondary sources;
- show an awareness of the historical, cultural and linguistic situation of 14th-century Italy;
- communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
- use IT effectively, both as a means of communication and as an aid to learning;
- take personal responsibility for their own learning.

Syllabus

This module aims to give students an in-depth knowledge of the Purgatorio and the Paradiso, both in terms of a detailed knowledge of the text of the poem and in terms of the general ideas contained therein. The module will build on the knowledge of Dante and the Commedia already acquired at Level 2, and will examine Dante's views on politics, religion, poetry and so on, as well as suggesting some of the reasons for his poem's enduring importance in Italian literature. Seminars will concentrate on a close reading of selected cantos, with student-led presentations.

Outline syllabus:

- Introduction to Dante's Purgatory
- Structure and rationale of Purgatory
- Vice, sin and freedom
- Prayer and purgation
- Politics in Purgatory
- Poetry in Purgatory
- The Earthly Paradise
- Virgil
- Beatrice
- Dante

-Paradiso
- - Structure (1): Questions of hierarchy
- - Structure (2): Structure or structures?
- - Structure (3): Order and symmetry
- Politics in Paradise
- Poetry and Language in Paradiso
- Questions of Justice in Paradiso
- Characterisation in Paradiso
- Dante's guides: Beatrice and Bernard
- The artistic challenges of Paradiso
- The achievements of the Commedia

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	1.00	10.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

- Private study, reading of texts, preparation for general class discussion: 130 hours
- Preparation and writing of two assessed essays: 45 hours
- Preparation for two class presentations: 5 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Progress will be monitored through feedback given on the first presentation and essay.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 2,500 word essay on Purgatorio.	45.00
Essay	1 x 2,500 word essay on Paradiso.	45.00
Presentation	10 minute presentation	10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

(In the case of failed essays, an alternative essay chosen from the original list may be resubmitted for a maximum of 40%. Reassessment is by essay only, each essay counting for 50%.)

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 05/09/2014

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