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2012/13 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ITAL3153 Primo Levi: From Testimony to Fiction

20 creditsClass Size: 20

Module manager: Alessio Baldini
Email: A.Baldini@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2012/13

Pre-requisite qualifications

Level 2 Italian or equivalent

Module replaces

ITAL3151 and ITAL3152 (10-credit modules)

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

Primo Levi (1919-1987), a chemist from Turin, was captured with a group of Resistance fighters in December 1943 and, as a Jew, found himself deported to Auschwitz, where he survived until the liberation of the camp. He himself described his role, in recounting his experience of the Holocaust, as that of a 'witness'. This module will analyse in detail the texts in which Levi bears witness to these horrific experiences. It will also examine some examples of Levi's fiction, focusing on the ways in which the war, the Holocaust and related themes recur, either as the subject matter for fiction or in the form of key recurring images. Themes to be discussed will include those of memory, language and communication, the journey, morality and the problem of responsibility, and of what it means to be 'human'.A good reading knowledge of Italian is essential in order to undertake this module. The module is examined through two 2,500-word essays and two 10-minute classroom presentations. For more information, contact: j.k.thornton@leeds.ac.uk

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to show an informed understanding of the works (both fiction and non-fiction) of Primo Levi - in particular those relating (directly or indirectly) to the Second World War and its aftermath - and should be able to discuss these works critically. They should be fully aware of the historical context which lies behind these works. They should be able to draw attention to differences and similarities between Levi's autobiographical and fictional treatments of similar themes, and should be prepared to analyse different types of text (including autobiographical writing, essays, a novel, short stories and poetry).

Skills outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- read, analyse and understand a wide variety of different text-types, written in Italian;
- gather, evaluate and use information from secondary sources;
- show an awareness of and sensitivity towards key historical events of the twentieth century;
- relate historical events to cultural developments;
- 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

Primo Levi (1919-1987), a chemist from Turin, was captured with a group of Resistance fighters in December 1943 and, as a Jew, found himself deported to Auschwitz, where he survived until the liberation of the camp. He himself described his role, in recounting his experience of the Holocaust, as that of a 'witness'. This module will analyse in detail the texts in which Levi bears witness to these horrific experiences, as well as those in which he later reflects on them (both in prose and in poetry). It will also examine some examples of Levi's fiction, focusing on the ways in which the war, the Holocaust and related themes recur, either as the subject matter for fiction (as in the case of the novel Se non ora, quando?), or in the form of key recurring images (as in the case of the 'science fiction' stories in the collections storie naturali and Vizio di forma). Themes to be discussed will include those of memory, language and communication, the journey, morality and the problem of responsibility, and of what it means to be 'human'.

1: Introduction and Historical Background
2: Testimony 1: Se questo e un uomo
3: Testimony 2: Se questo e un uomo
4: Survival: La tregua
5: The Witness Looks Back: I sommersi e i salvati
6: Poetic Reflections
7: Fictional Recreations 1: Se non ora, quando?
8: Fictional Recreations 2: Se non ora, quando?
9. Fantastic Reworkings 1: Storie naturali
10. Fantastic Reworkings 2: Vizio di forma

If the module is taught in semester 1, there will be a Reading Week between classes 6 and 7. If the module is taught in semester 2, there will be a revision class in week 11.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	1	2.00	2.00
Lecture	10	2.00	20.00
Private study hours			178.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Private study, reading of texts, preparation for general class discussion: 128-130 hours
Preparation and writing of two assessed essays: 44 hours
Preparation for two class presentations: 6 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Progress will be monitored through the focus throughout this module on class discussion, involving all members of the group. More specifically, constructive feedback will be provided on the first essay (due mid-semester) and on the first seminar presentation.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 2,500 word essay	45.00
Essay	1 x 2,500 word essay (In the case of failed essays, an alternative essay chosen from the original list may be resubmitted for a maximum mark of 40. Reassessment is by essay only, each essay counting for 50%)	45.00
Presentation	1 x 10 minute presentation + contribution to discussions - Not resittable	10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 22/02/2013

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