Course Catalogue

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This course explores the ways in which women's subjectivities have been represented in 20th century Italian literature, film and visual art. Through the analysis of primary texts, we will explore the theoretical and historical foundations of Italian feminist thought, focusing particularly on 1970s feminism. The emphasis will be on how women artists, writers and filmmakers use the body as a starting point for the reclamation of their sexuality and subjectivity, and to question their erasure from history.

20 x 1hr sessions across both semesters as scheduled on MyCampus.

This is one of the honours options in SMLC and may not run every year. The options which are running this session are available on MyCampus.

Available to all students fulfilling requirements for Honours entry into Honours Italian, and by arrangement to visiting students or students of other Single Honours programmes who qualify under the University's 25% regulation

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The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Essay (2000 words) - 50%

■ Presentation (including slides) (7 minutes) - 25%

■ Written exercise (reflective diary or blogpost) (1000 words) - 25%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the essay and written exercise, but an extension to the deadline can be offered as reasonable adjustment (students should follow the usual process for extensions).

■ A recorded presentation (video or audio) and slideshow with substantial presentation notes as alternative to the presentation.

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

This course aims to:  

■ Critically analyse the role of women and their representation in modern and contemporary Italy

■ Investigate the strategies that women have used to reclaim agency and resist oppression

■ Explore how women have represented their subjectivities and sexualities

■ Evaluate the role that the body and its representation has played in women's art

■ Encourage students to question how the theories and ideas of 1970s feminism have influenced feminist art and thought today

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

■ Understand relevant aspects of the history of women and of the women's movement in 20th Century Italy

■ Critically evaluate a range of texts in different genres, ranging from experimental film to prose

■ Clearly communicate key issues in Italian feminist thought

■ Analyse critically the set texts in relation to their respective historical contexts 

■ Compare and contrast different texts, putting them in dialogue with each other and tracing recurring themes