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Academic Year 2000/2001

Boccaccio on the Cusp of Modernity
FIST 239 FA
Crosslistings:
ITAL 239

This course will situate Boccaccio's tales in relation to the historical crisis (the Black Death of 1348) that provides their narrative frame and will aim to situate them--and their author--within an imaginative space that is simultaneously both medieval and modern. The "Prologue" to DECAMERON will be examined during the first week of class together with Albert Camus' THE PLAGUE (which students are strongly urged to read in advance), and each succeeding week of the semester will be dedicated to one of the 10 "Days" in which Boccaccio's stories are arranged.

MAJOR READINGS

THE DECAMERON

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Three short papers, one midterm exam, one take-home final exam.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

If possible, students should read THE PLAGUE by Albert Camus before the course begins. SPECIAL NOTE FOR ITALIAN STUDIES MAJORS: Majors will read selections in the original. All Majors will enroll in a Group Tutorial (for .50 credit) that will meet weekly to discuss the reading. All written work to be done in Italian. Finally, additional readings for Majors include: IL NINFALE FIESOLANO, IL FILOSTRATO, LA CACCIA DI DIANA.

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA RLAN    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-26-2001

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