Department of Italian

Paper It 1

Texts and Contexts

Download the Specimen exam paper (the content of this paper was changed for Tripos 2007)
Download the 2007 exam paper
Download the 2008 exam paper
Download the 2009 exam paper
Download the 2010 exam paper
Exam papers which have been set since 2010 can be downloaded from CamTools.

This paper is for Option B (post A-Level) students. It is identical to Paper IT A3 and much of the teaching for these 2 papers will be combined.

Course description

The course introduces you to texts from three broad historical periods, medieval, Renaissance, and modern, and shows you how to study a text in its historical context, with the aim of developing the skills you will need to tackle the historically-based subject papers later in Tripos. The term 'text' is used elastically to refer to books, paintings and films. The notion of 'historical context' is also given a broad definition. You will be invited to look at the immediate or 'synchronic' environments - social, political, and intellectual - within which the given 'text' was produced; and you will also be encouraged to take account of the 'diachronic', cultural-historical contexts. The length of the 'texts' chosen for study has been deliberately restricted in order to allow time and scope for students to familiarise themselves with the wide range of contextual materials. The fourth element of this paper is an introduction to Italian linguistics.

Texts for 2012-13:

• Medieval
Dante, Divina Commedia (Selected canti)
Giotto, Cappella degli Scrovegni
• Renaissance
Machiavelli, Il principe

• Modern
Primo Levi, Se questo è un uomo Don't buy this text before you arrive here - we have the recommended edition for sale at a very advantageous price. You can buy your copy from Nan in the departmental office.
(dir.) Paolo Sorrentino, Il divo

• Linguistics
Course material will be given out during lectures

Summary of Teaching

Each text will be the subject of a series of four lectures, which will place it in its context and suggest possible critical approaches. Lectures will be supplemented by seminars, organised and run by members of the department, as well as by supervisions. You will be asked to submit short essays on individual texts as well as at least one substantial comparative essay on a period. A selection of contextual materials relating to the various texts (documents, extracts from comparable works, etc.) will be available from the Departmental Office at the beginning of the relevant part of the lecture series.

Examination

One three-hour examination will be set. You will be asked to answer three questions, which FROM TRIPOS 2012 may be chosen from any part of the paper. Tripos 2011 candidates must choose their questions from different sections. You will be expected to draw on contextual material in your answers.

Course advisor

For further information or advice about this course please contact Dr Abigail Brundin (e-mail: asb17@cam.ac.uk)

For the overall structure of Part 1A of the post-A Level Italian course, see this page.