The course in the Philosophy of Literary Communication has the following learning objectives:
1. to develop an understanding of the main theories in the philosophy of literary communication;
2. to promote an understanding of the historical and cultural contexts in which these theories were developed;
3. to develop the ability to apply the methods of analysis and knowledge specific to the philosophy of literary communication in the preliminary research work leading up to the final examination;
4. to foster learning skills and independent judgement.
By the end of the course, students will be able to reflect on the topics covered during the course, demonstrating that they have acquired a scientific hermeneutic approach and possess critical and self-critical skills with regard to the theories and texts discussed and analysed in class.
In particular, students will have acquired:
- the ability to analyse a literary or philosophical text from a relevant theoretical perspective using the tools of the philosophy of literary communication;
- the ability to identify philosophical elements in a narrative text;
- the ability to assess the relevance and significance of the characteristic elements of conceptual expositions conveyed through texts belonging to diverse literary genres;
- the ability to compare philosophical and literary texts on a conceptual and argumentative level.
These skills are also developed through participation in seminars and through the writing of texts, either individually or in groups.
1. to develop an understanding of the main theories in the philosophy of literary communication;
2. to promote an understanding of the historical and cultural contexts in which these theories were developed;
3. to develop the ability to apply the methods of analysis and knowledge specific to the philosophy of literary communication in the preliminary research work leading up to the final examination;
4. to foster learning skills and independent judgement.
By the end of the course, students will be able to reflect on the topics covered during the course, demonstrating that they have acquired a scientific hermeneutic approach and possess critical and self-critical skills with regard to the theories and texts discussed and analysed in class.
In particular, students will have acquired:
- the ability to analyse a literary or philosophical text from a relevant theoretical perspective using the tools of the philosophy of literary communication;
- the ability to identify philosophical elements in a narrative text;
- the ability to assess the relevance and significance of the characteristic elements of conceptual expositions conveyed through texts belonging to diverse literary genres;
- the ability to compare philosophical and literary texts on a conceptual and argumentative level.
These skills are also developed through participation in seminars and through the writing of texts, either individually or in groups.
teacher profile teaching materials
The programme comes into effect from the 2026–2027 academic year and is the same for both attending and non-attending students.
No prerequisities.
A selection of texts from the following:
2.1.1. J. Guimarães Rosa, Grande Sertão, in original or in translation
2.1.2. A. Heller, Radical Evil in Modernity: On Genocide, Totalitarian Terror and the Holocaust. In «Thesis Eleven», 101(1), 2010, pp. 106-117; On Evils, Evil, Radical Evil and the Demonic. In «Critical Horizons», 12(1), 2011, pp. 15-27
2.2.1. M. Proust, À la recherche du temps perdu, vol. 1, Du côté de chez Swann, , in original or in translation
2.2.2. F. Ellenberger, The Discovery of the Unconscious: The History and Evolution of Dynamic Psychiatry. New York: Basic Books, 1970
Programme
The course provides an introduction to the philosophical analysis of literary texts, with a particular focus on the communicative mechanisms employed. In the first part of the course, students will be provided with conceptual tools and interpretative perspectives specific to the philosophy of literature, as well as historical and theoretical elements relating to the recent debate on the relationship between philosophy and literature. In the second part of the course, a selection of literary texts will be analysed from a philosophical perspective in order to highlight the communicative strategies employed to convey philosophical concepts, viewpoints and theories.The programme comes into effect from the 2026–2027 academic year and is the same for both attending and non-attending students.
No prerequisities.
Core Documentation
1. P. Lamarque, The Philosophy of Literature. Malden (MA)-Oxford: Blackwell; 2009.A selection of texts from the following:
2.1.1. J. Guimarães Rosa, Grande Sertão, in original or in translation
2.1.2. A. Heller, Radical Evil in Modernity: On Genocide, Totalitarian Terror and the Holocaust. In «Thesis Eleven», 101(1), 2010, pp. 106-117; On Evils, Evil, Radical Evil and the Demonic. In «Critical Horizons», 12(1), 2011, pp. 15-27
2.2.1. M. Proust, À la recherche du temps perdu, vol. 1, Du côté de chez Swann, , in original or in translation
2.2.2. F. Ellenberger, The Discovery of the Unconscious: The History and Evolution of Dynamic Psychiatry. New York: Basic Books, 1970
Reference Bibliography
P. Lamarque, The Philosophy of Literature. Malden (MA)-Oxford: Blackwell; 2009. N. Carroll, J. Gibson (eds.). The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Literature, eds. N. Carroll and J. Gibson. New York: Routledge, 2015. P. Macherey, À quoi pense la littérature? Paris: PUF, 1992. Ph. Sabot, Philosophie et littérature. Approches et enjeux d’une question. Paris: PUF, 2002.Attendance
Attendance is not mandatory.Type of evaluation
Verification of learning takes place through an oral test. When evaluating the oral examination, the final mark will be determined by taking into account a number of factors, such as for example: the level and quality of knowledge of the topics; the ability to analyse a topic critically; the logic of the arguments put forward in support of a thesis; the ability to apply theories and concepts to different contexts and case studies; and the use of vocabulary appropriate to the subject being studied. The preparation of a written paper (in italian, english, french or portuguese) of 2,500 words is required to be discussed during the examination, which will focus on one or more of the adopted texts and will make use of the corresponding reference bibliography for further analysis. The paper must be sent to the teacher at least 15 days before the oral test (exam). For Erasmus students: the written paper and the oral exam may also be taken in English, French or Portuguese. The mark for the written assignment will account for 30 per cent of the final mark. Students with disabilities and specific learning difficulties may apply for the support measures to be provided during examinations via the University’s dedicated portal, which can be accessed via the following link: https://www.uniroma3.it/roma-tre-inclusiva-studenti-con-disabilita-e-con-dsa/