Programme

The module aims to examine the ways in which violence has been represented in Brazilian literature of the 1960s and 1970s, a period marked by the military dictatorship (1964–1985) and by profound social and cultural changes. From this perspective, literary production is regarded as a privileged space for memory and critical reflection on social and political violence, analysed not only as a narrative subject, but also in its symbolic, linguistic, and formal dimensions.
The module includes an introductory section providing historical and cultural context, followed by an in-depth analysis of the literary works listed in the syllabus.

Core Documentation

R. Bettamio, “Violenza e repressione durante la dittatura civile-militare brasiliana: l’eredità dell’autoritarismo”, Diacronie. Studi di Storia Contemporanea: Stato, costituzione e democrazia, n° 27, 3, 2016;
J. Butler, Vite precarie. I poteri del lutto e della violenza, Postmedia books, Milano 2013;
C. Lispector, A hora da estrela, Rio de Janeiro, Rocco, 1998 [L’ora della stella nel volume C. Lispector, Le passioni e i legami, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2013]
C. Lispector, A legião estrangeira, Rio de Janeiro, Rocco, 1999 [Tutti i racconti, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2019];
C. Lispector, Para não esquecer, Rio de Janeiro, Rocco, 1999;
L. De Crescenzo, Clarice Lispector. Corpi disciplinati, corpi (dis)obbedienti, Roma, Nova Delphi, 2019.

Reference Bibliography

A. Trento, Il Brasile. Una grande terra tra progresso e tradizione (1808-1990), Firenze, Giunti, 1992; B. Fausto, História concisa do Brasil, São Paulo, EDUSP, 2014; L. Moritz Schwarcz, Sobre o autoritarismo brasileiro. Uma breve história de cinco séculos, Lisboa, Penguin Random House, 2020; J. Ginzburg, Crítica em tempos de violência, São Paulo, Edusp, Fapesp, 2012;

Attendance

Attendance at lessons is optional.

Type of evaluation

Assessment will consist of a final oral examination lasting approximately 30 minutes, based on the syllabus of the corresponding module: Module “Literature, History and Society in Brazil” for students of Portuguese-Portuguese and Brazilian Literature, and Module “Literature, history, and politics in the Hispanic American context” for students of Spanish-Hispano-American Literatures. Students will also be required to hand in, at least 10 days prior to the oral examination, a written report on the contents and syllabus of the other module (Module “Literature, History and Society in Brazil” for Portuguese students; Module “Literature, history, and politics in the Hispanic American context” for Spanish students).

Programme

The module aims to examine the ways in which violence has been represented in Brazilian literature of the 1960s and 1970s, a period marked by the military dictatorship (1964–1985) and by profound social and cultural changes. From this perspective, literary production is regarded as a privileged space for memory and critical reflection on social and political violence, analysed not only as a narrative subject, but also in its symbolic, linguistic, and formal dimensions.
The module includes an introductory section providing historical and cultural context, followed by an in-depth analysis of the literary works listed in the syllabus.

Core Documentation

R. Bettamio, “Violenza e repressione durante la dittatura civile-militare brasiliana: l’eredità dell’autoritarismo”, Diacronie. Studi di Storia Contemporanea: Stato, costituzione e democrazia, n° 27, 3, 2016;
J. Butler, Vite precarie. I poteri del lutto e della violenza, Postmedia books, Milano 2013;
C. Lispector, A hora da estrela, Rio de Janeiro, Rocco, 1998 [L’ora della stella nel volume C. Lispector, Le passioni e i legami, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2013]
C. Lispector, A legião estrangeira, Rio de Janeiro, Rocco, 1999 [Tutti i racconti, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2019];
C. Lispector, Para não esquecer, Rio de Janeiro, Rocco, 1999;
L. De Crescenzo, Clarice Lispector. Corpi disciplinati, corpi (dis)obbedienti, Roma, Nova Delphi, 2019.

Reference Bibliography

A. Trento, Il Brasile. Una grande terra tra progresso e tradizione (1808-1990), Firenze, Giunti, 1992; B. Fausto, História concisa do Brasil, São Paulo, EDUSP, 2014; L. Moritz Schwarcz, Sobre o autoritarismo brasileiro. Uma breve história de cinco séculos, Lisboa, Penguin Random House, 2020; J. Ginzburg, Crítica em tempos de violência, São Paulo, Edusp, Fapesp, 2012;

Attendance

Attendance at lessons is optional.

Type of evaluation

Assessment will consist of a final oral examination lasting approximately 30 minutes, based on the syllabus of the corresponding module: Module “Literature, History and Society in Brazil” for students of Portuguese-Portuguese and Brazilian Literature, and Module “Literature, history, and politics in the Hispanic American context” for students of Spanish-Hispano-American Literatures. Students will also be required to hand in, at least 10 days prior to the oral examination, a written report on the contents and syllabus of the other module (Module “Literature, History and Society in Brazil” for Portuguese students; Module “Literature, history, and politics in the Hispanic American context” for Spanish students).