ENG 340: Italian Tales and Stories: Creative Writing Through Literary Models

Note: This course was formerly CWIT 340.

Course Description
In this course, we will explore the process of transforming sensory impressions, individual feelings, personal experiences, and factual information into engaging and effective works of creative fiction and non-fiction. You will read from a cross-section of Italian authors dealing with a wide range of topics and issues and will generate your own writing through a series of exercises designed to help the writer tap into fresh levels of awareness and creative energy. Class time will be devoted to discussing and analyzing assigned readings, and to the exploration of writing strategies and techniques. You will also be involved in a series of ‘literary walks’ aiming at enhancing your ability to gather information from the exploration of natural and urban Italian landscapes.

You will be required to produce weekly compositions of two or three pages, as well as articles to be published online. By the end of the semester, you will also complete individual projects that will be published in a literary anthology. The course includes a workshop with the internationally acclaimed performer Mario Pirovano. Pirovano is also the English translator of Dario Fo, the most recent Italian winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Course Objectives / Learning Outcomes

• To acquaint you with the voices and visions of Italian writers of 19^th , 20^th, and 21^st century.
• To explore the main peculiarities of literary genres such as the novel, the short story, the historic nonfiction, the investigative journalism, the newspaper and magazine article.
• To explore the writing process in general and personal strategies for generating effective work.
• To produce fresh and engaging personal essays.
• To review the mechanics of writing and hone editorial and proof-reading skills.

Course Materials
Mandatory course reader

Previous Student Literary Anthologies
Spring Semester 2018: Coming Soon…
Fall Semester 2017: An Anthology for the Ages
Spring Semester 2017: Le Nostre Lotte
Fall Semester 2016: Creative Writing Through Italian Tales and Stories
Spring Semester 2016: Come Back To Me
Fall Semester 2014: A City of Walls and Windows
Spring Semester 2014: We Came To This City
Fall Semester 2013: Imagining
Fall Semester 2012: Stare

Field Trip
You will take a trip to Siena and receive a rare, private tour of one of the historic contrade and its museum, or neighborhoods, which participate in the famous Palio horse race.