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Academic year 2016/2017
Master's Degree (MSc) on MODERN LANGUAGES AND LITERATURES IN THE WEST AND IN THE EAST
EAST (LM-36)

Coordinator Prof. Concetta Giliberto
Class of Master's Degree (MSc) on Modern American and European languages and literatures (LM-37)
2 years
PALERMO
Free access
Department of Humanities
Course Code
2141

Course info
Specific objectives: The degree course in Modern Languages and Literatures in the West and the East aims at training graduates with specific knowledge and expertise in cultures and literature civilizations of the euro-American area (LM-37) or of the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe area (LM 36). These are two paths which, although formally differentiated, need - even in virtue of interconnections and historical and cultural points of contact - to be rooted, beyond the peculiar specific insights, on common, appropriately related and compared, bases. The course provides a wide range of training in the field of modern languages and literatures of the West in general and of the East, with special attention to the Near East and Mediterranean Africa. The choice of the subjects common to the two paths has been made, in fact, taking into account the needed basic skills common to the two areas. An adequate educational programme, agreed between the teachers of the course, provides, for the common disciplines, a choice of interdisciplinary topics of and interest for both curricula. Within the common methodological disciplines (L-LIN / 12- Italian Linguistics, L-LIN / 01- Linguistics and language, L-FIL-LET/09- Romance Philology and linguistics, L-FIL-LET/15- Germanic Philology, L-FIL-LET/14- Literary criticism and comparative literature, L-OR/12 Arabic Linguistics), aiming in particular at providing Knowledge in the field of literary theory and of the methodology to approach the literary text), students will gain the epistemological knowledge necessary to deepen the study of languages, literatures and cultures. In the same way, the teaching of Italian Literature (L-FIL/LET/10) and Comparative Literature (L-FIL-LET/14) will pay great attention to the mutual influences and receptions among literatures and cultures. The philological disciplines will then propose a deeper reflection on languages in their structures, variety and historical developments, namely in literary expression, while the critical-comparative and literary disciplines will focus on the many aspects of the literary phenomenon, the genres in their internal structures and their developments, on their formal (rhetorical and stylistic) apparatus, on a sharp investigation aimed at highlighting the core issues for the establishment of modernity, aiming, along with the historical and geographical disciplines, at the reconstruction of complex cultural contexts. In order to enable students to have a thorough and full knowledge of the social and cultural reality, literature and culture of the chosen area, the knowledge of the relevant languages should be equally thorough in all its aspects. Languages, in fact, the vehicle of culture, are themselves philosophically structured and philologically evolved as an expression of culture. The program includes, for this purpose, advanced language courses - with mandatory attendance for both lectures and exercises and a great quantity of individual work - aimed to develop in students the ability to orient themselves correctly in complex linguistic situations In close connection with courses dedicated to the culture of the relevant countries. In addition to literary language, they will be provided with teachings in which they will tackle other kinds of texts and languages (cinema, painting, theatre, television, conversational, socio-political and economic), always in a perspective highly targeted to the acquisition of full linguistic and cultural familiarity with the area they chose and with cultural connections. Before accessing the final examination for the acquisition of degree, students are required to acquire certification of level C1/C2 in the language of specialization. Such certificates will be issued thanks to specific agreements between the University and authorized institutions. The students of both curricula will thus acquire, in addition to the in-depth knowledge of the language, literature and culture of one of civilization herein, adequate humanistic preparation and specific expertise in the written translation of literary texts, together with the ability to use computer and electronic aids. To this end the course organizes internships and apprenticeships, in agreement with public and private institutions,. Starting, in short, by a substantial common core of class specific activities the two curricula also provide qualified educational specialization paths. The decision to include among the related and additional activities some disciplines are already present among the class specific activities of the two classes, allows students to go deeper into the knowledge of the culture of the area of specialization or even, and depending on their vocation professional choice, to approach the knowledge of other areas that are interconnected with the one they have selected. At the conclusion of the programme, students must demonstrate a solid linguistic basis in one of the eastern or western languages, in its written and oral form, in its genesis, diachronic development and in literary expressions; they should also possess advanced skills in the relevant methodologies of cultures under study, as well as in the research techniques required for the retrieval and critical use of sources; they should possess specific knowledge in the historical, socio- anthropological, literary and cultural area to refer to not only to the geo-political context of North-South relations in the world, but also to the migration waves of recent times, critically addressing all issues related to the meeting, confrontation and dialogue between different cultures, and taking account of cultural processes. It should be remembered that Islamic studies are the study of Islam as an independent phenomenon, to approach the various religious but also social and cultural aspects. A whole that is chronological (time unit in considering the not only ancient but also modern and contemporary plural Islamic culture) and spatial and/or geographical unit: not only the Arab world (Middle East and North Africa), but also Iran and Turkey, areas that have historically interacted with the cultures of the Mediterranean basin. The method is very important: it should not be a simple unitary cultural-historical and philological approach. That is, Islamic studies although independently designed, should be closely linked to the study of the main so-called Muslim languages: the Arabic language in the first place, the Persian language (Farsi) and the Turkish language. It should be emphasized that a good translation from Arabic, for example, is only a translation if not processed in historical and cultural (or Islamist) terms. No coincidence that in the tradition of the Italian Arabic studies there is no autonomous philology, the study of the Koran being the main source of Arabic philology, and that Islam in its historical evolution has become a system that embraces all forms of activities of the Muslims, even when they live in a land of emigration. Graduates can act as experts in the field of literary publishing, may take positions of high responsibility in international cultural and economic cooperation institutions (advisers and mediators), in Italian cultural institutions abroad, active in the areas of competence; in foreign cultural institutions in Italy and abroad; they may also carry out their activity as expert translators and language professionals in industry and service industry. On the basis of bilateral agreements between the University of Palermo and the University of Misurata (Libya) and Nancy Lorraine, a double degree programme with the latter (class LM–36) is already in force. At the end of their studies, graduates must be able to analyse and process the data of oral communication or written, namely literary, texts, using the learned methods, in a wide historical -cultural and communication horizon between different cultures, developing autonomous interpretation and judgment skills. This independent judgment is mainly acquired through: - Theoretical and methodological lessons; - Discussions and exercises on the analysis and interpretation of texts, and on advanced theoretical and methodological issues; - Participation in workshop activities and seminars; - Drafting of the final paper. Independent judgment skills are assessed through: - examinations and written and oral tests; - Reports on workshops and seminars. Communication skills: Graduates must be able to communicate at an advanced level with native speakers of the studied languages and cultures studied, with written and spoken competence and freedom of expression. They will be able to take into account the different cultural contexts and the different language registers, to comprehend complex texts, starting with the literary works, being able to formulate articulate critical analysis. These communication skills will be primarily acquired through: - Lectures and practical application; - Advanced seminars and meetings with Italian and foreign experts; - Participation in Erasmus and Socrates projects, and stays abroad under agreements with the above mentioned universities; - Papers and reports on complex issues; - Participation in workshops; - Final work with the use of multimedia tools. The assessment of communication skills is carried our through: - Examinations and written and oral tests; - Reports on the results of participation in workshop activities and as seminars; - Final examination, consisting of the presentation and discussion of the content of the final paper, trough multimedia support also. Learning skills: Graduates will be able to further develop their skills in the studied languages, in view of higher learning levels, as well as in linguistic, philological, literary and historical - cultural methodologies , through the use of new educational and research tools and within different professional contexts. These learning skills are acquired primarily through: - Theoretical-methodological lessons and practical-application; - Participation in advanced exercises, specialized seminars and laboratory activities and internship, also at academic institutions and public and private institutions in the countries of interest of the relevant degree class; - Use of new critical tools and upgrade to the most recent publications in their area of competence. The acquisition of such learning ability is checked and evaluated according to the following modalities: - Final exam and written and oral tests; - Evaluation of the results of the participation in the laboratory and as seminars; - Final examination.
Profile: Linguistic-literature expert Functions: Cultural professional with functions of planning, coordination and implementation of events needing the knowledge of one or more foreign languages of the European and Middle East and Northern African areas. Such professionals possess specific competences in the field of language mediation and intercultural communication, carrying out activities of coordination and consulting in the area of cultural exchanges between Italy and the Countries where they will work, thanks to the acquired language specialisation, as well as activities of intercultural mediation in national (Centers for the initial reception of immigrants, experts jurors at the courts and prefectures, prisons and healthcare facilities) and international such as Caritas Migrantesi, Emergency, etc ) institutions; collaboration with international bodies such as the diplomatic missions of the countries of the Mediterranean; consultancy in the political institutions of the European Union requiring advanced knowledge of one or more languages of Europe and the Near East and North African countries and of the relevant cultures. Skills: - Translation of texts and consultancy in institutions and national and international organizations. - Preparation of texts, files and information materials (in foreign languages too) in the field of literature, publishing and communication, as well as in the economic - financial activities. - Intercultural mediation in public and private institutions, and in national and international cultural institutions. Career opportunities: National and international, public and private, organizations; Cultural institutions and associations and economic-financial bodies; Public Administrations; Diplomatic agencies and Italian Cultural Institutes abroad. Profile: Teacher in middle and high schools: the course provides, in the field of foreign languages and literatures, the curricular requirements necessary for participation in the competitive examinations for accessing the qualifying courses for teaching in accordance with current legislation . Features: Teacher in middle and high schools. Skills: Teaching in schools and in training schools or cultural institutes abroad, after completing the process of teaching qualifications and competitive examination required by law Career opportunities: Italian and foreign, public and private schools; training schools (after completing the process of teaching qualifications and competitive examination required by law).
The final exam consists of a written paper, appropriate to the required amount of credits, aiming at ascertaining the acquired level of scientific and professional knowledge, consistent with the selected topic and the course class. It requires a work of original character in which the student must demonstrate in-depth analytic and synthetic ability skills, supported by rigorous literature search.

course outline
Teachings first year
credits Term Val. Area Scientific sector
14379 - HISTORY OF ARAB COUNTRIES AND ISLAMISTICS Details PELLITTERI (PQ) 12.0 1 V B L-OR/10
16401 - LITERARY CRITICISM AND COMPARATIVE LITERATURE - ADVANCED LEVEL Details SANTANGELO (PQ) 6.0 2 V B L-FIL-LET/14
16434 - ARAB LITERATURE - ADVANCED LEVEL Details SCIORTINO (PO) 6.0 2 V B L-OR/12
17408 - PERSIAN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE Details KASIRI (IE) 9.0 2 V B L-OR/15
17411 - ARAB LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION I - ADVANCED LEVEL Details ELSAKAAN (PC) 9.0 2 V B L-OR/12
Optional subjects 9.0 C
Free subjects 9.0 D
Teachings second year
credits Term Val. Area Scientific sector
14184 - INTERNSHIP 3.0 1 G F
05917 - FINAL EXAMINATION 12.0 2 G E
13565 - ITALIAN LITERATURE - ADVANCED COURSE Details DI GIOVANNA (PQ) 9.0 2 V B L-FIL-LET/10
16398 - ITALIAN LINGUISTICS - ADVANCED LEVEL Details SOTTILE (PA) 9.0 2 V B L-FIL-LET/12
16436 - ARAB LANGUAGE AND TRANSLATION II - ADVANCED LEVEL Details ELSAKAAN (PC) 9.0 2 V C L-OR/12
Optional subjects II 18.0 B
Elective activities
Optional subjects II credits Term Val. Area Scientific sector
16400 - GERMANIC PHILOLOGY - ADVANCED LEVEL Details RIZZO (PA) 9.0 1 V B L-FIL-LET/15
16403 - ROMANCE PHILOLOGY - ADVANCED LEVEL Details CARAPEZZA (PO) 9.0 1 V B L-FIL-LET/09
16435 - GENERAL LINGUISTICS - ADVANCED LEVEL Details BRUCALE (PA) 9.0 1 V B L-LIN/01
08820 - ARAB LINGUISTICS Details ELSAKAAN (PC) 9.0 2 V B L-OR/12
Optional subjects credits Term Val. Area Scientific sector
09369 - HEBRAIC LANGUAGE AND CIVILISATION Details PEPI (PA) 9.0 1 V C L-OR/08
13517 - TURKISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE Details BOYNUDELIK (PC) 9.0 1 V C L-OR/13
Explaination
Term Term/Semester
Val. Valutation: V = mark in 30/30, G = note
(*) Teaching attended in english
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