Una stagione con Dante: introduzione
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
- Course Code: LNW41
- Dates: 04/12/24 - 04/12/24
- Time: 18:00 - 20:00
- Taught: Wed, Evening
- Duration: 1 session
- Location: Online
- Tutor: Francesco Bucciol
Course Code: LNW41
Duration: 1 session
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
Reading Dante's Divine Comedy in Italian can be very confusing as it is an extremely complex poem. This lecture will touch on the main characteristics of the poem, providing the reader with the basic background knowledge: Dante's politics, his theological beliefs and some of the key features of the work. Please note that the selection of the cantos read in the following sessions will be different from that of previous years, so you are welcome to re-enrol even if you have attended before.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
In this session we will give a brief overview of:
- The political background and Dante’s exile as a result of his political views;
- The philosophical and theological framework behind the Divine Comedy;
- Dante’s beliefs and knowledge.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
1. Have an understanding of the main political factions in Florence during Dante's life
2. Better understand the structure of the poem
3. Give an example of how Dante detaches himself from the beliefs and knowledge of his time.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This lecture will be conducted in Italian and is therefore aimed at those of you with an advanced level of the language. It is suitable if you are attending Italian 4 or 5 at Citylit or have an equivalent level.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This is a lecture and is therefore mainly tutor-led, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions. An illustrated presentation will accompany the lecture.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No other cost. Students will just need to bring writing material.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
This introduction will be followed by three sessions devoted to the three parts of the poem: Inferno (LNW42), Purgatorio (LNW12) and Paradiso (LNW13). See the website for details.
Francesco has taught Italian language classes and literature at City Lit since 2014. He also works as Head of the Classics Department. After graduating with honours in Modern Languages and Literatures (English, German and Serbo-Croat), he moved to London and started teaching Italian at various adult education colleges, which gave him the opportunity to share his interest in Italian language, culture and traditions to a diverse range of students. During this time, he also acquired experience in curriculum management. Francesco currently prepares students for Italian exams. His passion includes philology, Dante, early Italian literature and the history of Italy (primarily the Northeast, where he grew up and was educated).
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
