Reading and composition course based on works by Italians and foreigners about Italy and its culture and by Italians about their distinctive experiences of other cultures as tourists and emigrants. Works studied will be primarily chosen from among fiction and non fiction narratives, both originally in English and translated into it. R5A satisfies the first half of the Reading and Composition Requirement and R5B satisfies the second half.

Dante's afterlife journey through Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso serves not only as a metaphor for the human experience of overcoming inner obstacles, but it also symbolizes the formidable challenge of composing such an intricate text like the Divine Comedy. Similarly, in a reading and composition class, students embark on a journey like Dante, starting from a place of writerly disorientation when facing academic writing (a sort of Dantean dark forest) and gradually gaining confidence as they progress. Like Dante, and alongside him, in our R5B class, we will delve into our inner dark forest, which in this class means dealing with our demons, fears and insecurity as writers within an academic setting. In this journey we will meet several notable figures, both historical and mythological, such as the lovers Paolo and Francesca, the controversial Conte Ugolino, and Ulysses, as well as guiding characters like the poet Virgil and Dante's beloved Beatrice. From the dark forest, with commitment and courage, together with your R&C instructor and your classmates, you will overcome obstacles and push forward until reaching Paradise, which in our class means Confidence as writers! Although the main text will be Dante's Divine Comedy, other texts will be provided by the instructor via bCourses as PDFs. Some texts relate to postcolonial reimaginings of the Divine Comedy, while others are revisitations by cartoonists, as well as various forms of art, including video games. In this class, we will spend a significant amount of time writing in class, as well as discussing in groups. There will be discussion posts on the reading of the day to publish on bCourses and two longer projects during the semester, including their rewriting. Students should purchase the following book: Inferno / Dante Alighieri ; Translated, with an Introduction and Notes, by Mary Jo Bang ; Illustrations by Henrik Drescher. Minneapolis, Minn: Graywolf Press, 2012. Print. SBN: 1555976549 ISBN : 9781555976194 Other materials and PDFs will be provided by the instructor via bCourses.

Requisites

• Previously passed an R_A course with a letter grade of C- or better. Previously passed an articulated R_A course with a letter grade of C- or better. Score a 4 on the Advanced Placement Exam in English Literature. Score a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Exam in English Language and Composition. Score of 5, 6, or 7 on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examination in English.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.

Requirements class fulfills