Teaching Italian Literature and Languag...

The project aims to study and develop methods of teaching select topics in Italian literature and language in Austria and Slovenia. The promotion of teaching and learning Italian at an academic level appears particularly relevant in these two countries bordering on Italy since both of them were involved in important historical events that concerned regions in all of the three countries and shaped various aspects of their cultures.

The project focuses on researching topics relating to the concept of the border in literary texts. It assumes that the concept of border has been one of great importance for the cultures of neighbouring regions and countries. The project aims to address this concept in the fields of Italian literature and his linguistic meanings both in theory and practice. It explores the possibilities of achieving specific learning goals and targets through the inclusion of texts in the teaching of Italian literature and language for the purpose of developing literary, transcultural and linguistic competencies.

Different types of text will be analysed, which deal with the concept of border, in its different meanings and usages. Text will be selected which can enhance the students’ ability to interact with a text, by inferring and retrieving background knowledge as well as to interpret a text and analyse its semantic, stylistic and linguistic, referential aspects. The main goal is to select, analyse and evaluate specific literary texts and develop the cross-borders competencies of the students and their awareness of identity issues in border areas.

A further goal is to develop and improve the transcultural competences of the students of the two universities as aware citizens of the European Union. The project is expected to promote the exchange of good practices in transcultural literary research between the Departments of Romance Languages and Literatures involved.