Key facts
UNE unit code: ITAL511
*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Not offered in 2026
- Yes
- No
- No
- 6
Unit information
The Italian literature of the 14th century was the foundation for European writers for the centuries which followed and is thought of as the starting point for the Renaissance.
In this unit you will examine the works of the founders of the Italian literary tradition, reading select parts of Francesco Petrarch’s Canzoniere and Giovanni Boccaccio’s Decameron and Dante Alighieri’s Inferno. You will critically analyse a range of advanced texts in the context of the socio-political and philosophical situation of Italy in the 14th century and explore their enduring legacy.
Extend your advanced level language skills and your understanding of the foundations of Italian culture when you learn more about Italian literature and the writers of the time.
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
If you have completed LANG303 topic: The Crowns of Italian Literature: Dante, Petrarch and Boccaccio, you can not enrol in ITAL511.
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- identify and critically evaluate debates within the field of Italian literature studies;
- critically analyse, evaluate and apply advanced cognitive skills to advanced literary texts;
- demonstrate advanced knowledge of 14th Century Italian literature at an advanced level;
- through critical analysis, demonstrate advanced cognitive skills to advanced texts in the context of the socio-political and philosophical situation of 14th Century Italy; and
- apply advanced language (Italian language specialists only) and research skills to the reading of 14th Century Italian texts.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Yes | 50% | All offerings | Students specialising in Italian are expected to use Italian scholarly sources in their essays. No. Words: 4000 |
| Online Participation | Yes | 10% | All offerings | Students specialising in Italian must attend weekly workshops in Italian No. Words: 1500 (equivalent) |
| Take Home Exam | Yes | 40% | All offerings | Students specialising in Italian are expected to write their take home exam in Italian. No. Words: 2000 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Decameron
ISBN: 9788804700067
Boccaccio, G., Mondadori 2018
Text refers to: All offerings
The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri: Volume 1: Inferno
ISBN: 9780195087444
Durling, R.M., Oxford University Press 1997
Text refers to: All offerings
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