Ateneo - UPO

The course focuses on literary communication and, in particular, on Collodi, Pinocchio and the «pinocchiate».

For the general section, the reference title is: Luciano Curreri, Lucia Rodler (eds.), Communicating Literature: A Lively ABC, illustrated by Giuseppe Palumbo, Le Monnier Università / Mondadori Education, Milan, 2026, 220 pp.

For the monographic section, the reference title is: Luciano Curreri, *Play it again, Pinocchio. Essays on the history of ‘Pinocchio stories’*, Moretti & Vitali, Bergamo, 2017.

The reference textbook is: Roberto Carnero, Giuseppe Iannaccone, *Literature, the Present, the Future*, Treccani Giunti TVP, Florence, 2025.

The first aim is to revitalise literary communication, which still exists, even though there are those who have sought to marginalise it, separating it from the ethical, social and political imagination, and from the knowledge and skills needed to live in a world that is changing but which remains ours: a shared world. The second is to re-examine Carlo Collodi (Lorenzini), The Adventures of Pinocchio and the specific textual ‘derivatives’ known as «pinocchiate», which allow us to appreciate a series of ‘minor texts’ that closely trace and recount that complex history which, beginning in the late nineteenth century, came to encompass the entire twentieth century and extend into the twenty-first.
Teaching format: lectures: 1,2 CFU (30 hours of lessons); self-study: 4,8 CFU.
Lecture-based teaching involves interaction with and amongst students.

Basic literary-historical, linguistic-stylistic and critical knowledge.

Lectures followed by discussions; reading and commenting on texts in the classroom, with questions; web-based teaching if necessary.

DSA/BES. Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The final assessment consists of an oral examination, which will focus on the following points: 1. Assessment of knowledge of the aforementioned and assigned text, Luciano Curreri, Lucia Rodler (eds.), Comunicare la letteratura. Un vivace Abc, accounting for 50 per cent of the exam mark; 2. Assessment of the skills required to analyse and interpret Pinocchio and the «pinocchiate» based on Luciano Curreri, Play it again, Pinocchio. Essays for a History of the «pinocchiate», Moretti & Vitali, Bergamo, 2017, and a reading of at least three «pinocchiate», accounting for 50 per cent of the exam mark. To pass the exam, students must provide at least a satisfactory response to each of the two points.
The possible mark ranges are: 18–22; 23–26; 27–30; 30 with distinction.

General section: Communicating literature; Carlo Collodi (Lorenzini); Pinocchio (or, from the most ‘communicated’ character to the most ‘excommunicated’ character); The importance of ‘minor texts’; Monographic section: The «pinocchiate» in the name of Pinocchio; Play it again, Pinocchio; On the trail of a ‘Futurist’ Pinocchio: a Pinocchietto variation on the European War; «Above forests of outstretched arms». Fascist «Pinocchiate» (1923–1944); Are the fascist «pinocchiate» tales of Italy?; Adventure as an antidote to a propaganda-driven identity? Three «pinocchiate» by Salgari from 1928; Pinocchio and the puppets. A wooden tale between past and present; The very last «pinocchiata»? Il popolo di legno (2015) by Emanuele Trevi.

In order to attain the knowledge and skills corresponding to the ‘sufficient’ level, students are required to demonstrate: (KNOWLEDGE) an understanding of the diverse forms and characteristics of literary communication; (SKILLS) the ability to analyse and interpret literary texts (Pinocchio and the «pinocchiate» in particular), linking historical, literary and linguistic elements to ethical and political ones; (TRANSVERSAL SKILLS) the ability to present knowledge, information and opinions relating to the texts and issues covered clearly and effectively, using appropriate language and terminology. To achieve a more advanced level, students must demonstrate: an independent perspective on the topics covered in class, combined with a critical capacity for analysis and synthesis.