Linguistic, Literary and Translation Studies

"Dreams and Nightmares. Philip Roth's American Trilogy" This course offers an in-depth exploration of Philip Roth's American Trilogy, which comprises the novels American Pastoral (1997), I Married a Communist (1998), and The Human Stain (2000). Set against the backdrop of mid-20th-century America, these works delve into complex themes of identity, politics, gender relations and the American experience. Roth's trilogy is a powerful reflection on the contradictions, tensions, and evolving narratives that define American society, examining the intersections of personal lives and public histories at the turn of the century. Central to our discussions will be the exploration of American exceptionalism, disillusionment, and the ways in which Roth critiques the myth of the American Dream. We will also consider how Roth addresses the fluidity of identity, particularly in relation to issues of race, political ideology, and cultural belonging. We will pay particular attention to narrative strategies, character development, and recurring tropes.

Proficient level of spoken and written English; familiarity with the key authors, texts, and themes of Anglo-American literature, at least from the twentieth century onward, is required.

Roth, Philip. American Pastoral. Houghton Mifflin, 1997. ––. I Married a Communist. Houghton Mifflin, 1998. ––. The Human Stain. Houghton Mifflin, 2000.

Attendance, though not mandatory, is strongly recommended.

At the end of the course, students will be required to write a paper on a specific aspect of one or more of the texts analyzed in class, to be agreed upon in advance with the instructor. The paper (approximately 2500-3000 words) must be submitted by the day of the exam.

Critical works will be provided by the professor. They will be chapters from: Matthew Shipe (ed.), "Understanding Philip Roth", University of South Carolina Press. Maggie McKinley (ed.), "Philip Roth in Context", Harper College

The course, conducted entirely in English, is structured in a seminar format and will alternate traditional lectures with readings/discussions that require active participation from students. Each week, selected texts/chapters will be assigned for reading and discussed in class. For this reason, attendance, although not mandatory, is strongly recommended.

"Dreams and Nightmares. Philip Roth's American Trilogy" This course offers an in-depth exploration of Philip Roth's American Trilogy, which comprises the novels American Pastoral (1997), I Married a Communist (1998), and The Human Stain (2000). Set against the backdrop of mid-20th-century America, these works delve into complex themes of identity, politics, gender relations and the American experience. Roth's trilogy is a powerful reflection on the contradictions, tensions, and evolving narratives that define American society, examining the intersections of personal lives and public histories at the turn of the century. Central to our discussions will be the exploration of American exceptionalism, disillusionment, and the ways in which Roth critiques the myth of the American Dream. We will also consider how Roth addresses the fluidity of identity, particularly in relation to issues of race, political ideology, and cultural belonging. We will pay particular attention to narrative strategies, character development, and recurring tropes.

Proficient level of spoken and written English; familiarity with the key authors, texts, and themes of Anglo-American literature, at least from the twentieth century onward, is required.

Roth, Philip. American Pastoral. Houghton Mifflin, 1997. ––. I Married a Communist. Houghton Mifflin, 1998. ––. The Human Stain. Houghton Mifflin, 2000.

Attendance, though not mandatory, is strongly recommended.

At the end of the course, students will be required to write a paper on a specific aspect of one or more of the texts analyzed in class, to be agreed upon in advance with the instructor. The paper (approximately 2500-3000 words) must be submitted by the day of the exam.

Critical works will be provided by the professor. They will be chapters from: Matthew Shipe (ed.), "Understanding Philip Roth", University of South Carolina Press. Maggie McKinley (ed.), "Philip Roth in Context", Harper College

The course, conducted entirely in English, is structured in a seminar format and will alternate traditional lectures with readings/discussions that require active participation from students. Each week, selected texts/chapters will be assigned for reading and discussed in class. For this reason, attendance, although not mandatory, is strongly recommended.