Universität Fribourg Course offerings

Profile of the study programme

Italian literary and philological studies at the universities of Fribourg and Verona have a long tradition, marked notably by the work of eminent scholars such as Gianfranco Contini, Giuseppe Billanovich and Giovanni Pozzi at Fribourg and Pier Vincenzo Mengaldo and Gilberto Lonardi at Verona. At both universities, these researchers contributed to the creation of two genuine schools of textual analysis which have achieved and continue to achieve extremely original results using methods of philological research and formalist and stylistic criticism.
The historical dimension covers eight centuries of Italian literature and is taught by several professors. Drawing on key points of their research and recent trends in criticism, the professors examine the period from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance as well as modern and contemporary periods from the 16^th to the 21^st centuries. Other topics consider the philology of literary texts and the history of language, style and culture.
The master programme has a dual purpose: its focus is specifically literary, but at the same time it offers an introduction to the multitude of cultural aspects that constitute «Italian-ness» from an interdisciplinary perspective that emphasises links to history, art history, philosophy and musicology.

Fribourg profile
The master programme combines the didactic approach characteristic of both the Fribourg and Verona schools. Students are encouraged to develop their ability to work independently and to interact in small groups in research seminars. The primary strength of the programme is its in-depth study of literature, including not only textual research but also the historical dimension (crossing philology and critical interpretation). Particular emphasis is placed on texts and themes of mediaeval and Renaissance literature, and of modern and contemporary literature, especially poetry.
The study of various aspects of Italian culture constitutes the second key area of the master programme.
The course is taught in Italian.
Studies at the University of Verona during the second and third semesters will enable students to develop their own critical capacity with respect to the production, analysis, transmission and definition of the historical and aesthetic qualities of literary and artistic textual forms. One of the principal formative objectives of the double degree programme is to provide a complete theoretical framework for how ancient and modern literary discourse is produced, and thus an understanding of the many aspects related to literary and non-literary textuality.
This study programme involves writing a master thesis under the direction and supervision of one member of the teaching staff qualified to supervise a thesis from each of the two universities.

Learning outcomes and career openings
The double degree programme is designed to meet the expectations of students who wish to pursue rigorous training in scholarly research, combined with prolonged study abroad in accordance with international academic standards, and who are considering a career in research and higher education in particular. The harmonisation of the courses at the universities of Fribourg and Verona in a single programme has given rise to an original and innovative study plan, both for Switzerland and internationally, which is reshaping the teaching of the great masters of literary criticism of the 20^th century (G. Contini, G. Billanovich, G. Pozzi, G. Folena, P. V. Mengaldo) into new forms capable of meeting the epistemological challenges of the 21^st century.
The skills acquired at the end of the master programme allow students to conduct personal research, often oriented towards the editing and annotation of ancient and modern texts. To this end, the programme emphasises the close links between literary historiography, critical interpretation and textual philology. The critical skills and advanced analytical tools acquired guarantee the knowledge needed for the advanced study of literary production in the Italian language and for reasoned and original commentary. Moreover, the theoretical perspectives examined throughout the master's course enable students to develop their own critical reflections on approaches to and methods of Italian studies, and thus to position themselves in the contemporary scientific discourse.
Excellent results in the master's course give students access to doctoral studies. A doctoral school in Italian Studies was set up at the Univeristy of Fribourg in 2013 in collaboration with the universities of Geneva and Lausanne. The Department of Culture e civilità of the University of Verona offers a doctoral programme in Letteratura, Filologia e Scienze dello Spettacolo.
The holder of a Master of Arts in Languages and Literatures: Italian from the University of Fribourg is qualified to undertake teacher education for baccalaureate schools (DEEM/LDM). Their expertise also qualifies them for leadership roles in the world of culture, written journalism, audiovisual media (radio, TV, Internet), the book industry and publishing sector, archives and libraries, as well as in translation, administration, etc.