Intermedia Theory
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to introduce students to intermedial theories, addressing the main theoretical and methodological issues related to the analysis of relationships between different media from an international and comparative perspective, with particular attention to the dialogue between literature and visual culture.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: Students will acquire an in-depth understanding of the main theories and methodologies for intermedial analysis, developing the ability to critically examine the interactions and contaminations between different media. Particular emphasis will be placed on the study of works from fields such as literature, cinema, visual arts, and digital media.
Skills: Students will develop analytical and interpretative skills that will enable them to engage with multiple expressive forms and cultural horizons, recognizing the specificities and intersections among various media. By the end of the course, they will be able to independently apply the knowledge acquired to analyze intermedial works and phenomena from different historical periods and cultural contexts, thus contributing to a broader understanding of processes of intermedial transformation.
Skills: Students will develop analytical and interpretative skills that will enable them to engage with multiple expressive forms and cultural horizons, recognizing the specificities and intersections among various media. By the end of the course, they will be able to independently apply the knowledge acquired to analyze intermedial works and phenomena from different historical periods and cultural contexts, thus contributing to a broader understanding of processes of intermedial transformation.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course aims to introduce the main theories of intermediality and the relationship between literature and visual culture.
Part A (20hours; prof. Giuseppe Carrara) will present key theoretical and methodological issues involved in studying the interaction between literature and other media, through theoretical discussions and the analysis of selected examples provided by the teacher.
Part B (20hours; prof. TBD) will explore the concept of negative empathy from an intermedial and transmedial perspective. The topic will be introduced through an analysis of TV series, novels, and film adaptations in which the audience—whether reader or viewer—is led to empathize, to varying degrees, with a protagonist who commits immoral acts, typically murder or violent behavior.
The module will examine the narrative strategies that produce this effect, the psychological impact on the audience, and the ethical questions raised by experiencing empathy toward morally ambiguous or destructive characters.
Part A (20hours; prof. Giuseppe Carrara) will present key theoretical and methodological issues involved in studying the interaction between literature and other media, through theoretical discussions and the analysis of selected examples provided by the teacher.
Part B (20hours; prof. TBD) will explore the concept of negative empathy from an intermedial and transmedial perspective. The topic will be introduced through an analysis of TV series, novels, and film adaptations in which the audience—whether reader or viewer—is led to empathize, to varying degrees, with a protagonist who commits immoral acts, typically murder or violent behavior.
The module will examine the narrative strategies that produce this effect, the psychological impact on the audience, and the ethical questions raised by experiencing empathy toward morally ambiguous or destructive characters.
Prerequisites for admission
None
Teaching methods
The course will be delivered in a lecture format, with some time allocated for discussion with the instructor. These moments of interaction are intended to help students explore the topics in greater depth, enhance their analytical, reasoning, and interpretative skills, and facilitate learning. In order to participate more actively, students are encouraged to read the works and essays listed in the syllabus while attending the course. Teaching materials for discussion will be made available on the course's Ariel website. Regular attendance is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
PART A (20 hours, Prof. Giuseppe Carrara)
1. Irina O. Rajewsky, "Intermediality, Intertextuality, and Remediation: A Literary Perspective on Intermediality", in "Intermédialités / Intermediality", 6, 2005, pp. 43-64.
2. Werner Wolf, "(Inter)mediality and the Study of Literature", in "CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture", 12, 3, 2011 (9 pp.)
3. Michele Cometa, "The Literary Life of Pictures", only part 3, pp. 69-131.
4. Caroline Blinder, "The Photo-Text in the 19th and 20th Centuries", "Oxford Research En-cyclopedia of Literature".
5. Two essays to be chosen from the following list:
- Julia Straub, "Nineteenth-century Literature and Photography", in "Handbook of Intermediality" De Gruyter, 2015, pp. 156-172.
- Laura Marcus, "Film and Modernist Literature", in "Handbook of Intermediality" De Gruyter, 2015, pp. 240-248;
- Peter Wagner, "The Nineteenth-century Illustrated Novel", in "Handbook of Intermediality" De Gruyter, 2015, pp.378-400;
- Daniel Stein, "Comics and Graphic Novels", in "Handbook of Intermediality" De Gruyter, 2015, pp. 420-438.
6. Examples of literary texts provided by the teacher and available on MyAriel website.
PART B (20hours, prof. TBD)
1. S. Ercolino, "Negative empathy. History, theory, criticism", in "Orbis Litterarum", 2018, pp. 243-262.
The literary and audiovisual works, as well as any additional critical bibliography, will be defined more precisely once the instructor for Part B of the course has been assigned.
1. Irina O. Rajewsky, "Intermediality, Intertextuality, and Remediation: A Literary Perspective on Intermediality", in "Intermédialités / Intermediality", 6, 2005, pp. 43-64.
2. Werner Wolf, "(Inter)mediality and the Study of Literature", in "CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture", 12, 3, 2011 (9 pp.)
3. Michele Cometa, "The Literary Life of Pictures", only part 3, pp. 69-131.
4. Caroline Blinder, "The Photo-Text in the 19th and 20th Centuries", "Oxford Research En-cyclopedia of Literature".
5. Two essays to be chosen from the following list:
- Julia Straub, "Nineteenth-century Literature and Photography", in "Handbook of Intermediality" De Gruyter, 2015, pp. 156-172.
- Laura Marcus, "Film and Modernist Literature", in "Handbook of Intermediality" De Gruyter, 2015, pp. 240-248;
- Peter Wagner, "The Nineteenth-century Illustrated Novel", in "Handbook of Intermediality" De Gruyter, 2015, pp.378-400;
- Daniel Stein, "Comics and Graphic Novels", in "Handbook of Intermediality" De Gruyter, 2015, pp. 420-438.
6. Examples of literary texts provided by the teacher and available on MyAriel website.
PART B (20hours, prof. TBD)
1. S. Ercolino, "Negative empathy. History, theory, criticism", in "Orbis Litterarum", 2018, pp. 243-262.
The literary and audiovisual works, as well as any additional critical bibliography, will be defined more precisely once the instructor for Part B of the course has been assigned.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam will consist of an oral discussion on the topics covered in the syllabus. To pass the exam, students must demonstrate at least a sufficient understanding of the content of each part of the course. They will be required to critically engage with the issues addressed during the course and with the examples discussed in class.
Language proficiency, including the use of appropriate disciplinary terminology, and the accuracy of any historical and literary references will also be taken into account in the final assessment.
Students enrolled in degree programs other than TAL may choose to take the exam in either English or Italian. For TAL students, the exam will be conducted in English.
Language proficiency, including the use of appropriate disciplinary terminology, and the accuracy of any historical and literary references will also be taken into account in the final assessment.
Students enrolled in degree programs other than TAL may choose to take the exam in either English or Italian. For TAL students, the exam will be conducted in English.
L-FIL-LET/14 - LITERARY CRITICISM AND COMPARATIVE LITERATURE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Carrara Giuseppe
Professor(s)