Section outline

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    Textual Transformation (annual course) SEE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SECOND SEMESTER UNDER TEXTUAL TRANSFORMATION 2

    Elizabeth Sainsbury 

    Thursday 13-15 Aula 006 VSR

    Office Hours: Friday 17-19 (by appointment)

    Textual Transformation 1 takes place in the first semester. 

    First lesson: Thursday . Please bring a hard copy of the booklet to the first lesson. The booklet will be available below and in copisteria.

    This annual course focuses on the reading and analysis of a variety of texts with discussion of possible text type conversion for public presentation. Work in class begins with a careful phonological and linguistic analysis of the texts and a discussion of the themes and techniques used, in order to maintain the particular characteristics of each in a public reading.

    In preparing texts for presentation, attention is given to clear diction, the expressive potential of the voice and body but also to the use of music, image and film. The students prepare individual projects at home which are then developed with group work in class. Great importance is given to discussion skills, teamwork and the ability to give constructive criticism to fellow students.

    Short oral presentations in class or recorded at home and written reports outline the aims and results of each project. At the end of each semester, the students are given the task of organising a public reading, which involves drawing up a programme and publicising the event to other students.  In each semester, they will also be asked to produce either a final presentation, a final paper or a journal which maps the progress made over the whole semester.

    The material will be made available in a booklet. The booklet for the first semester will be attached below and available at Copisteria X, 92R via San Gallo, and should be brought in hard copy to the lessons.

    This course aims to refine the students’ critical abilities in analysing different texts, develop their sensitivity to the expressive and performative potential of the material, perfect their speaking and writing skills and improve their practical abilities in organising work groups and events. These aims are achieved through group work in class, oral presentations and the writing of reports which assess progress on the projects undertaken.

    As this is an annual course, students may only follow Textual Transformation 2 in the second semester if they have followed Textual Transformation 1 in the first semester (even in a previous year). However, as there is a separate mark for each semester, it is possible for students to follow and complete only Textual Transformation 1.

    Given the nature of this course it is essential that  students attend at least 80% of the lessons. Please do not enrol on this course if you know that you will not be able to attend very regularly. No particular aptitude or previous experience in public speaking or acting is necessary, but a strong commitment to the group work is very important.