Module manager: Laura Lucia Rossi
Email: L.L.Rossi@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
| MODL2045 | From Inferno to the world. Reading Dante’s Divine Comedy in |
ITAL3045
This module is approved as a discovery module
Dante Alighieri stands as one of the most significant and innovative figures of the European Middle Ages. His Divine Comedy, a cornerstone of both Italian and global literature, narrates the journey through the three realms of the Christian afterlife by a character who is, at the same time, both Dante himself and Everyman. This module introduces Dante’s Comedy, allowing students to delve into a pivotal piece of Italian culture, while exploring one of the great works of world literature through translation. In the first semester, the module will concentrate on the poem's initial part, Inferno, with a particular focus on Dante’s perspectives on politics, community, justice, and religion. The second semester will shift to examining the global dissemination and reception of Dante’s Comedy, its lasting significance in world literature, and its continued resonance with contemporary audiences in a secularized world. Lectures will be complemented by interactive seminars where students will conduct close readings of key passages and episodes from Inferno and work towards creating an independent digital project. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
Upon completing this module, students will have developed an understanding of the significance of Dante’s Divine Comedy both as a product of national culture within its original context and as a work of world literature, whose influence and success still endure. This case study of Dante's Comedy will offer the opportunity to explore the impact and resonance of literary works in general beyond their borders and time, and their relevance in discussing our contemporary world.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Demonstrate in-depth familiarity with Dante’s text, its context and engagement with scholarship in Dante studies
2. Reflect in a sophisticated way on Dante’s approach to politics, justice, ethics and religion
3. Evaluate the cultural significance of Dante's text and its implications for different audiences across time
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
4. Demonstrate originality of approach to the themes studied in the course
5. Deliver effective communication, including with the support of digital means as appropriate
6. Evaluate different arguments and perspectives and find supportive evidence to develop opinions and theories
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 16 | 1 | 16 |
| Seminar | 14 | 1 | 14 |
| Private study hours | 170 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 30 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
In semester 1, students will be given the opportunity to submit essay plans/outlines for feedback before submitting their coursework.
Formative feedback will also be provided orally throughout Semester 2 in the workshops by lecturers and peers, as students present and discuss their digital projects.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 50 |
| Coursework | Digital Project | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team