In 1348, as the plague ravaged Florence, ten young people fled to the countryside and told one hundred stories. Boccaccio's Decameron, dedicated to women who suffer in love, became one of Western literature's most influential works, and includes tales so explicit that the first uncensored English translation did not appear until 1972. We will immerse ourselves in Boccaccio's medieval world through 14 celebrated stories, then trace the Decameron's influence through works by Chaucer, Marguerite de Navarre, Verga, Pirandello, Chekhov, Buzzati, Lahiri, and Atwood. Students will develop their skills as slow and careful readers, and—most importantly—become storytellers themselves. In two special sessions, students will share prepared stories: original creations, borrowed tales, or imaginative hybrids.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 20

Crosslisted Courses:

Prerequisites: None. Not open to students who have taken ITAS 362/MER 362.

Distribution Requirements: LL - Language and Literature

Typical Periods Offered: Spring

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Spring

Notes: