1. BASC70262 | Course
calvino on a bike

Calvino's Worlds

Cost
540.00
Register

Available Sections

Offered for
Autumn
Section
24A1
Schedule
Day
Wed
Times
09:30 am—12:45 pm
Dates
—
Type
Discussion
Location
Online
Taught by
Katia Mitova
Section Notes
Course Syllabus
Offered for
Autumn
Section
24A2
Schedule
Day
Sat
Times
09:30 am—12:45 pm
Dates
—
Type
Discussion
Location
University of Chicago Gleacher Center
Taught by
Katia Mitova
Section Notes
Course Syllabus
Shortly before his death, Italo Calvino (1923-1985) wrote: “The grand challenge for literature is to be capable of weaving together the various branches of knowledge, their various ‘codes’ into a manifold and multifaceted vision of the world” (Six Memos for the Next Millennium). As a young writer, Calvino had accepted the challenge, left behind neorealism and, intrepidly, like a modern Marco Polo, set out to discover new worlds. Inspired by the “codes” of myth, history, literature, art, architecture, philosophy, astronomy, physics, mathematics, semiotics, and biology, his imagination and masterful storytelling wove an enchanting, uniquely Calvinian universe. We will discuss Invisible Cities (1972), If on a Winter Night a Traveler (1979), and Mr. Palomar (1983) as well as a selection of Calvino’s essays and short stories from Cosmicomics (1965), Difficult Loves (1970), and The Castle of Crossed Destinies (1973). Expect weekly reading assignments of about 70-90 pages.

Course Outline

REQURED BOOKS

Difficult Loves. Mariner. ISBN 978-0544959125

The Complete Cosmicomics. Mariner. ISBN 978-0544577879

Invisible Cities. Mariner. ISBN 978-0156453806

If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. ISBN 978-0156439619

Mr. Palomar, Mariner. ISBN 978-0156627801

STORIES FOR SUMMER READING

The Baron in the Trees, Mariner. ISBN 978-0544959118. (Even better, the whole trilogy, Our Ancestors. Vintage. ISBN 978-0099430865.)

The Castle of Crossed Destinies. Mariner. ISBN ‎978-0156154550

Notes

Online registration closes September 24 at 5 pm CT.

All Graham School courses use Canvas to distribute files and announcements. You will receive an invitation to join Canvas about a week before your course begins. Remote courses require you to login to Canvas to access the Zoom Classroom. Please visit the Liberal Arts Remote Learning Resources page to find step by step instructions for Canvas and Zoom.