This course offers a survey of 17th-century Italian literature and examines the development of specific literary genres in the contexts of cultural and intellectual history. It provides methodologies and philological instruments necessary to the critical reading of a variety of narrative and poetic texts in the perspective of literary and cultural cross-currents of this time period. Special attention will be devoted to the nature and function of the early baroque novel and poetry, Counter-reformed sacred oratory, libertine fiction and ideology. Textual analysis will be conducted also on 17th-century printed editions with the purpose of allowing the students to familiarize themselves with the typographic characteristics and oddities of antique books. A possible visit to the Newberry Library Special Collection located in Chicago may take place in October. The contribution of graduate students will consist of an oral presentation and a research paper. No final exam.