Alongside doing research and writing, I love teaching and organising cultural events, bringing people and ideas together. It’s all about creating dialogic occasions where new perspectives may arise that inform both my creative and academic writing. This page gives an overview of these initiatives and archives them.
Oltre a scrivere e fare ricerca, amo insegnare e organizzare eventi culturali per fare incontrare persone e idee. Si tratta di crare occasioni di dialogo in cui possono sorgere nuove prospettive, che a loro volta potranno entrare nella mia scrittura sia creativa sia accademica. Questa pagina dà una visione d’insieme di queste attività e ne costituisce anche un archivio.
TEACHING
Here below is a list of courses I teach:
- 20th Anglo-American Poetry (MA)
- Creative writing: short story and poetry (BA)
- English Lexicology & Lexicography (BA)
- Introduction to Psycholinguistics (BA)
- Italian Language for Foreign Learners (A1 to C1)
- Stylistics and text effects (BA)
TEACHING STATEMENT (SUMMARY)
In my teaching practice, I use a variety of methods: traditional lecturing, small group teaching, peer feedback, group projects, weekly assignments, involvement of guest lecturers, list of questions to encourage inquisitive and analytical reading, critical use of AI technologies, research-based development of syllabi, and more. Of course, I regularly use IT technologies in the process: Moodle, Teams, PowerPoints, smart boards.
Key to my teaching style is creating a relaxing and occasionally humorous atmosphere and a safe space where students can express their potential and ideas without being judged. I am very supportive of my students, especially the most ambitious ones. I’ve written several recommendation letters to help them gain access to prestigious programmes in Europe and beyond, or to present at international conferences. I also involve some of them in the stylistics reading group I lead at Vilnius University. If you want, you can join our monthly meetings online.
Over my nearly 10 years at Vilnius University I have created many teaching materials, presentations, handouts for each of the courses listed above. If you are interested in accessing these materials and maybe reusing or adapting them, contact me at davide.castiglione@flf.vu.lt.
OUTREACH
L’italiano dei poeti (rassegna di poesia): 2022
Nel maggio 2022 ho invitato quattro poeti italiani (Riccardo Frolloni, Federico Italiano, Laura Liberale e Roberto Minardi) a Vilnius, grazie ai fondi dell’Erasmus+ e con il coinvolgimento di alcune istituzioni locali, tra cui l’Istituto italiano di cultura di Vilnius e i dipartimenti di italianistica di Vilnius e Kaunas. Gli ospiti hanno presentato i loro ultimi libri, tenuto seminari e presentazioni.
La rassegna dal vivo è integrata da presentazioni online disponibili sul mio canale Youtube:
Mind Sharpener Series (public talks): 2018-2020
“The Mind Sharpener” was a series of lively, thought-provoking talks rooted in academic research but of general interest and open to everyone. Topics range from political theory to poetry, from violence in discourse to the origins of language. The idea is to bring the fruits of research to a wide and diversified audience, and let the audience become an active participant by raising questions, proposing solutions, engaging in the tasks and activities provided by the speaker. All events took place at Ideas Block LT, Vilnius, and were held in English. There is also a dedicated Facebook page. In collaboration with Ideas Block LT. Past events:
DAVIDE CASTIGLIONE 