Course Description
This course will provide students with an in-depth overview and analysis of the events which, in approximately the last 140 years, have shaped Italy and the lives of Italians. Information and analysis will be provided on such topics as regionalism, language, social and political cultures, the Church, feminism, resistance, organized crime, literature, cinema, the mass media, music, and the impact global trends have had on Italian culture. American stereotypes of Italy and Italians will also be addressed. Students will be encouraged to participate actively in classroom discussions.

Upon completion of this course, students will have acquired a sufficient appreciation of modern Italian culture and an analytical framework suitable to addressing and understanding complex cultural issues in Italy with a certain depth and sophistication.

Course Materials

Baraski, Zygmunt G. and Rebecca J. West (Eds.). The Cambridge Companion to Modern Italian Culture. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001.

Mandatory course reader