Introduction to Modern and Contemporary Italian Literature and Culture

This course will cover Italian literature from the beginning of the nineteenth to the end of the twentieth century focussing on major literary movements and their chief representatives in a political and social context. Beginning with an overview of Italian Romanticism the course will then focus on the development of the novel, and the poetics of realism, Decadentismo and Futurism. Representative writers of the twentieth century will also be studied. Changing attitudes in poetry will be illustrated by a selection of readings ranging from “Crepuscular poets” to the "Hermetic poets" and the Transavanguardia. Selected writings by contemporary authors will also be included. (1 Unit)

Required Text: Mario Pazzaglia. Scrittori e critici della letteratura italiana. Ottocento e Novecento. Antologia con pagine critiche e un profilo di storia letteraria. Vol. 3 (vol. unico). Terza Ed. Bologna: Zanichelli (1996). ISBN: 9788808146922. Additional reading materials will be provided by the instructor.

Summer 2009

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European Studies Senior Thesis
(Approval Required)

Winter 2011, Spring 2011, Winter 2012

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Intermediate Italian
A glimpse into Italian daily life will provide the context for reviewing grammar, for engaging conversation, and for writing. In exploring facets of Italian life such as regional differences, school, the family, attitudes towards politics, and food--among others--we will formulate valuable cross-cultural comparisons. Discussion, debate, and role-playing will help us generate and practice different forms of discourse that we will use for our increasingly more sophisticated ideas expressed in increasingly more complex grammatical structures. (ITAL 0102 or equivalent). Discussion/performance. 3 hrs. lect./disc./screen

Fall 2010

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An Introduction to Contemporary Italy
Intended for students at the intermediate level, this course will afford the opportunity to expand conversation, writing, and reading skills while consolidating knowledge of the more difficult points of grammar. The contextual focus of the course is contemporary Italian culture, including contemporary history and politics, the economy, the division between North and South, immigration from developing countries, environmental issues, and popular music, among others. Italian films, music, and articles from newspapers and news magazines will enhance and complete the learning experience. (ITAL 0250, waiver, or equivalent)

Winter 2011, Fall 2011, Fall 2012, Fall 2013

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Italian Culture II: From the Sixties to the Present Day
To deepen the historical knowledge gained in ITAL 0251, we will discuss and analyze modern and contemporary Italian literature of various genres, as well as essays, art, and film. In the context of reading, critical viewing, textual analysis, and discussion, we will continue to develop both historical and linguistic competence. Discussion and the writing process, along with selected exercises, will continue to refine grammatical competence. (ITAL 0251) 3 hrs. lect./disc.

Spring 2011, Spring 2013

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Literary Feasts: Representations of Food in Modern Narrative (in English)
This course will consider food and eating practices within specific cultural and historical contexts. We will analyze realistic, symbolic, religious, erotic, and political functions surrounding the preparation and consumption of food. Readings will be drawn from several national traditions, with a focus on Europe. Authors will include, among others, I. Dinesen, L. Esquivel, J. Harris, E. Hemingway, T. Lampedusa, P. Levi, C. Petrini, M. Pollan, E. Vittorini, and B. Yoshimoto. Viewing of several films where food and eating play an important role will supplement class discussion. 3 hrs. lect./disc.

Spring 2011, Spring 2012

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Epoche della letteratura italiana I: introduzione al periodo moderno
This course acquaints students with the major 19th and 20th century works and movements and develops the students' linguistic, critical, and analytical skills. The readings will introduce literary genres within a chronological framework. Special emphasis will be placed on the skill of writing in Italian. (ITAL 0252 or equivalent) 3 hrs. lect./disc., 2 hrs. screen.

Fall 2010

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Modern Italian Literature and Culture
This course will consider the works of Italian twentieth-century novelists and will explore the authors' narrative techniques within a larger discussion of the social context that their works reflect and interpret. Focusing on novels by Natalia Ginzburg, Carlo Levi, Carlo Collodi, Italo Calvino, we will discuss issues related to gender roles, family, education, class, and politics. Special attention will be devoted to each author's approach to the art of storytelling. Films inspired by some of the novels will supplement the readings. (ITAL 0355 or equivalent) 3 hrs. disc.

Fall 2012, Fall 2013

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Independent Study
Italian faculty as a group will consider and approve requests by qualified juniors and seniors to engage in independent work. Students must submit a prospectus that includes a bibliography of no less than five sources. Interested students should contact members of the Italian faculty before the end of the preceding term to discuss their project and to see if they are available to direct the Independent Study. Students must submit a prospectus with the department chair by the end of the first week of classesfor fall and spring term approvals, by the end the last week of fall semesterfor winter term approvals. Prior to submission, sufficient advance consultation with project directors is required.Junior students are strongly encouraged to consider independent study as preparation for senior honors thesis work.

Winter 2010, Fall 2010, Winter 2011, Spring 2011, Fall 2011, Winter 2012, Spring 2012, Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014

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As prerequisite, students must have an A- or above average in Italian courses and a B overall average to be considered for honors work. They may achieve honors through a one-credit thesis of 25 or more pages, whose work may extend over one or more semesters, or through a comprehensive exam. Italian faculty as a group will consider and approve requests by qualified juniors and seniors to engage in honors work.

Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014

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