What does it mean to be Italian in 2020? How do young adults, the aging, members of the LGBTQ community, second-generation Italians and immigrants negotiate and construct their identities in Italy today? More specifically, what are the personal histories of these individuals and groups in a nation where ideologies of an imagined homogeneity persist, yet day-to-day, lived experiences shore up visions of a “modern,” multifaceted Italy?
Building on these questions, this course will examine the increasing presence, participation, and visibility of traditionally marginalized persons in Italy. Following a historical introduction that gives context to the Unification and subsequent nation-building projects in Italy, the course draws on an archive of interdisciplinary texts of multiple mediums (visual, auditory, etc.) to illustrate conventions, trends, and exceptions of be(com)ing Italian in 2020.
BuzzFeed listicle +
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For your final, you may choose to submit a BuzzFeed-style listicle + annotated bibliography OR a traditional research paper (6-7 pages, 12pt font, double-spaced, 1 inch margins).
The function of a listicle is to curate information into a numbered list that is easy to consume. Your BuzzFeed-style listicle must summarize and explain a particular aspect/ topic/ theme studied in class. For example, you might compose a listicle of “27 Facts About Italian Detective Fiction You Probably Didn’t Know, But 100% Should” or “21 Diary Entry Tweets from Second-Generation Italians That Are Funny and Relatable.”
Format:
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Craft a title that catches the reader’s attention. Matthew Barby, an experienced BuzzFeed author, has done research indicating that the best titles ask questions and are more than seven words long. Michael Reed Roberts offers other ideas for writing “clickbait” titles.
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In the introduction, identify the issue, image, or theme that unites the statements in your listicle. Use hyperlinks to convince a typical BuzzFeed reader that it is a timely topic that is worth his/her time.
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The body of your listicle must include at least 20 statements (the introduction and conclusion do not count as statements).
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The conclusion to your listicle must punctuate your main argument.
Requirements:
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Your listicle should be roughly 1000 words in length (not including citations/quotes/ annotated bibliography).
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Your listicle must include at least 7 links to relevant current events, blog posts, or videos that will help readers understand your analysis. Credit authors by putting quote marks around words and phrases that you borrow directly from them and by embedding hyperlinks that lead readers back to your sources. A maximum of 3 of these hyperlinked sources can be included in your annotated bibliography (so long as they are peer-reviewed sources). Do not include a list of Works Cited at the bottom of the article.
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You will submit an annotated bibliography of at least 5 peer-reviewed sources on Blackboard. Instructions and examples of annotated bibliographies are available under the resources tab.
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Resources:
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annotated bibliography
submission dates &​
guidelines
This assignment will be broken up into smaller chunks. Late submission of any part of the assignment will result in a 10% penalty per day.
Proposal- 19 October
Bring to virtual class session & submit draft (doc, docx) to Blackboard.
First Draft + Peer Responses-
12 November & 16 November
Submit the first draft to Blackboard (doc, docx) by 3pm on November 12. The day that essays are due, you will be assigned other students’ listicles to review. Peer responses must be emailed to the listicle creators and me. They are due by 3pm on November 16.
Final Draft- 3 December at 5pm
You will receive 5% extra credit on your listicle final project if you decide to submit it to BuzzFeed. Do not submit your listicle on Blackboard if you submit it to BuzzFeed. Just email me the URL to the final article.
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You can earn 1 bonus point by submitting (via email or a #tweet- @dolasinski_lisa) a photo sharing your final project with a friend, partner, or family member. Late submission of any portion of this assignment will result in a 10% deduction per day (for each late submission).
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