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.
course
description
This is an introductory-level course that focuses on the Italian literature and culture, in particular the modern Italian novel. Through close readings of four Italian novels we will examine the political, economic, and social forces of twentieth and twenty-first century Italian society. Four topical sub-genres will be studied in detail: detective fiction/ murder mystery, organized crime & mafia fiction, migrant literature, & feminist fiction.
learning
objectives
1. to recognize the literary and cultural contexts in which the novels analyzed are produced
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2. to recognize the linguistic, poetic, political, and social issues raised in the novels
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3. to clearly analyze premises, synthesize arguments, and evaluate content in appropriate historical, political, and socio-cultural contexts
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4. to employ a range of critical thinking skills in blog entries, class discussions, and creative research projects
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