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.
viewing guides
You will complete a viewing guide for 10 of the films screened in class. You will NOT submit a viewing for the film for which you present a Scene Analysis. Each viewing guide can be found to the right, as well as under the detailed calendar. You should complete viewing guides before Thursday class sessions. Viewing guides are due on Fridays by midnight. You will submit them on Blackboard.
submission dates
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Late submission of any part of the assignment will result in a 5% penalty per day.
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Viewing guide 1 - September 3
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Viewing guide 2- September 10
Viewing guide 3- September 17
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Viewing guide 4- September 24
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Viewing guide 5- October 1
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Viewing guide 6 – October 8
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Viewing guide 7- October 22
Viewing guide 8- October 29
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Viewing guide 9- November 5
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Viewing guide 10- November 12
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Viewing guide 11 – November 19