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.
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You will post 10 entries of 200-250 words to the class blog. This assignment will require your careful engagement with, and reflection on, course content (readings, films, interviews, discussions, etc.). You are also strongly encouraged to comment on/respond to your classmates’ entries. Blog entries will be graded on a check + (A), check (B), check- (C) scale.
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Due dates for each blog entry are listed on the detailed calendar of this website. Prompts for each post can be found on the class blog. You can opt out of 1 blog entry without penalty. You are required to notify the professor (via email) that you will not be completing a specific blog entry at least twenty-four hours in advance.