Introduction to Modern Italian Literature and Culture

Ancient, yet new; united, yet fractured; central, yet marginal; imperial subject, aspirant empire: what historical, political, and social dynamics have shaped the Italian nation over the course of the last two centuries? How do we make sense of this Italy - at once monolithic and multitudinous, longstanding and newborn? Through the study of literary, filmic, and musical works from the period of Italian unification to the turn of the 21st century, students will reflect on how artists, writers, cultural and political movements expressed, influenced, and encoded Italy¿s many, paradoxical modernities. The course is an introduction to modern Italian literature and culture and a continuation of the study of the Italian language. All class discussions, reading, and writing will be in Italian. Please do not hesitate to contact the instructor should you have doubts about your language level.