ITAL 30063 Italian Culture as Reflected in Italian Cinema
Prerequisites: ITAL 20063 with a grade of C- or better, or instructor's permission. This course is a study of Italian culture as reflected in Italian cinema. The course, conducted in Italian, has as a primary goal the improvement of students' knowledge of both contemporary and historical Italy. Spoken and written Italian skills are developed through authentic readings, class discussions and individual presentations. Italian cinema from the 1940's to the present will be covered, emphasizing major directors, such as Visconti, De Sica, Fellini, Tornatore, and Benigni. Topics to be addressed include: the unification of Italy, the North-South divide, fascism, the realities of La Dolce Vita or sweet life, regional identify, racism, gender relations, the mafia and immigration.