Fascism, Futurism, Feminism: Forces of Change in 20th-Century Italy
ITAL 240
Fall 2009 not offered
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This course investigates three forces at work in Italy in the first half of the 20th century. We explore Italian fascism, futurism, and feminism through a variety of media, including literary, cinematic, and artistic expressions, and will consider each movement in its sociohistorical context. How does the radical annihilation of standard mores and culture proposed by the futurists help pave the way for Italian fascism? How does feminism in the first half of the century offer examples of resistance to both Fascism and futurism? The texts we will consider include the paintings, sculpture, manifestoes, and poetry of futurism; Sibilla Aleramo's early feminist novel Una donna as well as the writings of other Italian feminists resistant to the ultraviolence and misogyny of futurism and the instrumentalization of gender under Italian fascism. We explore similarly varied texts representative of the Fascist era: examples of rationalist architecture and urban planning; Alberto Moravia's novel of social mores during Fascism, Gli indifferenti; selections from Antonio Gramsci, political prisoner of the regime, Quaderni del carcere and Lettere dal carcere; and at least one film made under the conditions (economic, industrial, and propagandistic) of fascism. Our goal is an understanding of the ideological dis/connections between fascism, futurism, and feminism in the Italian collective unconscious in a historical juncture of profound social, economic, and political transformations. By focusing on the interconnections of these forces, we strive for a panoramic understanding of Italy as it moved to embrace modernity in the first half of the last century |
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Essential Capabilities:
Intercultural Literacy, Writing
1. Students will exercise speaking in Ital 240 on a daily basis as well as in more formal occasions like student presentations as well as during the oral final exam, which is modeled on those in Italian university.
2. In this course students reflect on intercultural literacy by examining various artistic expressions in 20th c- Italy in their social, historical, and cultural contexts.
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA RLAN |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: ITAL222 OR ITAL112 |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (ITST)(RMST) |
Major Readings:
Baricco, Alessandro. OCEANOMARE.
Buzzati, Dino. IL DESERTO DEI TARTARI
De Cespedes, ALBA. IL RIMORSO.
Krismer, Raffaella. IL SIGNORE DELLA CARNE
Levi, Primo. IL SISTEMA PERIODICO.
Moravia, Alberto. GLI INDIFFERENTI.
Pirandello, Luigi. SEI PERSONAGGI IN CERCA D'AUTORE; ENRICO IV
Starnone, Domenico. DENTI.
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Examinations and Assignments:
Daily discussion questions, two essays, oral final examination. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course is intended for advanced students of Italian. While study abroad is not *required*, it will be very useful to the student to have that degree of fluency. ITAL221, the fifth semester is the ideal course for students who have completed Italian only up to the end of ITAL112 (fourth semester) and have not yet studied in Italy. However, if such students are interested in enrolling in ITAL240, they should seek the counsel and permission of the instructor. Students with preparation from another institution or who have spent time in Italy and believe they have the appropriate degree of fluency should take the placement test during Fall semester registration and seek the permission of the instructor. Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office. |
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