Italian American Cultural Studies

Catalog description

Italian American Cultural Studies explores the representations and self-representations of Italian Americans that have been produced since the 19th Century in a variety of aesthetic forms. Through analysis of literary and cinematic works, informed by readings in history and sociology, students will refine their critical reading and writing skills while gaining a more informed appreciation of the contributions of Italian Americans to American culture. We consider how gender, sexuality, and class intersect with ethnicity and race in the experience and construction of Italian American identity, and how later generations of Italian Americans remember and represent their heritage. This course fulfills requirements for the major and minor in Italian, and allows students interested in Italian American culture to undertake more in-depth and specialized study than is possible in the 100-level General Education survey offered by the department. Conducted in English.