Italian American Heritage in Popular Culture

Catalog description

This course explores the rich and complex experiences of Italian Americans in the United States. The course provides an overview of Italian migration to the United States, including the various regions of Italy that contributed to the wave of Italian migration and the challenges that Italian immigrants faced upon arrival in the United States. Students will examine the presence of Italian American heritage in popular culture, including music, religion, food, and sports, as well as media representations of Italian Americans, exploring how these portrayals have evolved over time. Throughout the course, students will not only learn about the origins of the Italian American community, but also how to reflect critically on stereotypes surrounding this community.