Italy

The course discusses topics including space and cognition; geographical space; measurements of spatial knowledge; spatial knowledge acquired from maps; spatial knowledge acquired by navigation; the main neuro-cognitive structures involved in cognitive maps formation, landmark recognition, allocentric, and egocentric knowledge and switching between them; clinical conditions associated with spatial orientation and knowledge; weakness and challenges in spatial knowledge and representations; space and language; individual visuospatial differences in processing and representing spatial information; the relationship between individual visuospatial differences and environment learning using different modalities (maps, navigation and descriptions) with different methodologies; and spatial representations in motor activities and sport. The course requires prerequisite knowledge of introductory aspects of psychology (as perception, language, memory and learning), models of cognitive psychology, and individual differences.

This course examines the recent psychological literature on the antecedents and consequences of economic inequality, which develop and have an impact very early in childhood, and analyzes social class differences in personality, motivation, and cognition. The course also identifies the reasons why people often don’t engage in collective action to change the situation and why some redistribution strategies are more likely to be endorsed than others. The course is organized around four broad themes: 1) The social and psychological consequences of economic inequality; 2) Beyond possessions: psychological differences between social classes; 3) Perceiving and understanding wealth and income distribution; and 4) Collective action and redistributive strategies The course requires students to have basic knowledge of experimental methods in psychology as a prerequisite.

This course builds on and rapidly expands control of basic grammatical structures and vocabulary. Students consolidate their ability to negotiate basic survival situations in the target language and learn more advanced grammar concepts, especially with attention to the past tenses. They understand sentences and common expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local topography, employment). They complete routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar matters. They describe in simple terms aspects of their background, environment, and matters in areas of immediate need. They talk about their family, living conditions, present or recent, and past work and school activities, and personal experiences. They are able to expand learned phrases through simple re-combinations of their elements. All four abilities (writing, speaking, listening, reading) are developed in the class, also with the support of authentic audiovisual materials such as Italian movies, short videos, TV programs, and songs. The course uses a communication-based approach: students engage in daily role-plays, group activities, games, and class discussions. Out of class activities are designed to take advantage of the opportunities for interaction and language practice, as well as immersion in Italian culture, that the city provides.

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale program. Enrollment is by consent of the instructor. The course is intended for students who have a strong background in American Literature. The topic for the Spring 2018 semester is: American Graphic Novels The course focuses on American (literary) storytelling. The course offers an overview of the cultural history of American comics, while focusing on the avant-gardes of the late 1970s and 1980s that led to the development of the American graphic novel. Special attention is placed on documents like LE MUSÉE PRIVÉ D'ART SPIEGELMAN (2012) and COMIC BOOK CONFIDENTIAL (Ron Mann, 1988). The course focuses on storytelling and graphic devices and techniques. Special attention is placed on the relationship between the arts, and their historical, cultural, and linguistic contexts. Texts include: FUN HOME: A FAMILY TRAGICOMIC (2006) by Alison Bechdel, GHOST WORLD (1993-1997) by Daniel Clowes, A CONTRACT WITH GOD (1978) by Will Eisner, LOVE AND ROCKETS (1981-c2001) by Hernandez Bros., JULIUS KNIPL and REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHER (1988-to date) by Ben Katchor, CITY OF GLASS (1994, with Paul Karasik) and ASTERIOS POLYP (2009) by David Mazzucchelli, THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS (1986) by Frank Miller, AMERICAN SPLENDOR (1976-c2010) by Harvey Pekar, PALESTINE (1993-1995) by Joe Sacco, MAUS (1980-1991) and IN THE SHADOW OF NO TOWERS (2004) by Art Spiegelman, THIS MODERN WORLD (1988-to date) by Tom Tomorrow, THE ADVENTURES OF JIMMY CORRIGAN, THE SMARTEST KID ON EARTH (2000) by Chris Ware. Special attention is devoted to the permeability of graphic narrative into other art forms (theatre, modern dance, multimedia performances, radio, film, music). Specific autobiographical and metanarrative aspects are considered along with a number of films including: Ron Mann's COMIC BOOK CONFIDENTIAL (1988), Terry Zwigoff's CRUMB (1994), GHOST WORLD (2001) and ART SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL (2006), Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini's AMERICAN SPLENDOR (2003), and Mark Daniels' LA BD S'EN VA T-EN GUERRE (2009). The course is structured on the seminar model with part lecture and part discussion. The final exam is divided in two parts, one written and one oral.

This course provides an overview of the history of law in Europe. The course sketches the history of a common civilization, to which people contributed coming from different and faraway lands, cities, kingdoms, and towns. A special focus is on the sources of law: legislation, legal doctrine, and legal practice. The relevance of each of these sources varied over time. In order to shed light on the common features throughout the history of Europe, the course focuses on a selection of the institutions of private and public law which are most representative of each epoch and each country. A special emphasis is on the correlation between the laws and the role played by professional jurists. All topics in the course are dealt with particular attention to the exchange of normative bodies, legislations, doctrines, judicial decisions, and customs within Europe, including English Common Law. Overall, the course introduces students to the complexities of European legal history through in-depth analysis of the sources of the law, from the middle ages to the present time. The course recommends students have background knowledge with the fundamentals of Private Law and Public Law.

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale program. Enrollment is by consent of the instructor. The course is intended for students who have a strong background in political science or international relations. The course is an overview of international relations of the East Asian region and focuses on the economic and political issues surrounding the Asia-Pacific rim. Topics covered include: historical and contemporary patterns of state relations in East Asia, US security alliances in East Asia and the new Asian Pivot, the rise of China, the nuclear crisis in the Korean Peninsula, territorial disputes, regional multilateral institutions, East Asian development models and economic integration, environmental challenges, energy security, and other related issues. Required readings include: THE INTERNATIONAL POLITICS OF ASIA-PACIFIC by M. Yahuda and POLITICS IN EAST ASIA: EXPLAINING CHANGE AND CONTINUITY by T. Lim. Specific readings are assigned on the following topics: The Korean Peninsula, The People's Republic of China, China-EU Relations, Nationalism and Territorial Disputes, Japan's Domestic and Foreign Policy. Assessment is based on a final oral exam.

This course offers an introduction to Italian culture and Florence's rich history and traditions through a hands-on approach. Florence is a complex city with many identities. It is known as the cradle of the Renaissance, but its structure was shaped in the middle ages, in the 19th century, and in recent times. It is an international place, visited by tourists from all around the world, but still maintains a sense of pride in its own traditions. In the Culture section of this course, students explore the city through a series of on-site lectures, understanding its structure and its development through the centuries up to today, discovering the significance of its beautiful monuments and the scars left by its fascinating history. The Language component of the course provides students the tools and skills to navigate the city and complete tasks in real-life situations and specific contexts. Through small-group works they acquire basic communicative structures and learn to react effectively to authentic communicative situations.

The aim of this course is to inspire students about the possibilities of entrepreneurship. The Italian context will prepare students for the creative chaos of the entrepreneurial world.  There is no better international context for exploring this phenomenon.  From the Medici, who made a fortune and lost it again within a century, to Ferrari, the consummate entrepreneur; from Armani, Ferragamo and Gucci to Luxottica and Del Vecchio’s sunglasses empire, we investigate the essence of Italian entrepreneurship.  In addition, we scrutinize great examples of family businesses, in which each new generation exhibits entrepreneurship (FIAT, Ferrero etc.) as well as instances of entrepreneurships where it all went wrong (e.g. Parmalat). The world of entrepreneurship is evaluated from the perspectives of management, finance, and marketing as well as sociology in order to understand these enterprises.  The course is delivered using a large array of texts and academic sources that the students assess in real life case studies. We visit a wide range of entrepreneurial contexts and have the opportunity to interview at first hand a number of entrepreneurs and those that support entrepreneurship.  Students also critically evaluate major issues such as globalization, sustainability, and ethics, which affect entrepreneurship today. Each class is based on a set of readings, and it is crucial that students keep up with the readings and be prepared to discuss them in class. Some lectures directly engage our readings while others provide contextualizing historical and theoretical information. Lectures and class discussions are supplemented by visits in which we explore the structure, philosophy, values, and methodology of Italian entrepreneurs. Emphasis is placed on taking the theoretical approach and applying it directly to the Italian context. This course is designed for undergraduate students of business, communication, international studies, management, economics as well as students with an interest in entrepreneurship.