Italian

This course provides an introduction to the culture and society of contemporary Italy in the post-war period, identifying and challenging traditional stereotypes. In Semester 1, the course identifies the major political, economic, and social changes which have affected Italy since the Second World War. In Semester 2, students consider how we make sense of the process of Italian cultural production in multiple media and across multiple centuries, from the medieval and Renaissance period to the modern era, directing the attention towards the study and interpretation of different kinds of texts (poetic, narrative, and filmic) created in this cultural context.

This course provides students with a sound basis for communicating effectively and accurately in oral and written Italian. Students obtain proficiency in basic Italian spelling and pronunciation. Elementary Italian grammar and syntactic structures are covered, especially the use of nouns and adjectives and regular and irregular verbs in the present and past tense. Authentic materials (songs, videos, advertisements, and film clips) are used in a communicative-based approach, and emphasis is placed on the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students participate in several sessions of language exchange with Italian university students, and field trips take them outside the classroom to engage with the city and Romans to reinforce the grammatical skills learned in class. The course is conducted entirely in Italian.

The course examines the theoretical and methodological tools to understand and analyze human language in its complexity and in its various manifestations, i.e. languages. At first, human language is contextualized within the larger set of semiotic phenomena, and the main models of linguistic and non-linguistic communication will be compared. The course then defines the concept of natural language, within a broader perspective taking into account the world's languages and their variation in time and space, and focuses on the concept of linguistic diversity. The diversity of languages is the background during the middle part of the course, where various levels of linguistic analysis are explained and demonstrated using examples from Italian and other European and non-European languages. The course addresses phonetics, phonology, morphology, vocabulary, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics. In light of the different levels of analysis addressed, the course proposes possible typologies and taxonomies with which to organize linguistic diversity, and concludes by discussing the concept of linguistic universals.

The course has 2 parts: A & B. Students must take both parts. Students who complete a term paper on a pre-approved topic are awarded 1 extra unit. Maximum units for the course are 8. Part A covers types of comics from the 13th century to the 16th century. Part A is dedicated to comic in literature. The first part focuses on Boccaccio with in-depth studies on the DECAMERON, and the second part is dedicated to the reading of Machiavelli. Part B discusses poetry and theater in the 18th and 19th centuries. Part B discusses Goldoni, Pascoli, and an in-depth study of Dante's INFERNO in the context of poetry.

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale degree program and is intended for advanced level students. Enrolment is by permission of the instructor. Students selecting the Italian subject area must select the course readings in Italian. The course examines gender studies (theories and methodologies) in diverse cultural contexts with specific reference to the analyses of the notions of identity and otherness, difference, and diversity. The course favors the capability to deconstruct these notions in diverse texts (theoretical, literary, and visual). The course presents case studies in which texts (literary and visual) are in dialogue with theories and methodologies of gender and postcolonial studies. The texts elaborate on the issue of gender, identity, difference, race, and politics of the body in the representations, transmissions, and elaborations of traumatic events in literary and visual texts (with specific reference to utopian and dystopian fictions). Lessons make reference to memory and trauma studies, dystopia, and science fiction within a gender and postgender perspective. The course elaborates on debates on the intersectionality of gender(s) and race in theories, and visual and literary texts, and to analyze issues related to utopia/dystopia/science fiction within a postcolonial and posthuman perspective. The main theoretical issues discussed by the course include critical theories and methodologies of gender and women's studies and queer studies; re-reading of the notion of identity, difference, and diversity; gender as a social construction; women’s and postcolonial re-visions of the symbolic and social order; the construction of sexual difference as a deconstructive strategy; re-writings of the body; French Feminism(s) and African American and Postcolonial responses; postcolonial and African American critical debates on the representation and deconstruction of the notion of gender and race. New politics of identity and difference; intersectionality of race and gender(s); and the interconnection of gender, ethnicity, and race in trauma and memory studies.

This course focuses on the intersections between the fashion system and the media system. Students learn about the evolution of both the fashion and media within the Italian context and the fundamentals of the historical evolution of fashion communication in the Italian mediascape. Students analyze events, campaigns, exhibitions, fashion shows, public relations activities, customer management, and other fashion-related events to understand the communication strategies of the fashion industry for advertising and promotion purposes. The controversial impact of new technologies (i.e. social media, bloggers, influencers) are also discussed, along with a critical reflection on ethical matters concerning the role of fashion as a major influential presence in the media and more in general in our culture. Students learn how fashion communication works also by acquiring and practicing communication skills in fashion projects. They will understand hands-on how the fashion communication process develops, experimenting with how to design and develop a fashion communication campaign (articles, blog entries, social media posts, etc.) with a focus on Italian brands. Students explore their own potential as fashion communicators, learning the basics to create branded content for the fashion industry, choosing the most suitable media outlets, and crafting effective messages. A critical analysis of how fashion language has evolved, from 19th–century fashion magazines to today’s blogs and influencers, also helps students acquire the fundamentals of how to communicate fashion. 

Entrepreneurship is one of the most intriguing and mysterious components of modern economies. The "Made in Italy" brand is recognized internationally and has become synonymous with high quality, authenticity, and excellence. What’s behind the brand "Made in Italy" is one of the questions posed in class, including some of the most important European family-owned companies in Italy. Various topics are tackled through invited speakers and opportunities to interview first-hand several entrepreneurs, such as the Chinese entrepreneurs in the textile industry in Prato. The second part of the course examines the Food & Beverage Industry in Italy, with particular attention to post-pandemic trends. Case studies include Nonino grappa, Calvisius Caviar, and Venchi chocolate. The course uses a large array of texts and academic sources to assess real life case studies. It also critically evaluates major issues which affect entrepreneurship today, such as globalization, sustainability, and ethics, as well as various laws affecting the food industry.

This course completes the elementary level of Italian, affording the opportunity to expand conversation, writing, and reading skills while consolidating knowledge of more complex grammar structures. Students understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure time, etc. They deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. They learn to produce simple connected texts on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. They describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions, and briefly illustrate opinions and plans. Students expand their Italian vocabulary and improve their mode of expression in the language. They are aware of the significant differences that exist between uses, customs, behaviors, and values of the community in which they live. They also master essential rules of courtesy and etiquette of the hosting country. 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.

The course focuses on the key grammatical points in intermediate Italian. Students refine their ability to talk about family, studies, and free time and to produce simple texts regarding familiar subjects and personal interests. Students refine their use of the past tense to express events that have already taken place and to use the future tense to describe dreams, hopes and ambitions. Students also refine their use of grammatical structures necessary for expressing opinions. Admission is by entrance exam only. Course is taught by University of Bologna instructors and includes laboratory exercises. Course is graded on P/NP basis.