ITAL3211 Italian Cultural Studies

In this topic students consider issues relating to Italian culture and society as illustrated in a selection of authentic written, aural and/or visual texts. Students may be offered a choice of monographic studies relating to contemporary or earlier texts. Regular offerings include Italian cinema, history of the Italian language, survey of Italian literature, introduction to Italian history and society.

This topic aims to:

• Provide opportunities for the development or consolidation of students' background knowledge of socio-cultural issues related to Italian arts, literature and society
• Develop students' critical and analytical skills through the study of Italian texts

1. Summarise and illustrate historical, artistic and social developments related to the cultural component, and use them as context for the interpretation, comparison and critiquing of texts
2. Read, discuss and critique a variety of authentic texts