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Academic Year 2003/2004


Italian Fascism and Culture
FIST 247 FA

This course examines the intersection between Italian fascism and culture, both during the Regime (1922-43) and in its subsequent re-evaluations, most notably the period following WWII, as well as the 1990s, when neo-fascist movements in Italy were on the rise. The rich and complicated relations between ideology and culture will be examined in a variety of artistic practices, including architecture, cinema, spectacle, and literature. As well, we will examine the production of gender normativity during the Regime and its reinterpretation after the "fall" of Fascism.

MAJOR READINGS

Marinetti's MAFARKA;
de Cespedes's NO ONE TURNS BACK;
Malaparte's THE SKIN;
Blasetti's 1860 and 18BL;
De Sica's TERESA VENERDI;
Moravia's THE TIME OF INDIFFERENCE;
Buzzati's THE TARTAR STEPPE;
Rossellini's OPEN CITY;
Moravia's THE CONFORMIST as well as Bertolucci's film;
Cavani's THE NIGHT PORTER;
Wertmuller's SEVEN BEAUTIES.
Historical and theoretical readings include:
De Felice's INTERPRETATIONS OF FASCISM;
Sternhell's THE BIRTH OF FASCIST IDEOLOGY;
Stone's THE PATRON STATE;
Golsan's FASCISM, AESTHETICS, AND CULTURE;
Theweleit's MALE FANTASIES;
Hewitt's FASCIST MODERNITY;
Spackman's RHETORICS OF VIRILITY;
Mosse's NATIONALISM AND SEXUALITY;
Pickering-Iazzi's MOTHERS OF INVENTION

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Several short papers, class presentation, take-home final.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

All readings will be in English, films will be subtitled.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA RLAN    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004


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