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FIST244

Italian and Italian/American Cinema: Images, Immigration, and Cross-Cultural Comparisons
FIST244 SP

Crosslistings: ITAL244

Not Currently Offered

Through a sustained comparison of paired films by Italian and (more often than not) Italian/American directors, we will examine the representation of some of the following themes in a cross-cultural context: immigration, the generation gap, love, marriage, gender, family dynamics, faith, organized crime, and others.

MAJOR READINGS

Required texts: Peter Bondanella, ITALIAN
CINEMA: FROM NEOREALISM TO THE PRESENT
Louis Giannetti, UNDERSTANDING MOVIES
Millicent Marcus, ITALIAN FILM IN THE LIGHT OF NEOREALISM
Recommended texts will be available on reserve in Olin.
Required viewing:THE GODFATHER (Francis Ford Coppola, 1972);
GOOD MORNING, BABYLON (Paolo and Vittoria Taviani, 1987);
CARO DIARIO (Nanni Moretti, 1994); KAOS (Paolo e Vittorio
Taviani, 1984); AMARCORD (Federico Fellini, 1974);
ITALIANAMERICAN (Martin Scorsese, 1974-5); BEFORE THE
REVOLUTION (Bernardo Bertolucci, 1964); MEAN STREETS (Martin
Scorsese, 1972); ECLIPSE (Michelangelo Antonioni, 1962);
CHINA GIRL (Abel Ferrara, 1987); TRUE LOVE (Nancy Savoca,
1989); DIVORCE ITALIAN STYLE (Pietro Germi, 1960);
MEDITTERANEO (Gabriele Salvatorez, 1992); RESERVOIR DOGS
(Quentin Tarantino, 1992); SOTTO SOTTO (Lina Wertmuller,
1984); HOUSEHOLD SAINTS (Nancy Savoca, 1993); ACCATTONE
(Pier Paolo Pasolini, 1961); THE BAD LIEUTENANT (Abel
Ferrara, 1992); ROCCO AND HIS BROTHERS (Luchino Visconti,
1960); RAGING BULL (Martin Scorsese, 1980); GOODFELLAS
(Martin Scorsese, 1990); THE FRESHMAN (Andrew Bergman,
1990); JOHNNY STECCHINO (Robert Benigni, 1991).

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

1. Two four-six page papers and one final paper (10-15 pages). Topics will be assigned for the first two. The student's final paper will consist of an independent research project, the subject of which will consist of at least one film not discussed in class. There will be no final exam. 2. As a class assignment, students will also be required to do a group presentation on one of the films seen during screenings. 3. Students are required to keep a film journal, in which you can write down impressions, ideas and analyses of each film.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

This is a viewing intensive course and attendance is MANDATORY at all screenings and class sessions. This class is taught in English. Italian Studies Majors should enroll in a group Tutorial, which will meet once weekly, in Italian, for .5 credit. Italian Studies Majors will keep the journal in Italian and write both short papers in Italian. Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Discussion Lecture

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00 Gen Ed Area & Dept: HA RLIT

Prerequisites: None

Last Updated on MAR-22-1999




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