The course will cover both formal and thematic trends in the films of the noted postwar Italian directors Roberto Rossellini, Vittorio De Sica, and Luchino Visconti. Film screenings will be in Italian with English subtitles. Lectures and coursework will be in English. Students wishing to apply this course toward the major in Italian must secure permission of the instructor. They will complete their assignments in Italian and meet with the instructor in supplementary sessions.
Faithful attendance is required.
Attention is paid to both the historical and aesthetic significance of the readings, and the evolution of a new perspective on history, politics and science is studied. All work is done in Italian. Authors include Pirandello, Svevo, Montale, Ungaretti, Moravia, Pavese, De Filippo, Calvino and others. This course emphasizes the function of tradition and innovation in modern literature, and the relationship of the works and their authors to the social milieu. All work is done in Italian.