This seminar is concerned with political, social, cultural, and religious aspects of Italian life from the 1815 to the present. In recent years the seminar has stressed the interdisciplinary approach to Italian studies, increasing the participation of economists, social scientists, and scholars of literature. The seminar s members come mostly from the New York area and from the neighboring states. The seminar meets on the second Friday of the month, from October to May, to discuss a paper presented by a member or an invited speaker.
Papers cover a wide range of topics, approaches, and methodologies.
The seminar occasionally holds a day-long conference or a more restricted symposium to explore a topic in depth.