Italian 222 - Introduction to Modern Italy

This course is an introduction to the major cultural movements of modern Italy, from Leopardi to Verga, Calvino and Pasolini. It surveys the major cultural and historical currents from the eighteenth century to the present. Representatives of romantic, realist, decadent, modernism and futurist works will be studied in their cultural and historical contexts. Class discussions, written work, and movie screenings are aimed at developing skills in oral expression and expository writing in Italian.