83692 - Introduction to Italian Culture (1)

Learning outcomes

The course is primarily addressed to UNIBO international students from all Schools and Departments, with the goal of introducing them to the culture and history of their hosting country and city, but also for operating as a space of integration between international and local students. At the end of the course students will acquire a basic knowledge of crucial aspects of the Italian cultural heritage across different disciplines and an awareness of the complexities of Italian history and society.

Course contents

Conceived as an interdisciplinary program, the course is taught in English, and consists of two seminar cycles, one for each semester (30 hours each for a total amount of 60 hours per year). Every week some of our best faculty and guest lecturers will offer new insights on crucial aspects of Italian culture. Students can attend single classes of their interest, but they can also obtain academic credits through regular attendance and coursework. The programme will also include special events in which students will have the opportunity to visit some of Bologna’s cultural institutions that will be defined in the course of the seminar.

The lectures will take place on Thursdays from 8 to 10 p.m. in the Aula Magna, Piazza Scaravilli.

Participants will get 6 credits (CFU) for each seminar cycle (12 CFU in total). Attendance is mandatory (only 2 absences per semester are allowed) and students are required to submit a 10-page paper (approx. 4,000 words) at the end of each semester on one of the topics discussed during the course. In order to get credits, students must join the course on VIRTUALE in the first week of the term.

The first introductory lecture will take place on 17 September (8 pm). All students are welcome to attend.

Info in summary

• All students welcome (recommended for international students)
• 2 seminar cycles (Thursdays 8-10 pm) + special events/field trips; 30 hours/6 CFUs each semester
• To get the credits: you can attend either a single semester (6 CFU) or both (12 CFU); attendance is mandatory (only two absences per semester allowed), you must submit the final essay(s); you must include the course in your study plan before the beginning of the semester (course code: 83692).
• Assessment: 10-page paper (approx. 4,000 words) per 1semester (pass/fail)
• Teaching Language: English

Lecture plan

17 Sep

Angelo Mangini, Welcome Day: Introduction to the Course

24 Sep

Bruno Settis, The Italian Rise of Fascism

1 Oct

Angelo Mangini, The Origins of Italian Literary Culture

8 Oct

Beatrice Seligardi, Women and Experimental Literature in Italy from the 60s to the 80s

15 Oct

Angelo Mangini, Text and Image: The Episode of Paolo and Francesca (Inferno 5)

22 Oct

Antonio Del Vecchio, Italy as a Laboratory of Political Thought

5 Nov

Angelo Mangini, Dante’s Political Vision: Church and Empire

12 Nov

Taije Silverman, Bologna in the Poetry of Giovanni Pascoli

19 Nov

Andrea Severi, Italian Humanism / Italian Renaissance. What is the difference?

26 Nov

Maurizio Ascari, English Travellers to Italy and the Rise of Modernity

3 Dec

Sonia Cavicchioli, Raphael and the Decoration of Suburban Villas in Renaissance Rome: A Return to Antiquity

10 Dec

Paolo Noto, Italian Screen Image from WWII to My Brilliant Friend.

Teaching methods

Lectures and special events/field trips

Assessment methods

To get the credits, students are required to submit a 10-page essay (approx. 4,000 words) at the end of each semester on one of the topics discussed during the course. The essay is assessed on a pass/fail basis. As far as the essay is concerned, the use of AI is allowed only as a tool for bibliographical research. Any other use of AI would constitute a breach of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

• PowerPoint presentations
• 'Virtuale' e-learning platform

Office hours

See the website of Angelo Maria Mangini