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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 319"
COURSE NAME: "The Image of Rome in Italian Literature and Cinema"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2022
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Federica Capoferri
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 6:00 PM 7:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Placement, IT 302 or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course, which is held in Italian, explores the image of Rome in Italian twentieth century literature and cinema. Literary and cinematic representations not only mirror in different ways the actual geographical, social, and cultural landscape of a city, but they also participate in shaping its identity and its self-representation. The course aims at providing students with critical keys to understanding this multilayered relationship in its different expressions.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course, which will be held in Italian, will explore the image of modern and postmodern Rome in literature and cinema. Literary authors such as Alberto Moravia, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Filippo La Porta and others will be studied and critically discussed by focusing on the formal and cultural relationships between their literary representation and the contemporary cinematic representations of Rome. In-class and at-home screenings will be interlaced with readings, and discussed in the light of their contributions the so-called Cinematic Rome.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon the completion of this course students should be able to:
-Understand literary and cinematic texts in their relationship with a specific socio-geographical context and tradition.
-Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the literary and cinematic traditions that have shaped the image of Modern and Postmodern Rome.
-Use an interdisciplinary approach to Italian literature and cinema.
-Apply advanced reading and writing skills in Italian language.

Numerical scale for grades:

A Excellent 94-100

A- 90-93 B+ 87-89

B Good 84-86

B- 80-83

C+ 77-79

 C Satisfactory 74-76

C- 70-73

D+ 67-69

D Poor but Passing 64-68

D- 60-63

F Failing Below 60 INC Incomplete P Passing (C or higher) NP Not Passing (C- or lower) W Withdrawal 
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Roma è una bugiaFilippo La PortaLaterza978-8858111796     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Le ceneri di GramsciPier Paolo PasoliniGarzanti9788811688747  
Racconti romaniAlberto MoraviaBOMPIANI9788845248979  
Nuovi racconti romaniAlberto MoraviaBompiani9788845253867  
Ragazzi di vitaPier Paolo PasoliniGarzanti9788811688358  
Stupendous, Miserable CIty: Pasolini's RomeJohn D. RhodesUniversity of Minnesota Press9780816654390  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Take-home papers (2)Take-home papers on a topic previously discussed with the Instructors.Students are required to use readings, class discussions, and at least 2 extra academic sources in their answers. 4 pages, 1.5 spaced.20%
Class Participation/AttendanceParticipation means come to class prepared on readings and screenings and be ready to interact with class discussions,. Please note that smartphones, computers, and any other devices are prohibited from the beginning to the end of the class. Students are expected to arrive on time and not leave the class earlier. Late arrivals and earlier leaving will count as half absence. More than 2 absences will lower your grade in this part of the assessment (-2pts for each extra absence).S15%
Midterm ExamIn-class exam based on materials covered in class. It will be composed by short questions and an essay.25%
Oral Presentation20 minutes presentation on a topic previously approved by the Instructor. The purpose of the presentation is to provide classmates with additional critical ideas, materials, sources to the ones studied in class.15
Final Examn-class CUMULATIVE exam based on short answers and a critical essay.25%
NUMERICAL SCALE FOR GRADESNumerical scale for grades: A Excellent 94-100 A- 90-93 B+ 87-89 B Good 84-86 B- 80-83 C+ 77-79 C Satisfactory 74-76 C- 70-73 D+ 67-69 D Poor but Passing 64-68 D- 60-63 F Failing Below 60 INC Incomplete P Passing (C or higher) NP Not Passing (C- or lower) W Withdrawal  

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.  
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Session

Session Focus

Reading Assignment

Screening Assignment

DEADLINES

Week 1

-Introduction to the course. Key-concepts and critical trajectories to frame 'modern' Rome.

Excerpts from G.G. Belli's Sonetti and from Michael Sullivan's translations Vernacular Sonnets.Poems.

 

 

Week 2

Belli's legacy in XX century Italian literature and cinema.
Clips from Bernardo Bertolucci,La comare secca and from Ettore Scola,Gente di Roma.

P.P. Pasolini,Ragazzi di vita
Last chapter,

F. La Porta, Roma è una bugia. Chapters: "Prologo" and "Cimiteri romani"

 

 

Week 3

Rome disappearead II. The impact of popular culture on high-culture. Clips from Fellini'sLo sceicco bianco.

  

F. Di Biagi,Il cinema a Roma, pp. 94-98.

A. Moravia,Il provino, Faccia di mascalzone, la controfigura.

Home screening: L. Visconti. Bellissima.

 

Week 4

Cinecittà as the “Hollywood on Tiber”. Discussion on Moravia’s short-stories and Visconti’s Bellissima.

F. La Porta, Roma è una bugia, "L'esperienza nelle pause", "Città scuorante", "L'autenticità possibile nella città-teatro"

Home screening W. Wyler, Roman Holiday 

 

week 5

Pasolini's Rome.

Screening: Accattone,

 D.J.Rhodes, Stupendous Miserable City, Chapters: "A Short History of Roman Periphery" and Chapter 3 "Scandalous Desecration"

 

  

week 6

Pasolini's legacy in Italian cinema.

Clips from S. Citti, Ostia; C. Caligari Amore tossico, and N. Moretti Caro diario.

 P. P. Pasolini. "I morti di Roma" (handout) and "Il pianto della scavatrice" (in Le ceneri di Gramsci).

F. La Porta, Roma è una bugia. Chapter: Monteverde Vecchio Precipitante".

 

PAPER 1 DUE. LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Week 7

REVIEW FOR MIDTERM

Febr. 23 MIDTERM

 

 

  
Week 8

Rome during the Sweet life.

Screening: F. Fellini, Roma

F. La Porta,Roma è una bugia. "Crollo di rovine e nuvole gonfie"; "I Parioli, parco a tema"

Home screening: F. Fellini,La dolce vita.

  

Week 9

.A different Rome: Sacro GRA.

F. La Porta, Roma è una bugia. "Il lungomare che non c'è (sul Gra)"

    

Week 10

Rome in the 70’s- The literary and cinematic tradition of Trastevere. Clips from F. Tozzi,Trastevere.

F. La Porta. Roma è una bugia. "Rugantino al potere (Trastevere)"; "Il Pantheon e la bella giornata di Duddù"..

Home screening: P. Sorrentino: La grande bellezza

Oral Presentation Topic Due

Week 11

Cinematic Rome in the Third Millennium.

Roma 'noir': the rebirth of the Roman Crime movies. Clips from Suburra, Il contagio, Non essere cattivo.



  F. La Porta, Roma è una bugia. "Periferie dolenti o felici"? (San Basilio, o cronaca di una catabasi urbana)".  

 

Week 12

Global and local Rome(s).

               F. La Porta, Roma è una bugia. "Ancora la periferia..."

Home screening:
G. Mainetti,Lo chiamavano Jeeg Robot.

PAPER 2 DUE

Week 13

Oral Presentations
Zerocalcare and the use of romanesco in Strappare lungo i bordi

 M. Palermo, Il dito e la luna, "Le parole e le cose" in:

https://www.leparoleelecose.it/?p=42883

 

 

 

Week 14

Postcolonial Rome. Clips from P. Bhuiyan'sBangla.
Conclusions and Review for Final.

I. Scego, La mia casa è dove sono. Excertps