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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "EXP 1003"
COURSE NAME: "Narratives of Italian Immigration in the United States"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2016
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Anna Mauceri Trimnell
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
FRI 9:00AM 1:00PM (Class meets on: September 9, October 14, October 21 and November 4)
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
15
CREDITS:
1
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Grading: This course will be graded on a PASS/FAIL scale
This course explores the stories and the experiences of Italian American immigrants as they traveled to America and began their new lives. It aims to analyze the various narratives concerning Italian immigration to the United States between the end of the XIX and the beginning of the XX century. We will explore different moments and issues relating to the immigrants’ experiences through short stories and poems, films, documentaries, essays and various original documents.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Through the examination of different types of fiction and non-fiction texts, film and music, and direct exposure to documents kept in the Museum of Emigration Pietro Conti in Perugia, the student will be able to explore various elements of the experience of the Italian American immigrants.
The syllabus focuses on the representation of three fundamental common experiences: the journey to the US, life in the urban community and the development of clichés and stereotypes.
Classes will be organized into introductory lectures, analysis of texts or film, class discussions and a visit to the Museum of Emigration Pietro Conti in Perugia which includes participation in a workshop.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of the course the students will be able to recognize and discuss the main issues connected to the Italian migratory experience and comment on their artistic representation of them.
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Italoamericana : the literature of the great migration, 1880-1943 (e-book, selected stories) | Francesco Durante, Robert Viscusi, Anthony Julian Tamburri, James J. Periconi | Fordham University Press | 9780823255931 | | |
| From the margin : writings in Italian Americana | Anthony Julian. Tamburri, Paolo Giordano, Fred L. Gardaphe | West Lafayette, Ind. : Purdue University Press, ©2000. | 1557531528 9781557531520 | | |
| Christ in concrete : a novel (selected pages) | Pietro Di Donato | New York : New American Library, 2004. | 0451214218 9780451214218 | | |
| Leaving little Italy : essaying Italian American culture (e-book) | Fred L. Gardaphe | Albany : State University of New York Press. 2004 | 9780791459171 | | |
| Re-reading italian americana : specificities and generalities on literature and criticism. | Anthony Julian. Tamburri | Fairleigh Dickinson Up, 2015. | 1611479088 9781611479089 | | |
| The grand Gennaro (selected pages) | Garibaldi M. Lapolla, Steven J. Belluscio | New Brunswick, N.J. : Rutgers University Press, ©2009 | 9780813545684 | | |
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Regular attendance of classes | | 20% |
| Active participation to the discussion and activities | | 30% |
| One short final paper | | 20% |
| One group oral presentation | | 30% |
-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.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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Lesson 1
Introduction to the course.
The Departure and the Voyage. Conditions in Italy, the conditions of the voyage, the arrival. Documentary: Immigrants through Ellis Island
Film episode: L’altro figlio (The other son) in Kaos by the Taviani Brothers, 1984
Discussion.
Readings: Luigi Pirandello The other son, Edmondo De Amicis, On Blue Water. Other selected readings.
Lesson 2
Italian Film: Nuovomondo by Emanuele Crialese (2006)
Discussion about old and new representations of the departure and voyage.
Old and new songs about the journey.
Readings: selected pages from Garibaldi Lapolla, The Grand Gennaro and Pietro Di Donato Christ in Concrete. Other selected readings.
Lessons 3
Visit to the Regional Museum of Emigration “Pietro Conti” in Perugia and participation in a workshop about stereotypes (“Italiani brutta gente…come ci vedevano, come eravamo” “Italians, ugly folk: how they saw us, how we were”).
Lesson 4
The new life: The urban environment and the stereotypes.
Extracts from the documentary Italian American Experience and from films and TV series
Discussion about the visit, the readings and the videos.
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