Department of French and Italian

In this course we will examine or reexamine, from an historical as well as anthropological point of view, the condition of exile throughout Italian culture from the foundational myth of Rome to current migration issues, analyzing it from a political, cultural, gender, and social justice-oriented point of view. We will look at archetypes (Dante, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Foscolo, Aleramo, Saba…) as well as contemporary authors (Jhumpa Lahiri, Fleur Jaeggy…), visual and literary culture, in a specific (Italian literary tradition) as well as transcultural manner (Italian American Studies, postcolonial…). Students will be actively involved in identifying issues as well as authors which/ who may fall within the broad categories that we will discuss.

Image: Statue of Dante