Journeys of the Mind and Body
ITAL 280
Fall 2025
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01
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From Dante's descent into the underworld to contemporary narratives of migration, journeys -- both real and imaginary -- have shaped Italian literature, art, and film production. This course explores how movement, whether physical, psychological, or symbolic, serves as a catalyst for transformation, self-discovery, and historical reckoning. We will examine visionary landscapes in Dante and Leopardi, shifting bodies in Tasso and Tondelli, evolving female identities from Veronica Franco to Elena Ferrante, and testimonies of displacement from Primo Levi to Igiaba Scego. How do literary and artistic journeys negotiate the tension between reality and imagination? In what ways does movement -- whether forced or voluntary -- reshape identity and power? How do historical and cultural contexts influence the meaning of travel? |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
HA RLAN |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: ITAL112 |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (Italian Studies)(Romance Studies) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 90% or above |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
: Dante, Giacomo Leopardi, Giuseppe Parini, Piervittorio Tondelli, Michelangelo, Artemisia Gentileschi, Veronica Franco, Sibilla Aleramo, Elena Ferrante, Primo Levi, Igiaba Scego.
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Examinations and Assignments:
: Weekly posts on the class forum, informal oral presentations, written assignments of varied length, final essay/creative project. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
: This course is intended primarily for the following students: those who have a) taken a course at the 200 level; b) who have studied in Italy (for one or two semesters); c) whose experience with Italian is very recent (e.g., studied in Italy during the Fall). This course may be suitable for students who have not completed a course at the 200 level but whose placement exam suggested they should take courses numbered above 112. In the event that a student with advanced reading, writing, and speaking abilities in Italian has not yet completed a course at the 200 level, they will be asked to conduct a brief oral interview with the professor during registration or drop/add. In the event that the student does not meet the prerequisites AND the professor has any doubts as to placement, he will ask the student to engage in a brief oral interview. |
| Instructor(s): Mossali,Mattia Times: .M.W... 02:50PM-04:10PM; Location: FISK412; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 4 | JR major: 4 | | |
| Seats Available: 8 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 3 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: 1 | FR: 1 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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