ITA4340 - Women in Italy: Representations and Realities

Leader: Susanna Scarparo

Offered

Not offered in 2007

Synopsis

This unit analyses ways in which women have been represented and have represented themselves in literature and cinema across time. Fictional representations will be analysed in light of the evolution of the social position of Italian women, from the Fascist period and the Resistance to the development of second-wave feminism between the 1970's and the beginning of the twenty-first century. Through an examination of fictional as well as social and legal changes, students will become familiar with the position of women in historical and social contexts up to the present day.

Objectives

To enable students 1) to develop students' ability to read and analyse literary and cinematic texts in Italian 2) to become familiar with the position and role of women in the Italian culture and society to 3) to encourage students to draw comparisons with other (Australian and European) societies.

Assessment

1.Mid semester test 1 hour (equivalent to 750 words in English)20%;
2.Essay (3000 words): 60%;
3.End of semester test (equivalent to 750 words in English): 20%

Contact hours

3 hours (one hour lecture and two hours seminar) per week

Prerequisites

A third-year Italian sequence