How do we define the boundaries of our private and public selves? Where do we draw the lines between what we share openly and what we hide behind closed doors? How does the freedom to define these boundaries change according to race, gender, social class, or immigration status? When do stereotypes and societal expectations lead to punishment or praise in the public sphere? Is a reimagining of the private and public spheres an essential component of social change?

In this course, we’ll look at texts that challenge the private/public boundary to understand what happens when private lives enter the public realm.

Books for purchase:
One, No One, One Hundred Thousand, Luigi Pirandello (ISBN: 0941419746)
The Woman of Rome, Alberto Moravia (ISBN: 1883642809)
Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio by Amara Lakhous (ISBN: 1933372613)
Adua by Igiaba Scego (ISBN: 1939931452)

Films
Mamma Roma, Pier Paolo Pasolini
The Conformist, Bernardo Bertolucci

Additional selections from:
Antonio Manetti, Giovanni Verga, Giorgio Bassani, Jhumpa Lahiri

Instructor pending appointment.

This course satisfies the second half or the “B” portion of the Reading and Composition requirement.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the “A” portion of the Reading & Composition requirement or its equivalent. Students may not enroll in nor attend R1B/R5B courses without completing this prerequisite.