How do we remember events? How do we tell others about ‘what happened’? In this course we will look at various narrative forms and strategies to understand the many faces of storytelling in relation to documentation and memory. A historical backdrop of post WWII Italian modernization and a contemporaneous eruption of experimental narrative forms will contextualize and furnish our readings on themes ranging from Holocaust and WWII memories, the rise of mass media and of news, to the more recent waves of immigration to Italy. Our texts will include novels such as Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio (2006) by Amara Lakhous and Family Lexicon (1963) by Natalia Ginzburg, clips from films such as La dolce vita (1960) by Federico Fellini, and a selection of critical texts. While learning to read and expand our understanding of narrative, we will also develop our academic writing and research skills through weekly reading entries and research papers.

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.

Due to the high demand for R&C courses we monitor attendance very carefully. Attendance is mandatory the first two weeks of classes, this includes all enrolled and wait listed students. If you do not attend all classes the first two weeks you may be dropped. If you are attempting to add into this class during weeks 1 and 2 and did not attend the first day, you will be expected to attend all class meetings thereafter and, if space permits, you may be enrolled from the wait list.