Images of Italian cities have contributed to the building of a popular image of the country and of the concept of italianità. Who hasn’t dreamt about life in Rome after watching Roman Holiday or La Dolce Vita? Or imagined life in Naples reading Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels? The course explores the representation of space in Italian culture, through films and novels from the 20th and 21st centuries to analyse the portrayal of Italy at the national and international level through different historical moments. We will see, for example, how Rome changed from Rome Open City to The Great Beauty, and how authors such as Carofiglio, Murgia, and Malvaldi portrayed life in Italian cities in both present and past times. The city becomes a metaphor for life and identity, which we will examine through novels and films that together will provide a different perspective on Italian culture and life.

Intended Audience:

All work is done in English. Knowledge of the Italian language is not required.