Topics in Italian Culture and Literature (250-0-20)

Topic

Medieval Italy on Screen

Instructors

Paola Nasti

Meeting Info

University Hall 121: Tues, Thurs 9:30AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

What does the Middle Ages look like on screen - and why does it still matter today? Since its beginnings, cinema has served as a powerful medium for imagining and reinterpreting the medieval past. From the silent film L'Inferno (1911), one of the first feature films and adaptations of Dante's Inferno, Italian filmmakers have developed distinctive ways of "remaking" the Middle Ages.

Rather than adopting the fantasy conventions often associated with Hollywood, Italian directors draw on their own medieval literary and artistic traditions, producing films that blend realism, spirituality, social critique, and at times irreverent humor. This course examines works by major directors such as Roberto Rossellini, Federico Fellini, and Pier Paolo Pasolini whose films engage deeply with medieval literature, history, and visual culture.

Through these works, we will explore how representations of the medieval past become a means of reflecting on the cultural, political, and social tensions of modern Italy, revealing the enduring dialogue between past and present.

Registration Requirements

None.

Learning Objectives

Analyze selected Italian films in relation to medieval literary, historical, and visual traditions, with attention to form, style, and narrative strategies.

Explain how cinematic representations of the Middle Ages reflect and respond to the cultural, political, and social contexts of modern Italy.

Develop critical skills in film analysis by interpreting how directors use the medieval past to engage questions of identity, power, religion, and historical memory.

Teaching Method

Class participation; discussion; group work; lecture (two 80-minute lectures weekly); online work; presentations; readings; research project; writing assignments

Evaluation Method

Class participation; discussion; group work; homework; online work; presentations; final project; writing assignments

Class Materials (Required)

Films on Canvas reserves.

Class Notes

This class is conducted in English.

If the class is fully booked, please get in touch with the instructor.

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: REASON: Pre-registration is not allowed for this class. Please try again during regular registration.