116-468 Italy in Close Up

Formerly available as 116-078. Students who wish to take this subject but who have previously completed Italian Special Subject A or B should contact the coordinator.

Completion of 37.5 points of Italian at intermediate or post-VCE level for third year. Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth-year honours in Italian for fourth year.

The subject examines social and political reality in postwar and contemporary Italy through film. It looks at topical issues such as the mafia, the representation of women, regionalism, religion, language and dialect, migration and consumerism as represented, explicitly and implicitly, in some of the best known films of Italian cinema. The subject covers films by some of the masters of Italian cinema, such as de Sica (Ladri di biciclette), de Santis (Riso amaro), Fellini (Amacord), Antonioni (L'eclisse), Visconti (Rocco e i suoi fratelli), Dino Risi (Il sorpasso), Wertmuller (Mimi metallurgico) and some of the most interesting films of the 'new Italian cinema' including Giordano's I Cento Passi, Moretti's Aprile, and Virzi's My Name is Tanino. By tracing the journey of postwar Italy's struggle for self-definition and quest for national identity, the films screened also offer an overview of the most important periods and genres in Italian film production, from neorealism to la commedia all'italiana, and introduce students to some of Italy's best-known filmmakers. According to availability the above selection of films may change.

• gain an understanding of social, political, historical and cultural contexts and international awareness/openness to the world through the contextualisation of judgements and knowledge, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and new aspects of Italian culture, and by formulating arguments;

• be capable of communicating knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay and assignment writing, tutorial discussion and class presentations;

• gain skills in public speaking and confidence in self-expression through tutorial participation and class presentations.

An essay of 1500 words for 3rd year and 2000 words for 4th year 40% (due mid semester), an essay of 2500 words for 3rd year and 3000 words for 4th year 60% (due at the end of semester).

Materials available from the Department. Students are advised that most of the films are available for overnight loan from the Education Resource Centre.