Single Class: $20 (Bloor Members: $17, $14, Free)
Full course registration is now closed.
Professor of Italian culture Franco Gallippi will be your guide on an exciting journey through the art and culture of his native land. Delve deep into Italy's cuisine, literature from Dante to Elena Ferrante, notorious ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and his clashes with Federico Fellini and more. Discover la Bella Italia as you've never seen it before.
This course is led by Professor Franco Gallippi, who completed his PhD thesis Calvino: Reader of Leopardi and Galileo at the University of Toronto in 2007. He was Assistant Professor of Italian at McMaster University for four years and currently teaches at the Italian Cultural Institute in Toronto. He is working on a book on Italo Calvino and has appeared in books and academic journals in Italy, Canada and the U.S.
Doors will open one hour before the first class. Registrants will receive supplementary materials in advance of their first class.
Co-presented by Istituto Italiano di Cultura.
Tuesdays, January 26 - March 8, 10:00 a.m. to noon
January 26: Introduction: How the World Sees Italy
Italians are world-renowned for their hand gestures, impeccable style and delicious food-but are these simply stereotypes? Examine popular representations of Italy alongside the complex realities of life.
February 2: Italy through the Lens
Take a journey through six decades of Italian cinema, focusing on the legendary directors of Italian Neorealism, the great comedic voices of the 1960s and a new generation of 21st century filmmakers.
February 9: Italian Literature: From Dante to Ferrante
From the Medieval laneways of Dante's Florence to the sun-streaked piazzas of Elena Ferrante's Naples, literature shapes our perception of Italy. Special focus will be placed on Ferrante's Neapolitan Novels.
February 16: Italian Immigration: From Shore to Shore
Where Italy was once a place you escaped from, it is now a frequent destination for migrants and refugees. Examples from cinema and literature will be used to examine the immigrant experience in Italy.
March 1: Italian Politics: A Portrait of Berlusconi
No figure has cast a larger shadow over contemporary Italy than Prime Minister and media magnate Silvio Berlusconi. Learn about Berlusconi's clashes with great director Federico Fellini and enjoy a spirited survey of Italian politics over the past 30 years.
March 8: Italian Food: Keeping it Slow
Dig into Italy’s vibrant regional cuisines, the growing influence of Carlo Petrini's Slow Food movement and Gallippi’s youthful experiences working in a Calabrian bakery. We'll close with a tasting of his world-famous biscotti—make sure to bring your appetites.