ENGLISH 2003: ITALIAN AMERICAN FILM AND LITERATURE -

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course introduces the representation of Italian American identity through a variety of “texts”: cartoons, short videos, films, songs and literary works.

Beginning with the wave of the Great Migration (from 1880 to 1920) we will examine how America represented Italian immigrants (not very kindly) and how Italians in America began to perceive and represent themselves, from the years of rejection and even violence (something like 35 Italians were actually lynched) to the slow process of integration and amalgamation into society.

We will compare this journey to similar collective experiences of other immigrant groups that have been – and to an extent are still being – perceived as different from mainstream society, due primarily to the color of their skin, religion and cultural values.

Films and videos will be screened in class and will be discussed in contrast and comparison with other texts, in the attempt to identify the intrinsic differences present in the variety of media we will use in the course.

The course will focus on how America and Italy represent Italian-Americans (can you think of any stereotypes?) and how Italian-Americans represent themselves. We will spend time working on the concept of how ALL minority communities, and ESPECIALLY IMMIGRANTS  struggle for self-representation in order to dispel stereotypes and suspicion; and validate their self-image and self-representation.

We will use the experience of Italians as a starting point for a much wider survey of how CULTURES are represented in the media (media, btw, is a plural noun and it includes all forms of communication.)

We will examine various TYPES or TEXTS.: cartoons from old newspapers; shorts; old silent full-length movies; feature films; songs; essays; and, of course, "books." Books include an autobiography, an autobiographical novel, a fictional work and a graphic novel.

We will observe how the the struggles, hardships, anxiety and humiliations suffered by Italians, are unfortunately still inflicted on today's immigrants. We will see how being "different" caused and still causes conflicts and strife.

We will also laugh at the humor of these people, at how they coped and how they were finally accepted (fully?) into the fabric of America.

Assessment: short essays based on self-reflection, web research on relevant corroborative source, and short quizzes. The final exam will consist of a presentation of individual research of online documentaries containing additional background information on the most relevant issues discussed in class.

  Academic Integrity 
  (i.e. no cheating)

The faculty and administration of Brooklyn College support an environment free from cheating and plagiarism. Each student is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and for avoiding both. The complete text of the CUNY Academic Integrity Policy and the Brooklyn College procedure for policy implementation can be found at www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/policies. If a faculty member suspects a violation of academic integrity and, upon investigation, confirms that violation, or if the student admits the violation, the faculty member must report the violation.

Student Bereavement Policy

Students who experience the death of a loved one must contact the Division of Student Affairs, 2113 Boylan Hall, if they wish to implement either the Standard Bereavement Procedure or the Leave of Absence Bereavement Procedure (see below). The Division of Student Affairs has the right to request a document that verifies the death (e.g., a funeral program or death notice).

Typically, this death involves that of a family member, in parallel to the bereavement policy for faculty and staff. However, it is up to the discretion of the Division of Student Affairs to determine if a death outside of the immediate family warrants implementation of the student bereavement policy.

Standard Bereavement Procedure

Upon approval from the Division of Student Affairs, the student is allowed one week, commencing from the day of the death of the loved one, of excused absence. Should the student feel that he or she needs additional days, these should be discussed with individual course instructors and/or the Division of Student Affairs.
The Division of Student Affairs will contact the student's faculty and academic staff of the student's courses.
Faculty and academic staff will be advised that extensions must be granted to the student for the period of one week of excused absence.
Further extensions may be negotiated with the student when he or she returns to campus. Students are encouraged to discuss options with their instructors.

Basic Rules
 

1. The course homepage contains the course's official record.
    

2. LATE work will not be accepted (quizzes, assignments).
    
3. There are no extensions, no exceptions and no "extra credit."
    
4. Partial or incomplete assignments will not be graded.
    
5. No cheating. One strike and your are out. (Scroll down for policy details.)
    
6. Additional instructions will be provided as needed during the semester.

It's time to set some rules about your emails.

1. USE ONLY YOUR OFFICIAL BROOKLYN COLLEGE ADDRESS.
    

2. All messages must be mailed to the course email address (see course homepage or Bb).
    

3. When you compose a new message start with a greeting. "Hello" will suffice. Do not "hey" your professors. Ever.
    

4. Every single message must have your signature. Set up the automatic signature option.
    

5. Complete grammatical sentences, with upper case letters and proper punctuation. Impossible to do it with your phone? Wait until you get to a computer.
    

6.  No one-liners. No tantrums.
    

7. DO NOT RECYCLE THE SUBJECT OF OLD MESSAGES. If you want to talk about something new, compose a NEW message with ta descriptive subject. (Suggested subject: "New problem / question.")
    

8. In an ongoing conversation, in each message repeat the relevant information and circumstance (lost assignment, message not-received etc.) Nobody can read your mind except you.
    

9. If you run into problems with the website, either a bug or a mistake on my part, please let me know as soon as possible.

• DEADLINES: NO EXCEPTIONS:  NO CREDIT FOR LATE ASSIGNMENTS or QUIZZES; LATE BLOG COMMENTS WILL BE DELETED.
   
  • Requests for extensions, exemptions or other exceptions, must be supported by proof. Proof is required at the moment when the request is submitted. (Do not make me ask you to provide doctors’ notes, proof of travel or other.)
     
• ATTENDANCE is required. LATENESS will be penalized.
   
• Lectures and Assignments will be posted regularly on the course homepage. They may consist of prompts or they may be links to an outside website.
   
• Discussions/blog: post your comments on the assigned topics. Late comments will be deleted.
   
• Quizzes: Rather than a mid-term exam, we will have pre-lecture quizzes every two or three weeks. The quizzes will be announced with advanced notice.
   
• Final Exam.

• Desktop computers must be shut off (click and hold the button on the box, not just the screen.)
• Put your cellphones away in a bag and ignore their existence. If you use your phone, you will be marked absent for the day.
• If you leave the classroom during the lecture, you will be marked absent for the day.
• No eating in class. No drinks on the table. Put containers on the floor.
• Clear your table of all extraneous materials. Only note taking materials are allowed.