ITAL 3710 - [Rome on Film]

(crosslisted)
(also PMA 3411)(HB) (LA-AS)

Fall. 4 credits.

Next offered 2015-2016. Conducted in English.

K. Pinkus.

“The eternal city” is a fascinating palimpsest made up of layers of history, culture, crime, religion, and decadence. This course will consider how cinema works to make sense of or disorient us in Rome, to teach us about history and social change. From early silent films of ancient Roman glory to Gladiator (2000) from The Bicycle Thief to La dolce vita and Roman Holiday we will take a virtual field trip through this “stupendous, miserable city” (to quote filmmaker and writer, Pier Paolo Pasolini). Readings on the city and cinema will supplement weekly film screenings. Two prelims and a final will be required. Students may also opt to do their own multi-media projects related to Rome and film as partial fulfillment of the final.