CLCS 263T Myths and Counter-Myths of America: Sicily
The stories told in the films and novels to be studied in this course were written by two generations of Italians typically associated in literary history with what has been called the mito americano, or American myth. Defining and contextualizing this myth will be among our first objectives. In what ways has the New World positively impacted Old World culture and, conversely, what are some of the negative perceptions—and apocalyptic anxieties—represented by Italian writers and filmmakers? Parallel to questions of national myths, the course also reflects on how and where Italian writers and filmmakers position themselves at the intersection of political ideology and creative engagement, personal identity construction and questions of social justice. The travel component of the class focuses on Sicilian cultural identity, both as it relates to the Italian peninsula and to the Sicilian diaspora.