Syllabus
Discussion topics will include but are not limited to:
1. Benedict Anderson’s concept of “imagined communities” to which we will introduce the concept of “imaginary communities” to delineate the process of ethnic identity formation.
2. Contradictions between idealized visions of the United States and its rampant discrimination and violence.
3. Tensions between assimilation into American culture and the preservation of immigrants’ home culture.
4. United States immigration legislation as it impacted Italian immigrants.
5. Conflicts and tensions (e.g., Columbus Day celebrations) within the Italian American community.
6. Relationships between Italian Americans and other ethnic communities in the United States.
7. The demise of spatially-centered Italian American communities.
8. The diversity of Italian American identities.
9. The contributions of Italian Americans to American culture.
10. Oral history projects and similar initiatives to document Italian American communities.
11. Moving Italian Americans from the margins to the mainstream.
12. The relationship between Italians and Italian Americans and, more specifically, between Calabrians and Italian Americans of Calabrian origin.
13. Representations of Italian Americans in the media and in popular culture.
14. The evolution of gender roles within Italian American communities.
15. The evolution of political activism within the Italian American communities.