The course provides a framework for understanding the processes by which Italian immigrants and their descendants became/become members of American society, developing complex ethnic identities while often retaining some affiliation and/or transnational relations with Italy. It addresses questions of class, race, gender, and multiculturalism in relation to the Italian-American experience.

Through its survey of representations of Italians/Italian Americans, this course seeks to go beyond the stereotypical ways in which their cultures have been depicted in American film and television and to investigate how these images are often produced (and received) to ask questions about the development of American ethnicity.

This course will analyze the "close encounter" between emigrants of Italian origin and the American society at the turn of the 20th century. Students will be exposed to Historical, Sociological, Literary, Cinematic, Cultural studies, and will develop a final on-field research taking advantage of their stay in Italy.