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OSPFLOR 12: Constituting a Republic: Machiavelli, Madison, and Modern Issues

Looking back to the worlds of Machiavelli and Madison, consider citizenship and constitutional design today. How should government today be constructed to serve the public good? What are our responsibilities as citizens with respect to public policy? Readings from central works of Niccolo Machiavelli, Discourses on Livy and Discourse on Florentine Affairs and of James Madison, Federalist Papers.
Terms: Aut, Win | Units: 5 | UG Reqs: GER:DB-SocSci, WAY-SI
Instructors: Karlan, P. (PI)

OSPFLOR 13: Galileo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Scientific Revolution in Italy

Italy was central to the Scientific Revolution during the Renaissance. The work of Galileo Galilei, Leonardo da Vinci, and others in Italy and across Europe, catalyzed the emergence of modern science, with profound changes in our worldview. The work of these Italians contributed to the rise of the scientific method, the development of modern sciences (especially astronomy, biology, physics, and mathematics), and the study of human anatomy and medicine. Technologic innovations, such as the telescope, microscope, accurate timepieces, and the printing press, were also pivotal for the Scientific Revolution. In this course we will explore the emergence of science and technology during the Renaissance and their connections to modern day scientific practice and principles, with a focus on key Italian pioneers. We will take advantage of Florence's location to visit museums and sites, and better appreciate their contributions to scientific methods and thinking.
Last offered: Autumn 2021 | UG Reqs: WAY-SI

OSPFLOR 16: Silicon Valley: The Modern Day Rebirth of Renaissance Florence

Over the last few decades, Silicon Valley has originated a remarkable period of innovation, wealth creation, and impact on the world. Many describe this golden age of technology as the modern day rebirth of Renaissance Florence. But how could lightning strike twice, not to mention 6000 miles away and 700 years apart? What combination of elements enabled two relatively small valleys to rise up and change the world?
Last offered: Spring 2020 | UG Reqs: WAY-SI

OSPFLOR 21: "Oh no - the Turks!": Italy and the Islamic Mediterranean

Passed down through popular lore, the phrase "mamma li turchi!" is still known to Italians today. This course explores the history, culture, and contemporary politics of Italy through the lens of the country's relations with Muslims and Islamic societies in the Mediterranean region. We begin in the first millennium of the common era, when Muslims ruled over large parts of Europe, including Iberia and Sicily. We then move into the Renaissance period to cover Italy's extensive relations with Islamic empires such as the Mamluks of Egypt and the Ottomans of the eastern Mediterranean and North Africa (often simply called, "the Turks"). Moving into the modern period, we will then examine how Italian national identity was moulded in contrast to an imagined Muslim counterpart, tracing how these ideas informed Italian colonialism in North Africa. The last part of the course focuses on contemporary issues: over the past several decades and still today, Italy has maintained particularly close rel more »
Passed down through popular lore, the phrase "mamma li turchi!" is still known to Italians today. This course explores the history, culture, and contemporary politics of Italy through the lens of the country's relations with Muslims and Islamic societies in the Mediterranean region. We begin in the first millennium of the common era, when Muslims ruled over large parts of Europe, including Iberia and Sicily. We then move into the Renaissance period to cover Italy's extensive relations with Islamic empires such as the Mamluks of Egypt and the Ottomans of the eastern Mediterranean and North Africa (often simply called, "the Turks"). Moving into the modern period, we will then examine how Italian national identity was moulded in contrast to an imagined Muslim counterpart, tracing how these ideas informed Italian colonialism in North Africa. The last part of the course focuses on contemporary issues: over the past several decades and still today, Italy has maintained particularly close relations with Muslim countries in the region. Nonetheless, immigration and the supposed menace of Islam have come to play a large role in Italian politics today. We will study these topics using a range of sources including first-hand accounts (in translation), art, and film. Key themes in the course include conquest, coexistence, conversion, migration & immigration, trade, colonialism, national identity formation, the Cold War, and global political movements.
Terms: Win | Units: 3 | UG Reqs: WAY-EDP, WAY-SI

OSPFLOR 22A: Food, Culture and Italian Identity

Food is not just fuel for living, but an essential element for building and understanding a culture. Food history will be discussed in its essential lines, moving through narrative, literary and scientific sources, including iconography, to offer examples of document interpretation and an introduction to proper historical work
Last offered: Winter 2023 | UG Reqs: WAY-SI

OSPFLOR 26: Economics of the EU

Discussion and analysis of the European Crisis, which started in Greece in 2009 and continues. Critical comprehension of the inner functioning of the European Union's economics, politics and institutions, understanding of the reasons for the crisis and the solutions undertaken. Comparative analysis with the United States to show the complexity entailed in having one monetary policy and nineteen distinct national budgets. Discussion of key challenges in Europe and next steps in the progress of European integration.
Terms: Aut | Units: 3 | UG Reqs: WAY-SI

OSPFLOR 27: Pasta, Soccer, and Opera: A Sampler of Economics and Data Analysis in Italy

The goal of this course is to introduce students to fun, real-world and sometimes surprising economic phenomena with modern and historical Italy as the centerpiece. Examples include the game theory of penalty kicks in Italian soccer, the salt monopoly that led to Tuscany's famous salt-less bread, the causal effect of BBC radio on Italian resistance efforts during World War II, the economic effects of the Mafia, and the effects of Napoleon's victories on Italian opera quality (through adoption of copyright laws). Students will learn basic economic concepts and econometric tools, as well as a basic introduction to coding in R.
Last offered: Autumn 2022 | UG Reqs: WAY-AQR, WAY-SI

OSPFLOR 29F: Sustainable Food Production In Italy

There are more than seven billion humans on the planet, each of whom needs to eat every day. Inefficient food production and distribution practices are contributing to a faster consumption of non-renewable fossil fuels and accelerating environmental degradation. To explore solutions to this issue, we will study viable and sustainable modes of food production and consumption, as well as alternative (and more sustainable) models of food production. Additionally, we will examine how people are responding to increasing inequalities related to food availability, and what we can learn from Italian food cultures in terms of sustainability.
Terms: Win | Units: 3 | UG Reqs: WAY-SI
Instructors: Borrelli, N. (PI)

OSPFLOR 34F: Becoming Inhabitants of the Sky: Celestial Journeys from Galileo to the 19th Century

The reckless act of pointing the telescope towards the sky entailed the emergence of anthropological, philosophical, and scientific issues. The discovery of an Earth-like Moon first, and then of "other Earths" in the sky revealed the need to rethink the image and role of both "our" Earth and human beings while also reflecting on the habitability conditions of planets and several cosmological theories. When did we start considering human beings as inhabitants of the sky? When were women involved in both imaginary and real astronomical journeys? How did the idea of celestial travel change over the last four centuries and how did the intertwinement of artistic and scientific artifacts contribute to the rise of new images of the universe? Which scientific discoveries led astronomers to wonder about the habitability conditions of planets in and beyond the solar system? Drawing on the descriptions of other worlds provided in Italian philosophical and literary texts, scientific and artistic a more »
The reckless act of pointing the telescope towards the sky entailed the emergence of anthropological, philosophical, and scientific issues. The discovery of an Earth-like Moon first, and then of "other Earths" in the sky revealed the need to rethink the image and role of both "our" Earth and human beings while also reflecting on the habitability conditions of planets and several cosmological theories. When did we start considering human beings as inhabitants of the sky? When were women involved in both imaginary and real astronomical journeys? How did the idea of celestial travel change over the last four centuries and how did the intertwinement of artistic and scientific artifacts contribute to the rise of new images of the universe? Which scientific discoveries led astronomers to wonder about the habitability conditions of planets in and beyond the solar system? Drawing on the descriptions of other worlds provided in Italian philosophical and literary texts, scientific and artistic artifacts from the Renaissance to the 19th century, alongside images relating to a truly observed or merely imagined "other Earth on the Moon," this course shall undertake a journey through the challenges faced in the transition from being inhabitants of the Earth to becoming citizens of the sky. By focusing on the scientific methods, material, and theoretical tools adopted by Italian philosophers and astronomers, students will gain a better understanding of the other worlds in the universe: from the Renaissance new definition of the Earth-Moon system and Galileo's methodological and epistemological reflections to Giovanni Schiaparelli's observations and debates on the so-called canals on Mars. They will explore the different methods and arguments employed to state the ontological homogeneity of space by referring to textual and visual documents, as well as material artifacts. Furthermore, they will gain knowledge of the aesthetic and theoretical underpinnings underlying the creation or improvement of scientific instruments to observe, investigate, and represent new images of the universe, as well as the machines designed to undertake the first real or imaginary travels in the sky and to the Moon. Students will be engaged in a critical comparison of the material and literary instruments used to reframe human beings' place in the universe and examine how the understanding of the relationship between human beings, the Earth, and the hypothesis of other inhabited worlds has been transformed over time.
Terms: Win | Units: 3 | UG Reqs: WAY-SI
Instructors: Fabbri, N. (PI)

OSPFLOR 35F: Migrants, radicals, and dictators: Italy & the Middle East in the modern era

In this class we explore Italy's long-standing, intimate, and often contradictory ties to the Middle East. The course is divided into three parts, the first of which begins with the unification of Italy in the nineteenth century and extends through the Second World War. Here, we examine the role played by North African countries and the Ottoman Empire in the creation of modern Italy, give an overview of Italy's (mostly failed) colonial ventures, and study the role of imperialism in the rise of Italian fascism in the 1920s. The second section of the course focuses on the region during the Cold War, and we devote particular attention to the economic and political alliances which grew between Italy and Middle Eastern countries. We will see how the former frequently sought to balance its own economic interests with the political aims of its allies in the Western Bloc. The last part of the course shifts the focus to the contemporary period by taking up issues of immigration, geopolitical co more »
In this class we explore Italy's long-standing, intimate, and often contradictory ties to the Middle East. The course is divided into three parts, the first of which begins with the unification of Italy in the nineteenth century and extends through the Second World War. Here, we examine the role played by North African countries and the Ottoman Empire in the creation of modern Italy, give an overview of Italy's (mostly failed) colonial ventures, and study the role of imperialism in the rise of Italian fascism in the 1920s. The second section of the course focuses on the region during the Cold War, and we devote particular attention to the economic and political alliances which grew between Italy and Middle Eastern countries. We will see how the former frequently sought to balance its own economic interests with the political aims of its allies in the Western Bloc. The last part of the course shifts the focus to the contemporary period by taking up issues of immigration, geopolitical conflicts in the Mediterranean, and minority communities in Italy today. During the course, we will be engaged in an ongoing discussion regarding the benefits and drawbacks of the notions of "Europe" and "the Middle East" in relation to Italy. How can we productively use these terms given their historical and political connotations, and what can Italy's relations with its Middle Eastern neighbors teach us about these simplistic geopolitical categories?
Terms: Spr | Units: 3 | UG Reqs: WAY-SI, WAY-EDP
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