Reading and composition course based on works by Italians and foreigners about Italy and its culture and by Italians about their distinctive experiences of other cultures as tourists and emigrants. Works studied will be primarily chosen from among fiction and non fiction narratives, both originally in English and translated into it. R5A satisfies the first half of the Reading and Composition Requirement and R5B satisfies the second half.

The Capulets and the Montagues, Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort, the Cal Golden Bears and the Stanford Cardinals. When one hears any of the abovementioned pairs, one immediately feels the tension between these opposing sides. Though at times inspired by friendly competition, other times the rivalry provokes a violent or aggressive outcome. In this course, we will explore the feudal dynamic between historical figures, literary characters, and artistic personalities as they influence narrative structure and storytelling devices. In the clash between one side and the other, what kinds of rivalries are there (friendly, familial, political, social, religious, etc.) What types of events, plot structures, visual cues, musical scores, or other elements ignite the feudal fire? How does each side react and respond to the “challenge” posed? From whose perspective is the feud described and can this ever be presented in an unbiased way? Is there always a resolution to the “conflict”? What role does the reader/spectator play in perpetuating this feud and how does their involvement influence the dynamic between these two people or groups? These are among some of the questions we will discuss throughout our course. In this transhistorical, cultural, and interdisciplinary course, we will analyze themes such as the poetic tenzone, the Renaissance paragone, the “Family Feud,” the competitive “frenemy,” and divided memory. We will examine the role of rivalries across literary, musical, cinematic, and visual art realms to discover how media influences tension and discourse. Texts to be announced in class but may include authors such as Francesco Petrarca, Veronica Franco, Giorgio Vasari, William Shakespeare, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Luigi Pirandello, and Amara Lakhous. This course fulfills the university’s first-semester Reading and Composition requirement. No prior knowledge of Italian is required, and students from all majors are welcome

Requisites

• Satisfaction of the Entry Level Writing Requirement.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.

Requirements class fulfills