PSC 154 - Seminar: Comparative Italian Politics

Semester Hours: 3 s.h.

This course will examine the fascinating and complex nature of modern Italian politics spanning from post WWII to the present. To understand contemporary Italy we will study the historical divides that have profoundly shaped the country. Italy has transformed itself from a rural poor nation to a rich industrialized one and from a land of emigration to immigration. In examining these changes we will look at significant transformative conflicts such as: church-state/communism, north-south, labor-capital, and left-right political tensions. In particular, we will examine the re-emergence of regionalism, whereby regional political parties, most notably the Lega Nord have created an interesting dynamic. Moreover, we will look at Italy’s central role in the European Union as one of the oldest members and also its important role in foreign affairs from their participation in the Iraq War to leading the UN peacekeeping forces into Lebanon. With Italy’s exciting and tumultuous political past and present, this course promises to provide useful background to comprehend better the country that will be our host while in Venice.

Hofstra in Venice
January 2-26

“She is the Shakespeare of cities–unchallenged, incomparable, and beyond envy.”
–John Addington Symonds

The city of Venice, whose allure, beauty and mystery have been incessantly described, photographed and filmed, is the uncompromising setting for this three-week, interdisciplinary program offered in January 2008 by Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures.

Join us as we celebrate this city’s artistic and historical richness and explore her timeless myths and paradoxes.

All courses meet in the morning, Monday through Thursday. Class work and discussion will be supplemented by visits to artistic and historical sites. Students from Hofstra and other universities are encouraged to apply.

The registration fee of $2,415 covers tuition and fees for one three-credit course. The program fee of $3,450 covers round-trip airfare, transfers, hotel accommodations, continental breakfasts, evening meals (Monday through Thursday), and cultural tours within Venice. Class space is limited. Therefore, a $200 nonrefundable deposit will ensure a place in the program and must accompany the completed application form. The program fee quoted above is subject to change. Tuition and fees are subject to change. There will be no refunds after December 3, 2007.

Program highlights include:

Two afternoons a week devoted to cultural tours around Venice.
Three free weekends to enjoy travel to other cities such as Florence, Rome, Milan and Bologna.
Day excursion to Verona.
Day boating excursion to the outer islands of Burano, Murano and Torcello.
Exclusive hotel accommodations at the San Giorgio and Mercurio hotels.
Evening dining (Monday through Thursday) at Taverna San Trovaso, a popular Venetian restaurant.

For further information or to receive an application form for the Hofstra in Venice 2008 Program, please contact: Professor Maria Luisa Fixell, Director, Hofstra in Venice Program, Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, 300 Calkins Hall, 107 Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York 11549-1070: Phone: (516) 463-4765; Fax: (516) 463-2310.

** Major or minor credit in English; may count as DRAM 116 for drama majors.

January 2008 Offering:
TBA; Dudek; Hofstra in Venice

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