Italian Proficiency Camminando gli antichi sentieri in Italia Unit 3

This course is designed for proficient students (C1–C2 level) seeking to deepen their Italian language skills while exploring the cultural, historical, and artistic landscapes of Italy. Through a selection of films and literary texts set in or inspired by different Italian regions, the course examines how Italy and its regions have been represented across decades of cultural production. Literary readings focus on themes such as rural life, industrialization, social transformation, and resistance, offering vivid portrayals of communities and individual experiences throughout the country. The film component explores cinematic representations of migration, the rhythms and hardships of rural life, and the sense of alienation within both urban and rural landscapes, highlighting how filmmakers capture social tensions as well as the cultural identity of Italian settings. By studying these works within their regional contexts, students will refine their advanced linguistic abilities while gaining nuanced insight into Italy’s multifaceted identity, its industrial centres and rural traditions, linguistic diversity, and historical evolution. Through class discussions, analytical writing, and comparative cultural interpretation, participants will develop a richer understanding of how Italian regions have shaped and continue to shape cultural narratives at both the national and international levels.