3.0

credits

Average Course Rating

This course aims to retrace the multifaceted identity of Sicily through the cultural, historical and sociological perspectives. We will focus on three critical periods of Sicily’s past that left indelible marks on its cultural distinctiveness. This course will explore the patrimony of ancient stories revolving around the island, inspired by its geography. We will focus on representations associated with Sicily, in art and literature from the Greek-Roman period. The second part of this course will be devoted to considering the cosmopolitan kingdom of Sicily in the twelfth and thirteenth century and its unique cultural hybrid, born from the amalgamation of Muslim, Christians, Jewish and Greek- Byzantine cultures. Finally, the course will concentrate on Sicilian history from the Nineteenth century to today, tracing the progression of the Sicilian Mafia, from its roots in the Risorgimento to the present day, analyzing in depth its portrayal in Italian literature and cinema.