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Category: "Italian Studies"

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Italian Americans and the Media: Cinema, Video, Television

Anthony Julian Tamburri, New York
How have popular media portrayed Italians? This lecture discusses the positive and negative images of Italian-American culture in cinema, television, and videos.

Ancient Pompeii in the Year 79 A.D.

Mario Macaluso, Plainview
Ancient Pompeii on August 24, 79 A.D. - the day when the city was destroyed by a cataclysmic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.

Celebrating the Manteo Sicilian Marionette Tradition in New York

Tony De Nonno, Brooklyn
Experience the legacy of puppeteers Mike and Aida Manteo, their children and grandchildren, a family bound together by a Sicilian folk tradition that spans a century in New York. On stage, Orlando woos Angelica in the court of Charlemagne, as the entire family works together to entertain audiences across America.

Conservation Lessons Between New York State and Italy

Paul M. Bray, Albany
There would seem to be little in common between New York State and Italy when it comes to nature. But in fact, both have benefited from a over a century of conservation exchanges and collaboration -- including the surprising ties between Adirondack State Park and Italy's Abruzzo Park.

Religion and Superstition in the Lives of Italians and Italian Americans

Salvatore Primeggia, Garden City
What makes Italian and Italian American religious devotion unique? It's an age-old blend of Catholic and folkloric traditions that include God, saints, and assorted superstitious beliefs.

The Great Earthquake of 1908: America Comes to Italy’s Rescue

Salvatore J. LaGumina, Garden City
America's generous response to the Messina earthquake of 1908 is considered one of the nation's greatest humanitarian efforts. How does it compare with our responses to other, more recent natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina?

The Italian-American Dilemma During World War II

Salvatore J. LaGumina, Garden City
Six million people of Italian heritage, many still Italian citizens, were living the United States when it declared war against Italy in 1941. How did they deal with society's doubts about their patriotism? Was their fundamental loyalty to the United States, or to Italy?

Antonio Meucci, True Inventor of the Telephone

Tony De Nonno, Brooklyn
Antonio Meucci (1808-1889), an Italian immigrant to New York, has been denied his rightful place in history as the true inventor of the telephone.

Gian Lorenzo Bernini and His Baroque Creations in Rome

Mario Macaluso, Plainview
Discover 17th century artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who changed the face of Rome with his Baroque creations.

The Theatre of Marcellus, Rome: Architecture and History

Emelise Aleandri, Riverdale
This lecture discusses the only surviving stone theatre of ancient Rome, the Theatre of Marcellus, its entertainments, architectural design by Vitruvius and its function throughout history.

The Masks of Venice and Carnevale

Emelise Aleandri, Riverdale
Explore the ancient colorful Carnevale traditions and its social, ritual and theatrical uses of masks, as well as those of the Commedia dell'Arte traveling theatre of the Renaissance.

Tracing Italian American Immigrant History to the Italian American Present

Salvatore Primeggia, Garden City
There is nothing small about the history and heritage of Italian-Americans. Come and get the big picture.

Leaving Little Italy: Last Words on a Locale

Fred Gardaphe, New York
Little Italys aren't what they used to by. Explore why this is so through a study of real and fictional accounts in literature and film.

From Wiseguys to Wise Men: Masculinities and the Italian American Gangster

Fred Gardaphe, New York
This talk presents the gangster as an archetype of rebellious behavior and explains why the gangster has become a controversial and necessary figure in U.S. Culture

The Giglio Feast of Brooklyn: Building Upon Solid Roots

Salvatore Primeggia, Garden City
Every July, 120 men of Italian heritage lift, carry and "dance" a 4000-pound, 80-foot-tall metal tower through Brooklyn's streets. In this presentation, one of them will explain why.

"Where Have You Gone Joe DiMaggio," Jackie Robinson, and Hank Greenberg: Ethnic Heroes in Baseball's Melting Pot

William M. Simons, Oneonta
As a means of illuminating America's racial and ethnic past, this lecture examines and compares an iconic baseball triumvirate: Jackie Robinson, Joe DiMaggio, and Hank Greenberg.

Linguine and Lust: Food and Sex in Italian American Culture

Fred Gardaphe, New York
This talk examines how Italian and American cultures have developed quite different attitudes toward food and sex, and how they have created Italian American culture.

Women Writers of the Italian Renaissance (1450-1600)

Rinaldina Russell, New York
This talk will explore the political, cultural, and social reasons that in sixteenth century Italy made possible the appearance on the literary scene of highly educated women in numbers that astonished the rest of Europe. Examples will be drawn from the works of authors stemming from different social strata and using a variety of literary media.

The Tenth Muse: Maria Antonia, Electress of Saxony

April Lynn James, Hollis
Celebrated during her lifetime as the Tenth Muse, Maria Antonia Walpurgis Symphorosa (1724-1780), Electress of Saxony, used music to extend her personal power within and beyond the court of Dresden.

In Her Own Hand: Operas Composed by Women, 1625-1913

April Lynn James, Hollis
Women's roles as singers upon the operatic stage are well known. This talk brings to light the equally artistic acheivements of women as opera composers.

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