Wednesday, September 21, 2016
5:15 PM - 6:30 PM (ET)
Palamountain Hall 202
Event Type
Information Session
Contact
Department
Off-Campus Study & Exchanges
Link
http://ems.skidmore.edu/MasterCalendar/EventDetails.aspx?EventDetailId=14275
Dante Alighieri is one of the most important and renowned
authors of the Western world. His cultural influence transcends countries and
media to permeate the work of countless artists and intellectuals throughout
the centuries.
The World of Dante (TX 200, 1 credit) is a journey back in
time to explore the political, historical and cultural world where Dante lived
and which influenced his masterpiece. After reading and analyzing the Comedy
during the semester, students explore several sites in Central Italy that are
pertinent to Dante’s work. Students start their journey in Florence, Dante’s
birthplace, where they gain understanding of the political turmoil that
affected the city during his life. Students then follow Dante’s steps to Pisa
and Siena. He often traveled to these Tuscan towns as “Secretary of State” for
the city of Florence. Several pivotal historical figures in the Comedy resided
there. This journey back to the 14th century provides students with the tools
to assess their understanding of the intricate political relationships between
the three city-states and create connections with international relations
today.
Students next explore the Marches region. It is the
birthplace of one of the most important dynasties of the 14th-15th centuries,
the Malatestas. Their early vicissitudes are intertwined with Dante’s life.
Finally students will dwell on the meaning of exile, as they follow Dante’s
steps as an expatriate to Ravenna. Through lectures, museum visits and guided
tours students will expand the ideas developed in classroom discussions,
consolidate their understanding, and elaborate connections with modern topics.
Barbara Garbin is Teaching Professor of Italian in
the World Languages and Literatures Department. Prof. Garbin was born in Italy,
where she studied at the University Ca’ Foscari in Venice. She earned her Ph.D.
in Italian Literature at Yale University with a dissertation on fantastic
literature in Fascist Italy. She has published on Italian women writers and
cinematic representation of Italian cities. Prof. Garbin teaches Italian
language courses with special attention to innovative pedagogies, blended
learning and flipped classroom pedagogy. In her literature courses, she aims at
bringing new interactive and out-of-classroom activities to enhance the
appreciation of Italian literary masterpieces. Prof. Garbin is currently
working on two research-projects: the first on the Italian influences in Robert
Penn Warren’s early work, and the second on the contribution of the city of
Venice to the Italian fashion industry.