When & Where

Quick Facts

  • Availability Yes
  • Tutor Gabriella Di Folco
  • Course Code W25HMSJ04C
  • Suitable For 19 year olds and up are permitted on this course

What you will learn

This course is designed for proficient students (C1–C2 level) aiming to deepen their Italian language skills while exploring Italy’s rich history, culture, and art. Focusing on Rome, the course examines tales of the Eternal City, its portrayal in literature and cinema, offering insights into its historical evolution, societal dynamics, and artistic heritage. Literary texts may include short stories from Alberto Moravia’s Racconti romani (Roman Tales), depicting post-war Roman life, and Pier Paolo Pasolini’s Ragazzi di vita, which offers vivid vignettes of Rome's marginalized communities in the 1950s and 60s. The film selection will feature Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita (1960), a satirical portrayal of Rome's high society; Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grande Bellezza (2013), which delves into the city's artistic and existential depths; and William Wyler’s Vacanze Romane (1953), a romantic journey through Rome's iconic landmarks. Through the study of works by renowned authors and filmmakers, students will engage in discussions that enhance their linguistic abilities and cultural comprehension. By the end of the course, participants will have achieved greater fluency in Italian and gained a nuanced appreciation of Rome's role in shaping cultural narratives and its influence on both Italian identity and global culture.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Improve your Italian through language activities and participation in class discussions
  • Analyse and discuss themes from selected short stories and films
  • Compare different portrayals of Rome and understand its influence on Italian identity and global culture.

Class format and activities

These are remote lessons via video conference. You will get clear guidance and ongoing, regular, and informal feedback from your tutor, in a friendly and supportive environment. Achievement on your course will be measured by whether you meet the learning outcomes set during the course.

Entry requirements

No formal qualifications are necessary; an advanced knowledge of the Italian language is required to be able to follow the course in Italian only.

What you need to know before you enrol

You will engage in independent reading, research, language activities, and view selected films before every lesson.

What you need

You will need a device to access online video sessions and materials (handouts and links to various websites) supplied by your tutor in Microsoft Teams.

What you can do next

You will be able to progress to the next stage of your Italian learning journey.