Jews in Italian Culture

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

The course presents an overview of the Jewish experience in Italy, from ancient Rome to Fascism, with particular attention to specific Jewish communities (or “nations,” according to an old definition) in Florence, Livorno, Venice, and Rome. We will examine the role and the representation of Jews in theater (religious and otherwise), literature and art, from Leone de’ Sommi (author of the world’s first treatise on the theatrical art) and Juda Abravanel (Leone Ebreo, a physician and humanist) to Twentieth-Century actresses (Franca Valeri), poets and intellectuals (Amelia Rosselli). The course may be offered in Italian or in English, please refer to the schedule of classes for information about a specific semester.