Details

ONLINE  COURSE
“The Italian Mafias”

Course Description:

This course explores the mafia-type organizations of Italy from the modern origins of the Sicilian Cosa nostra to the present day operations of the Neapolitan Camorra and the Calabrian ‘Ndrangheta. The Mafia’s relationship with politics, its internal rules and codes, its business activities, its cultural representation and its deep connection to the society and culture of Sicily and the Italian South are some of the aspects that we will examine in depth. We will also learn about the heroic efforts of those individuals of the Italian State whose sacrifices finally led to legal victories in the fight against the Italian mafias.

Instructor:

Dr. Nicholas Albanese is Associate Professor of Italian in the Department of Modern Language Studies at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. He received his PhD from Indiana University in Italian Language and Culture and has taught extensively on Italian history, literature, and film both in Italy and the US. Dr. Albanese does research mainly on contemporary Italian history and culture with particular focus on Southern Italy and Sicily. His most recent publication discusses the ethics of story-telling in the works of the Sicilian author, Leonardo Sciascia. He is currently completing a project on 21st-century Italian apocalyptic fiction.

Course Objectives:

• To learn about the historical origins, structure, and evolution of the Sicilian Cosa nostra
• To analyze the methods and relationships of Italian mafia operations
• To understand the cultural world in which the Italian mafias thrive
• To outline the structure and operations of the ‘other’ Italian mafias

Virtual Classroom: Full access to an online educational platform with discussion forum, videos of recordings, syllabus, and reading list.

Location: LIVE INTERACTIVE ON-LINE LITERATURE LECTURES

Optional Readings:
Readings to be provided to students in PDF format prior to the beginning of course.

Complete syllabus will be provided upon registration.

• ALL LECTURES WILL BE RECORDED AND AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT YOUR CONVENIENCE IN OUR VIDEO LIBRARY FOR THE DURATION OF THE COURSE

Schedule

LECTURE 1 – THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4 | OUR THING: FROM PALERMO TO NEW YORK AND BACK AGAIN

– Thursday, November 4

This lecture will trace the modern origins and development of the Sicilian Cosa nostra and its relationships with the mafia in America.

LECTURE 2 – THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11 | MAFIA GROUND ZERO: CORLEONE

– Thursday, November 11

This talk will dissect the internecine warfare between rival clans and the takeover of the Cosa nostra by the Corleonesi, who then waged an all-out war against the Italian State.

LECTURE 3 – THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18 | CAMORRA AND ‘NDRANGHETA: ITALY’S OTHER MAFIAS

– Thursday, November 18

This lecture will detail how Italy’s other mafias – the Camorra and the ‘Ndrangheta – were able to expand over the last 30 years, developing a presence not only in Northern Italy but in places around the globe.

Instructor

Dr. Nicholas Albanese is Associate Professor of Italian in the Department of Modern Language Studies at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. He received his PhD from Indiana University in Italian Language and Culture and has taught extensively on Italian history, literature, and film both in Italy and the US. Dr. Albanese does research mainly on contemporary Italian history and culture with particular focus on Southern Italy and Sicily. His most recent publication discusses the ethics of story-telling in the works of the Sicilian author, Leonardo Sciascia. He is currently completing a project on 21st-century Italian apocalyptic fiction.