IT2WCI: Women in Contemporary Italy (1900-2000) from Invisibility to Feminism

Module Provider:

Italian

Number of credits:

20 [10 ECTS credits]

Level:

I (Intermediate)

Terms in which taught:

Autumn and Spring

Module Convenor:

Dr F Medioli

Pre-requisites:

Part 1 Italian or by arrangement

Co-requisites:

Modules excluded:

Module version for:

2006/7

Aims:
This module aims to explore the condition of women in Italy in the twentieth century. During this period women moved from being invisible (present and active, of course, but invisible and silenced) to being a relevant part of Italian society, both as voters and as policy makers, if not protagonists, thanks to feminism. Different phases, various activities, general social conditions and individual female biographies will be examined in order to identify how women combined their personal history of emancipation with the turbulent general history of Italy. Emphasis will be given to women's capacity for dealing with major 'male' powers, such as the patriarchal family, the Catholic Church and (in the earlier half of the century) Fascism, and with gender-specific issues, such as the divorce and abortion campaigns (during the Seventies). Works by various leading female writers (from Marchesa Colombi to Natalia Ginzburg), historians (from Iris Origo to Franca Pieroni Bortolotti), politicians (like Tina Merlin and Joyce Lussu) and feminist theorists (Carla Lonzi) will be examined, as well as memoirs, private letters and political pamphlets. These documents reveal the multiple ways in which women managed to challenge and change received perceptions of social conventions (as mothers, wives and workers) and social goals (as emancipated human beings).

Assessable learning outcomes:
Assessable outcomes
By the end of the module students will be expected to have acquired:

Additional outcomes:
The module encourages the development of independent research skills and the presentation of soundly based arguments through oral discussion and in writing. Students will also improve their IT proficiency by conducting Web searches for materials relevant to the module and by being required to submit word-processed essays.

Outline content:
The module will examine women's political and social activities over a period of considerable change in Italy, with particular attention to issues of gender (the vote, divorce, abortion, feminism, family roles). Shifts in cultural practices are traced chronologically, geographically and thematically by drawing on a combination of historical and other women's sources. During the Autumn term, a series of writings on and by women will be explored, from the socialist movement to Fascism, the Second World War, the Italian Constituent Assembly and the First Republic. In the Spring term, the module will focus, in particular, on the implications of women's presence in political life as well as on feminist theorising on specific themes such as 'differenza', 'genealogie', and 'affidamento'. Students following programmes other than those involving Italian will also be welcomed.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
The module will be taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. Students will carry out preparatory reading for the seminars which will take the form of a structured group discussion, in order to encourage a critical appreciation of texts and the ideas and context that influenced them

Contact hours:

Assessment:
Coursework
Students will write two essays of 2,000 to 3,000 words. The average of the two marks will form the student's assessment mark, subject to scrutiny by a second internal examiner and by the external examiner where relevant.

Relative percentage of coursework: 50%

Examinations
One two-hour examination which will count for 50% of the assessment.

Requirements for a pass
A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements
Students who fail the whole module will be re-examined in September. Coursework will be carried forward if it bears a mark of 40% or more. Otherwise it must be submitted by 1 September, and will be eligible for a mark of no higher than 40%.