An examination of Italian comedic and dramatic structure from the Renaissance to the 20th century, with particular emphasis on its influence on modern theater and film. The course will cover plays by playwrights such as Machiavelli, Goldoni, Pirandello and Fo, as well as movies by directors such as Fellini, Scola, and Pasolini. Focus will be placed on the comedic form and its modes of portraying the issues of identity, reality, truth, absurdity and art.

*Course content subject to change