Overview

This topic is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the mafia, its history, its activities and its role in Italian society. Through historical, social, cultural and political changes that have characterised Sicily and Italy, the topic traces the historical evolution of the mafia phenomenon from its origin … For more content click the Read More button below. This topic will also examine how literature and cinema represent the complexity of the mafia to explore issues of justice, politics, and morality, and it will raise awareness of certain Sicilian and Italian controversial cultural stereotypes. The topic will also provide an overview of other contemporary criminal groups of Italy such as Camorra, 'Ndrangheta and Sacra Corona Unita. Language requirements: ALL readings are available in English and ALL films to be accessed for this topic are available with English sub-titles. Lectures/seminars will be conducted in English.

Topic availabilities

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Tuition pattern

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Aims

This topic aims to:

  • Provide opportunities for the students to acquire and develop background knowledge on the historical developments, socio-cultural issues that have characterised Italian history and society and led to the emergence of the mafia
  • Allow students to develop an understanding of the main problems connected to the mafia, its activities and role in Sicilian and Italian society
  • Allow students to demonstrate a capacity to distinguish between stereotypes and reality of mafia
  • Support students to develop analytical and critical skills in examining novels and films as means of social inquiry
  • Create connections between cross-disciplinary boundaries of Cultural studies and Legal Studies, Criminology, Sociology
  • Where applicable, develop further students' comprehension of spoken Italian at an advanced level

Learning outcomes

On completion of this topic you will be expected to be able to:
1.
Analyse key historical and social developments related to the mafia
2.
Interpret the mafia phenomenon through the analysis of authentic linguistic and audio-visual texts
3.
Critique representations and social aspects related to the mafia phenomenon

Assessments

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