Italian Studies Alum Lights Up Vatican City for Historic Disney+ Concert

Posted on September 20, 2025 by pacchioni

The Italian Studies faculty is thrilled to share that Aidan Callanan, a recent Italian Studies alumnus, recently served as Lighting Director for renowned designer Tom Sutherland on Grace for the World, a historic concert broadcast live on Disney+ from St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. The event featured Andrea Bocelli, Pharrell Williams, Karol G, Jelly Roll, Jennifer Hudson, and many other world-class artists, accompanied by a full orchestra and choir. Working amid the timeless beauty of the Vatican, Aidan helped shape the production with lighting that honored the site’s centuries of history, breathtaking art, and remarkable architecture.

Reflecting on the impact of his Chapman education, Aidan stated: “What surprised me most, though, was how much my semester abroad in Italy during my sophomore year at Chapman helped me. Having spent that time immersed in the culture, I felt more comfortable navigating daily life, ordering food, and connecting with locals. I also remembered more Italian than I expected, which proved invaluable in communicating with our crew, coordinating with local authorities, and working with partners in Rome. It even made calling spotlight cues during the show easier, since about a third of our lighting team spoke only Italian.”

Aidan’s achievement shows how classroom learning and study abroad can converge in exciting, unforeseen ways, preparing graduates to thrive in settings as unique and inspiring as Vatican City.

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Learning Beyond the Classroom: Immersion in Lecce

Posted on September 9, 2025 by mattavelli

Nestled in the sun-drenched heel of Italy’s boot lies Lecce, a baroque gem in the region of Puglia. This past summer, a group of Chapman students led by Prof. Mattavelli traded lecture halls for limestone piazzas, immersing themselves in the language, culture, and rhythms of southern Italian life through a transformative study abroad program. What unfolded was more than just an academic experience—it was a deep dive into the soul of Salento.

The program combined formal instruction with everyday practice. Students participated in language and culture classes, workshops, excursions, and homestays with local families for a full immersion experience. These homestays offered a firsthand look at Italian routines, values, and traditions. Families welcomed students into their homes, sharing meals and stories that helped students understand cultural norms. In return, students brought their own perspectives, creating a genuine exchange.

Students and teachers at the local school

“Studying in Lecce offered me the chance to adjust to a slower pace of life and appreciate the rhythm of Southern Italy. I was able to immerse myself in the local culture, from everyday conversations to traditional food and festivals. I loved exploring the city because it gave me the opportunity to learn more about its rich history and stunning baroque architecture.” — Sophia Zonni, Italian Minor

This experience fostered connections that went beyond language. It reminded students that learning is most powerful when it’s personal—at the dinner table, during a walk through town, or while helping prepare a family meal. One of the defining aspects of this type of study abroad is the creation of meaningful relationships between people from different backgrounds.

Learning to make orecchiette, a typical pasta dish from Puglia

 

Outside of Lecce, students explored the broader Salento region through guided excursions. They visited coastal towns, historical landmarks, and cultural sites that deepened their understanding of southern Italy’s heritage. These trips added context to classroom lessons and gave students a fuller picture of the region’s identity.

“As a business major, I was not expecting to study abroad at all during my time at Chapman. However, when the opportunity presented itself, I took it. This travel course was one of the best experiences of my college career… I made so many amazing friends and got to experience things I never thought I would.” — Olivia Blanks

The group with Prof. Mattavelli during a tour of Lecce

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Research Highlights from Summer 2025: Renaissance Studies Across Italy and California

Posted on August 14, 2025 by confalonieri

After completing his first year at Chapman University, Professor Corrado Confalonieri spent part of the summer in Italy, where he combined research, writing, and academic collaboration. During this time, he completed two invited articles: one on Torquato Tasso’s Discorsi dell’arte poetica and Lettere poetiche (1587), forthcoming in Studi giraldiani, a respected venue in Renaissance Studies; and another on the reception of Ariosto and Cervantes in German Idealism and twentieth-century literary theory, to appear in Historias fingidas, a leading journal in Spanish Studies. He also finalized the proofs for two additional articles—one on duels in Gerusalemme liberata, and another on Erich Auerbach’s Mimesis—both expected to be published shortly in Sinestesie and in Polythesis.

A major milestone of the summer was the completion of a new book on Ludovico Ariosto and literary theory. Drawing together revised and expanded essays from recent years, along with new chapters, the volume has been restructured into a unified and coherent project. It will be published by Longo Editore (Ravenna) in the Memoria del Tempo series, which features significant contributions to Medieval and Renaissance studies from scholars affiliated with institutions such as UCLA, Harvard, Notre Dame, Northwestern, and IU Bloomington. The title will be announced in early fall.

Reviews of Professor Confalonieri’s previous work also continued to appear. His 2022 book Queste spaziose loggie. Architettura e poetica nella tragedia italiana del Cinquecento (Loffredo, Naples) received renewed attention in Studi e Problemi di Critica Testuale (110, 2025), in a review by Arianna Capirossi (Università di Bologna), and in Renaissance Quarterly (78.1, 2025), reviewed by James Grantham Turner (UC Berkeley). The most recent issue of Renaissance Quarterly (78.2, 2025) also includes a review authored by Professor Confalonieri of Laura Giannetti’s Food Culture and Literary Imagination in Early Modern Italy: The Renaissance of Taste.

While in Italy, Professor Confalonieri also participated in a workshop at the University of Bologna featuring the Italian translator and publisher of Nobel Prize winner Annie Ernaux. The event offered a timely connection to Andrea Bajani’s L’anniversario, which he introduced at Chapman in April and which was awarded the Premio Strega in early July. Shortly thereafter, he contributed as a respondent in the Forschungskolloquium led by Professor Christian Rivoletti at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, continuing his engagement with international academic networks.

In mid-July, together with Gabriele Bucchi (Universität Basel), he launched a call for papers for a special issue of AOQU titled “Epic and Destiny: Freedom and Necessity of Heroic Action between Antiquity and Modernity,” scheduled for publication in December 2026. The theme builds on ideas explored in his 2022 book on Tasso and epic theory (Torquato Tasso e il desiderio di unità, Carocci, 2022) and connects to a new book project currently underway on the concept of epic from Aristotle to the present, also under contract with Carocci.

 

Professor Confalonieri is also involved in several other collaborative initiatives, including organizing the 67th Annual Conference of the Renaissance Conference of Southern California (RCSC), which will be hosted at Chapman University on November 1, and coordinating sessions for the Renaissance Society of America’s annual meeting in San Francisco (February 2026).

As the fall semester approaches, he is preparing to teach Intermediate Italian 201 and a new first-year seminar on Italian literary ecologies, part of Wilkinson College’s initiative on the environment and building resilient futures. He is also preparing for a series of invited talks in Milan, Naples, and at Chapman University, where he will open the 2025-2026 “Windows to Italy” lecture series on September 17 with a presentation that brings together his research on the Italian Renaissance and interdisciplinary methodology, in alignment with the Ferrucci Institute’s mission.

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From Numbers to Nuances: Dr. Mattavelli on Redefining Leadership in Italian Programs

Posted on June 8, 2025 by pacchioni

At the 2025 Annual AATI Conference at Princeton University, Dr. Mattavelli contributed meaningfully to the ongoing dialogue around innovation in Italian language education. She organized a very well-attended roundtable titled “Challenges and Innovations in Italian Language Programs Direction,” co-sponsored with the American Association of University Supervisors and Coordinators (AAUSC). This session brought together program directors and educators to explore the evolving challenges of leading Italian language programs, from administrative complexities to pedagogical innovation. In her presentation, “From Numbers to Nuances: Leading Italian Language Programs Today,” she reflected on the shifting responsibilities of language program directors and emphasized the importance of the AAUSC in supporting professional growth and collaboration.

Dr. Mattavelli also co-organized the session “Ungrading: The Key To Student Retention In The University Italian Classroom?” which sparked vibrant discussions about the role of assessment in student motivation and retention. Her paper, “Unquizzing Our Students: Alternative Assessment Practices in the Italian Classroom,” explored ungrading as a transformative pedagogical strategy. She highlighted how moving away from traditional grading can reduce student anxiety, foster deeper engagement, and refocus attention on learning and progress. Both presentations were met with enthusiasm and underscored the importance of pedagogical research in the field of Italian language education.

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From Sorrento to California: A Semester of Epic Poetry, Pedagogy, and Cultural Exchange

Posted on June 8, 2025 by pacchioni

Professor Corrado Confalonieri’s 2025 began in Germany, where on January 14 he was invited to give a lecture on the concept of time in Renaissance epic poetry at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. The following day, he presented his book Torquato Tasso e il desiderio di unità (2022) at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München.

Upon returning to California directly from Germany, Dr. Confalonieri prepared and taught two courses during the Spring 2025 semester: an intermediate Italian language course and an advanced course, also in Italian, on the history and forms of theater. Both courses concluded with student projects in which participants created short films, allowing them to explore creative writing and acting, as well as to apply their understanding of regional nuances in Italian, including words and accents in local dialects studied throughout the semester.

Even after his trip to Germany, Professor Confalonieri’s semester remained full of commitments for conferences and presentations, both at Chapman and at other institutions. At Chapman, he collaborated in organizing and participated in several events sponsored by the Ferrucci Institute, including Stephanie Malia Hom’s lecture for the “Windows to Italy” series. On the same day, Professor Hom also visited Professor Confalonieri’s Italian theater course for a discussion of her work on Italia in Miniatura, a theme park in Rimini that explores miniature representations of Italy. Other events included the screening of Fred Kuwornu’s documentary We Were Here: The Untold Story of Black Africans in Renaissance Europe, and the “Italian Perspective” event, which this year focused on the theme “Space and Culture.”

In March, Professor Confalonieri participated in the RSA annual meeting in Boston, presenting a paper on the theme of ruins in Tasso’s Gerusalemme Liberata. His presentation was part of one of four panels and a roundtable that he co-organized with colleagues from other universities. The sessions were well attended and featured around twenty presentations exploring various aspects of Tasso’s work and its reception.

In April, Professor Confalonieri introduced the writer Andrea Bajani at Chapman University as part of the 2025 Reading Series organized by the John Fowler Center for Creative Writing, directed by Mark Axelrod. On this occasion, he focused primarily on Bajani’s latest novel, L’anniversario (2025), which has not yet been translated into English but was recently shortlisted for the Premio Strega 2025, Italy’s most prestigious literary award. The novel has already won the Premio Strega Giovani, awarded by a jury of readers aged 16 to 18.

Also in April, Confalonieri presented a paper on the reception of Ariosto’s and Tasso’s poems in popular music at the annual conference of the American Association of Teachers of Italian (AATI) at Princeton University. The following day, before returning to the West Coast, he was invited to participate in a workshop on Tasso at Duke University in North Carolina, alongside colleagues from Duke, Wake Forest, NYU, Yale, and Bryn Mawr.

After the end of classes in late May, Professor Confalonieri made one final trip dedicated to Tasso—this time to Sorrento, Italy (Tasso’s birthplace), where he presented a paper on the late 18th-century visual translation of Gerusalemme Liberata at the conference “The Wonder of Italy: Torquato Tasso’s Legacy in International Culture”, organized by Georgetown University and the Sant’Anna Institute.

In addition to working on various essays and reviews scheduled for publication in the summer and fall, Professor Confalonieri also joined the organizing committee for the upcoming series “Engaging the World: Leading the Conversation on Environment and Building Resilient Futures,” hosted by the Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. As part of this program, he will teach a first-year seminar in the fall titled To Call You ‘Nature’: Italian Literary Ecologies, and in October he will host Martin Puchner (Harvard University), author of Literature for a Changing Planet (Princeton University Press, 2022), for a conversation open to the public. Also in the fall, in addition to teaching another Intermediate Italian course, he will help organize the annual meeting of the Renaissance Conference of Southern California (RCSC), which will be held at Chapman on November 1 and will conclude with a film screening sponsored by the Ferrucci Institute for Italian Experience and Research.

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Where Science, Culture, and Sustainability Meet: Chapman Students’ Experiential Journey in Piedmont, Italy

Posted on June 7, 2025 by pacchioni

This summer, a new chapter of Chapman University’s interdisciplinary and global experiential education unfolded in Italy. Thanks to a pioneering partnership between the Ferrucci Institute for Italian Experience and Research, the Food Science Program, and the prestigious University of Gastronomic Sciences (UNISG) in Pollenzo, students embarked on a journey exploring Italian food culture through a unique blend of science, tradition, and sustainability. Co-led by Dr. Anuradha Prakash (Food Studies, Ferrucci Fellow) and Dr. Federico Pacchioni (Italian Studies, Ferrucci Institute), the 10-day experiential course offered Chapman students a deeply immersive education aligned with the Ferrucci Institute’s mission: fostering intellectual growth through cross-disciplinary and culturally rich experiences.

Founded in 2004 by Carlo Petrini, the visionary behind the Slow Food movement, UNISG stands as a global leader in the field of food studies. The university is renowned for its holistic approach that intertwines the humanities, biological sciences, and social sciences to examine the intricate relationships between food, culture, and the environment. Its unique curriculum promotes sustainability and biodiversity, preparing future leaders to rethink and reshape the global food system. For Chapman students, studying at UNISG provided unparalleled access to Italy’s dynamic gastronomic landscape and the chance to learn firsthand from experts at an institution at the forefront of sustainable food innovation.

The program was meticulously crafted to engage students beyond the classroom, blending academic inquiry with hands-on experiences. Students began with a deep dive into UNISG’s mission, exploring how the institution embodies a philosophy of food that is “Good, Clean, and Fair.” They then delved into the heart of the Slow Food movement through visits to its headquarters in Bra and walking tours of traditional markets, discovering how local traditions support global ideas of sustainability and quality. Guided by local experts, students experienced foraging for wild plants and cooking workshops, highlighting the critical role of local botanical knowledge in fostering sustainable food systems. Their journey continued with cultural excursions, from the vibrant Porta Palazzo market of Turin (the largest open market in Europe) and the Lavazza Coffee Museum to truffle hunting in Roero, and organic wineries in Langhe and artisanal chocolate and cheese. Finally, students synthesized their interdisciplinary learning experiences through project presentations, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the intricate balance between tradition, innovation, and sustainability.

This collaborative program exemplified the Ferrucci Institute’s core mission to integrate disciplinary perspectives and promote meaningful international engagement. In line with the broader “Italian Experience,” where the interweaving of cultures, histories, and knowledge fosters both global understanding and personal growth, students immersed themselves in a living classroom that connected the sensory, intellectual, and ethical dimensions of learning. Drawing on Italy’s unique cultural landscape, the program invited students to reflect on contemporary challenges like climate change, food security, and globalization through the lens of historical traditions and cutting-edge research.  As Chapman University continues to build meaningful international partnerships, initiatives like this highlight the future of education, where students are not mere recipients of knowledge but active participants in a global dialogue.

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The Ferrucci Institute Explores the Humanity of Science

Posted on April 2, 2025 by pacchioni

On March 15, the broader Chapman Italian Studies community came together for a day dedicated to exploring and celebrating the human dimension of scientific inquiry. Guided and inspired by the core mission of the Ferrucci Institute—to uncover the universal meaning within Italy’s rich history and cultural fabric—two signature events took place. The day was held under the auspices of the Consulate General of Italy and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in Los Angeles and drew hundreds of guests.

The day began with the annual Italian Perspective, highlighting the ingenuity, creativity, and aspirations that have long characterized Italy’s pursuit of space exploration. The program showcased Italy’s remarkable contributions to astronomy and to the aerospace sector, thanks to the insights of Ferrucci Institute Fellows in space studies, art, and engineering, as well as featured speakers from NASA, the European Space Agency, and Virgin Galactic.

Later, Chapman University formally inaugurated a bust of Rita Levi-Montalcini—the Italian neurologist, Nobel laureate, senator for life, and activist who revolutionized our understanding of nerve cell development. A lifelong champion of science, education, and human rights, Levi-Montalcini’s legacy was honored through the efforts of the Ferrucci Institute Leadership Board, with generous gifts from the Carabini, Reggiani, and Bouey families.

Below are photos from the day.

Professor Justin Walsh, “Living in Orbit, Italian Experiences”

Professor Lia Halloran, “Wonder is the Destination”

Professor Federico Pacchioni, Ferrucci Institute Director

Professor Thomas Piechota moderating the panel “The Engineering of Space, Italy’s Contribution”

Members of the Ferrucci Institute Leadership Board with the bust of Rita Levi-Montalcini

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Join us for Space and Culture: An Italian Perspective in the Musco Center for the Arts

Posted on February 19, 2025 by pacchioni

The Ferrucci Institute for Italian Experience and Research is pleased to announce the ninth edition of the Italian Perspective Series, focusing on the intersection of Space and Culture. The event will take place in the magnificent yet intimate venue of the Musco Center for the Arts, our dynamic focal point for campus life and the broader community. The series operates under the auspices of the Consulate General of Italy and the Institute for Italian Culture in Los Angeles.

The program will include interdisciplinary keynote addresses revealing the deeper human and cultural ramifications of the experience and exploration of space. It will also feature a panel of experts narrating the Italian contribution to the aerospace sector, touching on milestones in engineering, design, and historic missions like San Marco (1964) and Cassini (1997-2017). The forum represents an inquiry into the unique aspects of the Italian experience of space as well as its consequences for the evolution of cultural and national identity. Aimed at a general audience and seeking to stimulate both mind and heart, the presentations will reveal the interlaced development of science, art, and culture and celebrate the contribution of Italians to the field and their many collaborations with the US.

Previous editions of the Italian Perspective Series include Business and Culture (2016), Music and Culture (2017), Cinema and Culture (2018), Science and Culture (2019), Food and Culture (2021), and Design and Culture (2022), Theater and Culture (2023), and Song and Culture (2024).

SATURDAY, March 15, 2025
10:00 p.m. – 12:00 p.m. indoor program
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. reception

For details and tickets, click here.
*A portion of the ticket supports Italian Studies at Chapman.

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Bridging Cultures, Inspiring Creativity: Chapman Students’ Transformative Journey in Florence

Posted on January 29, 2025 by pacchioni

Florence, the birthplace of the European Renaissance, continues to represent Western ideals of civilization and artistry across the globe. The period that marked the beginning of modernity–a monumental shift in ways of thinking and managing politics, economics, and the arts–is inscribed in the very stones of the City of the Lily and continues to inspire new creations and ideas. It’s the quintessential site for examining how beauty impacts political, cultural, and economic processes.

This January, a group of Chapman University students from various departments designed and conducted individualized research projects while exploring Florence’s major museums and key institutions of the city’s creative industries. Their projects examined diverse topics, including the impact of tourism on Italian society, the intermedial potential of artisanal practices, and the leadership lessons embedded in the history of the Medici. Others drew inspiration from the Renaissance imagination to create original epic narratives and musical compositions. This travel course, a collaboration between the Ferrucci Institute and the International Studies Institute of Florence, provided students with the opportunity to engage with experts in the arts and business, work alongside Italian peers from the University of Florence, and benefit from the mentorship of Dr. Federico Pacchioni before, during, and after their stay.

In the words of some of the students:

“Tearing myself away from my home abroad was an uproar of emotions I can’t say I expected but am eternally grateful to have held. My university was a stepping stone for this adventure, and for that, I am beyond grateful. The faculty who saw my unrelenting desire and put the process into motion are nothing short of heroes in my eyes.” – Angie Barrios Mackepeace

“This travel course allowed our group of ten students to come together and learn, research, and grow in a beautiful city! Personally, it helped me recognize more about what I value in my studies, my personal values, and why I chose my research topic” – Sarah Sanders

“This experience was life-changing. I didn’t realize how much there was to learn about Florence until I got there. I’m so inspired by all I saw there, and I can’t wait to return and learn more!” – Elize Itkis

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Promoting cultural understanding through education and leadership: Dr. Mattavelli’s contribution

Posted on December 20, 2024 by mattavelli

Dr. Sara Mattavelli’s multifaceted contributions to the field of Italian Studies this fall highlight her professional leadership, innovative course design, and dedication to promoting cultural understanding through education and communication. In November, Dr. Sara Mattavelli attended the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Annual Convention and Expo in Philadelphia, PA, where she played a dual role: as a researcher and as a member of the leadership board of the American Association of Teachers of Italian (AATI).

On Saturday, November 23rd, she delivered a presentation titled “Reflecting on Identity and Belonging in Postcolonial Italy” to an audience of colleagues from various disciplines and institutions, ranging from college to K-12. Her talk centered on the advanced language and culture course, The New Italians. Immigration and Globalization in Twenty-First Century Italy (ITAL 377), which she taught at Chapman in Spring 2024. This course explores the realities of postcolonial Italy through a variety of media and texts and guides students in examining the concepts of identity and belonging while reflecting on their own identity. Dr. Mattavelli’s presentation showcased her innovative course design, highlighting the backward design approach and multiliteracies framework, with student portfolios featuring creative works like songs, poems, video games, and artwork as a culmination of their learning.

Dr. Mattavelli presenting her research

A long-time member of the American Association of Teachers of Italian (AATI) – the oldest association of Italian Studies in North America – Dr. Mattavelli was elected as the association’s Director of Communication last January. Together with colleagues from other institutions, she has worked tirelessly to advance AATI’s mission to “promote, advance and preserve the study of Italian.” In her role, she manages all the association communication, including the listserv, newsletter, social media platforms, website, marketing materials, and branding.

At ACTFL, she also attended several official events with the ACTFL Executive Board and the Delegate Assembly. She coordinated the association booth at the Expo Center and spoke at the Executive Board meeting and the Annual General Meeting of AATI.

The AATI Leadership team. From the left: James Goetschius (Treasurer), Christen Visceglie (VP K-12), Sara Mattavelli (Director of Communication), Daniele De Feo (VP of College/University), and Marina Melita (President)

AATI members and vendors at the ACTFL Italian pavilion

 

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Exploring Italian Studies: Dr. Confalonieri’s First Semester at Chapman

Posted on December 13, 2024 by pacchioni

Fall 2024 marked the first semester at Chapman University for Corrado Confalonieri, the inaugural Bernardino Telesio Endowed Professor of Italian Studies. Dr. Confalonieri taught an Italian language course, participated in various on-campus activities, and began mentoring a student selected as an Emerging Creative Scholar at the Ferrucci Institute for Italian Experience and Research.

Outside of Chapman, Dr. Confalonieri presented a paper on architecture and time in Torquato Tasso’s “Gerusalemme Liberata” at the annual conference of the Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association (PAMLA) held in Palm Springs (November 7-10). He also worked on various research projects and publications, some of which were released in recent months, with others expected to be published in early 2025.

Since August, he has published an essay in “Studi Culturali” – the most important Italian journal of Cultural Studies, published by Il Mulino – titled “Knowing and Believing: The Flood of the Po River in History, Literature, and Popular Culture.” Additionally, he published an article entitled “Il Gadda di Gifuni tra guerra, storia e filosofia della storia” in the proceedings of a conference held in Naples in 2023, and two essays on Ariosto: one providing an overview of international scholarship dedicated to Orlando Furioso and the other on the Mauriziano, the house of Ariosto’s family in Reggio Emilia, exploring its reality and literary representation. The book that includes this latter essay was presented on Saturday, December 14, at the Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, at a conference attended by Marco Massari, the Mayor of Reggio Emilia.

Professor Javitch and Professor Confalonieri

Other publications on Tasso and Ariosto are forthcoming. Among these are an essay titled “Torquato Tasso, Ludovico Ariosto, and ‘the small wins’: Chess, Poetry, and Philosophy of History” for “Schifanoia,” the journal of the Istituto di Studi Rinascimentali in Ferrara; a chapter dedicated to irony and harmony in “Orlando Furioso” in a collective volume on Ariosto to be published by Carocci; and a dialogue on Ariosto with Daniel Javitch, Professor Emeritus of Comparative Literature at NYU and author of “Proclaiming a Classic: The Canonization of Orlando Furioso,” for a new journal also published by Il Mulino, “ITER” (Immagini e Testi per l’Europa del Rinascimento).

In addition to essays, Dr. Confalonieri was invited to write reviews for “Italian Culture” and “Renaissance Quarterly,” and he has co-edited the review section of “Between,” the journal of the Italian Association for the Theory and Comparative History of Literature, where he is part of the editorial board. In the latest issue of “Between,” Dr. Confalonieri also wrote a review-essay of a book dedicated to the invention of the entrelacement in the Middle Ages (L’invenzione dell’intreccio. La svolta medievale nell’arte narrativa by Claudio Lagomarsini).

At the end of the semester at Chapman, Dr. Confalonieri, together with Emilio Russo, Professor of Italian Literature at the Sapienza Università di Roma, has organized “Trame tassiane. Per uno studio dell’intertestualità nella Gerusalemme liberata,” a conference on intertextuality in Gerusalemme Liberata that brings together several of leading Tasso scholars internationally. The conference will be held in Rome, at the Istituto Storico Italiano per il Medio Evo, from Monday, and Dr. Confalonieri will give the inaugural lecture dedicated to intertextuality and literary theory.

In January 2025, before returning to California, Dr. Confalonieri will make a stop in Germany, where he has been invited to give a lecture on Renaissance epic for graduate students at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (January 14) and to present his book Torquato Tasso e il desiderio di unità. La Gerusalemme liberata e una nuova teoria dell’epica at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München in a discussion with Florian Mehltretter (LMU München), Christian Rivoletti (FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg), and Francesco Lucioli (Sapienza Università di Roma) on January 15.

This will be the tenth presentation of the book since its release in September 2022, following those held in Sorrento (December 2022), Sapienza Università di Roma (January 2023), Centro di Studi Tassiani in Bergamo, Universitat de València (March 2023), New York University, Harvard University, University of Genoa, New Books Network Podcast (April 2023), and at the Istituto di Studi Rinascimentali in Ferrara (April 2024).

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Advancements in the Critical Integration of AI in Italian Language Teaching and Learning

Posted on October 21, 2024 by pacchioni

On October 16, Chapman Italian Studies students and faculty engaged in a special workshop underscoring the transformative power of technology in language education and literature, while calling for critical engagement with its limitations. The workshop – a collaboration between the Ferrucci Institute, the Italian Studies Program, and the Istituto di Cultura Italiana of Los Angeles – brought together prominent scholars from top US and European universities to discuss pressing challenges and opportunities.

The panel, moderated by Professor Sara Mattavelli, explored the intersection of technology and education, focusing on the humanizing potential of digital tools in learning. Dr. Tania Convertini (Dartmouth College) highlighted the legacy of Italian educator Alberto Manzi, who demonstrated how technology, when guided by values, could democratize access to education. Dr. Emanuela Patti (University of Edinburgh) discussed the digital turn in Italian literary production, emphasizing the shift towards e-books, audiobooks, and self-publishing, as well as the creation of new hybrid genres. Dr. Enza Antenos (Montclair State University) addressed the integration of generative AI in Italian language classrooms, which enhanced learning through personalized content but also presented challenges like cultural bias and inaccuracies.

 

 

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Join us for Digital Italia Language, Literature, and Innovation

Posted on September 24, 2024 by pacchioni

On the occasion of the 24th annual Italian Language Week in the World, the Italian
Cultural Institute in Los Angeles, the Ferrucci Institute for Italian Experience and Research, and the Italian Studies Program at Chapman University present a panel
discussion that offers an insightful exploration of the evolving relationship between
Italian language, literature, and technology, with a particular focus on their impact on
foreign language pedagogy, literary production, and language learning.
Speakers: Enza Antenos, Associate Professor, World Languages and Cultures,
College of Humanities and Social Science at Montclair State University; Tania
Convertini, Research Assistant Professor at Dartmouth University; Emanuela Patti,
Lecturer in Italian at the University of Edinburgh.

October 16, 2024 | 10:00am – 11:30am

CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY
Beckman Hall 404, Orange, California
The event is open to the public

 

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Pirandello Comes to Life! Don’t miss the newest adaptation of “Six Characters in Search of an Author” on stage in LA and Orange

Posted on September 17, 2024 by pacchioni

Chapman University’s Ferrucci Institute for Italian Experience and Research is partnering with the Italian Cultural Institute in Los Angeles to bring you Ferrucci Fellow Nick Gabriel’s new adaptation of SIX CHARACTER IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR.

In an effort to attract modern audiences to Pirandello’s work, Gabriel’s adaptation contemporizes the language and circumstances of the play while
maintaining the essence of Pirandello’s original vision. Even as he
masterfully encourages audiences to consider the relationship between
reality and perception, Pirandello poignantly weaves together themes of
negligence and redemption in this seminal Existentialist comedy. We are proud to say that the cast for this event is entirely made up of former and current Chapman University’s Theatre Performance program.

There will be two different showings of this adaptation.

1. The first showing will be at the Los Angeles Italian Cultural Institute on Friday, September 27th at 6 pm. You can RSVP online through this site (https://sixcharacters.eventbrite.com)

2. The second showing will be on Sunday, September 29th, in Chapman University’s Memorial Hall. No ticket or reservation is required. It will be an open-seating event that will start at 5:00 PM.

We hope you will join us for a wonderful performance!

DIRECTED BY NICK GABRIEL

CAST
Meridian Anastasia – Actor #1
Matthew Graham – Actor #2
Michael Reese Shald – Director
Kevin Wang – Stage Manager/ Ms. Modista
Feras Halabi – Father
Isabella Kaplan – Mother
Sophia Chacon – Stepdaughter
Finn Mackimmie – Son

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Expanding the Understanding of Italy’s Intellectual and Creative Import. Join us for Windows to Italy!

Posted on September 14, 2024 by pacchioni

Each academic year, the Ferrucci Institute offers a series of talks featuring scholars from both within and outside of Chapman University who are advancing the field by exploring Italy’s more universal educational and intellectual potentials, both in its peninsular and diasporic contexts. The series takes place in the beautiful Henley Reading Room of the Leatherby Libraries on two Wednesday evenings in fall and two evenings in spring. All students, faculty, and staff working on Italy-related projects are encouraged to attend. The event is open to the public.

For more details see: https://www.chapman.edu/wilkinson/research-centers/ferrucci-institute/windows-to-italy/index.aspx

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