Amy Giraldo Awarded Outstanding Italian Studies Minor

Chapman University’s Department of World Languages and Cultures selected Amy Giraldo as Outstanding Italian Studies Minor.

A note from her professors: “Few words are not sufficient to describe Amy Giraldo. Not only she exemplifies academic commitment and rigor at the highest level, but she is also one of most intellectually courageous students that we have had the privilege of working with. During her studies in Italian, she went beyond the boundaries of the curriculum by succeeding at internship work, charting new ground with an individual study on modern Italian poetry, splendidly performing during an immersive travel class in Italy, and contributing directly to the wellbeing of the program’s community itself. Thank you, Amy, we will miss you, but we also know that you will continue doing amazing things in the years ahead!”

 

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Italian language skills in the industry: a second-year Italian student’s early career start

Elle Berti is a Sophomore in the Italian track of the new B.A. in Global Communication and World Languages. Elle, who comes from an Italian background, continues her studies of the language and culture at Chapman including various study abroad experiences, first with the program’s immersive travel course to Sicily and, next fall, with a semester abroad in Rome. Thanks to her academic focus, Elle was recently hired as the advertising specialists for Italian at the agency Channel Bakers. Italian language skills are a crucial part of her position, which focuses on Amazon’s Italian accounts, translating account data, and creating keyword lists for the Italian Amazon platform. 

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Student Grace Montgomery awarded a Chapman Italian Studies Council Travel Course Grant

Italian Studies student Grace Montgomery has been awarded with a Chapman Italian Studies Council Travel Class Grant in support of her participation in the upcoming summer immersion course in Taormina, Sicily. This award is named after the philanthropic group that has supported the development and outreach activity of CU’s Italian Studies program since 2013. For more information on the Council and how to contribute to its effort, please visit this link.

“Ciao!  My name is Grace Montgomery and I am a freshman here at Chapman University majoring in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance.  When I heard that Chapman offered Italian as a foreign language, I enrolled in Italian 101 and instantly fell in love with the language and culture.  My maternal grandmother is Sicilian, making me a solid 1/4th Italian.  Although it is not my complete genetic make-up, I have always felt this sort of pull to Italian culture and mannerisms; Italian culture just felt like home.  I quickly decided to minor in Italian and I have accepted the position of President of the Chapman Italian Club for the 2019 school year. My dream for the future is that I will somehow find a career that will mix both my passion for Business and Italian in the workplace.”

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Learn about the history and significance of the Sicilian puppet theater!

Join us for the upcoming presentation by Italian Studies alumnus Marco Saglimbeni, scheduled on Monday, April 15, 7:00-8:30pm, in the Center for American War Letters of the Leatherby Libraries.

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A Morning at the Crossroad of Science and Culture: the 4th Annual Italian Perspective

Keeping true to the commitment of exploring the multifaceted and precious significance of the history, culture and art of Italy across various fields of knowledge and application, this year’s Italian Perspective opened the lesser known yet truly unique and relevant window of the relationship between science and culture.

The event was introduced by the Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles, Silvia Chiave, the Director of the Italian Institute of Culture of Los Angeles, Valeria Rumori, and the President of the Italian American Scientists and Scholars in North American Foundation, Vito Campese.

The program included four fascinating keynote presentations by scholars based in the United States as well as from Italy: Dr. Kevin Petti, Dr. Carlo Vecce, Dr. Giovanni Sambin and Chapman’s own President Daniele Struppa. Talks addressed intersections between the domains of art and society and specific areas of science such as early anatomic learning, Da Vinci’s intellectual training, the history of the notion of infinity, the influence of geometrical advancements on the rendering of perspective in the visual arts.

The speakers’ ability to condense decades of specialized research and true interdisciplinary thinking into intriguing and accessible presentations indeed conveyed powerfully and concretely the ancient and yet ever pioneering wisdom inherent in the bridging of scientific and artistic pursuits.


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Dr. Pacchioni speaks at the annual convention of the American Association of Italian Studies at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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Science and Culture: An Italian Perspective. Get your ticket today!

Don’t miss the fourth edition of the Italian Perspective series. This year, Science and Culture: An Italian Perspective will include four plenary lectures focusing on different intersections between Italian art and culture and scientific thought and discoveries, including anatomy, mathematics, geometry, and more.

Aimed at a general audience and characterized by an interactive quality, the presentations will reveal the interlaced development of the scientific and artistic understanding of the world, and will provide a special celebration of Italian scientific and artistic culture. Join us in this exploration of the beauty and complexity of Italy’s intellectual and aesthetic import, and of the intense humanity behind the pursuit of truth and beauty yesterday and today.

March 30, 2019, 10am-1pm, Musco Center for the Arts, Chapman University.

A complementary parking pass will be emailed to you when purchasing the ticket online.

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Documenting Sicily through film: an alumna’s passion for the island

Gabriella Pinel, class of 2017, studied Italian at Chapman University while completing her B.F.A. in Television Broadcast Journalism. Motivated by her fruitful study abroad experience in Italy, she decided to move to Sicily after graduation to live in the small fishing village where her mother was born and raised. Recently she completed the short film “Bedda Sicilia,” which is a testament to the deep kinship and love that she has developed for Sicily and its people.

Gabriella: “As a documentary filmmaker, I saw this time as a great opportunity to better understand and tell the stories of my family and the incredible traditions that make Sicily the special place it is. When I wasn’t eating enormous amounts of Pasta al Forno, sitting along the rocks of the Mediterranean or playing Briscola with family members, I spent my time filming, writing, and traveling to discover this beautiful place. Sicily to me is unparalleled in its rich history, stunning landscapes, incredible cuisine, and most importantly, population of welcoming, affectionate, good-natured people. For years to come, I plan to continue to return to Sicily and other parts of Italy to share their stories with the world and hopefully implore others to discover the reason la vita è sempre bella in Italia.”

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The Sounds, The Stories: Reimagining The Italian Art Song

In partnership with the students of the Italian Studies Program of Chapman University, The Los Angeles Composers Collective dissect and interpret iconic pieces of Italian Literature for a fresh take on an old classic.

The concert and discussion will take place on Saturday, March 9th at 8pm at 1888Center in Orange, CA and will be recorded by the podcast, “The Sounds, The Stories,” by Brew Sessions Live.

Composers: Linda L. Rife, Derek Dobbs, Cassandra Venaglia, Jon Brenner, Danielle Rosaria, Kostas Rekleitis, and Brooke deRosa. Guest Musicians: Cristina Jones (soprano), Cris Law (countertenor), Cassandra Venaglia (soprano), Jillian Lopez (harp), Cosima Luther (violin), and David Mason (cello).

Discussion with: LACC composers, Dr. Federico Pacchioni, The Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco Chair in Italian Studies, Chapman University and students of Chapman’s Italian Studies Program.

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Join Fondazione Italia for the annual CARNEVALE party!

Join Fondazione Italia on Saturday, March 2nd, for our annual CARNEVALE party! Featuring a Commedia dell’Arte skit performed by Chapman Italian Studies students.

Enjoy fine Italian food and special carnevale treats, a costume contest for children and adults, arts and crafts, a Venetian photo booth, story time, music and more!

Tickets are $10 in advance (per family), $15 at the door. To purchase tickets go to:
https://www.italianfoundation.org/class-registration/?ee=167

Getting there:
10 Meadow Valley is a clubhouse located inside the beautiful gated community of Northpark. When you arrive, let the guard know that you are going to the Italian school party and head to the clubhouse at the center of the neighborhood. Street parking available.

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Join us for a playfully educational evening with author Carla Gambescia

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An Italian Studies alumna in Milan

In this video, Melissa Marino, who graduated with a double major in Italian Studies and Theater Performance in 2017, talks about her current experience as graduate student at Accademia Teatro alla Scala of Milan, Italy.

 

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From Thailand to Italy and back via Chapman: Sarina Welsh’s internship in Bangkok

Sarina Welsh a Chapman Italian Studies students and native of Thailand has won an internship at the Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok. Sarina is currently pursuing a new interdisciplinary degree combining coursework in Communication and Italian language and culture.

The Thai-Italian Chamber of Commerce is a private, non-profit organization that promotes collaboration and relationships between Thai and Italian companies. Sarina will partake in different tasks the chamber has to offer such as research activities, media & publication updates, and event organizations.

Congratulazioni Sarina! 

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Interpreting the Past: An Experience of Rome

This winter term, Dr. Pacchioni launched the new travel course Interpreting the Past: An Experience of Rome. The course integrates personalized projects with visits to the Eternal City’s most representative museums and archeological sites, an overview of its ancient and contemporary urban landscape, encounters with scholars, artists, and entrepreneurs, and direct experience of the city’s traditions. Students developed original and personalized scholarly and creative projects before, during and after their stay in Rome with the support of peers from the Università la Sapienza as well as a team of talented teachers and guides.

 

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The Lives of Filippo Mazzei and Louis Palma Di Cesnola. Join us for a double book presentation on November 28!

The Mentoris Project along with the Chapman University Leatherby Libraries and the Italian Studies Program present The Lives of Filippo Mazzei and Louis Palma Di Cesnola. Book signing with authors Dr. Rosanne Welch and Dr. Peg Lamphier following presentation.

November 28, 7pm, Center for American War Letters, Leatherby Libraries.

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