Thursdays 10-12 Noon
January 15 through February 19, 2004
D.O.C. House
This course is for the lover of Italy who is fascinated, enamored, and confused by the Italian way of life and how it has changed over the last fifty years. As Italy becomes an integral part of the European Community, is it still the land of “la dolce vita?” In reading Luigi Barzini's classic The Italians and Paul Ginzborg's more contemporary take, Italy and Its Discontents, we'll attempt to fill in some blanks. We'll try to zero in on what makes this warm-hearted, irritating, individualistic, conformist and animated people tick. At the end of our course (discussion, opinions, and voluntary reports on topics of interest will be welcomed), at the very least, you'll enjoy people-watching from a Via Veneto café with a fresh eye.
Class is limited to 20 members.
Roland Kuchel considers it a blessing to have been born half-Italian. A retired State Department diplomat, he has traveled extensively in Italy, including a four-year assignment at the American Embassy in Rome.
