This fall, the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures will offer a class chronicling five centuries of Italians in American culture.
Italian 4100, “Italians in America,” will study the influence of Italian immigration on the culture of the United States. Professor Joseph Ricapito is offering the class, taught in English, to students of all majors.
Ricapito said the last time the class was offered, in Spring 2003, he had an overwhelming response to the class.
“A lot of people don’t realize that Italian Americans were a part of the building of this country,” Ricapito said.
Ricapito said the book he chose for the course, “La Storia: Five Centuries of the Italian American Experience” by Jerre Mangione, is an “encyclopedia of Italian culture.”
Ricapito, born in Italy, says his Italian background will bring a unique perspective to the course.
“My sister and I were very lucky to be brought up bilingually,” Ricapito said, “not only having a bilingual background, but a bicultural one.”
The class will discuss Italian customs that were brought from Italy by immigrants, customs such as holidays, family gatherings and religious cultures.
He said the class also will discuss what is perhaps the most recognizable contribution by Italians to American culture — food.
“I don’t like Mario,” Ricapito said referring to the Food Network’s popular Italian chef, Mario Batali. “He talks too much.”
He hopes to dispel the stereotypes that the media and popular culture have established.
“Italians are, unfortunately, saddled with a terrible stereotype,” Ricapito said. “It is the stereotype of criminality, which is a terrible thing to happen to a people as industrious, hard-working and law abiding as Italians.”
Ricapito says movies like “The Godfather” perpetuate the stereotype that Italians are criminals, which he says hinders the social advancement of Italians.
The course, a three-credit Italian elective, will be offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Ricapito said interested faculty and staff members also are invited to participate.