Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Border Change Switzerland-Italy

The Independent
Melting snow prompts border change between Switzerland and Italy
By Peter Popham in Rome
Tuesday, 24 March 2009

Global warming is dissolving the Alpine glaciers so rapidly that Italy and Switzerland have decided they must re-draw their national borders to take account of the new realities.

Read More here:
Melting Snow Causes Border Change between Switzerland and Italy

Course Description

Ambiguous Borders: Identity in Rome and Italy
5 credits
Julie Villegas, Honors Program

Throughout their history, Romans have been interested in boundaries, entries and gateways, both psychological and physical. We will look at “border” as both a metaphor and as a physical manifestation of culture in both in ancient and modern Rome. Students will continue to explore the ambiguity of the border, identity politics, and the concept of “Other” in Rome by traveling outside of Rome to visit the cities of Florence and Naples and experience first-hand the historical and stereotypical divisions between Italy’s north and south.

We will explore these general questions:

Where are the covert and overt borders in Rome? (physical, psychological, cultural, and national borders).

How is “insider” or “outsider” status determined?

Borders are at the same time becoming more rigid and also more fluid. What are the dynamics behind this and how is this fluidity and ambiguity expressed in art, literature, monuments and memorials?

In addition, students will have the opportunity to create independent research projects and explore specific interests linked to the larger themes of the class.