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ITALST 100Understanding Modern Italy

Units
0.50
Faculty
Arts
Subject
Italian Studies

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 6 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This course examines Italy's transformation from Unification in 1861 to present day. Students will explore its paradoxes and challenges through films and readings on topics such as the World Wars, the rise of fascism, internal terrorism, and migration in order to gain an understanding of contemporary Italian society and culture.

Prerequisites

None listed.

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 0817519115 / 115Online or by arrangement

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 08171150 / 150Online or by arrangement
LEC 701265630 / 9999Online or by arrangement

Reviewed on UW Flow

69% liked it75% easy34% useful

From 16 ratings and 5 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • I am in 3A, and achieving mostly straight A's, and a mature student (aka almost anything is interesting it me)-I don't recommend this class, unfortunately. Here is why:
    This class was a *content *heavy course that is not really about Italian culture as it claims. It is a HISTORY and POLITICS class.
    There is a full novel to read (the Leopard), nearly an entire textbook to read (History of Contemporary Italy), along with countless pages of other *dry reading such as parts of the Italian Constitution. On top of all this reading, there is multiple movies/films (this equated to hours required to watch/read each week to do well). Most media is long (2 hours) and seems irrelevant to any learning…

    Jul 2025 · didn’t like it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • content is interesting, you really do learn a lot about italy and get introduced to old italian films as well (i ended up writing my essay on one which is a fun option to have). make sure you don't miss the discussion posts or quizzes and it'll be a breeze. prof rambles a bit but means well and is very informed

    Aug 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • The content was really interesting and fund to learn. By the halfway point lecture modules turned into video which was odd. Should have been an easy class, ended up being my heaviest work load class. Discussions basically every week and a content quiz every week. There was a final essay and final exam due on the same day. The prof had to get a TA to help grade things because there was too much to grade. Took forever to get any marks back and the feedback on the one assignment (research proposal) was very intense.

    May 2026 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • the birdiest course ever! everything is online as well as midterm and final. very easy to get more than 90 even if you don't like history. very much recommended!

    Apr 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • The course work itself wasn't hard at all, but it was somewhat boring, certain modules way more than others, which led to a lack of motivation for me. The discussion posts were very fun though.

    Aug 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar