ITALST 265The Mafia
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Arts
- Subject
- Italian Studies
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 6 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
This course analyzes the visual media representation of the Mafia in North America and the manner in which it often glorifies the Italian Mafiosi's lifestyle. The goal is to deconstruct the romanticized portrayal of the Italian and Italian-American gangster created in visual media by analyzing atrocities committed by organized crime.
Prerequisites
None listed.
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Fall 2026 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 7517 | 32 / 90 | Th 18:30–21:20 |
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 7118 | 0 / 90 | Th 18:30–21:20 |
| LEC 701 | 2659 | 47 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
80% liked it88% easy50% useful
From 15 ratings and 2 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
I enjoyed this class if you do the reading and watch the films you should be fine the essay is marked by a TA. The feedback I got from my Proposal basically said "sounds interesting have fun don't mess it up" I never got the final essay back with any feed back also did not get the final tests mark back. The professor was nice early in the course we had established a unspoken signal system where I would then answer the question she had asked because the most of the rest of the class didn't participate in the discussion.
Oct 2024 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this
I took this course with Alessia Ursella. The first half of the course goes through general Mafia history and whatnot, whereas the second half of the course is about watching Mafia movies and analyzing them. The marking scheme is composed of weekly discussion posts, two tests (one short answer and one long answer), and a media analysis essay.
The course was overall enjoyable, although I will admit it was a bit difficult to retain attention because of the three hour lectures. I found the first half of the course more interesting than the movie analysis half, but I suppose it's because I didn't really find the required movies all that interesting to watch.
I don't think it's too difficult to…Jul 2023 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
11 posts and comments in 10 threads mention ITALST 265, May 2018 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Spring 2023
HLTH 410 ,ITAL 101, and ITALST 265 help 0 points, 1 comment
u/New-grad-55: “Hello, I was wondering for those who took HLTH 410 ,ITAL 101, and ITALST 265 how was it in terms of difficulty as well as any information regarding the course breakdown too. Any information helps.”
Spring 2021
Am I crazy? 0 points, 17 comments
u/buttercupbeuaty: “… Biol 469: genomics Biol 443: fermentation biotech BLND CS 115: intro to computer science Italst 265: thé mafia PD 5: project management Waiting on approval for Biol 354: environmental toxicology BLND Biol 462: applied wetland science Plans Work part time live off campus Bus for …”
u/10minuteninja: “THIS IS A COURSE?”
Film courses? 1 point, 5 comments
“I am starting my first term in the Fall and am a huge movie nerd. I was just wondering if there are any other film courses than VCULT 100 and MUSIC 246, and between the two, which one is better? …”
u/ramsrambles: “ITALST 265 was a great film course, it's ideally about mafia culture and how it's represented in the film industry but throughout the term, you get to watch some really great classics. plus the tests and final paper aren't too bad”
Fall 2020
Most fun or interesting electives 2 points, 6 comments
“Hi so I need some ideas for some interesting and fun electives for w21. So if you could please tell me some electives you enjoyed. Thank you!”
u/uw_raccoon: “medvl 105 (best ever), italst 265, psci 264, hist 358”
just wanted to say ITALST 265 (mafia culture) w/ Nicaso is really good 20 points, 5 comments
u/uw_raccoon: “If you still need a culture course, this is a really good one. I did great and most of the content was based on films. Don't have the grade for the final assignment yet, but after crunching the numbers, even if I bombed I'm still aceing which is great, so happy. …”
What is the coolest, most interesting elective you've taken at UW? 3 points, 15 comments
“Going into my last term in Winter and I only need to take 4 credits to graduate, two of which are electives with no restrictions on what I can take. …”
u/tomo1144: “ITALST 265 - Mafia Culture and the Power of Symbols, Rituals, and Myths with Prof. Nicaso. Super easy and very interesting! 3 tests and a movie review final.”
ASYNCHRONUS Language/Culture Course?? 0 points, 3 comments
u/tomo1144: “Italst 265: mafia culture and the power of symbols, rituals and myths!”
Fall 2019
Anyone into Mafia movies and stories? I want to see if people would be into creating a club discussing mafia stuff or a discord 3 points, 4 comments
u/shansauce81: “There’s a mafia course, fyi. Can’t remember the code, but will look it up if you’re interested”
u/shansauce81: “Looked it up anyways :p ITALST 265”
Fall 2018
How bird is ITALST265 mafia Italian culture? 8 points, 2 comments
u/chinabatman: “How bird is it? With Cool man A.Nicaso”
Spring 2018
ITALST 265 6 points, 0 comments
u/uwthrowaway16291928: “Worth taking as an elective/bird course? It seems interesting. How easy was it? I'm assuming you need to attend class, so is it worth?”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them