In light of recent developments-such as those in the state of Arizona-regarding immigration and ethnic studies and their reverberations around the nation, the Calandra Institute [2] sees the need to gather our distinguished professors and holders of endowed chairs who, among other tasks, may also develop and direct programs in Italian/American Studies to discuss their work as it pertains to twenty-first-century Ethnic Studies. In this conversation of the research, education, and programming that subtend Italian/American Studies, the professors will engage in an exchange of ideas that will examine numerous topics, such as: 

- The definition of Italian-American Studies;

- The development of the field over the years;
- New methodologies of examining the various modes of articulation of cultural expression;

- The building of national and international networks;

- The relationship between Italian Studies and Italian-American Studies;

- The sharing of resources that would facilitate their work and the work of others dedicated to the study and analysis of Italian America in all of its manifestations;

- The bridging of gaps, such as the proverbial "town-gown" dichotomy, a.k.a., bringing the academy to the streets;

- The relationship between the cultural brokers (i.e., professors, independent scholars, writers, filmmakers, etc.) and elected officials. The goal of this symposium is multifold: (1) to convene leading educators of Italian American culture and society; (2) to examine those debatable issues that surface and thus challenge current representations; (3) to better inform those present about the vastness of Italian Americana; and, (4) in the wake of Arizona Law HB 1070, to discuss practical applications of Ethnic Studies to the further development of Italian American Studies at the college / university level. In addition, this meeting offers to the public the opportunity to hear directly from and engage in dialogue with these intellectual leaders in the field.

 

The symposium has been organized with the co-sponsorship of ILICA [3] (Italian Language and Inter-Cultural Alliance), NIAF [4] (National Italian American Foun­dation), NOIAW [5] (National Organization of Italian American Women), OSIA [6](Order Sons of Italy in America), and The Italian Cultural Center of St. John's University [7]

 

The goal of the event is multifold: (1) to convene leading educators of Italian American culture and society; (2) to examine those debatable issues that surface and thus challenge current representations; (3) to better inform those present about the vastness of Italian Americana; and, (4) in the wake of Arizona Law HB 1070, to discuss practical applications of Ethnic Studies to the further development of Italian American Studies at the college / university level. In addition, this meeting offers to the public the opportunity to hear directly from and engage in dialogue with these intellectual leaders in the field.

 

 

Find the full calendar below:

 

 

5:00-6:00 pm            

Press Conference

 

6:00-6:30 pm            

Welcoming/Opening Comments

 James Muyskens, President, Queens College/CUNY

 Senator Diane Savino, New York State Senate

Consul General Francesco Maria Talò

Representatives from ILICA, NIAF, NOIAW, OSIA, St. John’s University

           

 

6:30-7:30 pm            

Roundtable with all participating professors

What is Italian-American Studies and What are the Responsibilities of A Chair?

 

Reception to Follow

 

 

 

 

9:00-9:30 am           

Coffee

 

9:30-11:00 am                       

Session One

Moderator: Anthony Julian Tamburri, Calandra Institute

            Teresa Fiore, Montclair State University & CSULB

            Paolo Giordano, University of Central Florida

 

11:00 am-12:30 pm           

Session Two

Moderator: Jerome Krase, Brooklyn College/CUNY

            Richard Alba, The City University of New York

            Robert Viscusi, Brooklyn College/CUNY

 

 

12:30-1:30 pm                       

Lunch Break

 

1:30-3:00 pm           

Session Three

Moderator: Anthony Julian Tamburri

            Peter Carravetta, University at Stony Brook

            William Connell, Seton Hall University

 

3:00-4:30 pm           

Session Four

Moderator: Jerome Krase

            Fred Gardaphé, Queens College/CUNY

            Stanislao Pugliese, Hofstra University

 

4:30-5:30 pm           

Round Table

Moderator: Anthony Julian Tamburri

Richard Alba, Peter Carravetta, William Connell, Teresa Fiore, Fred Gardaphé, Paolo Giordano, Jerome Krase, Stanislao Pugliese, Robert Viscusi

 

 

 

 

Re-thinking

Italian-American Studies

A National Symposium

September 10-11, 2010

The John D. Calandra Italian American Institute

Queens College

The City University of New York

25 West 43rd Street, 17th Floor

Manhattan