italian heritage - Center for the Biology of Natural Systems - CUNY

nativism, poverty, and untimely deaths, inspiring writers
of Italian America to illuminate the New-World status of
Italian immigrants by fulsomely portraying their suffering
and dying, and be re-imagining those who mourned those
deaths. Stories of death-inclusive of deathbed scenes,
widows’ lamentations, and textual endings – illuminate
operative ways in which the United States writers of
Italian America explore bereavement and insist on their
ancestors’ New World status and humanity through dying.
Like Persephone returning, these authors portray death
as a story of continuity, a story about how things change,
but do not end. Sponsored by the Philip V. Cannistraro
Seminar Series, John D. Calandra Italian American
Institute, Queens College/CUNY.
John D. Calandra Italian American Institute
25 West 43 rd Street, 17 th floor, Manhattan
Admission: free; open to the public
Contact: Rosangela Briscese (212) 2094
Fax (212) 642-2030
calandra@qc.edu
Classic Books & Cinema: Il Gattopardo
October 14 6:30 pm
An insightful interpretation of the classic novel Il
Gattopardo by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa presented
in English by NYU Professor in Residence Antonio
Rutigliano. Lecture will address the historical and social
context in which the story takes place. Sponsored by
Westchester Italian Cultural Center.
One Generoso Place, Tuckahoe, NY
Admission: Members free; Non-Members $25
Contact: Patrizia Calce (914) 771-8700, ext. 109
pcalce@wiccny.org
Is Italian American Studies Extinct?
Past, Present and Future Trends
October 14 6:30 pm
A discussion of the evolving nature of Italian American
studies will be examined by Dr. Joseph V. Scelsa, Founder
and President of the Italian American Museum and
Professor Emeritus, Queens College, CUNY. Sponsored
by Italian American Museum.
155 Mulberry Street, Manhattan
Admission: free; open to the public
Contact: Dr. Joseph V. Scelsa (212) 965-9000
Fax (212) 965-9004
jvscelsa@ItalianAmericanMuseum.org
83