Selected Topics in Sociology I: The Mafia in Modern Italy

  • Course Number: 3230
  • Subject: Sociology
  • Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Credit Hours: 3
  • Description:

    The topics will vary and cover areas not covered by the current roster of classes. Please consult with the instructor for details.

  • Organized crime emerged in modern Italy at the same time as the 19th century process of unification, and it remains a topic of heated debate and controversy in Italy today. In this course, we will trace the history of organized crime as a portal to underlying issues at the heart of the modern Italian nation: the relationship between state and society; tensions between national and regional identities; gender, work, and the family; party politics and the rise of fascism. Our study of the history of the mafia also necessitates a study of the history of anti-mafia movements in Italy. Who claims to represent the interests of the Italian nation and why? What is the image of organized crime in Italy today?

  • Special Notes:

    N/A

  • Cross-listings:

    HIST 2319, CJ 3000, GUS 4000, HiST 2900 (Honors)

  • Pre-requisites:

    N/A