In this course we will look at the different ways in which Rome’s cityscape has been represented in 20th and 21st century Italian and American cinemas, intersecting with historical events such as the rise of Italian fascism, WWII, the 1960s economic boom, as well as the political impact of the current migratory crisis in the Mediterranean Sea. Why is Rome often referred to as "The Eternal City"? In what ways has the myth of Rome’s eternality been politically exploited throughout Italy’s modern history? Students will acquire technical vocabulary to improve their visual interpretation skills, as well as knowledge of some of the most impactful historical and cultural events of last century. Requirements will include readings in cultural and film history, an analytical essay, a research paper, weekly blog posts, and active participation in class discussion. Films may include Roman Holiday (William Wyler, 1953), La Dolce Vita (Federico Fellini, 1960), Accattone (Pier Paolo Pasolini, 1961), The Talented Mr. Ripley (Anthony Minghella, 1999), The Great Beauty (Paolo Sorrentino, 2013).