DU Department of Languages, Literatures & Cultures

Our Prof. Angelo Castagnino has published a new book!

In Fantastic Echoes in Contemporary Italian Literature, Prof. Castagnino argues that contemporary Italian fiction often uses fantastic tropes to address realistic concerns. In doing so, he establishes a connection between the tradition of Gothic and fantastic fiction and societal concerns over topics such as ecocriticism, ecofeminism, artificial intelligence, transhumanism, and personal and collective memory. The study of, among others, Nicola Lagioia, Simona Vinci, Alessandro Perissinotto and Michele Mari delivers a powerful rendition of the practical applications that fantastic and Gothic tropes have for an understanding of today's Italian fiction.

SAVE THE DATE!

The Denver Film Festival brings the annual The Showcase on Italian Cinema at DU. This year, the award winning film Settembre by Italian Director Giulia Steigrewalt will be shown for free on Thursday November 9 at 6:30 after our reception at 5:30. Additionally, Dr Bernadette Luciano, Anna-Maglione-Sie Scholar in Residence and Professor at he University of Auckland, NZ will be introducing the film and hosting a Q&A after the screening.

Registration is necessary. Register here for free tickets for you and your guests :
https://dughost.imodules.com/settembre2023

See you there!

CULTURE - JAPAN
Manners

Proper manners and consideration towards others are highly valued in Japan. Visit this website to take a look at what are expected to be proper manners for both locals and visitors: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e622.html

Next Winter we will be offering JAPN 2002 (Intermediate Japanese) and JAPN 2102 (Conversation & Composition II). This AY 23-24, DU students, through the Study Abroad Program, are studying in Akita International University (Akita), Doshisha University (Kyoto) and Waseda University (Tokyo)!

The DU Department of Languages, Literatures & Cultures is deeply affected and saddened by the departure of Anna. She was a friend, a protector, and a supporter of us and our Italian Studies Program. Our champion for years, Anna Sie, we will miss you.

Cole Millington a DU graduate (BA ’19) and Chinese Minor raised nearly $150,000 from crowdfunding and private donations to support the people of Lahaina. Read more below!

After Maui Wildfire Destroys His Home and Business, DU Graduate Raises Funds for Lahaina Community | University of Denver When Cole Millington (BA ’19) heard that his friend Avery Donovan was headed to Hawaii to live with his uncle and work a summer job, he asked if he could tag along. But what began as an adventure working as a dive guide and surf coach took root as a deep appreciation for Maui and for nature—and ...

Last fall, Mina Walker became one of the first 20 students to participate in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Denver (DU) new major in Languages, Literatures & Cultures with a concentration in Japanese.

We caught up with Mina while she's studying abroad in Japan — and learned how her experience studying Japanese at DU helped her build a sense of community during the pandemic and explore new opportunities for her future.

https://ecs.page.link/XKcCx

Closing hte year and celebrating with our graduating Majors and Minors! Congratulations to them!

Have a lovely summer break!

Photo (Unsplash): Kiyomi Shiomura

CULTURE-Greek

Greek architecture is one of the most recognizable across the world. From the Temple of Zeus to the Ancient Stadium of Olympia their buildings are characterized by their tall columns and intricate details. Here's a more in-depth exploration of Greek architecture.

Greek Architecture - An Exploration of Ancient Greek Structures Ancient Greek architecture arose in 900 BC and lasted until about the 1st century AD. It originated in cultures that were situated on the Greek mainland, the is

LL&C Majors!!!

LANGUAGE-Italian
The Italian language is the Romance language which retains the closest similarity to Latin. Let's look at the most significant similarities and differences between the two.

Differences between Latin and Italian with examples | Parlando Italiano Discover the similarities and differences between Latin and Italian with examples! In addition, learn the origin of the Italian language.

Our Polina Dimova sparks college-wide collaboration!

CLick on image to read the article by Susan Dugan

“I could never quite choose what I wanted to focus most on — I just wanted to do everything.”

Polina Dimova, an assistant professor of Russian in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, remarked on her passion for integrative learning and the allure of studying multicultural literature in our recent interview.

To learn more about Dimova's her journey from growing up in Bulgaria to becoming a professor at DU, click this image

DU Professor's Passion for Integrative Learning Sparks Collegewide Collaboration Polina Dimova's early education growing up in then communist Bulgaria sparked an innate passion for the alluring synergy of multicultural literature, languages and the arts. “I could never quite choose what I wanted to focus most on — I just wanted to do everything,” she said. Dimova, an assis...