12-5-99
HONOR'S ASSIGNMENT
Summary of "Psychology
and Diversity" Project:
In Dr. Bonnie Gray's
Psychology 101 class, we were given a group assignment over
the culture of a specific country. As part of the criteria,
each group (consisting of about 7-8 people) was to keep a
journal in order to record the events of each meeting. Another
task was the team presentation. Here we were required to
present the information we learned to the rest of the class,
in a creative manner. At the end of the semester, each member
was required to write an individual paper reflecting information
about the assigned culture. One of the main objectives of
the assignment was to apply what we learned about the culture
to Psychology.
Our group, specifically,
was assigned the country of Italy. We had the opportunity
to meet with Marco Ruggeri, our Italian liaison. We learned
so much about the culture in meetings with Marco. He is truly
a well of information. For each time that we met, I recorded
the topics discussed, the date and time of each meeting,
who was present, and our opinions of the assignment in our
group journal. Each person in our group was responsible for
finding information on a specific topic, such as, geographical
information, behaviors and customs, education, and so forth.
Each person in the group would then discuss the information
that they researched in the presentation. We met several
times outside of class to discuss presentation ideas. We
decided that we wanted to serve a specific type of food that
reflected Italian culture, so with permission from our instructor,
we made an Italian dessert, and served it to the class as
part of our presentation.
My first reaction
to this project was a very overwhelming feeling. There is
so much information on one culture, and it would be impossible
to cover all of it in a research paper, and 15-minute presentation
combined. It was difficult to meet because the members of
my group often had conflicting schedules. Marco, our Italian
liaison, was also very busy, so we had to meet several times
with only a few members present. Initially, I thought that
the way the presentation was to be carried out seemed vague.
We had ideas, but we didn't exactly know where to start.
After the first group presented their country, however, we
had an idea about how we would present our information. The
paper also seemed to be a very broad assignment. I would
have preferred a page requirement. Other than that, I was
very satisfied with the assignment. The "Issues to Discuss" ideas
listed in the handout were very helpful to me as I wrote
my paper. They also provided guidance as to what we could
ask Marco during meetings. My favorite activities regarding
this assignment were discussions with Marco, and watching
the presentations of my fellow students. I thoroughly enjoyed
learning about the culture and diversity of Italy, as well
as all the other countries. I now have a very strong desire
to visit Italy because of the interesting information that
I learned. It is truly amazing how different each culture
really is. I now understand that culture plays a major role
in how people think and behave.
No city in Italy can match Florence's stupefying artistic wealth, important
paintings and sculptures are everywhere; no where in Italy and perhaps
in all Europe, is the act of looking at art more rewarding. The city is
unique and incomparable and an astonishing percentage of the great artists
of the Renaissance lived and worked there: Leonardo, Raffaello and Michelangelo.
Florence is the resulting marriage between the very old and the very new
: it is a bustling metropolis that has managed to preserve its predominantly
medieval street plan and predominantly renaissance infrastructure while
successfully adapting to the demands of 20th century life. Visitors who
whish to live a short period as if they were in the medieval and renaissance
age should come to Florence and enjoy its magic ancient atmosphere.
AROUND FLORENCE
If you decide to stay in Florence and to visit the surrounding villages in
the area of Greater Florence, city buses bring you to the village of Fiesole,
and to the nearest of the various Medici Villas which where originally
country retreats but are now consumed by the suburbs, 15 and 30 minutes
by train or by bus away from here are Prato and Pistoia. The day trip are
pleasant with their medieval ensembles Florentine inspired to the Renaissance
art. On the way to Pisa, by train and by car, are worthwhile diversions
to Vinci, Leonardo's birthplace and to san Miniato. To visit Chianti, which
is to the south, you need your own transport. As you probably know Chianti
is one of the most famous wine regions in the World.
A bit of history
FLORENCE.... bits
of history
The origins of Florence go back to the Etruscan epoch. In 200 BC some groups
of inhabitants went down from the hill of Fiesole to the banks of the Arno
river to found a village. The position right along the Arno river was on direct
line of communication between north and south. In the Ist century BC Romans
colonized the village to settle there a roman garnison and gave it the auspicious
name of Florentia that means destined to flourish. Soon Florence acquired a
position of pre-eminence among the other cities of the area named Tuscia. Around
550 AD the city succumbed during the barbarian invasions and 20 years later
it was occupied by the Lombards who ruled the city from Lucca. In the Carolingian
epoch Florence become to recover slowly. Later it came under the power of the
German domination. It prospered during the next three centuries and in 1115
, after the death of Countess Matilda - of the German house of Marquises of
Tuscany - the control of the city passed to an organized group of officials
called : The Good Men and the Florentine commune came into being. In short
time, inside the city now surrounded by a new circle of walls, began the crashes
between overlords and the artisan class organized in guilds and trade corporations.
The first ones took the name of Guelphs and supported the Pope, the other ones
named themselves Ghibellins, who supported the Emperor. By the defeating of
their rival cities like Pistoia, Arezzo etc... and the prosperity of commerce
Florence expanded its territory and its importance. After the outbreak of plague
in 1348 took place the violent clashes between popolo grasso (the reach class)
and popolo minuto (working class), who came to head in revolt called tumulto
dei ciampi. After a short period, the Signoria De' Medici began to rule. Lorenzo
De' Medici or Lorenzo the Magnificent was a great patron of the arts. The century
that culminated under the rule of the Magnificent (XV century) is one of the
most brilliant in Florentine history. It was the century of humanism and the
great art of Renaissance. After him other personalities of the Medici's family
ruled over Florence but without strength and success. The XVII century saw
the beginning of the decline of Florence after the extinction of the dynasty
of Medici with Gian Gastone (1737) the rule of the Grand Duchy passed in the
hands of an Austrian House, the Lorraines. Their rule allowed Florence to resume
a certain marginal importance among the European powers. The Austrian domination
was interrupted for a short period (1789-1814) by the Napoleonic domination
and it ended in 1859 with the union of Florence and Tuscany to Italy. The city
has continued to be, up to the present time, a lively cultural and artistic
center. In World War II it suffered a grave damage and in the '60s began and
intense and careful restoration.
Land of mountains,
woods, reclaimed marshes and sea, where artworks, medieval
villages and Roman and Etruscan remains abound, Lazio is
at its best when summer heat has subsided enough to make
exploring comfortable as well as pleasant and the luscious
flavour of autumn hangs melancholy in the air, preparing
for winter. Spring, of course, is also a lovely time for
outings into the countryside, though usually the climate
is slightly more unpredictable, greenhouse-effect notwithstanding.
Lazio includes part of pre-unification Tuscany, part of Campania,
and almost the entire province of Rieti (geographically part
of Umbria), and can be divided geologically into two. The
older part comprises a broken chain of calciferous mountains,
initially running roughly parallel to the main Apennine range
and the course of the Tiber, and then curving slowly seawards
to reach the Tyrrhenian Sea at Terracina. The new part is
made up of the hills and coastal plains, and is first flanked
and then divided by the Tiber. It was thrown up from the
seabed by a series of gigantic volcanic eruptions which centred
on the Albani hills, and the many spas in this area are evidence
of continuing secondary subterranean volcanic activity. A
scant 20% of the region is covered by natural growth, mostly
a mixture of oak with beech predominating in the mountains.
The pine woods along the coast and the chestnut woods in
the Albani hills were both cultivated by man in previous
centuries, and until quite recently bears, wolves and lynx
lived in the mountains. Sadly all are now believed to be
extinct, or virtually so, and only a smattering of wild boar
and deer remain in spite of long-overdue attempts to protect
them. Overshadowed as they are by Rome, the other four provinces
which make up the region of Lazio (Viterbo, Rieti, Frosinone
and Latina) are, to a greater or lesser extent, ignored by
visitors, since 85% of the tourists who visit Lazio are there
to see the capital. But ideally situated as starting points
for excursions into the area are Viterbo, Rieti, Fiuggi and
Terracina.
It is almost impossible,
but may be who write the best pages of literature about the
Gulf of Naples and more in general about the Campania region,
is not, as you might think, either a Neapolitan or an Italian,
but a German, the most important writer of the whole German
history and for this reason also the most aberrant : Goethe.
It will be enough to read a few pages of his "Viaggio in
Italia" regarding these places to follow him and visit the
area as a real tourist, who wants to meet the people who
live here, their customs and traditions, the landscapes and
everything that makes this area unique. It will be a real
pleasure, to see the Campi Flegrei and Pozzuoli, the Temple
of Serapide and the Solfatara, the volcanic lake of Averno,
the excavations of Cuma, the mother of Naples and the residence
of the mythical Sibilla. You will continue admiring the beauties
of the Gulf going through the island of Capri, exclusive
and famous for its little square well-known all over the
world for the hundreds of famous people who have come here.
Ischia, a real "green island" with its rich gardens, the
famous spas and its many beaches, traditionally the destination
of tourists coming from everywhere. Coming back to the mainland
and going now to Sorrento, it will be easy to admire one
of the most beautiful landscapes, one of these was where
Enrico Caruso's (the Italian tenor) intense melodies were
inspired. Here the sea is unique and invite you to continue
your journey discovering the beauties of the Peninsula of
Sorrento. Reaching Punta Campanella, you are on the coasts
of Amalfi, you can breathe the colors and the intense last
of the citrus fruits and of the Mediterranean bush. Opposite
is Positano, a cascade of houses on the sea. Going on this
fascinating trip is Amalfi, one of the four seafaring republics
and famous for its important historical and artistic evidence,
above all famous for its seaside resort. Nearby we can't
forget Ravello and its villas, thanks to the position and
the climate they have reached an artistic - architectonic
value. Among them is Villa Rufolo, where every year there
is a tribute to Wagner (an important music festival) who
was used to spending his holidays here. Reaching Vietri Sul
Mare, famous village all over the world for its pottery and
its characteristic white houses descending gradually to the
sea. So we are in Salerno, 30 Kms. further and we can admire
one of the beauties of this region, that is the majestic
temples of Paestum, recalling us about the civilization that
built them over 2000 years ago. But Paestum is not only ancient
history but a modern seaside resort which has good hotels
and famous for its buffalo mozzarella. Nearby we can also
admire a wonderful piece of land protected by the WWF, the
oasis of Serre Persano. Going inside we suggest you to visit
the Certosa of Padula, the monument symbol of Baroque architecture
in Campania, imposing and majestic. It is easily reachable
from the motorway exit Sala Consilina. Unfortunately these
pages are not enough to describe all the beauties of this
region. So we invite you to visit these sunny, artistic and
natural places with a last advice : don't forget to visit
Benevento, chieftown of Sannio and art town which still has
a lot of roman medieval artistic evidences, where furthermore
there is an important Archeological Museum, which contains
the remains of the ancient civilization of this region.
ROME : MOTHER OF
THE WEST
For about twelve
centuries, from the foundation of Rome occurred in 753 BC
to the fall of the Western Roman Empire, flourished and dominated
a civilization whose political, economical and cultural activity
is at the origin of the European West. Subdivided from the
historical point of view in three periods: monarchic (753-509
BC), republican (509-27 BC) and imperial (27-476 AD), the
Roman civilization dominated over a very large geographical
area made up of all the regions of the Mediterranean basin,
Gaul and Great Britain and fall only in the Low Empire epoch
(284-476 AD) as it was upset by the civil wars among sovereigns
and by the barbarian invasions. Then was the rise of the
Church, whose ruler, the Pope had to fight against kings
of the near and far peoples and the rich and noble families
for the rule of Rome. Popes formed an alliance with all and
against all to keep the control of the city. Some ruled better,
some worse. But a thing is certain: under the rule of the
papacy arts flourished at their highest level. In 800, after
freeing Rome from Longobards, Frankish king Charlesmagne
was crowned emperor of the first Holy Roman Empire. In the
following centuries no king felt really a king without the
recognition of Rome's Church as an emperor. In 1307 the papacy
is moved to Avignone in France, and it is returned to the "eternal
city" by pope Gregorius XI in 1377. At end of this century
another severe hurt upset the Church: the West Schism, resolved
later by means of the Trento Council. The XVI and XVII were
centuries of political recovering and cultural development.
At the beginning of '800 Napoleon invades Italy and reaches
Rome, depriving the Church of her temporal power and sending
pope Pio VII to exile. Pio VII returns to Rome but the rising
of Risorgimento weak its power until Rome rises up and founds
the Roman Republic. This doesn't last longer. In 1861, after
the liberation from Austrian domination, occurs the proclamation
of the Reign of Italy under the rule of king Vittorio Emanuele
and with Turin first and Florence next as capital. In 1870
Rome is invaded and declared the new capital of Italy. The
beginning of the 20th c. sees the outbreak of the two world
wars which destroy most of the monumental and historical
wealth of Rome. In the '60s begins the reconstruction.
This island, where
the summer lasts almost the whole year, is a melting pot
of art, culture and natural beauties. Arriving in Sicily
for the first time, you may be surprised to see so many people
with blond hair and blue eyes. Sicily hosted at one time
two of the most enlightened cultures of Europe - Greeks and
Normans (who are responsible for the blond-haired and blue-eyed
citizens). In Homer's Odyssey, Sicily represented the unknown
end of the world and the borders of the inhabited lands.
Along these coasts or in the immediate inland, were in fact
localities of considerable significance for the Greek mythology.
Greeks settled in Calabria and in the southern belt of Sicily
founding many towns among which Syracuse was the most important
of the area of Greek influence named Magna Grecia. Greeks,
Romans, then Arabs and Normans and finally French, Spanish
and Italians.
Who has never been
to Venice?
Much as been said
about this unique town, about its monuments, of the magic
atmosphere of the Carnival and of its inhabitants. May be
it is better not to say anything else about it ,but going
there personally, admiring the wonderful view, discovering
the masterpieces of art and architecture - where you will
understand how beautiful Venice is -is the best advice. The
beauty of Venice would be enough to make Veneto a unique
region. But Veneto is not only this. There is so much to
say about the richness of its territory that it would be
impossible to make a list of all of them here. Which other
region has the largest number of villages , most of which
you can visit, masterpieces of art and architecture, how
many gardens which are also beautiful, perfectioned in time,
able to shine on their own, without the surrounding they
are part of. There are many things to do if you go on holiday
to Veneto : among these the discovering of handcraft. The
first place to visit, famous for its gold smithry all over
the world is Vicenza. This beautiful town rich of monuments
is surrounded by a charming landscape, because of the beauty
of the Berici Mountains, volcanic hills where every single
hectare of land and every town are a discovery. Bassano del
Grappa, nice town on the Brenta river, with a characteristic
wooden bridge, not only famous for its pottery : in this
area there are several workshops specialized in the production
of artistic furniture. Of course we can't forget the refined
art of glass-making of Murano and the precious embroideries
and laces of Burano, which make your trip here more interesting.
Moving to Friuli Venezia Giulia we can see the landscape
is quite the same, also here there is not one but two lagoons
: the one of Marano and the one of Grado. The latter is a
beautiful seaside resort partly surrounded by a pine-wood
and it lies on a lagoon island, famous for its sand-bathing,
made possible for its kind of sand, the only place exposed
to the south of Adriatic. But we can't say you know Friuli
if you haven't been to Trieste and Venezia Giulia, this town
is located in a place full of characteristic views, among
which the castle of Miramare, and the Muggia Bay famous seaside
resort with its panoramic view. All the region is dominated
by the Carso Mountains, rich of natural and environmental
resources.
The Italian National
Anthem
Fratelli d'Italia
(Lyrics by Goffredo
Mameli)
Fratelli d'Italia,
l'Italia s'è desta,
dell'elmo di Scipio
s'è cinta la testa.
Dov'è la vittoria?
Le porga la chioma,
che schiava di Roma
Iddio la creò.
Stringiamoci a coorte,
siam pronti alla morte.
Siam pronti alla morte,
l'Italia chiamò.
Stringiamoci a coorte,
siam pronti alla morte.
Siam pronti alla morte,
l'Italia chiamo', sì!
Noi fummo da secoli
calpesti, derisi,
perché non siam popoli,
perché siam divisi.
Raccolgaci un'unica
bandiera, una speme:
di fonderci insieme
già l'ora suonò.
Uniamoci, uniamoci,
l'unione e l'amore
rivelano ai popoli
le vie del Signore.
Giuriamo far libero
il suolo natio:
uniti, per Dio,
chi vincer ci può?
Excite
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