The Charles and Joan Alberto Italian Studies Institute at Seton Hall Offers Community The Best of Italian Culture & Academic Programming Throughout Fall

The Charles and Joan Alberto Italian Studies Institute launches its Fall Season on Monday, September 23, at 6 p.m. with The Italian Studies Awards Ceremony and a keynote address on Machiavelli's Prince after 500 years by William J. Connell, Professor of History and La Motta Chair in Italian Studies at Seton Hall University.

“500 years ago, in 1513, Niccolò Machiavelli wrote a book that changed forever the way the world thinks about government.  By thinking in pessimistic terms about power and human nature, he seemed to offer excuses for what he himself perceived as injustice.  But he also enabled a series of reforms in the way politics is understood that has been greatly beneficial,” said Professor Connell.

The event will be held in the Walsh Library Rotunda. The event is being cosponsored with the Italian Consulate of Newark.

“The caliber of our speakers and quality of our program is a testimony to the role that the Alberto Italian Studies Institute plays at Seton Hall and within the larger local community of Italophiles,” said Gabriella Romani, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Italian and Director, The Alberto Italian Studies Institute.

Upcoming events include on Wednesday, October 2, at 6 p.m. “Rome in the 1950’s: La Dolce Vita? with Professor Jessy Carton, Visiting Fellow in Italian Studies on Tuesday, at 6 p.m. in the University Center Faculty Lounge; on Wednesday, October 9 at 6 p.m. Verdi and the Risorgimento by Professor Emeritus Philip Gossett of the University of Chicago at 6 p.m. in the Walsh Library Beck Rooms; on Wednesday, October 23 a performance of Khaossia - Italian Musicians from Puglia at 6 p.m. in the Walsh Library Beck Rooms; on Monday, November 4, a lecture with Italian author Carmine Abate at 6 p.m. in the Walsh Library Beck Rooms; on Tuesday, November 12, the film, “The Rule,” looking at how and why the Benedictine monks of Newark Abbey and St. Benedict's Prep are able to achieve amazing success with America's most vulnerable population as a national educational model with a discussion with documentary filmmakers,  Marylou and Jerome Bongiorno at 8 p.m. in Jubilee Hall Auditorium; and on Tuesday, December 3, at SOPAC will be the Viva Verdi Christmas Concert, In Celebration of 200 Years since Verdi’s Birth.

All events are free and open to the community. For further information and to RSVP please contact Barbara Ritchie at 973.275.2967 and barbara.ritchie@shu.edu. Seton Hall University is located at 400 South Orange Ave., South Orange, NJ.