Pop music and the history of modern Italy

lita1130  2025-2026  Louvain-la-Neuve

Pop music and the history of modern Italy
5.00 credits
30.0 h
Q2
Teacher(s)
Language
Italian
Prerequisites
Reading: B2+ level in Italian 
Writing: A2 level in Italian 
Speaking: A2 level in Italian 
Main themes
The history of Italian culture and society is presented and analysed through popular music, i.e. from nineteenth-century opera to contemporary rap. Students will be confronted with the tensions that run through both the birth of the new Italian state, founded in 1861, and the subsequent stages of its history: colonialism and nationalism, fascism, the post-war period, the economic miracle, social struggles, the Southern question, as well as the questioning of traditional social structures and the importance of the Church. 
Content
Students will be led to analyze the evolution of Italian pop music from the post-war period to the present day, understand the link between music and historical events in Italy, study musical texts to analyze social, cultural and political issues, delve deeper into technological transformations in musical production and distribution.
Teaching methods
Interactive frontal lessons, guided listening and analysis of musical texts
Evaluation methods
The student will be assessed as follows:
  • June session: Oral examination on the course content.
  • September session: Oral examination on the course content.
Faculty or entity


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Bachelor in Modern Languages and Literatures: German, Dutch and English

Bachelor in Ancient and Modern Languages and Literatures

Minor in Italian language and culture

Bachelor in French and Romance Languages and Literatures : General

Bachelor in Modern Languages and Literatures : General

Minor in Literary Studies