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HUI 390: Italian-American Studies in the Humanities

Stony Brook University (SBU) / College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) / Department of Languages & Cultural Studies (LCS)
3 credits
SBC: HFA+ (Pursue Deeper Understanding in the Humanities and Fine Arts)

Course Description

Catalog Description

May be repeated as the topic changes.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: U3 or U4 standing.

Advisory Prerequisite: One literature course at the 200 level or higher.

Topic: Leadership in Crime Fiction

This course explores the modern cultural impact and evolution of Machiavellian philosophy through the lens of organized crime narratives, with particular focus on Mario Puzo’s The Godfather and its film adaptations. Students will examine how these works revolutionized the portrayal of criminal leadership, moving away from simplistic depictions of criminals as inherently evil or morally weak, toward a more complex examination of power, family, and survival in morally ambiguous circumstances.

Drawing on close analysis of Machiavelli’s The Prince alongside films like The Godfather trilogy and A Bronx Tale, students will investigate how modern crime narratives dramatize Machiavellian concepts of power, leadership, and political necessity. The course examines key themes including the “Just business, nothing personal” philosophy of violence, the tension between family loyalty and tactical betrayal, and the legitimization of criminal authority through social goals. Students will have the opportunity to pursue research projects exploring these themes in related works.