Teaching contributions
At SJU, I teach ITAL 101 (Introduction to the Italian Language), ITAL 201 (Intermediate Italian) and ITALST 100 (Understanding Modern Italy). While teaching ITAL 201 in Winter 2021, I also started working on a revamp of this course by co-designing a new eTextbook for the course. In Fall 2022, I taught this course for the first time since its redesign, which we offered in a blended format in conjunction with the University of Guelph. Managing a single course between the two universities was undoubtedly demanding, but seeing students respond well to the material I designed was extremely rewarding.
ITALST 100 was the first course I wholly designed and taught at SJU, and I’m currently contributing to converting the course to an online format. I have to say working on this course is truly a labour of love. I’m a native of Italy, and sharing my country’s complex yet fascinating history with young Canadians always feels very personal.
In the past two terms, I’ve also been teaching ITAL 101. Teaching language to complete beginners is terrific, as you see students becoming more and more proficient each week!
Research or other contributions to the field
My PhD thesis, which I defended in 2018, proposes to redefine the literary concept of romance as a political narrative mode by comparing Italian 15th- and 16th-century chivalric poems (and their folk theatre adaptation) with the Star Wars media franchise (and its videogame adaptations). During the defence, one of the examination committee members described my thesis as “adventurous,” and I think it is probably the most appropriate way to describe my research as a whole!
Hobbies/interests
I’m passionate about games, both computer/console and tabletop. I enjoy the experience of playing together with other people, and I also love understanding the design choices and game mechanics that make them work.
I also try to travel as much as possible in my free time. My family is multicultural, so I always long for the experience of being out of my comfort zone and learning something new about different places in the world.
Path to St. Jerome’s
I’m relatively new to the SJU community. I started working in Winter 2021 while all teaching was still remote. My first course was ITAL 201 (Intermediate Italian). Meeting our students for the first time in the midst of the pandemic showed me how resilient they could be. Their dedication motivated me to be at my best every day for them.