DR. LUCA COTTINI RECEPIENT OF THE ISSNAF (Italian Scientists and Scholars of North America Foundation) AWARD FOR THE HUMANITIES

The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures would like to congratulate DR. LUCA COTTINI for becoming the recepient of the 2014 ISSNAF AWARD FOR THE HUMANITIES, presented to the best manuscript in the discipline of the Humanities by an Italian scholar who resides in North America.  A Review Board composed of international experts in the field scored all valid applications according to the candidates curricula (titles, positions, publications, grants) and the quality of the abstract (analysis, design, methodology, discussion, significance, innovation).  The prize consists of the manuscript's publication in the best University Press in his field of studies; in this case, The University of Toronto Press.

Luca's complex and fascinating book focuses on the emergence of industrial modernity in Italy at the turn of the 20th century. His method consists of observing this culture from the perspective of its iconic objects of mass consumption (i.e. wristwatches, bicycles, photographs, gramophones, toys, and cigarettes), as they create new social practices, and as they shape, in ads and in the arts, a new imagery of the modern.

This is indeed a great achievement and we are very proud and honored to have Luca Cottini be part of our Department.