Souvonnah Ramsey

Monday, January 10th, 2011

Youth Culture/ Contemporary Youth: The Making of a New Italy
University of Washington Honors Program and the College of Education
Winter 2011, Rome, Italy

Todayʼs Class
- Discussion of readings
- Conceptualizing the class
- Class overview
- Research topic - start brainstorming

*Going over all the assignments tomorrow. 01/11/2011

Based on readings and your observations/experiences so far (in groups of 4):

Souvonnah Ramsey, Brittany Davis, Marrissa Mcgrath, & Luis Briseno

1. How would you define “youth”?

Luis: Age, experiences, maturity are elements that help define youth, vary in factor. Depends on
your culture. Every culture defines youth differently.
Brittany:The need for independence. Based on your culture. Connections are a key to opening
doors for job opportunities regardless of qualification or age in Italy.
Souvonnah: Extended period of adolescence. (Estimation: 18-25, drinking age, driving age, 18
years adult, 24 rent a car, etc.)
Marrissa: Strive for independence.
**Class Discussion (more opposing questions): 1) In the U.S. there are multiple commercial
jobs, where are the job opportunities in Italy?, 2) Social Economic Issues, 3) take “youth” as
face value = age, but we must consider where we belong and our role. 4) In the U.S. we are
always looking for new things and ways to further ourselves oppose to Italy where
architecturally things are much older. 5) As a country they are still young, Rome has only been
unified since 1860, regardless of their historical history.
2. What are your initial impressions of youth in Italy (similarities and differences with the
U.S.)?
Luis: Partying is similar. Itʼs more of a social aspect to drink rather than getting drunk.
Brittany: U.S. is more acceptable to be publicly drunk than Italy. People are more mature about
drinking in Italy because they are able to drink at a younger age. Explanation comes from
experience in her Sorority.
Souvonnah: Celebrating is an all day thing at all times of the day, anywhere, in Italy oppose to
the U.S. that restrains appropriate times for drinking at certain areas.
Marrissa: People party until 5 or 6 in the morning. Itʼs more social here to drink and in the U.S.
itʼs more about being “shit-faced”. Similarities - In age.
*General: Similarities are debatable.
**Class Discussion (more opposing question): 1) It is more open (affection) in Italy. 2)
Independence is a big part of U.S. Ideology, 3) In Italy there is a little more independence and
there is less structural classes compared to the U.S. 4) The main question: “Are you part of the
mainstream?”
3. What do you see as the main forces that influence youth identity in Italy? Draw a
pictorial depiction of your response.
*Picture drawn on blank paper given by Stephanie Love.
Our Group (4): Social Norms, Church, Family, Immigration = (connect to) Youth.
**Class Discussion: 1) Group 1: Italy, America, and Both - Family, Church, Morals, Privilege
(being able to smoke and drink), Clothing/Style signals 2) Group 2: Class structure,
Souvonnah Ramsey
Monday, January 10th, 2011
Youth Culture/ Contemporary Youth: The Making of a New Italy
University of Washington Honors Program and the College of Education
Winter 2011, Rome, Italy

Government, Family, Gender, Church, Economy, Culture, Media. 3) Group 3: Media, Church,
NGO, Economy, Family, Government.
** Class Discussion: 1) The U.S. language is a prized thing to have. How does Italy fit in relation
to the entire world? European Union - learning another language. Class plays into the factor if
someone speaks English.
4. What burning questions do you have about understanding youth in Italy?
Luis: 1) From what lens are we looking at youth and how you define it? 2) If a girl comes to talk
to a guy, how is it perceived? (body language, awareness for multiple signals) 3) In relation to
the talk we had from ArciGay; What are the restriction that are imposed on being gay, an
immigrant, etc.? Following, how far in lengths are we culturally allowed in Italy to expose our
true identity? How are we suppose to clarify - our representation of ourself (in other words, how
we describe ourselves)?
Brittany: What is the womenʼs role in the Italian society? (economy, family, education)
Souvonnah: What are the social norms in the Italian society? (For example, one that was
answered: It is considered rude to be drunk in public ([Italy] )
Marrissa: 1) How do you define youth? 2) What are the expectation for youth and how does it
interplay with reality?
**Class Discussion: 1) Why do so many go to college and end up dropping out? What are their
motivations for completing and education. 2) What are the roles for immigrants and the
opportunities they have? 3) Why are individuals attracted to Italy and to what extent are they
assimilating themselves?

* With a partner - have a conversation - list of questions will be emailed by Manka.

Partner:
! -Take notes and bring them to class for tomorrow morning for discussion.

Class overview:
Week 2 and beginning of week 3: Youth and myths of Italian identity
Week 3: Youth and Immigration
Week 4: Youth and Education
Week 5: Youth and North/South
" - Julie arrives in Week 5
Week 6: Youth and family, community and religion
Week 7: Youth and Arts
Week 8: Youth and contemporary arts
Week 9 & 10: Excursions and presentation

This week:
-Today: 5 p.m. Language class
-Tomorrow morning: Service learning discussion (To Hell with Good Intentions reading) 10-12
(not 9-12) & Assignment overview
-Wednesday: 10-12 Language class, 1:20-3:30 Class with me (Grillo and Pratt Chapters &
Wong Chapters), 6:30 p.m. - Student mixer
-Thursday: 10-12 Language Class, P.M. Isabella Clough speaker and reading (not Mirela
Priblac)
-Friday: Weekly check in 10-12
 Souvonnah Ramsey
Monday, January 10th, 2011
Youth Culture/ Contemporary Youth: The Making of a New Italy
University of Washington Honors Program and the College of Education
Winter 2011, Rome, Italy

Weekend of 2/11 and 2/18 - 3 day weekends.

Research topics:
-Brainstorm/discuss in a group of 4, what topics you may like to research
-Individually turn in possible topic(s) with any questions you have at this point

" My questions/possible research ideas:

- What opportunities are given to foreigners in Italy oppose to the U.S. (the difficulties to enter
the country, live, work, get educated, etc)
- What is a womenʼs role in Italy and to what length are they able to succeed.
Personal experience working
- Ultimately, I want to learn more about the school system for children.
as a Kindergarden teacher for a
Head Start school.