Fall 2024 Newsletter

This semester the Modern Languages and Literatures Department has organized many events. We had the annual events such as The Regina Ann Haig International Film Series and Tea Time Talks. The Arabic and French section held 2024 French Week. The Spanish and Italian sections held some amazing cultural events. We must say "Happy Retirement!" to Giuliana Risso-Robberto. You can read more about her in our Faculty Corner.

French Week 2024: The Maghreb and Lebanon: French-Arabic Crossovers

North African Food Tasting with Lebanese Dabke Band and Dancing

Nov. 8th

Interfaith Trip to Coptic Orthodox Church and Islamic Society of Baltimore

Nov. 10

Henna Tattoos with Arabyola

Nov. 11

Film Screening: Fatima

Nov. 12

Keynote talk: “Cracking the Codes of Farida Benlyazid’s Cinema” by Florence Martin, Ph.D.

Nov. 13

The Regina Ann Haig International Film Series

Arabic Language Film: Ghadi

presented by Dr. Inas Hassan
Sept. 26

Italian Language Film: Two Popes

presented by Prof. Giuliana Risso-Robberto
Oct. 30

Spanish Language Film: Live Twice, Love Once

presented by Dr. Cynthia Fraga
Nov. 20

Tea Time Talks

Crucified in Concrete, Sanctified in Steel: Religious Representations of Workplace Tragedies of Italian Americans in Art, Literature and Film

presented by Dr. Alyssa Falcone
Sept. 23

Alyssa Falcone presenting in front of a group of college students

Avant-garde, Gender and Identity in the Short Stories of Rosa Chacel (1898-1994)

presented by Dr. Ana Gomez-Perez
Oct. 7

Ana Gomez-Perez Presenting to a group of college students

Chlordecone Pollution in Martinique and Guaduloupe: Post Colonial Activism

presented by Dr. Heidi Shaker
Nov. 4

Department Cultural Events

Poetics of Nostalgia: Jesuit Exile and Memory in Francisco Clavijero's Storia Antica del Messico and Breve Ragguaglio della Madonna di Guadalupe del Messico

Presented by Dr. Luis Ramos, NYU
Oct. 16

Modern Languages and Literatures Career Night

A panel discussion about career options for international language learners
Oct. 23

Palio Film Screening

Dec. 4

Faculty Corner: Giuliana Risso-Robberto

written by Robin Bauer-Taylor

In the year 2000, Giuliana Risso Robberto was taking a walk on the Loyola campus. Giuliana Risso-Robberto smiling directly at camera wearing a blue scarf Serendipitously, she decided to ask a random person she saw in the Quad if Loyola taught Italian classes. She was directed to Maryland Hall and spoke with Leslie Morgan. The following semester, she started teaching at Loyola College. Now, twenty-four years later, Guliana is retiring. The impact she has had on her students and the Italian program since that first year has been profound and will continue to be felt for years to come.

During her time at Loyola, Italian courses have grown and thrived. Giuliana introduced a Service Learning component into IT 104, secured approval for IT 104 to be designated as a Diversity course, created online refresher courses for incoming students, organized Italian Week multiple times, moderated the Italian Club, developed new courses, coordinated all Italian classes, co-directed the Italian Studies Minor, and much more. When asked what she is most proud of, she shared that every time a student says they want to be an Italian Studies minor, she feels she is a little part of that decision, together with her colleagues. She is also proud that Italian enrollment has never decreased. Her desire is that the Italian program continues to grow, creates more activities, and attracts even more students.

Giuliana Risso-Robberto standing in front of a large projection screen Giuliana’s parting advice to her colleagues is to collaborate with others and tailor programs to meet students’ needs, abilities, and interests. To students, her advice is to step outside of their comfort zone by studying languages, and exploring the world beyond their dorms and homes. It is important to be curious and ask questions.

Giuliana will miss teaching and seeing students and colleagues. She feels that her relationships with colleagues have deepened over her years at Loyola, and she will treasure these relationships, both with those who have left and those who are still at Loyola. She is looking forward to spending more time in Italy with family and friends, and hopes to teach Italian to immigrants there. Her husband is not retiring yet, so they will split their time between the U.S. and Italy. Giuliana will be missed and we wish her all the best in her retirement!