ABOUT ME |
I work on the relations of politics and religion and on a wide range of exlusionary practices.
My dissertation and book-to-be focuses on the representations of St. Francis of Assisi during Italian Fascism through archival research as well as through theoretically-informed analyses of both the moving and the still image. This work developed into a second project dealing with the reception and recreation of the figure of Mussolini in the United States. Another branch of my recent research delves into human/animal relations with a special focus on equines. My interdisciplinary research interests inform my teaching, which includes Dante and early modern culture, complementing a rich score of classes on modern and contemporary Italian culture (film, music, literature) and comparative literature. For more information on my teaching, please see my portfolio. In 2024, I was granted tenure at Colorado College, where students and colleagues nominated me for the Val Veirs Environmental Justice Award (2023), and for Werner Award for Exemplary Teaching in the Liberal Arts (2024). |
Professor Minervini’s approach is refreshing. Yes, it demands a level of dedication I did not previously have, but in the end it was well worth every moment. She blends the grammar with history and culture to make a perfect learning combination. I learned about food, popular culture, film, music, art, literature, history, religion, people, places and (of course) grammar. Italian is with me to stay and I am a better person because of it. Upon entering an Italian/German cinema class, I was unaware of the implications the course would have on my studies. Dr. Minervini’s expertise in both Italian history and film created an invigorating course. Discussion made up the core of the class, filled in with Dr. Minervini’s wisdom and intriguing lectures. Whether analyzing films, debating in class, or researching, a dull moment never arose. The course inspired me to pursue studying the Italian language. I was fortunate to study a diverse array of topics taught by Dr. Minervini, including Dante’s Inferno, an intermediate language course, and modern Italian film. Whether studying language, literature, or cinema, I walked away with bountiful knowledge. Additionally, Dr. Minervini provides constructive and dedicative feedback on all written work. Previous research projects dealing with post-war Italian history and Dr. Minervini’s recommendations of scholarly authors substantially aided me when writing my thesis on Federico Fellini’s Amarcord and Volker Schlöndorff’s die Blechtrommel. |
Amanda is an excellent teacher, scholar, and colleague. Her contributions to the growth and development of the Italian and German programs have been significant. I can say unequivocally that Amanda is a fantastic teacher, a well-respected scholar in her field, and a colleague who is highly engaged in developing the curriculum and in organizing extra-curricular activities to improve the learning experience of the students. |
To say that Professor Minervini is outstanding at what she does would be an understatement. Because of her, most students in the course have expressed a desire to continue learning the German language. She’s the type of professor who is always around the campus going above and beyond her duties to help her students understand the course material. What is more, Professor Minervini is actively involved in organizing educational activities outside of the classroom, not to mention the study abroad program that she is spearheading.
Letter of appreciation to the President of Salem State University, German 101 students (2014)