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Gina Miele
Assistant Professor, World Languages and Cultures, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Office:
- Conrad J. Schmitt Hall 222
- Email:
- mieleg@montclair.edu
- Phone:
- 973-655-5537
- Degrees:
- BA, College of the Holy Cross
- MA, Harvard University
- PhD, Harvard University
- vCard:
- Download vCard
Profile
Dr. Gina M. Miele, Italian professor, program coordinator for the MAT in Italian, and founding director of the Coccia Institute for the Italian Experience in America at MSU, received her Ph.D. in Romance Languages and Literatures from Harvard University. She specializes in nineteenth and twentieth century Italian folktales, particularly those of Luigi Capuana and Italo Calvino. She has published in Italica, Marvels and Tales, Fabula and Italian Quarterly. She is a contributor to the Greenwood Encyclopedia of Folktales and Fairy Tales, Marvelous Transformations: An Anthology of Tales and Contemporary Critical Perspectives and Teaching Fairy Tales, as well as the co-author of the workbook that accompanies the textbook Parliamo Italiano. She has written essays and book reviews on Italian American studies in the Harvard College Journal of Italian American History and Culture, the Italian American Review, Altreitalie, the Paterson Literary Review and Primo. She currently is working on an annotated translation of the complete collection of fairy tales by Luigi Capuana and a study of how the principles of the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education can be extended to middle school, secondary school and university settings. Her other research interests include Italian and Italian American folklore, Italian women healers, Italian folk medicine and magic, and Italian women writers.
Specialization
19th and 20th century Italian literature
Folklore, Fairytales, and Children's Literature
Italian Women Writers
Italian Food Culture
Italian Folktales, Folklore, and Traditions
Luigi Capuana
Italo Calvino
Italian American Literature, History, and Culture
Office Hours
Spring
- Monday
- 9:00 am - 11:00 am
- Wednesday
- 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Links
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Research Projects
International Interdisciplinary Immersion: Reggio Emilia, Italy 2025
Following the first incredible international interdisciplinary immersion last year in Reggio Emilia, this second year will also involve both study in Italy as well as an online university course on the highly respected Reggio Emilia educational approach. This interdisciplinary initiative is co-taught with Dr. Elizabeth Erwin, Teaching and Learning, College for Education and Engaged Learning. Travel to Italy occurs in March to attend the 2025 Students-Professors Study Group. Our cohort for 2025 is now full and represents Montclair State University students across 2 colleges and multiple departments.
The Reggio Emilia educational philosophy is known worldwide for its inclusive and progressive approach for very young and school-aged children and has wide application to older students too. The Reggio Emilia Approach® reflects an inclusive educational philosophy and pedagogy that acknowledges the environment as teacher and shows deep respect for children as co-contributors to their own learning through purposeful research investigations. The application of this philosophy involves in-depth inquiry-based learning and an emergent curriculum which allows educators and children to co-construct knowledge about the world in which they live.
From Focaccia to Farinata: Italian Food Culture - Fall 2025 with Fall Break Faculty Led Study Abroad to Campania, Italy
Take an immersive journey into the rich and diverse culinary heritage of Italy! This course delves into the essential role of food in Italian literature, cinema, and cultural traditions. From ancient recipes to modern gastronomy, we will explore how food reflects history, identity, and society across the peninsula and islands.
📖 What You’ll Experience:
Engage with literature, film, historical documents, and cookbooks.
Participate in dynamic discussions in Italian for majors/minors, in English for non-majors.
Learn from guest speakers with expertise in Italian food culture.
Cook with professional chefs in a hands-on workshop at the Montclair Culinary Academy.
NEW! Take part in an optional Fall Break Study Abroad Opportunity exploring the food culture of Naples, Capri, Sorrento, and Pompeii.
🍝 Why Take This Course?
Deepen your understanding of Italy’s culinary and cultural traditions.
Gain practical experience in Italian cooking.
Connect with a community of food lovers and Italian culture enthusiasts.
For more information, contact Prof. Miele at mieleg@montclair.edu