Giovanni's research focuses on travel narratives, particularly in colonial Pacific Literature, explorers' diaries, linguistic, and cultural mediation between the West and colonized societies. He has a specific interest in the colonial Philippines and how Western travelers, especially Italians, interacted with local populations. His research examines how these travel accounts shaped cultural perceptions and the role of translation in cross-cultural understanding. Additionally, he explores the translation and circulation of colonial and postcolonial texts, investigating how they change as they move across languages and contexts, highlighting the complexities of cultural exchange.
In his current role as Vice President for Community Initiatives on the Graduate Council at UChicago GRAD, Giovanni acts as a liaison between the council and various university centers, including Wellness and Spiritual Life. He collaborates with university offices to create events per quarter. Additionally, he oversees the Community Initiatives Committee, ensuring that all duties are completed effectively and liaising with UChicago GRAD as needed.
Academic Background
Giovanni Minicucci earned his Master of Arts in Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture (2023) from Syracuse University, NY, where he also taught both Spanish and Italian. He obtained the Certificate of Advanced Studies in Latin American and Caribbean Studies (“PLACA”) from Syracuse’s Maxwell School of Citizenship. In addition, Giovanni was granted a Master of Arts in Italian Studies (2022) from Middlebury College, VT, with a specialization in Medieval and Early Modern Mediterranean Studies. Since 2023, he has been a language faculty member at Middlebury College’s Language Schools, where he also contributes to organizing and hosting cultural events. (Giovanni’s spotlight)
Prior to his graduate studies, Giovanni completed his Laurea with honors at the University of Chieti-Pescara, Italy, specializing in Translation Studies, Linguistic Mediation, and Intercultural Communication in English and Spanish Studies (2020). He further expanded his academic experience as an exchange scholar at Nazareth University (NY) for two semesters, gaining exposure to linguistics and literature across North American institutions, including St. John’s University (NYC, Queens), St. Thomas University (Miami), Occidental College (Los Angeles), and Niagara College (Welland, Ontario). Giovanni has presented his research in Hispanic and Italian Studies at various prominent conferences, including the Mediterranean Studies Conferences, Luci e Ombre Film Conferences, the AISNA Graduate Conference, and the MLA Conferences.
Giovanni is the Director and Founder of WorldLangAmerica, formerly ITALengAMERICA, a non-profit program that has grown significantly, now engaging more than 350 students per season. Initially focused on Italian, the program has expanded to include other languages, reflecting its broader mission. Supported by the American Association of Teachers of Italian, the General Consulate of Italy in New York, Vancouver, and Toronto and the Embassy of Italy in Canada, WorldLangAmerica has facilitated a language exchange project between colleges and universities in the United States, Canada and Italy for the past five years. In addition to his work with WorldLangAmerica, Giovanni served as the Chair for the Graduate Students Conference: Romance Languages Colloquium, held in November 2022 at Syracuse University, marking the first occurrence of this event.
Selected Publications:
- “El desarrollo del amor en circunstancias inusuales: un análisis de ‘La Comedia de Torcato’ (1574) escrita por Moriscos.” Hispanical, vol. 3, no. 1, 2024. Link
- “El don de la palabra: voz, poder e in/exclusión en Malinche de Laura Esquivel”, El Cid Revista – Citadel, 2023. Link
- “Gabriele D’Annunzio e la sua mediterraneità. La bellezza come stile di vita, natura come oggetto del ricordo.” Mediterranean Encounters and Legacies Incontri e lasciti mediterranei, 2021, pp. 163-172. Link
- “La Vita Davanti A Sé.” Rivista Luci e Ombre, vol 8, no. 2, 2020. Link