Giovanni Spani

Giovanni Spani serves as Associate Professor of Italian at College of the Holy Cross, where he has been teaching since 2009. He holds multiple leadership roles including Coordinator of Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Program Coordinator for Italian Studies, and Pedagogical Coordinator within the Department of Modern Languages & Literatures in the School of World Languages, Literatures & Cultures. Prior to Holy Cross, he taught at Indiana University, Trinity College, Middlebury College, and Bowdoin College.

Spani earned his Laurea in political science from the University of Padua (Italy), followed by his M.A. and Ph.D. in Italian literature from Indiana University, Bloomington (2007). His academic journey reflects a deep commitment to Italian studies across North American institutions.

His research interests center on Medieval & Renaissance Italian Literature, with particular expertise in Dante and Boccaccio studies. Spani explores the intersections between literature and other disciplines, notably applying medical humanities to analyze historical figures' health conditions as reflected in literary works. His scholarship also examines Italian culture and modern Italian literature, Mediterranean studies, and the connections between medieval literature and contemporary Italian cinema. Spani's work demonstrates how medieval literary traditions continue to influence modern cultural expressions.

Spani has created innovative campus initiatives including Radio Libera Italiana (2009-present), a weekly Italian radio program that helps students practice language skills, and the Pasta Olympics (2010-present), an annual cultural competition celebrating Italian culinary traditions. These programs reflect his commitment to experiential learning and cultural immersion.

He co-organizes the ongoing international seminar series 'Literature and Sin' at the Contemporary and Modern Art Museum 'Es Baluard' in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Spani also served as Italian Area Director on the board of the Northeast Modern Language Association (NeMLA) from 2011-2014. His scholarly activities include frequent invited lectures at universities across the United States and Europe, demonstrating his international recognition in the field.

Spani's academic service includes chairing numerous conference sessions on topics ranging from digital humanities to Mediterranean cultural studies. His collaborative work with scholars from Spain, Italy, and across the United States highlights his role in fostering international academic partnerships.