Organized crime emerged in modern Italy at the same time as the 19th century process of unification, and it remains a topic of heated debate and controversy in Italy today. In this course, we will trace the history of organized crime as a portal to underlying issues at the heart of the modern Italian nation: the relationship between state and society; tensions between national and regional identities; gender, work, and the family; party politics and the rise of fascism. Our study of the history of the mafia also necessitates a study of the history of anti-mafia movements in Italy. Who claims to represent the interests of the Italian nation and why? What is the image of organized crime in Italy today?