Cultural Encounters

My educational work focuses on the many ways aesthetic and intellectual encounters can lead to transformative learning experiences and to community-building. I am interested in how humanistic education, and Italian Studies in particular, cultivates essential human capacities such as identity, empathy, and imagination. A central part of this work involves relating to the discipline not only as subject matter, but also as a unique formula of experiential engagement with creativity, history, and citizenship through embodied, partecipatory, and collaborative practice.

Selected Writings

  • Farese, Gian Marco and Federico Pacchioni. The Extraordinary Life of Foreign Language Learners: Harnessing the Rewards of the Multilingual Experience. Languages and Literatures Series. Roma: Carocci Editore, 2022.

  • “Poetry and the Pursuit of Knowledge: Sensorial Dissonance and Contracted Verses.”  Co-authored with physicist Domenico Napoletani. GRADIVA International Journal of Italian Poetry. N. 60 (2021): 121-140.

  • “Italy at Your Fingertips: Integrating the Puppet Theater in the Italian Classroom.” Arts: Creative Thinking about FL Curricula and Language Program Direction. Eds. Colleen Ryan and Lisa Parkes. Issues in American Association of University Supervisors and Coordinators. Boston: Cengage, 2015

  • “Integrating Philosophical Inquiry into the Italian Language Classroom through the Use of Very Short Fiction.” Italica 84.1 (Spring 2007): 79-95.

  • “The Illusion of the Missing Past: Beppe Severgnini and the Mischievous Cupid.” Forum Italicum 38.1 (Spring 2004): 211-216.

Educational Leadership and Founding Work

  • Co-Chaired the Task Force for University-Wide General Education Redesign at Chapman University, California. 2025-2027.

  • Founded and directed The Ferrucci Institute for Italian Experience and Research at Chapman University, Orange, California. 2023-present.

  • Co-Chaired the Task Force for University-Wide General Education Redesign at Chapman University, California, leading to The Chapman Core. 2025-2027.

  • Co-designed and co-directed the Global Communication and World Languages B.A. program at Chapman University, Orange, California. 2018-2023.

  • Designed and led various interdisciplinary field studies programs in Rome, Florence, Bologna, Sicily, Puglia, Umbria, Piedmont. 2016-present.

  • Designed and directed the Italian Studies Program at Chapman University, Orange, California. 2012-2023.

Selected Public Conversations

  • “Italian Language & Culture: Building Bridges in California” Panel organized by the California Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of Italian and Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles. Los Angeles, October 14, 2025.

  • “Interview with Dr. Federico Pacchioni” Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West. Monthly Newsletter (March 2023): 1-2. Interviewed by Genny Nevoso.

  • “Illuminating Italian Studies: The Secrets of Peter Bondanella’s Success.” AAIS (American Association for Italian Studies). Sorrento, Italy. June 14-17, 2018.

  • Roundtable: “Italian Program Administration.” AAIS/CSIS (American Association for Italian Studies / Canadian Society for Italian Studies). Columbus, Ohio. April 20-22, 2017.

  • “Business e cultura: il nuovo Rinascimento italiano ospite alla Chapman University” L’Italo-Americano (March 17, 2016): 32. Interviewed by Benedetta Cicconi.

  • “Beyond the Ivory Tower: Weaving Italian Studies Program and Community.” PAMLA (Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association). Pasadena, California. November 11, 2016.

  • “Business e cultura: il nuovo Rinascimento italiano ospite alla Chapman University” L’Italo-Americano (March 17, 2016): 32. Interviewed by Benedetta Cicconi.

  • Roundtable:“The Business of the Italian Program.” ACTFL (American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages). San Diego, California. November 20-22, 2015.

  • Roundtable:“Seeking Meaningfulness: The Italian Studies Program as Cultural Center.” AAIS (American Association for Italian Studies). Boulder, Colorado. May 26-28, 2015.

  • “Spotlight on Chapman University’s Italian Program” L’Italo-Americano (October 9, 2014): 6. Interviewed by Gaya Lynn.

  • “Ciao, Italy.” Orange County Register (January 2014). Interviewed by Brittany Henson.

  • Roundtable: “Creative and Collaborative Strategies for the Large Format Class.” NEMLA (Northeast Modern Language Association) 43rd Annual Convention, Rochester, New York. March 17, 2012.

  • “Insegnare cultura italiana in America.” Talk. Liceo della comunicazione e scienze umane. Cesena, Italy. May 19, 2011.

  • “The Italian Educator and the Virtual World: A Study on Second Life.” AAIS (American Association for Italian Studies) Annual Conference, St. John's University, New York City. May 7-10 2009.

  • “Extending the Territory of the Foreign Language Curriculum?” New Voices in Academia Conference. Indiana University Bloomington. March 27, 2009.

  • “Integrating Philosophical Inquiry into the Italian Language Classroom through the Use of Very Short Fiction.” 59th Annual Kentucky Foreign Language Conference Lexington, Kentucky. April 21, 2006.

  • “Aesthetic Contemplation in the Teaching of Italian as a Foreign Language.” Talk. Baccalaureate Presentation. Prescott College, Arizona. April 30, 2004.