The Major

Students may pursue a broad curriculum in general Italian Studies, or combine Italian Studies with a particular emphasis. Courses focusing on Italian Studies offered in other departments may be included with the approval of the Undergraduate Advisor.

The prerequisite to the Italian Studies major is proficiency in Italian at the elementary level: Elementary Italian I and II (ITAL 110 and 120) or Intensive Elementary Italian (ITAL 126 or ITAL 126H).

Majors must then complete 36 credits above the 100 level, including:

Preparatory Grammar (6 credits): Intermediate Italian I and II (ITAL 230 and 240) or Intensive Intermediate Italian (ITAL 246).

Two core courses (6 credits): 371 Advanced Grammar and Composition; and one introductory course in the selected emphasis (e.g., 324 Introduction to Italian Literary Studies I or 325 Introduction to Italian Literary Studies II).

Eight area courses (24 credits). No more than two may be conducted in English or at another 5-College institution without special permission.

Education Abroad Siena Program
Students are encouraged to attend the University’s Italian Studies Program in Siena or Forlì, Italy during the spring semester. Courses offered apply to areas of emphasis in the major.

Five Colleges
Students may also participate in the offerings pertinent to Italian Studies in the Five Colleges. (Courses followed in Siena or Forlì and in the Five Colleges may serve as credit toward the major, after consultation with the Undergraduate Advisor.)