Italian Studies Major

Goal 1: Communicate effectively in both spoken and written Italian

Outcome 1.1: Successfully manage in spoken Italian a variety of uncomplicated communicative tasks in straightforward social and academic situations

Outcome 1.2: Write compositions and summaries related to work and/or school experiences; narrating and describing in different time frames when writing about everyday events and situations.

Goal 2: Demonstrate knowledge of the grammatical structure of modern Italian

Outcome 2.1: Narrate and describe in spoken Italian with general clarity of grammatical structures

Outcome 2.2: Compose written texts in Italian with general clarity of grammatical structures

Goal 3: Develop modes of analysis and ways of critical and interpretive thinking that may be applied to a variety of career paths

Outcome 3.1: Interpret the main ideas, relevant facts and details of authentic Italian language texts that are narrative and/or descriptive and that employ standard linguistic conventions for written expression.

Outcome 3.2: Pursue research, gather data, do analysis and report results by using Italian as a tool of investigation and as a means of communication

Goal 4: Demonstrate familiarity with theoretical frameworks that help to integrate the study of Italy and Italian culture into research in other fields.

Outcome 4.1: Demonstrate knowledge of a selection of Italian texts and cultural artifacts (specific to their chosen area of concentration from classical times to the present) and the historical contexts in which they were created

Goal 5: Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary Italian culture and current events

Outcome 5.1: Understand and explain significant cultural phenomena of the Italian-speaking world, including the value of Italian as a world language

Goal 6: Respect diversity and difference both in the context of their own culture and globally

Outcome 6.1: Accurately describe with moderate detail --simply in Italian and with a more sophisticated expression in English -- some aspect of the cultures (perspectives, products, and/or practices) of the Italian-speaking world.

Outcome 6.2: Compare and contrast -- simply in Italian and with a more sophisticated expression and greater level of detail, in English -- similarities and differences between American cultures and those of the Italian speaking world.

The traditional undergraduate programs includes a minimum of 120 credits distributed across three components: A General Education component divided into Signature Courses, Variable Courses, and an Integrative Learning requirement; a Major and Divisional component; and Free Electives. In addition to course requirements as specified in each area, students must complete one certified course in each of the following overlay areas¹:

1. Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
2. Ethics Intensive
3. Writing Intensive, and
4. Diversity

¹

Overlay requirements are part of the 120 credit requirements

General Education Signature Courses

See this page about Signature courses. 

General Education Variable Courses

See this page about Variable courses. Six to Nine courses

General Education Overlays

See this page about Overlays.

General Education Integrative Learning Component

See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:

GEP Electives

A varying number of courses, typically nine to twelve.

Major Requirements

The requirements for the Italian Studies major are 10 courses, of which 6 must be ITA courses starting at the 100 level or higher (conducted entirely in Italian). The remaining 4 courses may be conducted in English, and are interdisciplinary courses spanning a variety of disciplines, including Art, English, History, Music, Linguistics, Philosophy and Classics, including the following:

(This list is illustrative, not exhaustive; for more information, please consult the faculty in Italian.)

Study Abroad Courses

For study at SJU in Rome and Florence, Italy, see Study Abroad.