Major in Italian

The Department offers two major emphases for the B.A. in Italian.

Italian Language and Literature

With this emphasis, students acquire a high level of proficiency in reading, writing and speaking Italian.

Italian Studies

The Italian Studies emphasis offers a broad focus on culture from art and film to history and politics.

Mission Statement of the Italian Program

Educating Arizona’s students about Italy, Italian, Italians, and Italian-Americans.

Objectives:

  • To provide high-quality education about the language, literature, and culture of Italy, Italians, and Italian-Americans.
  • To conduct high-quality research in Italian language, literature, and culture, which contributes to the study of Italian locally, nationally, and internationally.
  • To support local, national, and international organizations that promote the teaching of Italian language, literature, and culture.
  • To support the University of Arizona, College of Humanities, the School of International Languages Literatures and Cultures, and the Department of French and Italian in their respective missions.
Italian students in front of the Colliseum in Rome

Italian Language and Literature

This track focuses on the acquisition of language skills and cultural competency. The major requires 32 units including ITAL 201, 202, 301, 310, 320, 410, 420, and 433 (all taught in Italian). 

  • ITAL 201 Intermediate Italian 1
  • ITAL 202 Intermediate Italian 2 (or AP equiv., or credit-by-exam)
  • OR ITAL 202z Intensive Intermediate Italian (combined ITAL 201 & 202, offered only in Immersive Italian in Orvieto summer abroad program)

12 Units at 300-level | Classes may be taken concurrently; pre-requisite: ITAL 202 or 202z

  • ITAL 301: Advanced Italian Conversation through Media (or AP equiv, or credit-by-exam)
  • ITAL 310: Italian Encounters: Spoken Italian in Cultural Context
  • ITAL 320: Italian Encounters: Written Italian in Cultural Context
  • Repeated ITAL 310 or 320
  • ITAL 310 & 320 may be taken twice for credit when course content is different.

6 Units at 400-level | Classes may be taken concurrently; pre-requisite: 6 units from 301, 310, 320

  • ITAL 410: Words and Worlds: Italian Film and/or Fiction
  • ITAL 420: Framing Italy
  • ITAL 433: Italian Business
  • ITAL 410 & 420 may be taken twice for credit when course content is different

Choose from:

  • ITAL 300: Pandemics, Politics and Culture in France and Italy
  • ITAL 330A: Resisting Fascism (formerly "Italian Studies: Fascism, Resistance, and Reconstruction")
  • ITAL 330B: Once Upon a Time in Italian-American Cinema (formerly, "History of Italian-American Cinema")
  • ITAL 330C: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in Italian Cinema (formerly, "History of Italian Cinema")
  • ITAL 330D: Empowered Women in Italian Literature and Culture (formerly, "Women in Italian Society")
  • ITAL 431: The Divine Comedy by Dante
  • ITAL 496A: Topics in Advanced Italian Studies (only offered in Immersive Italian in Orvieto summer study abroad program) 

See advisor for more options.

Italian Studies

This track includes advanced courses taught in English and/or Italian. The major requires 32 units including ITAL 201 and 202.

  • ITAL 201 Intermediate Italian 1
  • ITAL 202 Intermediate Italian 2 (or AP equiv., or credit-by-exam)

Choose from:

  • ITAL 230: Intro to Italian Culture
  • ITAL 231: Fashion in France and Italy
  • ITAL 240: Italian Folklore & Popular Culture
  • ITAL 250A: Love, Literature, & Language in the Italian Middle Ages (formerly "Literature in Translation: Middle Ages")
  • ITAL 250B:  The Italian Renaissance (formerly "Literature in Translation: Renaissance")
  • ITAL 250C:  Intermediality: Italian Theatre, Opera, and Film (formerly "Literature in Translation: Italian Theater")
  • ITAL 250D: Narrating Italy through Literature & Film (formerly "Literature in Translation: The Novel") 

Choose from:

  • ITAL 300: Pandemics, Politics and Culture in France and Italy
  • ITAL 330A: Resisting Fascism (formerly "Italian Studies: Fascism, Resistance, and Reconstruction")
  • ITAL 330B: Once Upon a Time in Italian-American Cinema (formerly, "History of Italian-American Cinema")
  • ITAL 330C: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in Italian Cinema (formerly, "History of Italian Cinema")
  • ITAL 330D: Empowered Women in Italian Literature and Culture (formerly, "Women in Italian Society")
  • ITAL 431: The Divine Comedy by Dante
  • ITAL 496A: Topics in Advanced Italian Studies (Orvieto Study Abroad) 
  • ITAL 301, 310, 320, 410, 420, 433 (taught in Italian)

See advisor for more option

Ready to Declare?

Thank you for your interest, there are many benefits of majoring in Italian! Declare a major or minor in one of the following ways:

In Person

Meet in person with a faculty advisor or make an appointment with the College of Humanities Academic Advising Center. 

Schedule an appointment

Online form

Complete the online Major/Minor declaration form (NetID required). A faculty advisor will follow up to schedule a meeting. If you do not hear from a faculty advisor within a week, please contact the College of Humanities Academic Advising Center (cohadv@arizona.edu)

Declare major/minor online form