Italian

Why Study Italian?

Studying Italian will open a gateway onto one of the world’s most beautiful languages and one of its richest cultures.  Learning Italian will place you in a position to explore Italy’s past and present from a vantage point.

Knowing Italian will be beneficial in several career fields. Italy is a world leader in the food industry, interior and graphic design, fashion, engineering and manufacturing. 

Italy is one of the top eight economies in the world. An estimated 7,500 US companies do business with Italy and more than 1,000 have offices there.

If you are Italian American, learning Italian will allow you to reconnect with your heritage.

Having already studied another Romance language will facilitate your learning Italian.

Italy is home to the most UNESCO world heritage sites. Having language skills in Italian and knowing the culture will enhance your travel experiences.

What Can I do With a Degree in Italian Studies?

The Italian Studies major and minor open the doors to a variety of professional paths such as international relations, business, international law, journalism, education, and the arts. The Italian Studies Program offer students the opportunities to broaden the scope of their studies by making it possible for students to double major and obtain a double degree (BA/BS) with most majors offered on campus. Many of our students combine the study of Italian with majors in other areas of studies such as Art History, Political Science, History, Communication, Economics, Business, Biology and Public Health.

What Italian classes can I take at SCU?

Language, Literature, and Cultural Studies Courses in Italian

Elementary Italian 1, 2 and 3

Elementary Italian 2A and 3A (Italian for Spanish Speakers)

Intermediate Italian 21 and 22

Advanced Italian 100

Advanced Italian 101 (emphasis on Food Studies)

Advanced Italian 102  (emphasis on “Made in Italy”)

ITAL 106 (Advanced Conversation)

ITAL 154 Nature and the Italian Literary Imagination

ITAL187I  Destination Italy: Immigration in Film and Literature

ITAL188 Contemporary Italian Culture

Core Courses (taught in English)

ITAL11A and ITAL12A: Italy, Gateway of CIvilization (C&I 1 and 2)

ITAL185: The Italian American Experience (Diversity)

ITAL187: Destination Italy: Immigration in Film and Literature (Civic Engagement and Cinema Pathway)

Undergraduate Bulletin

Where Can I Study Abroad?

Given its historical, artistic, culinary heritage and “made in Italy” sector, it is no wonder that Italy is one of the top destinations for study abroad students.  Students interested in studying abroad in Italy can choose programs based in Bologna, Florence, Milan, Perugia, Rome and Siena where they will experience and engage with Italian language and culture. Even though these programs offer opportunities for students interested in all disciplines, they are of particular interest to students minoring or majoring  in business, humanities and language. Because Italy is so popular, the application process is extremely competitive. Students with no prior knowledge of Italian should consider taking Italian 1 and 2 before applying to study abroad.

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Major/Minor Requirements

Major in Italian Studies

• ITAL 100 and 101, or department-approved substitutions
• Remaining electives in Italian language, literature, and culture to total 40 quarter upper-division units, chosen with the approval of the Italian advisor. At least 20 of these units must be taken at SCU or taught by SCU faculty.

Minor in Italian Studies

• ITAL 100 and 101, or department-approved substitutions
• Remaining electives to total at least 19 quarter units of upper-division work in Italian. At least 10 of these units must be taken at SCU or taught by SCU faculty.

Italian Academic Advising

Italian Advising at ALL levels (2nd language CORE, Majors, and Minors):
Evelyn Ferraro
Contact

Irene Bubula-Phillips
Contact

Marie Bertola
Contact

Student Resources