Italian Studies Major
The Italian Studies program at Holy Cross offers students the opportunity to begin or continue their study of Italian language, literature, and culture through rich course offerings and diverse opportunities for cultural immersion both in the classroom and beyond. Through dynamic courses taught by distinguished faculty members, students acquire critical language skills that are reinforced by small group practice sessions led by native Italian foreign language assistants. Both majors and minors gain a deeper understanding of the Italian literary tradition and culture, becoming analytical thinkers and writers as they master a different language simultaneously. While the program’s courses are taught in Italian, at least one course is offered in English each year so that students just beginning their study of Italian may also examine more advanced topics in literature and film. Students interested in expanding their studies may consider various options, including studying abroad in Italy, where they can perfect their language skills and fully immerse themselves in Italian culture, and pursuing a self-designed interdisciplinary major or minor in Italian Studies.
Department Advanced Placement Policy
Students with AP credit in Italian language and culture earn placement in the curriculum but not progress toward the minimum number of courses required by the major. Students who take a course that duplicates the AP award in Italian will forfeit the AP credit. Students with AP credit in Italian language and culture will not be permitted to enroll in a course below the 300 level.
Requirements
The major consists of a minimum of 10 courses in Italian language, literature, and culture beyond the elementary level and includes the following courses:
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| Required Italian courses: | |
| Intermediate Italian 1 and Intermediate Italian 2 | |
| Italian Comp & Conv | |
| Dante | |
| One Medieval or Renaissance literature course: | |
| Boccaccio's Decameron | |
| Italian Philology | |
| One course in 19th and/or 20th Century literature: | |
| Intro to Contemporary Italy | |
| Twentieth Century Novel & World War 2 | |
| 19th Century Novel | |
| Up to two courses taught in English: | |
| Art & Antiquity in 16C Italy | |
| Four Italian electives from the lists above or comparable courses. | |
The remainder of the courses taken to fulfill the major requirements may include any combination of the other courses offered by the Italian section such as literature, cinema, Special Topics, and tutorials (taken either during the third or fourth year of study). Students may also take a maximum of two courses in English. These courses may include Italian courses taught in translation or approved courses in related departments such as History, Music and Visual Arts.
Students who choose to major in Italian are strongly encouraged to study in Italy. Of the courses taken in Florence, four courses may be applied to the major. Certain courses taken abroad may be accepted as the equivalent of the specific requirements listed above or as elective courses. Those students who spend their third year in Italy may declare the major during the first semester of their fourth year, however it is recommended that they declare before departing.
All students who major in Italian are required to take two courses in their fourth year. Students may not take courses in English in their fourth year without the consent of their major advisor.