Major in Italian

The Major in Italian offers students in-depth knowledge of Italian language, literature, history, and culture from the Middle Ages to the present. Through a cluster of courses from the Italian Department, as well as other Humanities and Social Science departments and approved study abroad programs, the Major in Italian seeks to enhance students’ knowledge of Italy in a globalized world.

The learning goals of the Major in Italian are therefore: 1) to give students an advanced knowledge of the Italian language; and 2) to help students gain a deeper understanding of the literature, culture and history of Italy.

Design

The Major in Italian requires a minimum of 30 points (10 courses). 

The 30 required points (10 courses) do not include the necessary prerequisites, i.e. Intermediate II or a demonstrated equivalent level of knowledge of the Italian language. 

For students who have no prior knowledge of Italian, the required sequence to cover the prerequisite is Elementary Italian I & II (UN1101-UN1102) and Intermediate Italian I & II (UN2101-UN2102), or Intensive Elementary Italian (ITAL UN1121) and Intensive Intermediate Italian (ITAL UN2121), or a combination between a regular sequence and an intensive course. Therefore, for a student who must take all coursework at Columbia (i.e., who does not enter Columbia with advanced placement) the overall number of courses required to pursue an Italian Major is 14 (46 points, 16 of which count also toward the Language requirement). However, the overall number of courses required to pursue an Italian Major becomes either 12 if the student chooses the Intensive Elementary & Intermediate Italian option (42 points, 12 of which count also toward the Language requirement), or 13 if the student chooses a combination between a regular sequence and an intensive course (44 points, 14 of which count also toward the Language requirement).  

However, students with prior knowledge of Italian may be exempted from the prerequisites in one of three ways: a) by presenting a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Italian Exam; b) by presenting a score of 780 or above on the SAT Subject Test in Italian; c) by obtaining a satisfactory score on the department’s placement examination. Therefore, for them the overall number of courses required to pursue an Italian Major is 10 (30 points)

Italian majors are required to take two sequences: a) a sequence of Advanced Italian Language courses and b) a sequence of courses in Italian Literature or Cultural Studies:

  1. Advanced Italian Language (this sequence should be taken in progressive order)

• Advanced Italian (ITAL UN3335). Advanced reading, writing, speaking with emphasis on authentic cultural materials. Topic and semester themes vary. Taught in Italian.

• Italian Language through Content. Course offerings under this category include courses such as: Italian through Cinema (ITAL UN3337); Italiana. Introduction to Italian Culture, the High, the Low, and the In-between (ITAL UN3338); Learning Italian in Class and Online: A Telecollaboration with Italy (ITAL UN3339); Art Itineraries: Italian through Art (ITAL UN3341); Business Italian and the Made in Italy Excellence: Learning Italian for trade and industry (ITAL UN3342); Advanced Italian: Comparative Stylistics & Translation (ITAL UN3343); Italy: Emigration-Immigration (ITAL UN3232); and Grand Tour in Italy (ITAL UN3645). These are all courses of Advanced Italian Language through a specific subject and with emphasis on cultural content. Taught in Italian.

and

  1. Italian Literature or Cultural Studies

Introduction to Italian Literature I and II (ITAL UN3333-4) provides an overview of major authors and works in the Italian literary tradition from the Middle Ages to the present. Taught in Italian. (This sequence does not need to be taken in progressive order).

or

Italian Cultural Studies I and II (ITAL GU4502-3). An interdisciplinary investigation into Italian culture and society from national unification in 1860 to the present. Taught in English. (This sequence does not need to be taken in progressive order).

With the permission of the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Italian majors select six additional courses from the department’s 3000- or 4000-level offerings or from other Humanities and Social Science departments with a focus on Italian culture, society and history from the Middle Ages to the present (at least 50% of the material of courses offered outside of the Italian Department should focus on Italian topics). Students who have taken courses in Italian Literature, Italian History, and/or Italian Culture while abroad should consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies to determine if the courses may be applicable to the Major. 

Highly motivated students have the opportunity to pursue a senior thesis under the guidance of a faculty adviser in an area of Italian literature or culture of their choosing. The senior thesis tutorial (ITAL UN3993 Senior Thesis/Tutorial) will count for 3 points.

Majors in Italian are required to take at least two of the six elective courses from the Italian Department’s offerings, which are not Language Through Content courses. The remaining four elective courses can include Language Through Content courses or offerings from other Humanities and Social Science departments and study abroad Programs. 

Students pursuing an Italian Major should download and use the relevant worksheet.