Italian Studies, B.A.
Studying Italian at ¶¶Òõpro provides much more than proficiency in a foreign language. The small, vibrant Italian studies program gives students access to a rich curriculum drawing from centuries-long contributions in literature, architecture, painting, sculpture, music, philosophy and science. Experience one of Europe's major languages and explore Italy's role in the development of Western Civilization and its ties to non-Western cultures.
Additional program highlights include:
- The SLU Italian studies program is the only inter/multi-disciplinary Italian program in the greater St. Louis area.
- The SLU Italian studies program offers more study abroad options in Italy than any language program in the Greater St. Louis area, including Rome, the beautiful Amalfi coast in Sorrento and the medieval university city, Bologna.
- The SLU Italian studies program is unique with its strong emphasis on social justice, intercultural competence and global citizenship.
Curriculum Overview
SLU's Italian studies program is inter/multidisciplinary. The focus of the Italian studies major is the development of linguistic and cultural proficiency within this inter/multidisciplinary context.
In collaboration with other departments and programs, students may take courses in other areas such as fine and performing arts, philosophy, theology, history, English, women's and gender studies, film, international studies and the Honors Program to tailor their curriculum to suit their needs and interests.
Students are also strongly encouraged to select a second major; virtually any other discipline can be considered, including history, political science, psychology, theology or the sciences. By becoming a double major, students will significantly improve opportunities when entering the workforce, particularly in government service or when applying for graduate study, especially in language and area studies programs.
Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
Beyond the classroom, the Italian program offers several opportunities to enrich classroom learning. La Tavola Italiana (The Italian Table) meets weekly at SLU's Center for Global Citizenship to provide informal conversation opportunities to all students at SLU. Italian movie nights give students a chance to learn about daily life in Italy as well as cultural and historical topics. The student-directed Italian Club also hosts a variety of activities, including cooking classes, Bocce games and outings.
A wide variety of study abroad programs in Italy are available for students of Italian, including study at the Spring Hill College Italy Center in Bologna, the Sant'Anna Institute in Sorrento, the Babilonia Center in Taormina, the Loyola University Rome Campus and the Villa Nazareth in Rome.
Careers
An undergraduate degree in Italian studies prepares students for many rewarding careers. Opportunities are rich in fields such as literature, performing arts, cinema, design, politics, sports, fashion and industry. Hundreds of American companies operate in Italy. Students might pursue a career as a(n):
- International business representative
- International public relations professional
- Special agent
- Foreign Service officer
- Linguist
- Teacher
- Interpreter/translator
Admission Requirements
¶¶Òõpro also accepts the Common Application.
Freshman
All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.
To be considered for admission to any ¶¶Òõpro undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test.Ìý
Transfer
Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED.
Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit mustÌýsubmit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).
In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of ¶¶Òõpro. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.
International Applicants
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
- ¶Ù±ð³¾´Ç²Ô²õ³Ù°ù²¹³Ù±ðÌýEnglish Language Proficiency
- Proof of financial support must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at ¶¶Òõpro
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
There are two principal ways to help finance a ¶¶Òõpro education:
- Scholarships:ÌýScholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
- Financial Aid:ÌýFinancial aid is provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.
For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visitÌýwww.slu.edu/financial-aid.
- GraduatesÌýwill be able to interact in Italian.
- GraduatesÌýwill be able to interpret authentic materials in Italian.
- GraduatesÌýwill be able to present information formally in Italian.
- GraduatesÌýwill be able to use Italian in order to expand their knowledge of other disciplines.
- GraduatesÌýwill be able compare their own culture(s) with the Italian culture.
Italian Studies students must complete a minimum total of 30 creditsÌýfor the major.Ìý
Those who begin their study of Italian at SLU above the 3010 level must complete an additional course or courses at the 4000 level to fulfill the remaining credits required for the major.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
University Undergraduate Core | 32-35 | |
Major Requirements | ||
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý2010 | Intermediate Italian: Language & Culture | 3 |
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3010 | Written Communication in Italian I | 3 |
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3020 | Oral Communication in Italian I | 3 |
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý4010 | Written Communication in Italian II | 3 |
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý4020 | Oral Communication in Italian II | 3 |
Italian Elective Courses | ||
Select six credits of coursework with the Italian Elective attribute. These courses could include, but are not limited to: | 6 | |
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3301 | Madonnas, Witches, Rebels: Women and Gender in Italy - Major/Minor | |
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3401 | Dante’s Divine Comedy - Major/Minor | |
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3451 | Mafia and Antimafia in Italian Culture: Perceptions, Representations, Experiences - Major/Minor | |
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3551 | Women, Knights, Weapons & Love: Medieval and Renaissance Italian Literature- Major/Minor | |
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3601 | Eros, Power and Play: Pre-Modern Italian Theatre - Major/Minor | |
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3651 | Italy Beyond Borders: Social Justice in Modern Italian Culture - Major/Minor | |
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3930 | Special Topics | |
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý4930 | Special Topics | |
Related Studies | ||
Upper-division coursework with the Italian -- Related Studies attribute, such as: | 9 | |
´¡¸é°Õ±áÌý3020 | Christian Art: Advanced | |
´¡¸é°Õ±áÌý3500 | Early Renaissance Art in Italy: Advanced | |
´¡¸é°Õ±áÌý3510 | High Renaissance Art Italy: Advanced | |
±á±õ³§°ÕÌý3050 | From Cathedrals to Printing Presses: Europe in the Late Middle Ages | |
±á±õ³§°ÕÌý3090 | The Age of Renaissance | |
³¢³¢°äÌý3250 | Migrants and Borders on Screen: The Cinema of Migration in Mediterranean Europe | |
²Ñ±«³§°äÌý3300 | History of Music I | |
²Ñ±«³§°äÌý3310 | History of Music II | |
±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý4500 | Medieval Philosophy | |
³§±Ê´¡±·Ìý4110 | Language and Linguistics | |
³§±Ê´¡±·Ìý4130 | Second Language Acquisition | |
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý3370 | Teachers in Medieval Christianity | |
°Â³Ò³§°ÕÌý3300 | Intercultural Communication | |
General Electives | 55-58 | |
Total Credits | 120 |
Continuation Standards
All Italian studies major courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher to count for the major and for the student to continue in the major.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses numbered below 1000).
- Complete the University Undergraduate Core curriculum requirements.
- Complete major requirements: minimum 30 credits required.
- Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate and/or electives to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
- Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s) and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate, or related elective credits.
- Complete department-/program-specific academic and performance requirements.
- Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through ¶¶Òõpro or an approved study abroad program.
- Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through ¶¶Òõpro or an approved study abroad program.
- Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollmentÌýunless otherwise noted. Ìý
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.Ìý Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý1010 | Communicating in Italian I | 3 |
±á±õ³§°ÕÌý1110 | Origins of the Modern World to 1500 | 3 |
°ä°¿¸é·¡Ìý1000 | Ignite First Year Seminar | 2-3 |
°ä°¿¸é·¡Ìý1500 | Cura Personalis 1: Self in Community | 1 |
University CORE | 6 | |
Ìý | Credits | 15-16 |
Spring | ||
ITALÌý1020 or ITALÌý1200 |
Communicating in Italian II 1 or Intensive Italian for Gamers |
3 |
HISTÌý1120 | Origins of the Modern World (1500 to Present) | 3 |
University CORE | 9 | |
Ìý | Credits | 15 |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý2010 | Intermediate Italian: Language & Culture | 3 |
HISTÌý2800 | Historian's Craft: Methods Proseminar 2 | 3 |
University CORE | 9 | |
Ìý | Credits | 15 |
Spring | ||
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3020 | Oral Communication in Italian I (or ITALÌý3030 Advanced Oral Communication in Italian ) 3 | 3 |
A European History course 2 | 3 | |
A US History course 2 | 3 | |
University CORE | 6 | |
Ìý | Credits | 15 |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3010 | Written Communication in Italian I 4 | 3 |
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3401 or ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3551 or ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3601 |
Dante’s Divine Comedy - Major/Minor or Women, Knights, Weapons & Love: Medieval and Renaissance Italian Literature- Major/Minor or Eros, Power and Play: Pre-Modern Italian Theatre - Major/Minor |
Ìý |
A US history course 2 | 3 | |
A World history course (Non-European & non US history) 2 | 3 | |
University CORE | 3 | |
Ìý | Credits | 15 |
Spring | ||
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý4020 | Oral Communication in Italian II 3,5 | 3 |
ITAL 3301/3451/3651 | Madonnas, Witches, Rebels: Women and Gender in Italy - Major/Minor (Modern & Contemporary) 3 | 3 |
History major elective 2 | 3 | |
History major elective 2 | 3 | |
University CORE | 3 | |
Ìý | Credits | 15 |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý4010 | Written Communication in Italian II 4,5 | 3 |
Related Studies elective outside of department 6 | 1 | |
History major elective 2 | 3 | |
Select one of the following capstone courses: 2 | 3 | |
HISTÌý4900 or HISTÌý4910 or HISTÌý4991 |
Seminar in European History or Internship/History in Practice or History Senior Thesis |
Ìý |
University CORE | 3 | |
General Electives | 2 | |
Ìý | Credits | 15 |
Spring | ||
Related Studies elective outside of department 6 | 3 | |
History major elective 2 | 3 | |
Related studies elective outside of department 6 | 3 | |
University CORE | 3 | |
General Electives | 3 | |
Ìý | Credits | 15 |
Ìý | Total Credits | 120-121 |
- 1
ITALÌý1200 Intensive Italian for Gamers (0,3 cr)Ìýis equivalent to ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý1010 Communicating in Italian I (0,3 cr) + ITALÌý1020 Communicating in Italian II (0,3 cr).
- 2
Second major course, see program notes.
- 3
Offered only in spring.
- 4
Offered only in fall.
- 5
Can be taken after ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3010 Written Communication in Italian I (0,3 cr) or ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3020 Oral Communication in Italian I (0,3 cr).
- 6
See list of approved electives in program notes below.
Program Notes
If a student places below ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý2010 Intermediate Italian: Language & Culture (0,3 cr) (third semester) on the placement test, the student would first take ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý1010 Communicating in Italian I (0,3 cr) and/or ITALÌý1020 Communicating in Italian II (0,3 cr) (or ITALÌý1200 Intensive Italian for Gamers (0,3 cr) in substitution for both ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý1010 Communicating in Italian I (0,3 cr) and ITALÌý1020 Communicating in Italian II (0,3 cr)), pending placement exam placement.
If a student places above ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý2010 Intermediate Italian: Language & Culture (0,3 cr) on the placement test, e.g into ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3010 Written Communication in Italian I (0,3 cr) (fourth semester) or even ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3020 Oral Communication in Italian I (0,3 cr) (fifth semester), the student would begin their coursework for the Italian major at either ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3010 Written Communication in Italian I (0,3 cr) or ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3020 Oral Communication in Italian I (0,3 cr) and would take an additional two ITAL 4xxx courses (if placed into ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3010 Written Communication in Italian I (0,3 cr)) or an additional ITAL 4xxx course (if placed into ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3020 Oral Communication in Italian I (0,3 cr)) to complete the 30 credits in the major.
It is very common for students majoring in a foreign language, Italian in this case, to have a second major. History was chosen for this roadmap as the second major since many students elect it as a major alongside the Italian major. Requirements for the history major are shown in bold and italics to highlight when a student who chose another major would take courses in that major.
Courses offered in Italian studies with an Italian elective attribute: Italian Elective Coursework (6 credits). These courses could include, but are not limited to:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3301 | Madonnas, Witches, Rebels: Women and Gender in Italy - Major/Minor | 3 |
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3451 | Mafia and Antimafia in Italian Culture: Perceptions, Representations, Experiences - Major/Minor | 3 |
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3551 | Women, Knights, Weapons & Love: Medieval and Renaissance Italian Literature- Major/Minor | 3 |
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3601 | Eros, Power and Play: Pre-Modern Italian Theatre - Major/Minor | 3 |
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3651 | Italy Beyond Borders: Social Justice in Modern Italian Culture - Major/Minor | 3 |
±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý3930 | Special Topics | 3 |
Approved courses offered in other departments with a Related Studies attribute for Italian majors. Italian Related Studies Attribute Coursework (9 credits). These courses could include, but are not limited to:
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
´¡¸é°Õ±áÌý3020 | Christian Art: Advanced | 3 |
´¡¸é°Õ±áÌý3500 | Early Renaissance Art in Italy: Advanced | 3 |
´¡¸é°Õ±áÌý3510 | High Renaissance Art Italy: Advanced | 3 |
±á±õ³§°ÕÌý3050 | From Cathedrals to Printing Presses: Europe in the Late Middle Ages | 3 |
±á±õ³§°ÕÌý3090 | The Age of Renaissance | 3 |
³¢³¢°äÌý3250 | Migrants and Borders on Screen: The Cinema of Migration in Mediterranean Europe | 3 |
²Ñ±«³§°äÌý3300 | History of Music I | 3 |
²Ñ±«³§°äÌý3310 | History of Music II | 3 |
±Ê±á±õ³¢Ìý4500 | Medieval Philosophy | 3 |
³§±Ê´¡±·Ìý4110 | Language and Linguistics | 3 |
³§±Ê´¡±·Ìý4130 | Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
°Õ±á·¡°¿Ìý3370 | Teachers in Medieval Christianity | 3 |
°Â³Ò³§°ÕÌý3300 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |