Italian Studies Major
The Italian studies major is an individualized, interdisciplinary major. Students achieve an advanced proficiency in the language in all four fundamental skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—while developing their analytical and critical abilities. Students explore Italian literature, culture, and history in the Mediterranean, European, or global contexts, from a broad range of disciplinary and critical perspectives in the humanities and the social sciences. In close consultation with an Italian mentor, they design their course of study, which may include courses taught in English or offered by other departments and programs, on topics relevant to the understanding of Italian culture and its relation to world cultures, histories, economics, and politics.
CIP Code
05.0114 - Western European Studies.
You can use the CIP code to learn more about career paths associated with this field of study and, for international students, possible post-graduation visa extensions. Learn more about CIP codes and other information resources.
The Italian studies major is an individualized interdisciplinary major consisting of ten courses numbered ITAL 1501 Intermediate Italian I and higher. All Italian studies majors will develop an individual course of study with concentration on a particular target area or track in close consultation with the assigned departmental Italian studies major advisor.
The Italian studies major will normally include:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ITAL 1501 | Intermediate Italian I | 3 |
| ITAL 1502 | Intermediate Italian II | 3 |
| ITAL 2001 | Italian Language and Literature 1 | 3 |
| or ITAL 2201 | Italian Community Engaged Learning: Art and Society | |
| Select seven courses 2 | 28 | |
- 1
Either course serves as the prerequisite for all 3000-level and above courses.
- 2
Any course with the ITAL subject code numbered above 2201 may fulfill this requirement. One 2000-level course (above ITAL 2001/ITAL 2201) is suggested. Up to three courses with the ITAL attribute may also apply with the Italian advisor's permission.
Students who place out of ITAL 1501, ITAL 1502, or ITAL 2001/ITAL 2201 will replace them with upper-level elective courses (see footnote 2 above). Courses numbered lower than ITAL 1501 will not count toward the major.
In close consultation with an Italian studies major advisor, students design an individualized course of study, which may include up to three courses taught in English or offered by other departments and programs on topics relevant to Italian culture and history. Other coursework should be within the Italian program. Sample areas of study may include:
- Italy and the Arts
- Italy, Film, and Media Studies
- Italy, Europe, and the Mediterranean
- Italy and the Italian American Experience/Italy and the Italian Diaspora
- Gendered Italy
- Postcolonial Italy
Students who wish to take courses outside of the department must provide their Italian studies major advisor with a copy of the course syllabus for approval before registering for the course. They will also be required to keep a portfolio of all of their work, and make a final oral or written presentation during the spring of their senior year, in which they demonstrate their independent work in the target field.
AP and IB Credit
All courses counting towards the core language requirement and the major or the minor in a modern foreign language, literature and culture must be taken for credit and a letter grade. When AP or IB credits are awarded as equivalent to the 1502 level in a language, these credits will be applied toward the core language requirement and, as elective credits, toward graduation, but they will not be applied toward the major or the minor in that language.
Study Abroad
A maximum of three courses taken abroad for one semester and a maximum of four courses taken abroad for one year may apply to the Italian studies major. These courses must be approved by the Italian studies major advisor prior to studying abroad.
Honors
Honors in Italian studies will be awarded to students who have a GPA in the major of 3.67 or higher, and who complete an outstanding senior thesis under the direction of an Italian faculty member. Students should consult their Italian studies major advisor for advice and guidelines on this option early in their junior year.
Availability
The major in Italian studies is available at Fordham College at Rose Hill and Fordham College at Lincoln Center. Students in Fordham's School of Professional and Continuing Studies may major in Italian studies only if they receive the approval of their advising dean and/or department, and their schedules are sufficiently flexible to permit them to take day courses at the Rose Hill or Lincoln Center campuses.
Fordham College at Rose Hill students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the Core Curriculum.
Fordham College at Lincoln Center students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the Core Curriculum.
Professional and Continuing Studies students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the PCS Core Curriculum and any additional electives that may be required to earn a minimum of 124 credits.