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University of San Diego
Languages and Literatures
Founders Hall 138
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110
Phone: (619) 260-4070
Fax: (619) 260-4190
languages@sandiego.edu
Chair
Kevin Guerrieri, PhD
kevin2@sandiego.edu
Media Contact
Liz Harman
harman@sandiego.edu
(619) 260-4682
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Italian Courses
Please read the placement policy of this department before enrolling in your first Italian class at USD or elsewhere.
Lower-Division Courses
A passing grade in Italian 201 satisfies the core curriculum requirement.
101 First Semester Italian / 3 units
Essentials of Italian grammar with emphasis on communicative proficiency and cultural awareness. Development of the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. This course is open only to those who have never studied Italian or students placed in this level through the department’s placement process. Every semester.
102 Second Semester Italian / 3 units
Further development of communicative proficiency and cultural and intercultural awareness for students who have completed Italian 101 or have previous knowledge of the language. Stress on listening, speaking, reading and writing. Prerequisite: ITAL 101 (or equivalent) or placement exam. Every semester.
201 Third Semester Italian / 3 units
The final course of the core language sequence completes the introduction of the basic structures of the language, with continuing emphasis on communicative proficiency and cultural awareness. At this level students are encouraged to participate in community service-learning and/or cultural activities within the Italian speaking community. This course is also offered in the summer (see below). Prerequisite: ITAL 102 (or equivalent) or placement exam. Every semester.
201 Third Semester Italian in Italy / 3 units
Intensive summer course in Italy conducted by a USD faculty member. Direct immersion in Italian life and culture. See course description above. The university reserves the right to cancel this course if minimum enrollment is not met, or for any other reason. Prerequisite: ITAL 102 (or equivalent) or placement exam.
202 Fourth Semester Italian / 3 units
Review and expansion of language structures, as well as practice in reading, composition and conversation. Emphasis on close reading and analysis of authentic texts to prepare students for upper division work. Prerequisite: ITAL 201 (or equivalent) or placement exam. Every semester.
230 Intermediate Conversation / 3 units
Intensive drill in spoken Italian based on assigned topics. This course does not count toward the Italian minor or the Italian Studies major, but does count as elective units toward graduation. Prerequisite: ITAL 201 or 202 (or equivalent).
293 Language Tutoring or Field Experience in Italian/ 1-3 units
Supervised participation in the department's Tutoring Program or placement in a community organization in which the student's skills in the target language are developed. Prerequisite: Approval of the instructor or the language coordinator.
294 Topics in Language, Literature, or Culture / 3 units
Study at the lower-division level of a special topic in language, literature, or culture. The course may be repeated for credit when the topic changes. This course does not count toward the Italian minor or the Italian Studies major, but does count as elective units toward graduation. Prerequisite: ITAL 202 or approval of instructor.
Upper-Division Courses (ITAL)
301 Advanced Composition and Grammar / 3 units
Focus on the development of reading and writing skills through the analysis of authentic texts and the practice of various modes of written expression, as well as through grammar review and work on syntax. Prerequisite: ITAL 202 (or equivalent).
302 Advanced Conversation and Culture / 3 units
Focus on the development of oral proficiency through the study of different aspects of Italian culture. Intensive work on reading, vocabulary building and conversation to achieve fluency and accuracy in oral expression. Prerequisite: ITAL 202 (or equivalent).
320 Introduction to Italian Literature and Culture I: From the Middle Ages to the 17th Century 3 UNITS
Introduction to the major works of Italian literature, in their socio-cultural context, from the birth of the language to the 17th century. Prerequisite: ITAL 301 or higher, or approval of the instructor.
321 Introduction to Italian Literature and Culture II: From the Enlightenment to Today 3 UNITS
Introduction to the major works of Italian literature, in their socio-cultural context, from the 18th century to present times. Prerequisite: ITAL 301 or higher, or approval of the instructor.
394 Topics in Language, Literature, or Culture / 3 units
Study at the third-year level of a special topic in language, literature, or culture. The course may be repeated for credit when the topic changes. Prerequisite: ITAL 202 or approval of instructor.
403 Italian Culture through Film 3 UNITS
A study of major facets of modern and contemporary Italy through cinema and a variety of written sources. Prerequisite: ITAL 320 or higher, or approval of the instructor.
410 Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Italy / 3 UNITS
A study of relevant aspects of the literature, culture and society of Medieval, Humanist and Renaissance Italy through a variety of readings and materials. Prerequisite: ITAL 320 or higher, or approval of the instructor.
411 Studies in Modern Italian Literature and Culture / 3 Units
A study of relevant aspects of the literature, culture and society of 18th and 19th-century Italy through a variety of readings and materials. Particular emphasis is given to the discussion of Italian Risorgimento and the construction and representation of Italian national and cultural identity. ITAL 320 or higher, or approval of the instructor.
412 Studies in Contemporary Italian Literature and Culture /3 UNITS
A study of relevant aspects of the literature, culture and society of 20th and 21st -century Italy through a variety of readings and materials. ITAL 320 or higher, or approval of the instructor.
413 Italian Literature of Migration (D)/3 UNITS
A study of works by native and non-native Italian writers that deal with the questions of migration, multiculturalism and otherness. Prerequisites: ITAL 320 or higher, or approval of the instructor.
420 Dante and His Times / 3 UNITS
A study of Dante’s Divina Commedia and other selected works in their literary and historical context. Prerequisites: ITAL 320 or higher, or approval of the instructor.
493 Field Experience in Italian/1-3 UNITS
Supervised participation in the department's Tutoring Program or placement in a community agency in which the student's skills in the target language are developed. Prerequisite: Approval of the instructor, department chair or language coordinator.
494Topics in Italian Literature/3 UNITS
Study of special topics in Italian literature. This course may be repeated for credit when the topic changes. Prerequisites: ITAL 320 or higher, or approval of the instructor.
499Independent Study/1-3 UNITS
A program arranged between the advanced student and the instructor to provide intensive study in a particular area of interest. Extensive reading and consultation are required, as well as preparation of reports to be assigned by the instructor. A maximum of 3 units may be applied toward the Major or the Minor. Prerequisite: Approval of the department chair.
