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Department of

Languages and Literatures

Italian Program

Please read the placement policy of this department before enrolling in your first Italian class at USD or elsewhere.

Italian Studies Major | Italian Minor

Preparation for the Italian Studies Major

Students must have finished Italian 202 or the equivalent, thereby demonstrating proficiency in oral and written expression. Lower-division courses provide the necessary training in the four basic language skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) as well as basic cultural competency.  Upper-division courses further develop these skills and bring students to a level of proficiency of Advanced Low to Advanced High on the ACTFL scale.  The experience of living and studying in Italy is highly recommended.

Requirements for the Italian Studies Major:

24 units (8 courses) of upper-division work of which a minimum of 18 units (6 courses) must be in Italian (ITAL). The remaining 6 units may be either in Italian (ITAL) or interdisciplinary courses taught in English.

A minimum of 18 upper-division units must be taken on the USD campus.

Prerequisites:

Italian 202, or placement into upper division courses through the department's placement process.

Italian Courses (ITAL) Required:

(1) ITAL 301
(1) ITAL 302
(1) Early Modern Period Course ITAL 320, 410, 420, or 394 and 494 when applicable
(1) Modern or Contemporary Period Course ITAL 321, 403, 411, 412, 413, or 394 and 494 when applicable
(2) Elective Upper-Division Italian Courses  

Interdisciplinary Courses:

Students can complete all coursework in Italian. However, a maximum of 6 upper-division units (2 courses) may be taken in English from among the courses listed below, their equivalents, or other appropriate courses. In order for an interdisciplinary course to count for the major in Italian Studies, one of the following conditions must be met: 1) the course inherently includes significant content on Italy or Italian topics; or 2) during the course the student completes a project (e.g. research paper, presentation, portfolio, etc.) with a substantial focus on Italy or Italian topics. In either case, in order to count for the major in Italian Studies, all interdisciplinary courses require submission of an Approval of Interdisciplinary Coursework application prior to enrolling in the course. Download the form here, and consult with the Director of Italian Studies.

Interdisciplinary Courses – Double Counting:

The Department of Languages and Literatures will allow students to count interdisciplinary courses for both the Italian Studies major and any other major the student may have.

Interdisciplinary Courses with Preliminary Approval:

ARTH 334 Art of the Twentieth Century in Europe and the Americas
ARTH 342 Contemporary Architecture
COMM 475 Intercultural Communication
ECON 333 International Economics (Prereq: ECON 102)
FINA 405 International Financial Management (Prereq: FINA 300)
MKTG 305  International Marketing (Prereq: MKTG 300)
ENGL 310 Dante
HIST 312 Roman Civilization
HIST 321 The Fall of the Roman Empire
HIST 322 Castles and Crusades
HIST 331 Renaissance Europe
HIST 341 World War II
MUS 442 Opera
SOCI 460 Immigrant America

Other bulletin courses and special topics courses may count provided they have significant content on Italy or Italian topics. Consult with the Director of Italian Studies.

Recommended Program of Study for the Italian Studies Major:

Freshmen Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year
Semester 1 Semester 1 Semester 1 Semester 1
ITAL 101 ITAL 201 ITAL 301

(1) Interdisciplinary Course

 ITAL 320

ITAL 412 - or other 400 level course
Semester 2 Semester 2 Semester 2 Semester 2
ITAL 102 ITAL 202 ITAL 302

ITAL 321		 ITAL 410 - or other 400 level course

(1) Interdisciplinary Course
Early Modern ITAL 320, 410, 420, or 394 and 494 when applicable
Modern ITAL 321, 403, 411, or 394 and 494 when applicable
Contemporary ITAL 321, 403, 412, 413, or 394 and 494 when applicable

Italian Minor

All courses for the minor must be taken in Italian (ITAL). A minimum of 6 upper-division units must be taken on the USD campus.

Two options are available:

  1. 18 units: at least 9 of the 18 units must be in upper division courses (numbered 300 or higher) in Italian (for instance, 102 + 201 + 202 + 3 U/D units).
  2. 12 units of upper-division courses in Italian. Prerequisite: ITAL 202 or equivalent and approval by the department chair.