College of Arts and Sciences

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A overview of a city in Italy by Pasquale Verdicchio, Sorano (Italy)

College of Arts and Sciences

Italian Studies

Study Italian language and culture in a transnational context

Major and MinorLanguage Placement

Studying Italian is essential to gain a fuller understanding of the cultural, economic and political forces that continue to shape the Mediterranean, Europe and the world. USD's Italian Program is dedicated to developing students’ proficiency in a second language while providing them with a critical understanding of Italian culture in a transnational context and beyond traditional disciplinary confines.

We explore Italy's evolving cultural landscape by examining works from diverse Italian and Italophone authors, considering the multifaceted identities formed through various cultural encounters. We also focus on the hybrid cultures born from the Italian diaspora across the globe. Our courses analyze a range of cultural products—written, visual and audiovisual—connecting them to history and society, particularly in light of contemporary global challenges.

Faculty and Staff

Learn from Italian experts

See Italian studies faculty and staff

Careers

Find Your Future in Italian Studies

Hear from Notable Alumni

Maritza Rodriguez, '14

Italian Studies and International Business major

Maritza Rodriguez '14 (BA in Italian studies and international business) visited us at the beginning of the Spring 2020 semester, a few weeks after we hosted a “Jobs with Italian” alumni panel for our students. Rodriguez earned her master’s degree in public administration at Cornell University, where she undertook internships in Italy and Germany. After that, she moved to Germany to work at Kia Motors Europe – the automaker’s European headquarters.

Explore Italian Studies careers

Study Abroad

At Home, Around the Globe

Participation in a study-abroad program is a special opportunity to have a deeply meaningful learning experience that complements the liberal arts education at USD. See the options that USD offers around the world.

Learn More

Italian Studies Conversation Tables

Tavole italiane

Fall 2026

Italiano-101

  • Friday, September 18, 2:30 to 3:20 p.m. in Learning Commons 107 - Tavola italiana 101 & Italian Studies Meet and Greet: with Professoressa Di Martino, Professoressa Lissoni and other Italian Professors - Mingle with students and professors in the Italian Studies program. Learn about studying in Italy, pursuing a major or minor in Italian Studies, internship opportunities and examples of interesting research projects by advanced students!

  • Thursday October 15, 12:15 to 1:10 p.m. in Learning Commons 105 with Professoressa Di Martino

  • Tuesday, December 8, 12:15 to 1:10 p.m., in Camino Hall 108 with Professoressa Di Martino

Italiano-102

  • Friday, September 25, 11:10 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. in Rigsby Language and Culture Commons (FH 121), with Professoressa Lissoni

  • Wednesday, October 14, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Rigsby Language and Culture Commons (FH 121), with Professoressa Jed

  • Friday November 6, 11:10 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. in Rigsby Language and Culture Commons (FH 121), with Professoressa Lissoni

Italiano-201 with Prof. Iannotta

  • Tuesday, September 22, 10:30 to 11:25 a.m., Rigsby Language and Culture Commons (FH 121)
  • Thursday, October 22, 11 to 11:55 a.m., Rigsby Language and Culture Commons (FH 121)
  • Tuesday, December 8, 10:30 to 11:25 a.m., Rigsby Language and Culture Commons (FH 121)