Please check the Language Placement Guide before enrolling in your first Italian studies class at USD or elsewhere.
Courses
ITAL 101
First Semester Italian
Units: 3
Essentials of Italian language with emphasis on communicative proficiency and cultural awareness. Development of the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing. Students with some knowledge of Italian must take the USD Language Placement Exam (https://www.sandiego.edu/cas/student-resources/exams/language-placement/language-placement-exams.php) and register in the appropriate level. Every semester. Prerequisites: None or Placement Exam.
ITAL 102
Second Semester Italian
Units: 3
Same orientation as in ITAL 101. 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.
ITAL 140
Topics in Italian Literature and Culture
Units: 3
Study at the lower-division level of a topic in Italian literature and culture. This course is taught in English and will not satisfy the Language Core requirement.
ITAL 141
Topics in Italian Literature, Film or Culture-Domestic Focus
Units: 3
Study at the lower-division level of a topic in Italian literature, film and/or culture with a Domestic Focus. This course is taught in English and will not satisfy the Language Core requirement.
ITAL 142
Topics in Italian Literature, Film or Culture–Global Focus
Units: 3
Study at the lower-division level of a topic in Italian literature, film and/or culture with a global focus. This course is taught in English and will not satisfy the Language Core requirement.
ITAL 194
Special Topics in Italian
Units: 1 TO 3
Study at the lower-division level of a topic in Italian literature and culture. This course is taught in English and will not satisfy the Language Core requirement.
ITAL 201
Third Semester Italian
Units: 3
Completes the introduction of the basic structures of the language, with continuing emphasis on communicative proficiency and cultural awareness. At this level students may be encouraged to participate in community service-learning and/or cultural activities within the Italian speaking community. Prerequisites: ITAL 102 or equivalent, or Placement Exam. Every semester.ITAL 201 tis also taught as THIRD SEMESTER ITALIAN IN ITALY as an 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. Prepares equally well for ITAL 202. Prerequisites: ITAL 102 or equivalent, or Placement Exam. Every summer.
ITAL 202
Fourth Semester Italian
Units: 3
Review and expansion of language structures, as well as practice in reading, composition and conversation in preparation for upper-division work. Prerequisites: ITAL 201 with a grade of C- or better or passing the appropriate departmental placement test within the previous year.
ITAL 294
Special Topics in Italian
Units: 1 TO 3
Study at the lower-division level of a special topic in language, literature, or culture. When offered, selected subjects will be announced on the MySanDiego portal. If taught in English, this course will not fulfill the Core Curriculum language requirement. Consult with instructor or the department chair. Prerequisites: ITAL 202 or approval of the instructor.
ITAL 301
Writing and Composition in Italian
Units: 3
Focus on the development of reading and writing skills through the analysis of authentic texts, the practice of various modes of written expression, and grammar review. Prerequisites: ITAL 202 with a grade of C- or better, or passing the appropriate departmental placement test within the previous year.
ITAL 302
Contemporary Italy: Culture, Politics and Society
Units: 3
Study of relevant aspects of Italian culture, politics and society, and of key moments in Italian history, with a focus on the development of oral communication skills. Prerequisites: ITAL 202 or passing the appropriate departmental placement test within the previous year.
ITAL 303
Advanced Writing for the Professions
Units: 3
Focus on the development of reading and writing skills through the analysis of authentic texts, and the practice of modes of written expression that may be used in a variety of professional and academic settings. Prerequisites: ITAL 202 or passing the appropriate departmental placement test within the previous year.
ITAL 304
Cultures of Early Modern Italy
Units: 3
An interdisciplinary study of the cultures and society of Early Modern Italy (from the Middle Ages to the 17th century). Prerequisites: ITAL 202 or passing the appropriate departmental placement test within the previous year.
ITAL 320
Introduction to Italian Literature and Culture I: From the Middle Ages to the 17th Century
Units: 3
Introduction to the major works of Italian literature, in their socio-cultural context, from the birth of the "Italian" language to the 17th century. Prerequisites: Any 1 ITAL upper-division course excluding ITAL 341 or ITAL 347.
ITAL 321
Introduction to Italian Literature and Culture II: From the Enlightenment to Today
Units: 3
Introduction to the major works of Italian literature, in their socio-cultural context, from the 18th century to present times. Prerequisites: Any 1 ITAL upper-division course excluding ITAL 341 or ITAL 347.
ITAL 340
Topics in Italian Literature, Film and Culture
Units: 3
Study at the third-year level of a topic in literature, film and culture. (Repeatable if topic differs) Prerequisites: ITAL 202 or ITL4.
ITAL 341
Topics in Italian Literature, Film and Culture-Domestic Focus
Units: 3
Study at the third-year level of a topic in Italian literature, film and culture with a domestic focus. (Repeatable if topic differs)
ITAL 342
Topics in Italian Literature, Film and Culture-Global Focus
Units: 3
Study at the third-year level of a topic in literature, film and culture with a global focus. (Repeatable if topic differs) Prerequisites: ITAL 202 or passing the appropriate departmental placement test within the previous year.
ITAL 347
Topics in Italian Literature, Film and Culture in Translation
Units: 3
Study at the third-year level of a special topic in Italian literature, film and culture in translation. Repeatable if topic differs.
ITAL 394
Special Topics in Italian
Units: 1 TO 3
Study at the third-year level of a special topic in language, literature, or culture. When offered, selected subjects will be announced on the MySanDiego portal. If taught in English, this course will not fulfill the Core Curriculum language requirement. Consult with instructor. May be taken for credit each time topic changes. Prerequisites: ITAL 202 or passing the appropriate departmental placement test within the previous year.
ITAL 403
Studies in Italian Film
Units: 3
A study of relevant aspects of Italy’s rich cinematic tradition. The course can be repeated when the topic changes. Prerequisites: Any 2 ITAL upper-division courses
ITAL 410
Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Italy
Units: 3
A study of relevant aspects of the literature, culture and society of Medieval, Humanist and Renaissance Italy. This course can be repeated for credit when the topic changes. Prerequisites: Any 2 ITAL upper-division courses.
ITAL 411
Studies in Modern and Contemporary Italy
Units: 3
A study of relevant aspects of the literature, culture and society of modern and contemporary Italy. This course can be repeated for credit when the topic changes. Prerequisites: Any 2 ITAL upper-division courses.
ITAL 413
Studies in the Italian Diaspora with a Domestic Focus
Units: 3
A study of works dealing with the Italian diaspora and the shifting definition of Italianness in North America with a focus on diversity, inclusion and social justice. The course can be repeated when the topic changes. Prerequisites: ITAL 202 or Passing the appropriate departmental placement test within the previous year.
ITAL 420
Dante and His Times
Units: 3
A study of Dante’s Divina Commedia and other selected works in their literary and historical context. Prerequisites: Any 2 ITAL upper-division courses.
ITAL 440
Topics in Italian Literature and Culture
Units: 3
Study at the fourth-year level of a topic in literature and culture. (Repeatable if topic differs) Prerequisites: Any 2 ITAL upper-division courses.
ITAL 442
Topics in Italian Literature, Film and Culture – Global Focus
Units: 3
Study at the fourth-year level of a topic in literature, film and culture with a global focus and an emphasis on issues related to diversity, inclusion and social justice. The course can be repeated when the topic changes. Prerequisites: Any 2 ITAL upper-division courses.
ITAL 493
Field Experience
Units: 1 TO 3
Supervised internships with local agencies such as the San Diego Italian Film Festival. Contact the Director of Italian to request information. Prerequisites: Junior or senior class standing and approval of the department chair.
ITAL 494
Special Topics In Italian
Units: 1 TO 3
Study of special topics in Italian literature, language, or culture. When offered, selected subjects will be announced on the MySanDiego portal. If taught in English, this course will not fulfill the Core Curriculum language requirement. Consult with instructor or the department chair. Prerequisites: Any 2 ITAL upper-division courses.
ITAL 495
Senior Capstone Project
Units: 1 TO 3
This is an optional culminating experience in which students reflect upon and integrate aspects of their entire undergraduate study. Through a writing project, an oral presentation, and an exit interview, students demonstrate their achievement of the program learning outcomes. The capstone is taken concurrently with one of the last two upper-division courses for the major, to which it is thematically linked. The student must meet with his or her capstone advisor (the professor for the upper-division major course) to determine the parameters for the project and consult with the program director to enroll. This course satisfies the Core Information Literacy (CILT) requirement.
ITAL 497
Senior Capstone Project with Advanced Integration
Units: 1 TO 3
This is an optional culminating experience in which students reflect upon and integrate aspects of their entire undergraduate studies. Through a writing project, an oral presentation, and an exit interview, students demonstrate their achievement of the program learning outcomes. Unlike 495, this project also fulfills the Advanced Integration requirement of the Core Curriculum. Students have two options: 1) a community engagement integration project or 2) a multidisciplinary integration project. Consult with your advisor and the program director. Capstone projects are approved by the program director. Similar to 495, this capstone project is not required but rather an optional course for students. This course also satisfies the Core Information Literacy (CILT) requirement.
ITAL 499
Independent Study
Units: 1 TO 3
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 instructor and the department chair. May be taken for credit each time topic changes.