Italian

Introduction

The Italian section of the Department of French and Italian offers a variety of courses in Italian language, literature and civilization.  The study of the Italian language is preparatory to the upper-level courses in literature and civilization.  Dickinson offers a major in Italian Studies and a minor in Italian. 

Italian Studies majors should seek information from the Coordinator of Italian Studies about the Italian studies track at the Dickinson Center for European Studies in Bologna. Professor Tullio Pagano (paganot@dickinson.edu) serves as the Coordinator of Italian Studies for 2011-2012. 

Students whose primary interest is the study of European politics, history, economics, and international affairs and who consider spending their junior year at the Dickinson Center for European Studies in Bologna, Italy, may want to fulfill their language requirement in Italian. This option would give them a solid linguistic and cultural background before going abroad. They could also take courses at the University of Bologna and consider a major in Italian studies as a second major.    

Test scores and credits that may affect course selection 

Advanced Placement scores: 

A student who has received a grade of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Test will be granted credit for college work and will receive placement in the appropriate Italian course as determined by their scores on the on-line placement test.   

On-line placement test 

The Italian placement test is available through the Dickinson Gateway.  The test will determine the student’s level of proficiency in Italian and the student will be informed of the appropriate course to select.  To register, you must contact Professor Tullio Pagano (paganot@dickinson.edu). If you wish to use the placement test ONLY to waive your language requirement, you will have to take it on campus, under supervision. Students who cannot take the exam during the summer will be able to take it on campus during the Orientation period. Students who cannot take the test on-line by July 1 will need to contact Professor Pagano before Wednesday, August 24, 2011.  

Courses appropriate for prospective majors

Students who wish to begin studying Italian should select ITAL 101, Elementary Italian.  

Courses that meet distribution requirements 

Language requirement:       
Completion at the intermediate level, ITAL 116 

Division IB:     ITAL 251 or 252, Literature and Society 

WR Requirement:
ITAL 231

Major in Italian Studies 

In Italian Studies, the language and culture of Italy are inseparably intertwined. All majors pursue core courses in language, literature, and culture that establish written and oral fluency. Students then pursue their interests in one of the three (3) tracks: humanities, art history, or social sciences, to develop competence in one main are of Italian culture.

Course descriptions, requirements for the major refer to the College Bulletin: Italian Studies       

Co-curricular activities 

The Italian Studies Program sponsors a series of campus activities to help students enhance their knowledge of Italian language and culture.  Students can apply to live at the Romance Language House where an Italian student from the University of Bologna resides with other Italian majors. Students are encouraged to participate in the weekly Tavola Italiana (Italian table), where they dine in Italian alongside Italian faculty and language assistants. The Circolo Italiano (Italian Club) organizes a variety of social and cultural events during the academic year. Also offered is Cinecitta, an Italian film series that features classic and contemporary Italian movies.  

Additional remarks

Internships in Italy Dickinson now offers an annual paid internship to two (2) selected seniors to work as English language assistants after graduation in the Lombard school system in Northern Italy. All seniors are eligible. It is a fantastic opportunity for graduates to return to Italy, perfect their Italian, and obtain some rewarding work experience.

Careers: Recent graduates who have majored in Italian studies have been accepted in graduate programs in schools such as Johns Hopkins University, Indiana University, New York University and Columbia University.  Others have careers in education, publishing, and international banking and business.   

Flowchart for Placement Information
Flowchart for Those Retaking Placement Exam