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Italian & Italian Studies



Italian & Italian Studies

Besides the major, Dickinson offers a minor in Italian and a recently updated major in Italian studies, which provides students with a strong command of Italian language and culture yet also allows students to take interdisciplinary courses concerning Italy and Italian taught by other departments in English. 

Students who want to study abroad can take advantage of Dickinson programs at the K. Robert Nilsson Center for European Studies and the University of Bologna in Bologna, Italy. Closer to campus, our faculty members—who strive to create an authentic environment—are leaders in their fields, have years of experience and know how to produce authentic results in the classroom through an innovative communicative approach.

The Italian program at Dickinson is one of the most active and vibrant on campus. Often in conjunction with the Italian Club, events—from pasta-making lessons and Italian game sessions to authentic Italian dinners and holiday parties—are organized throughout the year and often attract hordes of students. You can also opt to live in the Romance Language House, where students can interact in Italian and experience authentic Italian culture.

Contact Info

Chair

James McMenaminAssociate Professor of Italian

Department Coordinator

Lisa Orris

Phone

717-245-1819

Fax

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Location

105, Bosler Hall Mailing Address

Department Features




Student Outcomes

Where Our Students Go From Here

Jobs

  • Cato Institute
  • Microsoft Corporation
  • Advisory Board Company
  • National Committee on American Foreign Policy
  • Fulbright Program
  • National Consumer Law Center
  • City Year, Inc.
  • Tufts Universit

Graduate Schools

  • University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
  • University of Virginia
  • Middlebury College
  • Temple University Law
  • Brooklyn Law School
  • CUNY New York City College of Technology
  • University of Minnesota
  • Drexel University
  • George Mason University
  • University of Connecticut
  • Harvard University
  • University of Rochester School of Business
  • Boston College
Where Our Students Have Interned
  • Breakthrough Collaborative
  • Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Organization
  • National Museum of American History
  • National Museum of the American Indian
  • National Postal Museum
  • Port Jefferson Historical Society
  • U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center
  • U.S. Army War College - Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute

Student Perspective

"Studying abroad for a year in Bologna expanded my worldview in ways I did not think were possible. I improved my Italian language skills and had the opportunity to learn in new environments while taking classes at the University of Bologna and Johns Hopkins SAIS."

— Tony Trandafir ’24


Italian & Italian Studies News

Hurdles Conquered, Adventures Won

Hurdles Conquered, Adventures Won

"I’ve had the opportunity to do so many things here that I never would have experienced otherwise." Find out how Rowan Curry ’27 is making the most of the Dickinson experience.

Language Majors Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2026

Language Majors Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2026

Language majors launch careers in museum education, at Liberty Mutual, with the U.S. Army, and more.

Italian & Italian Studies Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2026

Italian & Italian Studies Jobs and Graduate School Acceptances 2026

Italian & Italian studies majors accepted to graduate schools including Brandeis and Rutgers to study finance, dental medicine and Italian literature.

Graduate Story: Gina Woodworth

Graduate Story: Gina Woodworth '02, Snap Inc.

As public policy lead for the Americas at Snap Inc., the former political science and Italian studies major works to develop thoughtful legislation and policy solutions for complex challenges.

Sprinting Toward Success, On and Off the Track

Sprinting Toward Success, On and Off the Track

For track standout Erin Olsavsky ’26 (educational studies, Italian studies), sprinting wasn’t always part of the plan.

A Custom Taste of Italy

A Custom Taste of Italy

"Dickinson makes it easy to study abroad, even with two majors." Lena Rimmer '26 is weaving all of her interests into her study-abroad year in Italy.