Italian & Italian Studies

As one of the few undergraduate institutions in the United States that offers an Italian Studies major (10 required courses), an Italian minor (5 required courses) and a full-immersion Italian Studies program in Bologna, Italy, Dickinson has one of the strongest Italian Studies programs in the country. 

Striving to recreate an authentic cultural experience, our faculty members are experts in their fields, have years of experience and know how to produce positive results in the classroom through an innovative communicative approach. Our program offers a variety of courses in Italian language, literature and civilization on diverse topics such as the history of Italian food, Dante’s Divine Comedy, Renaissance culture, Italian design, Italian cinema, and Italian politics. Students take courses in Italian along with a limited number of courses in English (with a discussion section in Italian). Thus, students receive a rich education that provides them with a solid linguistic and cultural foundation of an interdisciplinary nature which has allowed many students to choose Italian Studies as their second major or Italian as a second minor.

Studying Italian at Dickinson is extremely rewarding. Students who aim to study abroad can take advantage of our Italian Studies full-immersion program in Bologna, Italy where now two programs coexist: an Italian Studies program for our students who study Italian and a European Studies non-immersive program for those who have not studied Italian and would like to take social science courses in English.

In Carlisle, the Italian Studies program is one of the most active and vibrant on campus. From pasta-making lessons and Italian game sessions to authentic Italian dinners and holiday parties, our events (often in conjunction with the Italian Club) 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.

On the Dickinson College campus, Italy is only a few steps away. Come explore!

Support our program! Make a designated donation to the Italian Department.