Italian is an excellent complement to International Studies. Students can continue Italian beyond the intermediate level, complete the Italian minor or the Italian Studies major, and incorporate Italian into a semester or full year of study in Bologna.
Students interested in combining International Studies and Italian should consult both programs early so that their language study, major requirements, concentration, and study-abroad plans can be coordinated effectively.
How many Italian courses must I take beyond ITAL 201?
International Studies majors must complete two courses beyond the intermediate level in their chosen foreign language. For students pursuing Italian, this means two courses beyond ITAL 201.
Which courses should I take?
International Studies majors pursuing Italian are ordinarily advised to take:
- ITAL 231: Reading and Writing Contemporary Italian Culture, an intensive writing course with advanced grammar; and
- ITAL 232: Reading and Performing Italian Texts, a course focused on speaking and oral production.
Alternatively, students may complete ITAL 231 and an approved 320-level topics course—ITAL 321, 322, 323, or 324—with the mandatory Italian FLIC discussion section.
Because individual circumstances and course offerings vary, students should consult an Italian Studies advisor before selecting their courses.
Are advanced courses offered entirely in Italian?
Yes. Students interested in continuing their study of Italian may take the following advanced courses taught entirely in Italian:
- ITAL 331: Ideas of Italy
- ITAL 332: Real and Imaginary Journeys
- ITAL 341: The Discourse of Love
These courses ordinarily require ITAL 231 and ITAL 232 or permission of the instructor. Course availability varies by semester.
Can I complete an Italian minor?
Yes. Completing the Italian minor is very feasible. International Studies majors following either recommended pathway will already have fulfilled two of the five requirements for the minor.
The Italian minor requires:
- ITAL 231
- ITAL 232
- One topics course: ITAL 321, 322, 323, or 324
- ITAL 331 or ITAL 332
- ITAL 341
Students should consult an Italian Studies advisor to plan an appropriate sequence.
Can I also major in Italian Studies?
Yes. Italian Studies is designed to work well with interdisciplinary programs such as International Studies. The Italian Studies major requires 10 courses beyond ITAL 201, some of which may be taught in English.
Courses taken outside the Italian program may fulfill certain Italian Studies requirements when their content focuses substantially on Italy or Italian culture. Study in Bologna can also help students complete requirements while developing advanced proficiency in Italian.
Students interested in combining the two majors should meet with an Italian Studies faculty member early to develop a four-year plan.
Can I take Italian courses in Bologna?
Yes. Students participating in Dickinson’s Italian Studies program in Bologna can continue their Italian coursework while studying abroad. Depending on the semester’s offerings and individual academic needs, courses may fulfill requirements for ITAL 231, ITAL 232, ITAL 300, or an approved topics course.
Students should work with their International Studies and Italian Studies advisors before going abroad to determine how their Bologna courses will apply toward their academic requirements.
What if I am not ready to take a course taught in Italian at the University of Bologna?
The University of Bologna offers some courses taught in English in economics, business, the social sciences, and related fields. In the past, Dickinson students have taken courses such as Organizational Behavior, Financial Accounting, Econometrics, Financial Mathematics, International Economics, and Macroeconomics.
Course availability and language of instruction vary. Students should consult the Bologna program staff and obtain approval for their proposed courses before registering.
Taking a UniBo course gives students direct experience with the Italian university system and adds an important international dimension to their academic preparation. Grades earned in courses at the University of Bologna do not count toward a student’s Dickinson GPA.
How can I continue using Italian after returning from Bologna?
Students returning from Bologna are encouraged to continue taking Italian courses and participating in the department’s cultural and language activities. Opportunities may include:
- Italian Club events
- Cultural workshops and social activities
- Casa Italiana
- Film screenings
- Visiting speakers
- Informal opportunities to speak Italian
- Departmental online resources
Students can explore Italian Beyond the Classroom and follow Italian at Dickinson on Instagram for current events and announcements.
