Italian Undergraduate Courses

Italian Undergraduate Courses

Courses in English

ITAL 41, 41W. Italian Literature in Translation. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: English 110. Readings in English translation of some outstanding works of Italian literature from the Middle Ages to the twenty-first century, illustrating a variety of genres. The specific works to be considered will vary from semester to semester and from section to section, and will be announced in advance. May be taken more than once for credit provided topic is different. (LIT)

ITAL 45, 45W. Italian Culture and Thought. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
This course will deal with various aspects of Italian culture, such as music, design, the visual and performing arts, and the history of ideas. The specific topics to be considered will vary from section to section, and will be announced in advance. Readings and class discussions will be conducted in English. This course may be taken more than once for credit provided the topic is different.(WCGI)

ITAL 250, 250W. Italian Film and Media. 4 hr.; 3 cr.
The course will deal with the various aspects of Italian cinema: historical, cultural, aesthetic, political, technical, etc. Particular courses may deal with a certain tendency (such as neo-Realism), period, or an individual director(such as De Sica, Visconti, Fellini, or Antonioni). Lectures and work will be done in English; films will be shown in the original language with subtitles. May be taken more than once for credit provided the topic is different.

Elementary and Intermediate Language Courses

ITAL 111. Elementary Italian I. 4 hr.; 4 cr.
Intended for students with no previous training in Italian. Designed to establish correct pronunciation, to teach the elements of grammar, to enable students to read, to understand spoken Italian, to become familiar with cultural aspects of Italy, and especially to establish a good basic vocabulary. Class hours include use of the language laboratory. Fall, Spring (LANG)

ITAL 112. Elementary Italian II. 4 hr.; 4 cr.
Prereq.: Italian 111 or two years of high school Italian. This course is a continuation of Italian 111. A graded reader is introduced to present literary and cultural aspects of Italy, and to offer topics for simple exercises in composition. Class hours include use of the language laboratory. Fall, Spring
When circumstances warrant, the department may offer a course of Intensive Italian 111 and 112 for eight credits. (LANG)

ITAL 203. Intermediate Italian I. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Italian 112 or three years of high school Italian. Grammar review, conversation, and readings in literary and cultural materials at an intermediate level. Fall, Spring (LANG, WCGI)

ITAL 204. Intermediate Italian II. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Italian 203 or four years of high school Italian. Continuation of Italian203 with grammar review, conversation, composition, and readings in literary and cultural materials. Fall, Spring (LANG, WCGI)

Introductory Literature Courses

ITAL 207. Italian Through Literature. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Reading and analysis of representative works from the Middle Ages through to the present; special emphasis on the history and cultural contexts of literary movements. The course may be offered as a hybrid.

ITAL 208. Italian Cultural Studies. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
An interdisciplinary approach to Italian culture, identity, and the Made in Italy. Readings will vary according to the different topics and epochs on which the class will focus—to include the culture of food; fashion, and nation-building; popular music; opera; print culture and magazines; Italian American encounters; Italian diasporic communities; Italian and the digital age; etc. The course may be offered as a hybrid.

ITAL 209. Introduction to Italian Culture. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Italian 204 or permission of department. Background for the meaningful study of Italian literary culture. This includes major historical developments from ancient times through the comuni, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, up to Unification, and the recent economic miracle.

Advanced Language Courses

ITAL 223. Advanced Conversation. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Italian 203. For students who want to perfect their fluency in current idiom. Prepared and impromptu group discussions on general topics and everyday situations. Frequent short talks by students. May not be taken by students who speak Italian with native fluency. (LANG)

ITAL 224. Advanced Grammar. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Italian 204 or permission of department. Provides instruction in advanced Italian grammar and idiom patterns. Spring (LANG)

ITAL 228. Advanced Composition (Dissertation and Explication of Texts). 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: 204 or permission of department. Provides instruction in formal composition of a literary nature; trains student sin the techniques of textual analysis. Fall (LANG)

ITAL 231. Skills and Art of Translation I. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Italian 204 or permission of department. Introduction to the techniques and problems of translation; intensive practice in translating texts of various types. (LANG)

ITAL 232. Skills and Art of Translation II. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Italian 231. Translation of more advanced texts. Texts may be chosen not only from literature but from journalism, advertising, business, and other technical or specialized areas. (LANG)

ITAL 235. Commercial and Technical Italian. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Italian 204 or permission of department. Provides adequate training in the use of Italian for business, technical, and consular purposes by giving extensive practice in written and oral usage of the forms in usein these fields. Drill will be required in translation techniques, use of special vocabularies and other adjuncts as needed in practical usage in these and related fields of work. (LANG)

Elective Courses in Literature

ITAL 329. Textual Analysis. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one course from Italian 223 through 235 or permission of department. Introduction to the idea of text, stylistics, research, and criticism. Explication of different methodologies and theories of interpretation, with strong emphasis on practical strategies of identifying and contextualizing the literary artifact.

ITAL 336. The Italian Language. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one course from Italian 223 through 235 or permission of department. Introduction to key aspects of the Italian language. The course will provide basic linguistic tools and an overview of the historical development of the language and its dialects. Emphasis may be on such topics as Italian dialects, language use in contemporary society, Italian as an immigrant language. May be repeated for credit provided the topic is different.

ITAL 346. Studies in Medieval Literature II: Poetry. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one course from Italian 223 through 235 or permission of department. Focuses on specific works and poetics of medieval Italian poetry represented by Petrarch and other early poets. May be repeated for credit provided topics and selections are different.

ITAL 347. Studies in Medieval Literature III: Prose. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one course from Italian 223 through 235 or permission of department. Studies specific works and narrative techniques in Italian prose represented by Boccaccio and the Italian novella. May be repeated for credit provided topics and selections are different.

ITAL 355. Studies in Renaissance Literature I: Theatre. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one course from Italian 223 through 235 or permission of department. Study of selected dramatic texts from the Sacra Rappresentazione through Aretino and Monteverdi to Alfieri. May be repeated for credit provided topics and selections are different.

ITAL 356. Studies in Renaissance Literature II: Poetry. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one course from Italian 223 through 235 or permission of department. Focuses on specific works and poetics of Renaissance Italian poetry represented by Lorenzo de Medici, Boiardo, Ariosto, Tasso, Marino, and others. May be repeated for credit provided topics and selections are different.

ITAL 357. Studies in Renaissance Literature III: Prose. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one course from Italian 223 through 235 or permission of department. Studies specific prose works and narrative techniques of authors such as Alberti, Valla, Poliziano, Machiavelli, Guicciardini, and Castiglione. May be repeated for credit provided topics and selections are different.

ITAL 361. Studies in Modern Literature I: Theatre. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one course from Italian 223 through 235 or permission of department. Study of selected dramatic texts from such authors as Manzoni, Boito, Pirandello, and Fo. May be repeated for credit provided topics and selections are different.

ITAL 362. Studies in Modern Literature II: Poetry. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one course from Italian 223 through 235 or permission of department. Focuses on specific works or problems in poetic of modern Italian poetry represented by 19th- and 20th-century poets from Foscoloand Leopardi to Montale, Ungaretti, and others. May be repeated for credit provided topics and selections are different.

ITAL 364. Studies in Modern Literature III: Prose. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one course from Italian 223 through 235 or permission of department. Studies specific works and narrative techniques of authors such as Foscolo, Verga, Svevo, Pirandello, Moravia, and Eco. May be repeated for credit provided topics and selections are different.

ITAL 381. Seminar. 381.2, 2 hr.; 2 cr.; 381.3, 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Upper junior or senior standing, an average of B in elective courses in Italian, and permission of department. Designed especially to give qualified students experience in scholarly investigation. Fields chosen for in-depth study may be in literature, civilization, linguistics, or interdisciplinary areas including film, visual arts, music, etc. May be repeated for credit provided the topic is different.