Undergraduate Programs in Italian
Mission Statement
The Italian Program is strongly committed to the promotion of Italian language and culture in the state of Maryland, the nation and beyond. In our academic programs, we strive to provide outstanding and innovative instruction in Italian studies to prepare students to communicate effectively in spoken and written Italian, to gain and transmit knowledge of the cultural perspectives and artistic products of Italy and to be culturally sensitive members of today’s diverse society.
Advice to the Undergraduate Student of Italian
The language of Italy has long been known to be the language of culture. Italian is the language of art, music, and poetry. It is also the language of a wealthy, modern industrialized nation now playing an active role in a new United Europe.
It is the intent of the Italian Program to bring its students to a linguistic and cultural level of understanding so that they are able to participate actively in the on-going events, both cultural and technological, of this dynamic country.
Students interested in fulfilling the language requirements may take one of the two introductory sequences:
1: ITAL 103 – 203: Recommended for students with no prior knowledge of Italian
- 103 Intensive Elementary Italian (4 credits)
- 203 Intensive Intermediate Italian (4 credits)
2: ITAL 121 -122: Recommended for ITAL and ROML majors and for students with the knowledge of another foreign language
- 121 Accelerated Italian I ( 3 credits)
- 122 Accelerated Italian II ( 3 credits)
After mastering the elementary and intermediate levels, students will then want to round out their knowledge and develop greater facility. We recognize the need to develop a variety of skills through strong emphasis on one particular skill at a time. Individual skills are recognized in the following sequences which represent the basic core of our program. Courses in the target language have prerequisites and therefore must be taken in order of difficulty.
Writing sequence:
- ITAL 204 Review Grammar and Composition
- ITAL 207 Reading and Writing in Italian
- ITAL 301 Italian Composition
- ITAL 401 Advanced Composition and Style
Conversation sequence:
- ITAL 211 Intermediate Oral Communication
- ITAL 311 Advanced Oral Expression: Current Events
Italian Language Placement:
ITAL 103: 0-2 years of Italian. Level 1 or Level 2 high school Italian
ITAL 203: 3 years of Italian. Level 3 of high school Italian
ITAL 204: 4 yrs. of Italian. Level 4 of high school Italian
ITAL 207: AP Italian with score of 5 on AP Exam. Students with a score of 5 on AP Exam will earn credit for ITAL 204 and 211
Italian Prerequisites:
ITAL 103 (none)
ITAL 121 (Other FL)
ITAL 203 (ITAL 103 or equivalent)
ITAL 122 (ITAL 121 or equivalent)
ITAL 204 (ITAL 203 or 122) ITAL 207 (ITAL 204)
ITAL 211 (ITAL 203 or 122) ITAL 251, 261 (ITAL 204)
ITAL 301 (ITAL 207) ITAL 311 (ITAL 211)
ITAL 351 (ITAL 207 or 251) ITAL 352 (ITAL 207 or 251)
ITAL 361 (ITAL 207) ITAL 362 (ITAL 207)
ITAL 401 (ITAL 301) ITAL 4xx (ITAL 301)
B.A. in Italian Studies (ITAL) *Current revisions of ITAL major pending final approval
Requirements for Italian Major: 39 credits
Initial Prerequisites: Successful completion of Italian language through Intermediate Level (ITAL 203 or ITAL 122)
I. Major Core requirements (18 credits)
ITAL 204 - Review Grammar and Composition
ITAL 207 - Reading and Writing in Italian
ITAL 211 - Intermediate Oral Communication
ITAL 301 - Italian Composition&;
ITAL 311 - Advanced Oral Expression: Current Events;
ITAL 401 - Advanced Composition and Style
II. Additional requirements (9 credits)
a) One additional course at the 200 level in literature or culture. Choose one from the following:
ITAL 251 - Introduction to Italian Literature
ITAL 261 - Cuisine, Culture and Society in Italy Yesterday and Today
b) Two additional courses at the 300 level in literature or culture. Choose two from the following:
ITAL 351 - Survey of Italian Literature I: From the Middle Ages to the Renaissance
ITAL 352 - Survey of Italian Literature II: From the Renaissance to the Present
ITAL 361 - Italian Society and Culture: From Fascism to the 1970’s
ITAL 362 - Italian Society and Culture: From the 1970’s to the Present
III. Three courses at the 400 level (12 credits) with 1 credit* colloquium(ITAL 478x*)
Minor in Italian Language and Culture
Minors in the College of Arts and Humanities offer students in all disciplines the opportunity to pursue an in-depth, structured program of study in a field outside of their major. Minors allow participants to earn official recognition for their expertise and achievements, broadening their skills and interests and giving them an edge in today’s competitive job markets.
Requirements for the Minor 18 credits
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Italian through Intermediate Level (ITAL 203 or 122)
Course Requirements:
ITAL 204 - Review Grammar and Composition
ITAL 207 - Reading and Writing in Italian
*ITAL 211 - Intermediate Oral Communication
*ITAL 301 - Italian Composition
*ITAL 311 - Advanced Oral Expression: Current Events
One additional course at the 300/400 level
*With permission of the department, students may substitute specific content courses to Minor CORE requirements (ITAL 251, 261 for ITAL 211; ITAL 351, 352, 361, 362 for ITAL 301, 311)
A maximum of six (6) credits can be applied to the minor from courses taken at other institutions, with the exception of the UM Study Abroad Programs in Italy, which allow the transfer of nine (9) credits. All courses presented for the minor must be passed with a grade of C or better. Students who begin their study as native/fluent speakers should seek the advice of the Italian advisor before choosing the courses to fulfill the requirements for the minor.