Studying Italian at DU will foster your ability to master more than one language and culture, an asset as a global citizen. In the Italian major, you’ll study the Italian language and its manifestations in history as well as cultural studies from the past to the present. Our faculty work closely with students to build an understanding of the relationship between language and culture.
Any language study requires immersion, and we offer study abroad options that support a variety of student interests. You can study language in Perugia, learn about business in Milan and Turin, or enhance your understanding of Italian art in Florence. You’ll finish the Italian degree with the necessary linguistic and cultural background to pursue prestigious fellowships or attend graduate school in Italian Studies. You’ll also gain a foundation of experience to achieve professional goals in the world of business, international relations and education.
The Italian program at DU offers:
Small, interactive classes that allow students ample opportunity to interact with our accomplished instructors
Opportunities to study in Italy
The Anna Maglione-Sie tuition scholarships and the Taglialavore scholarship for Italian majors
Multiple ways to tie your studies into key out-of-classroom experiences, such as visiting performers, films, internships and extracurricular activities
Access to the support and programs of DU’s Center for World Languages and Cultures
Independent study programs and collaboration with faculty members
Degree Requirements
- To major in Italian, students will need to complete 44 credits beyond ITAL 1003. Four of these 44 credits will be from ITAL 2500 or ITAL 3010. No fewer than eight of these 44 credits will be from 3000-level Italian topic courses.
- For distinction in the major you will need to complete a thesis, maintain a cumulative GPA and a major GPA of 3.5.
- For the secondary major you will need to complete 44 credit hours.
- For the minor you will need to complete 24 credit hours beyond ITAL 1003.
See the DU Undergraduate Bulletin for full course requirements.
Featured Courses
ITAL 2005
Reading and Conversation
About this Course
In Reading and Conversation, students learn the ease of expression in Italian through the intermediate-level reading of cultural and literary materials and through the study of vocabulary. Readings and contemporary issues are discussed in class.
ITAL 2201
20th-Century History and Culture
About this Course
This course provides a historical and cultural approach to 20th-century Italy. Students refine their critical thinking skills as well as substantially develop their argumentative skills. This course centers on selected authors, literary movements, genres and historical and contemporary cultural phenomena in Italy. Topics may include film, TV, poetry, short stories, fascism and the resistance movement, Italian women, etc. Each week a new decade is discussed in a historical context and supplemented with cultural artifacts that are either centered on the decade in question or produced during the period. This course is taught in English. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.
ITAL 3350
Italy Through Cinema
About this Course
This film course enhances students' knowledge of Italian culture, politics and the economy.
Immerse yourself in the language and culture of Italy.
Step into coursework and extracurriculars that will shape your knowledge of language and culture.
