Italian Studies

Italian Studies is an interdisciplinary major that focuses on the study of Italy from a multifaceted perspective: literary, cultural, historical, artistic, philosophical and political.

Requirements

• Italian 101, 102, 201, 202, 301, 302 or pre-approved equivalents;
• two advanced Level language courses (Italian 470 topics classes or equivalents);
• one Italian Studies survey course (Italian 170, 171, or 270R—taught on location during the Italy Summer Program);
• three pre-approved courses (in Italian or English) offered at Emory University or abroad where the main focus of the course is Italian culture, literature, art, architecture, etc.

Italian Studies includes courses whose primary objective is to acquaint students with Italy, not only as a vital contributor to world intellectual and cultural history, but also with Italy's role and reality in today's world. The Italian Studies major is composed of ten classes. Six of these courses are required in Italian and follow the natural sequence of language to literature. They are 201, 202, 301, 302, and two fourth-year classes, usually 300 and 470. Students are highly encouraged to enroll in one Italian studies survey course, either 170 or 171 (number may vary), or the 270R course, taught on location during the Italy Summer Program. Three courses or more may be chosen from the following departments: Italian, Art History, Classical Studies, History, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, and Religion. Other appropriate courses may be found in the Course Atlas and submitted to Program Director for approval. Participation in the summer or semester programs in Italy is highly recommended, especially for majors. 

Admission

ITAL 101 and ITAL 102 or approval of the Program Director

Requirements

Students may minor in Italian language or Italian studies. A minor in Italian requires six classes taught in Italian (usually ITAL 101/102, ITAL 201/202, and ITAL 301/302). A minor in Italian Studies typically involves four courses taught in Italian (ITAL 101/102 and ITAL 201/202) and two courses on Italian culture to be selected from the following departments: Italian, Art History, Classical Studies, History, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, or Religion. Other appropriate courses may be found in the Course Atlas and submitted to Program Director for approval. A minor in Italian Studies can be achieved through study in Italy during our semester or summer programs.

1. An increased focus on Italian language, requiring six courses conducted in language. The six courses typically are:
   1. Ital 101/102 pre-requisites
   2. Ital 201/202; plus
   3. Ital 301/302
2. A focus on Italian culture, requiring four courses conducted in language and the two culture courses may be taken in English. The four courses in Italian language typically are:
   1. Ital 101/102 pre-requisites
   2. Ital 201/202; plus
   3. two further courses must be taken on topics of Italian culture.

Participation in the Italian Studies summer program satisfies these two courses and is highly recommended.

Courses from various majors that typically offer classes related to Italy and Italian studies may be considered for this requirement. As the course offering of each department varies considerably from semester to semester, you must submit via email any course you believe satisfies these requirements to the attention of the Program Director for written approval prior to taking the course. Approval after the course has already been taken is rarely granted.

Information on the general College requirements for the Honors Program is located in the College catalog.

Eligibility

• The student must be a major in Italian Studies and must have completed their third-year courses by the end of their junior year.
• The student must have a cumulative average of 3.65. Exceptions to the 3.65 average requirements may be made by the Honors Committee in individual cases upon recommendation by the program faculty.
• As the major is in Italian Studies if appropriate the honors requirements must be conducted in collaboration with the student's other major department. Generally, the graduate methods course or seminar, which is highly encouraged, is conducted in the partner department.
• The student must obtain the approval of both the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Italian Studies and the faculty member from the partner department who will co-direct the Honors Thesis.

Requirements

(a) Two semesters of Honors Directed Studies

1. Italian 495A (Research)
2. Italian 495B (Writing)
   Both courses will count towards the major.

(b) Successful completion of the Honors Thesis

(c) Successful completion of an examination, written and/or oral, covering the honors work, including the thesis, will be given during the final semester of the Honor's program. The panel of three examiners is chosen in conjunction with the student's Honors advisors and shall include one examiner from outside the department.

Graduation with Honors (3.65 GPA minimum)

The degree of Honors (Honors, cum laude; High Honors magna cum laude; or Highest Honors, summa cum laude) will be decided by the examiners in accordance with College policy (see College catalog for details)

Other Honors

Sigma chapter of Phi Sigma Iota, the national Romance language honor society, was installed at Emory in 1930.