Minor in Italian Studies
A Minor in Italian Studies is a very flexible program that allows you to organize and design a curriculum that benefits your interests, be it in language, literature, cinema, art and culture at large. You can choose among a variety of existing courses in Italian language, art, history and film. If you have a personal interest in a specific subject related to Italy and Italian culture that is not covered in the regular courses offered, you can pursue it through a series of independent studies.
- Students will be able to engage in conversation, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.
- Students will be able to understand and interpret written and spoken language on a variety of topics.
- Students will be able to present information, concepts and ideas to an audience of listeners or readers on a variety of topics.
- Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the practices and perspectives of the cultures studied.
- Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products (artifacts) and perspectives of the cultures studied.
- Students will be able to reinforce and further their knowledge of other disciplines through the foreign language.
- Students will be able to acquire information and recognize the distinctive viewpoints that are only available through the foreign language and its cultures.
- Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of the nature of language through comparisons of the language studied and their own.
- Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the cultures studied and their own.
- Students will be able to use the language both within and beyond the school setting.
- Students will be able to show evidence of becoming life-long learners by using the language for personal enjoyment and enrichment.
The study of Italian language and culture is a keystone of any humanistic curriculum and of any well-rounded education. It holds both scholarly and practical applications. Students of Italian also gain a better understanding of English, in that 60 percent of English derives from Latin, as does Italian. Italy is one of the most industrialized countries and knowledge of Italian is advantageous in a broad range of careers, such as international business, journalism, politics and tourism.