Requirements

Language Placement Exam

You must follow the language placement procedures if: 1) you have already studied a language that you wish to continue at Holy Cross, or 2) you have any knowledge of the language through family or community.

Learn more on the World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures website.

Major

Department Advanced Placement Policy

Students with AP credit in Italian language or literature earn placement in the curriculum but not progress toward the minimum number of courses required by the major. Students who take a course that duplicates the AP award in Italian will forfeit the AP credit. Students with AP credit in Italian literature will not be permitted to enroll in a course below the 300 level.

Requirements

The major consists of a minimum of 10 courses in Italian language, literature and culture beyond the elementary level and includes the following courses:

Required Italian Courses:

ITAL 201
& ITAL 202

Intermediate Italian 1
and Intermediate Italian 2

ITAL 301

Italian Comp & Conv

ITAL 260

Dante

One Medieval or Renaissance literature course:

ITAL 325

Boccaccio's Decameron

 ITAL 411

Italian Renaissance Literature

One course in 19th and/or 20th Century literature:

ITAL 323

Intro to Contemporary Italy

ITAL 420

Twentieth Century Novel & World War 2

ITAL 457

19th Century Novel

Up to two courses taught in English:

HIST 267

Modern Italy

Four Italian electives from the lists above or comparable courses.

The remainder of the courses taken to fulfill the major requirements may include any combination of the other courses offered by the Italian section such as literature, cinema, Special Topics, and tutorials (taken either during the third or fourth year of study). Students may also take a maximum of two courses in English. These courses may include Italian courses taught in translation or approved courses in related departments such as History, Music and Visual Arts.

Students who choose to major in Italian are strongly encouraged to study in Italy. Of the courses taken in Florence or Bologna, four courses may be applied to the major. Certain courses taken abroad may be accepted as the equivalent of the specific requirements listed above or as elective courses. Those students who spend their third year in Italy are strongly encouraged to declare the major before studying abroad.

All students who major in Italian are required to take two courses in their fourth year. Students may not take courses in English in their fourth year without the consent of their major advisor.

Minor

Department Advanced Placement Policy

Students with AP credit in Italian language or literature earn placement in the curriculum but not progress toward the minimum number of courses required by the minor. Students who take a course that duplicates the AP award in Italian will forfeit the AP credit. Students with AP credit in Italian literature will not be permitted to enroll in a course below the 300 level.

Requirements

The minor consists of a minimum of 6 courses in Italian language, literature and culture beyond the elementary level and includes the following courses:

 

Required courses:

ITAL 201
& ITAL 202

Intermediate Italian 1
and Intermediate Italian 2

ITAL 301

Italian Comp & Conv

Three Italian elective courses:

ITAL 260

Dante

ITAL 325

Boccaccio's Decameron

ITAL 411

Italian Renaissance Literature

ITAL 323

Intro to Contemporary Italy

ITAL 420

Twentieth Century Novel & World War 2

ITAL 457

19th Century Novel

One elective may be taught in English:

HIST 267

Modern Italy

The remainder of the courses taken to fulfill the minor requirements may include any combination of the other courses offered by the Italian section such as literature, cinema, Special Topics, and tutorials (taken either during the third or fourth year of study). Students may take a maximum of one course in English: an Italian course taught in translation or an approved course in related departments such as History, Music and Visual Arts.

Students who choose to minor in Italian are strongly encouraged to study in Italy. Of the courses taken in Florence or Bologna, two courses may be applied to the minor. Certain courses taken abroad may be accepted as the equivalent of the specific requirements listed above or as elective courses. Students who spend their third year in Italy are strongly encouraged to declare the minor before studying abroad.

All students who minor in Italian are required to take one course in their fourth year. Students may not take a course in English in their fourth year without the consent of the Italian Coordinator.