About Italian
The Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics offers a major and minor in Italian language and literature, as well as a major with a concentration in business. Through the Winthrop-King Bequest, the program is also able to offer outstanding undergraduates the opportunity to study in Italy in the summer.
Students can also pursue an M.A. in Italian studies, which consists of an interdisciplinary program with a vast range of core courses in Italian correlated with graduate courses from related areas of interest.
The Italian undergraduate major provides students with a solid and dynamic language learning experience by fostering an engaging and fun learning environment. The language courses offered range from basic Italian to advanced conversation and composition. Courses taught in English and Italian cover all time periods and focus on a variety of topics relevant to today's life. Students will learn about Dante’s Divine Comedy, the Renaissance, Italian American heritage, Fascism, Italian food, Italian cinema, and the Made in Italy brand. Romance Philology courses helps students connect their language learning experience to the study of linguistics.
Major in Italian
[EFFECTIVE FALL 2025]
30 semester hours numbered above 2220 are required including ITA 2240, 3420, ITA 3421, at least one 3000-level literature course in Italian (ITW 3100, ITW 3101) and a minimum of twelve semester hours at the 4000-level. A maximum of six semester hours from among the following courses may count toward the thirty-semester-hour requirement: ITT 3114, ITT 3430, ITT 3500, ITT 3501, ITT 3520, ITT 3523r. A minor is required.
(30 hours total)
Core Requirements (6 hours)
- LIN 2004 World Languages
- FOW 2100 Literature and the World
Italian Major Requirements (24 hours)
Required Courses (9 hours):
- ITA2240 Conversation
- ITA3420 Grammar and Composition I
- ITA3421 Grammar and Composition II
Elective Coursework (15 hours):
Students will complete 15 credit hours at the upper-division in electives. A minimum of 9 credit hours must be at the 4000-level. No more than 6 credit hours of translation courses taught in English will count towards the Italian major.
Honors in the Major
Students are encouraged to graduate with honors where possible. Requirements include a 3.2 grade point average for entrance into the program, completion of 6 hours of honors research, and the writing of an honors thesis.
Co-Major in Another Foreign Language
21 semester hours in Italian courses numbered above 1999, selected in consultation with the Italian advisor, plus 21 semester hours above the 1999 level in one of the following divisions: Chinese, French, German, Linguistics, Russian or Spanish. The student should consult with the adviser of the second language to select appropriate courses. One second year course must be used to satisfy the college or university language requirement. A co-major in Italian will not require a minor.
Major in Italian with Business Concentration
A major in Italian with a concentration in business may be selected. The program consists of 21 semester hours beyond the Arts and Sciences language requirement, plus 27 hours of designated courses in the College of Business. The student should consult with an advisor to select courses. No minor is required.
Business Core Courses
- ECO 2013 - Economics of the National Economy (Prerequisite - none)
- ECO 2023 - Economics of the Price System (Prerequisite - none)
- ACG 2021 - Introduction to Financial Accounting (Prerequisite - none)
- ACG 2071 - Introduction of Managerial Accounting (Prerequisites - ACG 2021 with grade of C- or more)
- MAN 3600 - Multinational Business Operations (Prerequisites ECO 2013, ECO 2023)
- Plus one of the 3 following specialized tracks:
Finance
- FIN 3403 Financial Management of the Firm (Prerequisites - ECO 2023, ACG 2021)
- FIN 3244 Financial Markets, Institutions, and International Finance (Prerequisites - ECO 2013, ACG 2021)
- FIN 4604 Multinational Finance Management (Prerequisites - FIN 3403, FIN 3244)
- Plus one of the following (3 cr): MAN 4605, or MAN 4631, or an advanced Finance course (3000-4000 level)
Marketing
- MAR 3023 Basic Marketing Concepts (Prerequisites - ECO 2023, one behavioral science)
- MAR 4156 Multinational Marketing (Prerequisites - MAR 3023, MAN 3600)
- Plus two of the following (6 cr): MAN 4605, or MAN 4631, or an advanced marketing course (3000-4000 level)
Management
- MAN 3240 Organizational Behaviors
- MAN 4605 Cross-Cultural Management (Prerequisite - MAN 3240)
- Plus two additional advanced Management courses (3000-4000 level)
Total business component: 27 semester hours
Minor in Italian
12 semester hours in courses numbered above 1999. Credit extended in meeting the foreign language requirement for graduation may not be used in satisfying the minor.
ITA 1120. Elementary Italian I (4). This introductory course gives the student basic grammatical structures to enable speaking, understanding, reading, and writing at the elementary level. May not be taken by native speakers. May not be taken concurrently with ITA 1121, and/or ITA 2220.
ITA 1121. Elementary Italian II (4). Prerequisite: ITA 1120 or equivalent. This course builds upon the student’s ability to speak, understand, read, and write Italian at an elementary level. May not be taken by native speakers. May not be taken concurrently with ITA, 1120 and/or ITA 2220.
ITA 2220. Reading and Conversation (4). Prerequisite: ITA 1121 or equivalent. This course stresses skills in reading and conversational Italian at the second-year level. Readings are supported by discussions of the materials. This course completes the baccalaureate degree requirement. May not be taken concurrently with ITA 1120, and/or ITA 1121. May not be taken by native speakers.
ITA 2225. Italian for Careers (3). Prerequisite: ITA 1121 or equivalent. This course is an intermediate-level Italian language course that provides students with the opportunity to improve their Italian communication skills within the realm of Italian business. This course can be taken instead of ITA2220 to satisfy the language requirement. If taken in addition to ITA2220, it can count towards the minor in Italian.
ITA 2240. Conversation (3). Prerequisite: ITA 2220 or ITA 2225. This course stresses development of conversational skills at the third-year level. May not be taken by native speakers.
ITA 3420. Grammar and Composition (3). Prerequisite: ITA 2220. This course presents a review and further study of grammar and idiomatic constructions through composition practice.
ITA 3421. Grammar and Composition (3). Prerequisite: ITA 3420. This course is a continuation of ITA 3420 with greater stress on writing skills.
ITA 3440. Business Italian (3). Prerequisite: ITA 2220 or equivalent. This course introduces current Italian business formats and provides practice in commercial correspondence with its specialized vocabulary and syntax.
ITA 4410. Advanced Italian Conversation (3). Prerequisite: ITA 2240. This course is designed to develop fluency in conversation skills at the fourth-year level by means of extensive vocabulary building and practice. It satisfies the FSU Oral Communication Competency requirement.
ITA 4450. Advanced Italian Composition and Style (3). Prerequisite: ITA 3421 or equivalent language competency as determined by the instructor. This course stresses the morphological and syntactical order of Italian by means of extensive drill in controlled and free composition.
ITA 4500. Italian Culture and Civilization (3). Prerequisite: ITA 3100 and/or ITA 3101, or equivalent. This course provides a cultural and historical perspective to aspects of Italian society.
ITA 4905r. Directed Individual Study (3). For this course, students arrange with individual faculty members to undertake specialized study in areas outside of or in addition to the regular curriculum. May be repeated to a maximum of six semester hours.
ITA 4930r. Special Topics (3). Prerequisite: Divisional coordinator permission. This course allows students to study literary topics of a special kind, depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated to a maximum of nine semester hours.
ITA 4935r. Honors Thesis (1–6). This course may be repeated to a maximum of nine semester hours, three hours of which may be applied to the requirements for the major with permission of the department. All honors work is directed by the students’ honors committee. May be repeated to a maximum of nine semester hours.
ITA 4942r. Internship in Applied Italian (1–6). (S/U grade only.) Prerequisite: Advanced standing in Italian. This course provides academic credit for students working in governmental agencies or private business where students employ the foreign language. Departmental permission required. May be repeated to a maximum of six semester hours.
ITALIAN LITERATURE AND CULTURE IN TRANSLATION
ITT 3114. Dante’s Inferno (3). This course offers an in-depth study of Dante’s Inferno and its cultural and intellectual context with a focus on the ethical dimension of the poem. It is offered in English.
ITT 3430. Masterpieces of Italian Literature and Culture in Translation (3). After a general overview of Italian history and culture, this course introduces students to a sample of novels, plays, paintings and movies that present key aspects of Italian culture and its achievements. Taught in English.
ITT 3500. Italian Culture and Civilization: From Origins to the Age of Romanticism (3). This course is an introduction to artistic, intellectual, social, and political trends in Italy from pre-Roman time to the Age of Romanticism with specific reference to Medieval and Renaissance Italy as a center of culture in Europe. Offered in English.
ITT 3501. Modern Italian Culture: From the Unification to the Present (3). This course is an introduction to the cultural developments and sociopolitical changes in modern Italy from the Risorgimento to the formation of a nation. Students examine Fascism’s influence on the national culture, as well as consider the contemporary impact of immigration on diversity. Offered in English.
ITT 3520. The Italian-American Experience in Literature and Film (3). This course examines the literary and cinematic contributions that Italian Americans have made during the past century. The course is designed to assist students in exploring ways in which Italian and American cultures have combined to form a distinctive ethnic culture.
ITT 3523. Italian Cinema (3). This course offers an introduction to Italian cinema: history, practices, and protagonists. Taught in English.
ITALIAN LITERATURE AND CULTURE (WRITINGS)
ITW 3100. Survey of Italian Literature: Origins through 18th-Century (3). Prerequisite: ITA 2240 or instructor’s permission. This course introduces key Italian literary figures, literary and visual texts, and cultural topics from the beginnings to the 18th century.
ITW 3101. Survey of Italian Literature: 19th- and 20th-Centuries (3). Prerequisite: ITA 2240 or instructor’s permission. This course introduces students to representative literary figures, visual texts, and cultural movements of the 19th and 20th centuries.
ITW 4400. Renaissance Literature (3). Prerequisites: ITW 3100 and/or ITW 3101, or equivalent. This course offers selected readings and discussions of the literature of the Italian Renaissance.
ITW 4440r. 18th- and 19th-Century Literature (3). Prerequisites: ITW 3100 and ITW 3101, or equivalent. This course offers readings and discussions of figures and cultural movements of the Enlightenment and Romantic period.
ITW 4480. 20th-Century Literature (3). Prerequisites: ITW 3100 and/or ITW 3101, or equivalent. This course offers readings and discussions of figures, texts, and movements of modern Italy.
ITW 4481. Readings in Contemporary Italian Prose (3). Prerequisites: ITW 3100 and/or ITW 3101, or equivalent. This course offers readings and discussions of works of contemporary Italian writers, filmmakers, and artists.
ITW 4504. Italiane, italiani! – Gender in Italian Culture (3). Prerequisite: ITW 3100 and/or ITW 3101. This class reflects on Italian culture by discussing texts, movies, and social events from the standpoint of gender. This course is conducted in Italian.
ITW 4700. The Trecento Writers (3). Prerequisites: ITW 3100 and/or ITW 3101, or equivalent. This course offers a study of the Trecento writers: Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio. Readings and discussions are available in both English and Italian.
IDS 2661. Made in Italy. Cultural Capital and Global Exchanges (3). This course surveys, from the standpoint of ethics, a wide array of “Made in Italy” topics, from discoveries and inventions, to design, fashion, and famous Italians’ impact on global civilization.
IDS 3330. The Culture Is in the Cuisine: The Food of Italy (3). This course explores the cultural history of Italian cuisine from its ancient roots to contemporary times. Students examine how culinary practices, and the culture of food are essential elements of “Italian” identity.
FSU operates a year-round foreign study residence program in Florence, Italy. Information on the FSU Florence Study Center is available from the Office of International Programs.
The Department of Modern Language and Linguistics has also established two exchange programs:
- one with Universita' di Pavia-Collegio Ghislieri, Pavia, Italy,
- one with Universita' per Stranieri di Perugia.
These international exchanges are currently available to two graduate or undergraduate students in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics and The College of Social Sciences and Public Policy.
For the exchange programs you are welcome to contact the program adviser, professor Silvia Valisa at svalisa@fsu.edu.
Gamma Kappa Alpha National Italian Honor Society
Prerequisites: you must be at least a junior with a minor or a major in Italian. You need a 3.5 GPA in Italian and a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Among its many activities promoting Italian studies on campus, the FSU chapter of GKA collaborates with our Italian Club to organize fundraisers, community outreach, parties and day trips. There is a $30 membership fee and induction into the society takes place in the spring. If you are interested, please fill in this application and send an email to the faculty adviser listed below.
The Gamma Kappa Alpha National Italian Honor Society is a society formed to acknowledge superior scholastic performance in the field of Italian language, literature and tradition, and is open to membership at institutions of higher learning in the United States and Canada.
The society encourages college students to acquire a greater interest in, and a deeper understanding of, Italian heritage, art and history. The organization recognizes outstanding undergraduate scholarship in the field of Italian by awarding annually the Gamma Kappa Alpha Award for Scholarship.
Prerequisites: you must be at least a junior or have a B.A. with a minor or a major in Italian. You need a 3.5 GPA in Italian and a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Faculty adviser: Elizabeth Coggeshall (ecoggeshall@fsu.edu)
La Societa' Italiana
The purpose of this organization is to bring people together under the common interest of Italy and Italian culture. The club will provide with its activities a place for people to bond with a common interest and to gain background knowledge in the customs of Italy through culture, film and activities. All are welcome.
Find us on Facebook: La Società Italiana di FSU
For the newest news and pics, check out our Instagram page.
La Società Italiana offers two bi-weekly opportunities on campus to meet other students of Italian and to practice the language:
Tavola Italiana, our regularly held Italian conversation table. All are welcome! Check our updates on Instagram to know more.
Andiamo al cinema: we also hold regular movie screenings for students (check with you TA or the officers below for the exact room/dates).
For more information, visit us on Facebook or Instagram, or contact our faculty adviser, professor Silvia Valisa (svalisa@fsu.edu).