Italian Studies, B.A.

The program in Italian Studies offers an interdisciplinary major and minor through the Department of Classical and Modern Languages and Cultures. 

The program comprises a rich curriculum in language, culture, history, philosophy and theology, literature, and film.  An articulated sequence of courses in Italian leads to intermediate-level proficiency in the Italian language as well knowledge of its culture and literature. 

All students are strongly encouraged to study in Italy through one of the many JCU-sponsored programs such as JCU in Rome (a semester-long program in fall) or the spring break field trip in Italy (offered as part of an on-campus course). All John Carroll’s programs in Italy are sponsored by The Bishop Anthony M. Pilla Program in Italian American Studies.

Knowledge of Italian language and culture opens opportunities for students across the globe.  Italian is the official language of Italy, San Marino, Switzerland, and Vatican City. It is also the official language of some parts of Croatia and Slovenia, where public usage of Italian is permitted and protected by minority protection laws. There are more than three million people that speak Italian in the world, with the US leading with about 700,000 native speakers.

Knowledge of Italian is important for people in business, the arts, technology and many professions.  Italy is an industrially and economically advanced nation that exports to the U.S. as well as other countries. Over 3,200 Italian companies are present in the US, with over 40 based in Ohio.

Italians and the Italian language have made a distinctive contribution to art, architecture, cuisine, music, science, literature, film, and theater. According to UNESCO (the cultural and educational agency for the United Nations), over 60 percent of the entire world’s art treasures are found in Italy.  The study of Italian enhances students’ enjoyment and appreciation of these cultural areas.

A major in Italian Studies is easy to combine with any other major. Careers in several different fields have been grounded in an Italian studies major at JCU, including:

• Fashion

• International business

• Tourism

• Medical field

• Law school

• Accountancy

• Marketing

• Education

All IT courses are taught in Italian.

Program Learning Goals

Students will:

1. Communicate skillfully and effectively in Italian:

   • engage in effective interpersonal communication

   • engage in effective interpretive listening

   • engage in effective interpretive reading

   • engage in effective presentational speaking

   • engage in effective presentational writing

2. Demonstrate informed interpretations of features of the culture of the Italian-speaking world  (such as its art, literature, music, film, popular culture, tradition, and customs) in the context of its history, politics, religion, or geography.

3. Demonstrate emerging intercultural competence:

   • demonstrate an awareness of the interplay of personal identity and culture

   • interpret an event, cultural product, or issue from the perspective of a worldview outside their own

College of Arts and Sciences Professional Development Program

All majors in the Humanities and Social Sciences must complete a 0-credit, professional development course as one of their degree requirements. The course introduces students to resources and strategies for finding internships, articulating transferable skills, and preparing for employment or graduate/professional schools after graduation. Students typically complete this course in their sophomore year. The course provides a good foundation for further training.

Major Requirements

33 credit hours

Requirements

Professional Development Requirement (0 credit hours)

Subtotal: 15 credits

The remaining 18 credits consist of additional upper-level IT courses or approved electives from the following areas:

• Classical Studies (CL)

• History (HS)

• International Cultures (IC)

• Theology and Religious Studies (TRS)

Upper-level IT courses and approved electives:

Total: 33 credits