Italian Studies
Degree: BA
Campus: Columbus
College: Arts and Sciences
The Italian Studies major is intended for students who are not necessarily interested in
advanced language proficiency, but who are interested in a comprehensive understanding of Italian literature, history, society and culture. In addition, the major focuses on the development of the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors of intercultural competence, which are essential for success in today's interconnected and diverse world. As many courses for this major overlap with those of other majors, the Italian studies major was designed to facilitate double majors.
Upon admission to the university, students can declare a major in Italian studies within the
College of Arts and Sciences. Interested students should contact the undergraduate advisor from the Department of French and Italian and the Arts and Sciences advisor for Italian.
The Italian studies major includes courses taught in both Italian and English from the
Department of French and Italian, and a selection of courses in architecture,
classics, English, history, history of art, medieval and renaissance studies, and music.
Prerequisite requirements include either Italian I through Italian III, hybrid offerings of the courses, or online versions. Alternatively, students with a knowledge of Latin or a Romance language may take Italian Intensive Italian.
The Italian studies major requires at least 30 hours, including Contemporary Italian Society, nine hours of courses taught in Italian, nine hours taught in English and nine hours of courses from outside the Department of French and Italian.
Students are required to take the World Languages Skills and Competencies Workshop one time during their undergraduate career. In this workshop, they learn how to communicate the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors of intercultural competence that they have developed to future employers.
Students should begin considering and planning for a study abroad program as soon as they have decided to major in Italian studies. Students can find specific information about various programs from the Italian study abroad advisor in the Department of French and Italian.
In the summer, those students interested in language courses can study in Lecce, located in the “heel” of the peninsula, and those seeking content courses in Italian are encouraged to study at the full-immersion service-learning program in Siena.
Students interested in taking course work in English while in Italy should consider taking courses at the Sant'Anna Institute in Sorrento. Students can also study in Lecce or in Siena during the academic year, and the Office of International Affairs can provide more information about other programs offered during the academic year. The Italian study abroad advisor in the Department of French and Italian can help students determine which course credits can transfer.
Students can apply for the 12-credit American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) internship in Rome. This semester-long program combines workplace learning with classroom-based studying. Students attend intensive language classes in Florence and Rome and are placed in different fields, including international embassies, cultural institutes, charitable associations and fashion companies.
Students can also apply for the Sant'Anna Internship program in Sorrento. Available as a five week summer session and during autumn and spring semesters, this program combines workplace learning with classroom-based studying. Placements are available in many fields, including architecture, business, communication, marketing, law, culinary arts, education, environmental studies, hospitality and tourism, music, social work and more.
Students in the Italian studies major are encouraged to do a thesis in order to graduate with research distinction. Students who meet the criteria for completing a final research project work closely with a faculty member specializing in their area of interest.
Learn more about research opportunities at frit.osu.edu.
Italian Club is an organization of students and faculty interested in Italian culture and traditions. Many activities are organized throughout the year, including conversation tables on campus, movies and dinners.
Since Italian studies students are encouraged to pursue a double major while at Ohio State, they graduate well-equipped to find work in a variety of industries. Generally speaking, students who pursue double majors earn more than and outperform their peers over the course of their careers.
The development of intercultural competences prepares all graduates from the Italian Studies major for the job market, as they have developed the skills deemed essential for working in the twenty-first century.
Students can explore career options by utilizing Career Connection as well as the Arts and Sciences Career Services Office. Career Connection focuses on helping students
establish a career direction, while the Arts and Sciences Career Services Office assists
students with finding internships-experiences that are essential to testing out the
suitability of career fields they are considering.
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The Italian studies major is uniquely suitable for students interested in pursuing a double major. The program lends itself particularly well to being combined with history, history of art, international studies, international business and classics. Students can find sample degree programs combing Italian studies with these areas on the Department of French and Italian website.