The range of research interests has broadened beyond the confines of the traditional canon and can no longer be met solely within the traditional language/literature courses. It is a significant shift in perspective. The aim of the major/minor in Italian Studies is to develop a holistic view of Italian culture, history, and society through study and research ranging from the Middle Ages to present day. Alongside the works of the great Italian authors, Italian Studies at Bryn Mawr now explores more popular genres of literature as well as politics, gender and sexuality, philosophy, history, film, the visual arts, and popular culture in Italy.

Often students opt for a double major by combining Italian with work in other fields. Students majoring in areas such as music, International Studies, Comparative Literature, Art History, Cities, Classics, Anthropology, and Film Studies, in particular will find the Italian Studies program ideally suited to their interdisciplinary interests. After fulfilling basic units of language instruction, students will choose from a variety of interesting courses (in English and Italian) on the literature, art, culture, history, and cinema of Italy.