Most students in our program begin with little to no Italian, and complete their degree able to understand, discuss, and write analytically about novels, poetry, film, and pressing issues of international significance in their original language.

Rutger’s undergraduate program prepares students for a globalized world by providing them cultural immersion and fluency in a language other than English, and solid training in the humanities through a focus on textual analysis, critical thinking and writing, and intercultural interpretation.

The Department of Italian offers two Major tracks: Italian and Italian Studies. Students who wish to attain fluency in Italian and pursue advanced coursework and research in literature, film, and culture in the Italian language choose the Italian Major. Students who wish to pursue a more interdisciplinary track—with coursework in English in the Departments of Art History, Classics, History, and Music—choose the Italian Studies Major. The Department also offers Minors in both tracks.