After the second year, students are trained to develop an oral and written command of the language. Literature and film studies cover areas of studies from Dante and the Renaissance to modern and contemporary periods.

All students with more than one year of high school Italian are required to take a placement examination (accessible on line via the “my slice” page), given immediately before registration each semester. The requirement applies to all students regardless of class standing or previous study.

Prospective majors should consult the Italian program coordinator as early as possible. Early consultation is particularly important for students with little or no preparation in Italian so they may be sure to satisfy prerequisites and requirements within four years.