Italian
Discover Italian language and culture
As an Italian major, you will study the language, literature and culture of the Italian-speaking world. You will learn how the Italian influence extends throughout the world in art, music, literature, fashion and cuisine.
Chicago is home to vibrant Italian and Italian-American communities, providing you with opportunities to visit the Little Italy neighborhood, dine at Italian restaurants and attend Italian cultural events, all while developing proficiency in Italian language.
Take advantage of DePaul’s study abroad program at Italiaidea in Rome or at Università Cattolica in Milan. Short-term study abroad programs are also available in Milan, Bologna, Parma and Modena titled “Italy: Food and Fashion.”
We also offer the 3+3 BA/JD program, which allows high-achieving first-year undergraduate students to be admitted simultaneously to the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (LAS) and the College of Law (LAW). You’ll complete your first three years in LAS and your final three years in LAW.
Classes
Coursework
- Origins of Italian Literature: The Middle Ages
- Masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance
- 20th Century Writers and Culture
- The Italian Novel
- Translation
- Italian for Business
- Italian Language in the Society of Communication
- Eat Italy: the History, Culture and Politics of Italian Food
Resources
Concentrations/Tracks
- Commercial Italian
- Italian Language and Literature
- Italian Studies
Career Options
Common Career Areas
- Public policy
- International business
- Translation services
- Governmental work
- Education
- Immigration work
- Social services
- Law
- Human rights
81%
of Modern Languages graduates were employed, continuing their education or not seeking employment after graduation.
Major Requirements
Majors in Italian must complete a total of 12 courses (48 quarter hours), comprised of an 8-course core at the Intermediate and Advanced levels and a 4-course concentration in "Italian Studies," "Italian Language and Literature," or "Commercial Italian."
Core Courses (32 quarter hours)
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ITA 105 | INTERMEDIATE ITALIAN II | 4 |
| ITA 106 | INTERMEDIATE ITALIAN III | 4 |
| Select six 300-level ITA courses * | 24 | |
300-level courses will vary based on quarterly offerings.
300-Level Italian Course Listings*
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ORIGINS OF ITALIAN LITERATURE: THE MIDDLE AGES | ||
| MASTERPIECES OF THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE | ||
| LITERATURE AND SCIENCE IN ITALY: 1600-1800 | ||
| ITALIAN CIVILIZATION I: THE MIDDLE AGES AND RENAISSANCE | ||
| TOWARDS UNIFICATION: ROMANTICS, REVOLUTIONARIES, AND REALISTS | ||
| FUTURISM AND BEYOND: TWENTIETH CENTURY WRITERS AND CULTURE | ||
| DANTE'S INFERNO: THE WORLD OF THE CONDEMNED | ||
| DANTE'S PURGATORY AND PARADISE: THE REALM OF SALVATION | ||
| THE ITALIAN NOVEL | ||
| PETRARCA AND BOCCACCIO | ||
| ITALIAN POETRY | ||
| ITALIAN DRAMA | ||
| ITALIAN WOMEN WRITERS | ||
| CONTEMPORARY MULTICULTURAL WRITERS IN ITALIAN | ||
| CILS EXAMINATION PREPARATION COURSE | ||
| ITALIAN FOR BUSINESS | ||
| TRANSLATION | ||
| ITALIAN CINEMA | ||
| ITALIAN CIVILIZATION II: EARLY MODERN ITALY | ||
| ITALIAN CIVILIZATION III: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ITALY | ||
| HISTORY OF THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE | ||
| ITALIAN LANGUAGE IN THE SOCIETY OF COMMUNICATION | ||
| ITALIAN PHONOLOGY AND PHONETICS | ||
| FOREIGN LANGUAGES ACROSS THE CURRICULUM | ||
| SPECIAL TOPICS IN ITALIAN | ||
| STUDY ABROAD |
Additional Domain Course Listings
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ITA 260E | EAT ITALY: THE HISTORY, CULTURE AND POLITICS OF ITALIAN FOOD | 4 |
| ITA 262E | STYLE MATTERS: ITALIAN FASHION THROUGH LITERATURE | 4 |
Open Electives
Open elective credit also is required to meet the minimum graduation requirement of 192 hours. Majors in Italian should select these courses in consultation with the Italian Program Director and Modern Languages Staff Advisor. Students can use their open electives to pursue a double major or one or more minors.
