Italian Studies
Italian Studies is an interdisciplinary program in the language, literature, history, theatre, music, and art of Italy. Italian Studies coordinates the resources of the Departments of History, Linguistics, Literature, Music, Political Science, Theatre and Dance, and Visual Arts, and offers students the opportunity to design a major, leading to a B.A., around the course offerings of these seven departments. Students in Italian Studies are encouraged to meet with the Study Abroad Office in order to take advantage of opportunities to study in Italy through the University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) and the Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP). Study Abroad credits may be petitioned for credit and transferred back to UC San Diego: Instructions on How to Petition Courses.
UC San Diego undergraduate students: Please use the Virtual Advising Center (VAC) for all advising questions. Use the "Meet with Advisor" page to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor.
For all others, or undergraduate students who need to submit petitions: caesar@ucsd.edu
People
Program Director
Karola Obermüller
Professor, Music
Academic Advising
UC San Diego undergraduate students: Please use the Virtual Advising Center (VAC) for all advising questions. Use the "Meet with Advisor" page to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor.
Faculty
Amanda Batarseh
Literature
Frank Biess
History
Cristina Della Coletta
Literature
Adriana de Marchi Gherini
Literature
Amelia Glaser
Literature
Pamela Radcliff
History
Ulrike Strasser
History
William Tronzo
Visual Arts
Major
Italian Studies Major
Course offerings are limited, and the major is unavailable to declare from Spring 2025 through the end of Spring 2028. A minor is recommended at this time.
A major in Italian Studies consists of a choice of twelve upper-division courses (forty-eight units) in literature, history, music, political science, theatre, and visual arts approved for the program and listed below. At least three areas must be represented in the student’s program of study.
On the UC San Diego campus, courses numbered 001-099 are lower-division (LD) and 100-199 are upper-division (UD). Transfer coursework may have different numbering, and students may check the level of courses in their Academic History in the Triton Student System (TSS).
Language Proficiency: For all upper-division work in Italian Literature (LTIT), students must complete LTIT-02A, LTIT-02B, and LTIT-050, or demonstrate the equivalent with transfer credit or by proficiency exam.
The particular courses making up each student’s major will be selected in consultation with the Program Advisor. Courses in other areas of Italian Studies taken abroad or on our campus may also apply by petition. Eligible P/NP courses are approved by petition.
Resources:
Minor
Italian Studies Minor
A minor in Italian Studies consists of completing 7 courses (28 units) that focus on Italy with a European context from two different departments. At least 5 of the courses must be upper-division. The minor code is ITAL-MN-001.
On the UC San Diego campus, courses numbered 001-099 are lower-division (LD) and 100-199 are upper-division (UD). Transfer coursework may have different numbering, and students may check the level of courses in their Academic History in the Triton Student System (TSS).
Resources:
Course Offerings
Course Offerings
Refer to the official UC San Diego General Catalog for a complete list of approved courses that will count toward a major or minor in Italian Studies.
Course offerings are constantly changing. Please refer to the Schedule of Classes for the most up-to-date listing.
(*) Indicates course may be petitioned for credit. Instructions on How to Petition Courses.
Summer Session I 2026
- HIEU 147. Europe and the World I, 1808–1918
Summer Session II 2026
- HIEU 148. Europe and the World II, 1918–Present
- TDHT 104. Italian Comedy
Other Course Resources
Events
Please find information about upcoming events and how to subscribe to the Institute of Arts and Humanities newsletter on the Events webpage.
Study Abroad
For study abroad inquiries, visit the Study Abroad office.
Italian Studies students may be especially interested in the Collegio Ghislieri Global Exchange Program. UC San Diego students have the opportunity to spend one semester or a full academic year at Collegio Ghislieri, a historical, elite academic institution in Italy, among the best Italian and international undergraduate students, with fully covered food and lodging expenses. A selected number of students will have their additional costs and airfare covered as well, thanks to a generous gift funding the “Dr. Renato Dulbecco Italy Study Abroad Endowed Scholarship.”
The Dr. Renato Dulbecco Italy Study Abroad Endowed Scholarship provides recipients with money for airfare, living expenses and travel while abroad. Though all students who participate in this exchange are eligible for this scholarship, Preuss students and Arts and Humanities majors and minors (which includes the Italian Studies program) will be given priority.
Once you return, if you would like to apply your study abroad courses to your Italian Studies major/minor requirements, submit a petition: Instructions on How to Petition Courses
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Please see below for responses to commonly asked questions.
UC San Diego undergraduate students: Please use the Virtual Advising Center (VAC) for all advising questions. Use the "Meet with Advisor" page to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor.
How many lower-division courses do I need to take?
Lower-division courses or their equivalents are prerequisites, but they do not count towards the Italian Studies major.
The Italian Studies major requires 12 upper-division courses.
The Italian Studies minor requires at least 5 upper-division courses.
I found a UC San Diego course I want to use for my major/minor in Italian Studies. Can I take it?
You will need to petition the course to see if it will apply toward your Italian Studies major or minor.
Instructions on How to Petition Courses