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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 make an appointment 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.

Students interested in pursuing a major or minor in the Italian Studies should meet with the Program Coordinator to map out their coursework.

People

Program Directors

Frank Biess, Co-Director
Professor, History

Ulrike Strasser, Co-Director
Professor, History

Program Coordinator and Academic Advisor

Jennifer Dieli
Program Coordinator and Academic Advisor
Ridge Walk Academic Complex - Arts and Humanities Building, 6th Floor, Room 655

Current UC San Diego undergraduate students, please use the Virtual Advising Center (VAC) for all advising questions.

Faculty

Amanda Batarseh
Assistant Professor, Literature

Nancy Caciola
Professor, History

Cristina Della Coletta
Dean of Arts and Humanities
Chancellor's Associates Chair of Italian Literature

Adriana de Marchi Gherini
Lecturer, Literature

Amelia Glaser
Professor, Literature

Pamela Radcliff
Professor, History

William Tronzo
Teaching Professor, Visual Arts

 

Major

Italian Studies Major

A major in Italian Studies consists of a choice of twelve upper-division courses 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.

Language Proficiency: For all upper-division work in Italian Literature (LTIT), students must complete LTIT 2A, LTIT 2B, and LTIT 50, 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 that focus on Italy with a European context from two different departments. At least 5 of the courses must be upper division. Two of these courses can be replaced with Italian language courses.

Resources: 

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 German 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.

Fall 2023

  • LTIT 2A. Intermediate Italian I
  • LIIT 1A. Italian Conversation
  • LIIT 1AX. Analysis of Italian
  • LTEU 140. Italian Literature in Translation. Topic “The Betrothed”
  • POLI 110A. Citizens and Saints: Political Thought from Plato to Augustine
  • *VIS 121C. Art and the Bible in the Middle Ages: Sign and Design
  • *VIS 122B. Baroque: Painters, Sculptors, Architects

Winter 2024

  • LIIT 1B. Italian Conversation
  • LIIT 1BX. Analysis of Italian
  • LTIT 2B. Intermediate Italian
  • *LTEU 100. Introduction to Italian Literature
  • *VIS 121AN. Art and Experience in the Middle Ages 

Spring 2024

  • LIIT 1C. Italian Conversation
  • LIIT 1CX. Analysis of Italian
  • LTIT 50. Advanced Italian
  • *VIS 121B. Church and Mosque: Medieval Art and Architecture between Christianity and Islam
  • VIS 128A. Topics in Premodern Art History. Topic:" Clash of the Gods:

Events

Past Events

2021-2022

November 12, 2021
Black Lives Matter in Italy and the Legacy of Colonialism: A Talk with Filmmaker-Activist Fred Kudjo Kuwornu (YouTube Link)

2018-2019

May 9, 2019
Literature and Molecules: Remembering Primo Levi on the 100th Anniversary of His Birth with Professor Andrew Viterbi, Professor Massimo Piattelli-Palmarini, Professor Brian Keating, Dr. Luca Legnani, and Dean Cristina Della Coletta.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Please see below for responses to commonly asked questions. If you have further questions, please contact the Italian Studies program through the Virtual Advising Center (VAC).

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