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.
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 Co-Directors
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
Karola Obermüller
Music
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.
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 (28 units) that focus on Italy with a European context from two different departments. At least 5 of the courses must be upper division.
Resources:
Resources
UC San Diego Undergraduate Student 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 2025
- LIIT 1A/1AX. Italian Conversation/Analysis of Italian
- LTEU 140. Italian Literature in Translation: Ludovico Ariosto's Orlando Furioso, the Great-Grandfather of fantasy
- LTIT 2A. Intermediate Italian I
- LTWL 19A. Introduction to the Ancient Greeks and Romans
- 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 129A. Seminar in Art Criticism and Theory: Moving image, in the age before film
Winter 2026
- LIIT 1B/1BX. Italian Conversation/Analysis of Italian
- LTIT 2B. Intermediate Italian II
- LTWL 19B. Introduction to the Ancient Greeks and Romans
- POLI 110B. Sovereigns, Subjects, and the Modern State: Political Thought from Machiavelli to Rousseau
- VIS 114B: The Fragment
- VIS 122B. Baroque: Painters, Sculptors, Architects
Spring 2026
- LTEU 105. Medieval Studies: Giovanni Boccaccio's The Decameron: Friendship, Love, and Sex in the time of Plague
- LTIT 50. Advanced Italian
- *TDHT 101. Topics in Dramatic Literature and Theatre History: “Heroines of Ancient Greece” (only section taught by Beatrice Basso)
- VIS 121B. Church and Mosque: Medieval Art and Architecture between Christianity and Islam
- *VIS 261. Material Culture (graduate class; open to advanced undergraduate students with instructor and departmental consent)
Events
Please find information about upcoming events and how to subscribe to the Institute of Arts and Humanities newsletter on the Events webpage.
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.