Skip to main content
Institute of Arts and Humanities IAH
  1. HOME
  2. Academic Programs
  3. Italian Studies

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. 

People

Program Co-Directors

Frank Biess
Professor, History 

Ulrike Strasser
Professor, History 

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

Cristina Della Coletta
Literature

Adriana de Marchi Gherini
Literature

Amelia Glaser
Literature

Pamela Radcliff
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

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 2024

  • LTIT 2A. Intermediate Italian
  • *MUS 113. Topics in Classic, Romantic, and Modern Music
  • POLI 110A. Citizens and Saints: Political Thought from Plato to Augustine
  • VIS 122B. Baroque: Painters, Sculptors, Architects

Winter 2025

  • HIEU 147. Europe and the World I, 1808–1918
  • LTEU 105. Medieval Studies: Dante's Inferno
  • LTIT 2B. Intermediate Italian II
  • *VIS 114B. The Fragment: Uses and Theories

Spring 2025

  • HIEU 148. Europe and the World II, 1918–Present
  • HIEU 183. Social History and Anthropology of the Mediterranean
  • LIIT 1C/1CX. Italian Conversation/Analysis of Italian
  • LTEU 140. Italian Literature in Translation
  • LTIT 50. Advanced Italian
  • *VIS 121AN. Art and Experience in the Middle Ages
  • *VIS 128A. Topics in Premodern Art History: “Clash of Gods”: Late Antique Art and Architecture

Summer Session I 2025 

  • HIEU 147. Europe and the World I, 1808–1918

Summer Session II 2025

  • HIEU 148. Europe and the World II, 1918–Present
  • POLI 110B. Sovereigns, Subjects, and the Modern State: Political Thought from Machiavelli to Rousseau

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. 

Instructions on How to Petition Courses