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Italian at William & Mary

Minor in Italian Language, Literature and Culture

A minor in Italian Language, Literature and Culture requires 21 credit hours beyond 202, no more than six credits of which may be in translation. No course for the minor may be taken Pass/Fail. Transfer credits will be reviewed by the department chair.

Interdisciplinary Minor in Italian Studies

The Interdisciplinary Minor in Italian Studies requires a minimum of 18 credit hours. A total of 12 credits from the Italian language section must include Italian 301 or 302, plus nine additional credits from Italian 206, 150, 150W, 300, 301, 302, 303, 305, 306, 307, 309, 310, 312, 314, 316, 411. The remaining six credits must include courses from at least two other departments or programs in cognate fields and any substitution must be approved by the Italian faculty member in consultation with the coordinator.

Art History 360, 363, 464, 467, 471, 490-01, 490-03

Economics 342

Government 311

History 311, 312, 313, 317, 318

Interdisciplinary Studies, consult Italian Coordinator

International Studies, consult Italian Coordinator

Literary and Cultural Studies, consult Italian Coordinator

Medieval and Renaissance Studies, consult Italian Coordinator

Music 213, 365, 381, 385

Religion 340

Some of the courses listed above may have prerequisites.  Students are advised to consult with their respective academic advisors to resolve such matters.

Italian Courses 

For information on courses offered this semester, contact the department at (757) 221-3635.

101.            Elementary Italian I.

Fall (4) Staff. Corequisite: ITAL101D.

Training in grammar, pronunciation, aural-oral skills, reading and writing. The work includes intensive practice in speaking and understanding. Three hours in the Master Class, two hours in the drill class and two sessions in the language laboratory.

102.            Elementary Italian II.

Spring (4) Staff. Prerequisite: ITAL101. Corequisite: ITAL102D.

Training in grammar, pronunciation, aural-oral skills, reading and writing. The work includes intensive practice in speaking and understanding. Three hours in the Master Class, two hours in the drill class and two sessions in the language laboratory.

150W. Freshman Seminar.

Fall or Spring (4) Ferrari.

Seminar focuses on specific Italian Literary and/or Cultural Studies topics and issues which may vary from semester to semester.  Topic and issue will be indicated in the schedule of classes.  The course may be repeated for credit if topic and issue vary.
Knowledge of Italian is not required. Course is taught in English.

200.            Italian Studies in the Florence Summer Program: Language and Literature.

Staff. Prerequisite: Acceptance by Selection Committee.

This number is intended for courses completed in Italy.

Course may be repeated for credit.

201.            Intermediate Italian I.

Fall (3) Staff. Prerequisites: ITAL 101, ITAL 102. Or placement by SAT II Test score or consent of instructor.

A review of basic Italian grammar through development of writing, speaking, comprehension and reading skills. Three class hours and two lab sessions.

202.            Intermediate Italian II.

Spring (3) Staff. Prerequisite: ITAL 201 or placement by SAT II Test score or consent of instructor.

A review of basic Italian grammar through development of writing, speaking and comprehension skills, with additional emphasis on cultural and literary selections. Three class hours and two lab sessions.

206.            Upper-Intermediate Conversation and Composition.

Fall (3) Staff. Prerequisite: ITAL 201 or ITAL 202 or the equivalent or consent of instructor.

A course beyond the College’s foreign language requirement proficiency level stressing the cultural and linguistic notions of oral discourse as well as written skill development. Practice in simulated foreign cultural contexts through oral and written presentations on themes in Italian life.

300.            Italian Studies in the Florence Summer Program.

Summer (1-3 credits, variable) Staff. Prerequisite: Acceptance by Selection Committee.

This number is intended for courses completed in Italy. Course may be repeated for credit.

301.            Masterpieces of Italian Literature from the Beginnings to the 17th Century.

Fall and Spring (3,3) Staff. Prerequisite: ITAL 202, four high school units or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.

Survey of Italian literature. An introduction to the major writers of Italy from the 13th to the 17th century, including such authors as Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio, Machiavelli, Ariosto and Tasso.

302.            Masterpieces of Italian Literature Since the 17th Century.

(GER 4A, 5) Spring (3) Ferrari. Prerequisites: ITAL 202, four high school units or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.

Survey of Italian literature. An introduction to the major writers of Italy from the 17th century to the present; including such authors as Goldoni, Leopardi, Pascoli, Carducci, Manzoni, Pirandello and Moravia.

303.            Topics in Italian Language, Civilization or Literature.

Fall and Spring (3,3) Ferrari. Prerequisite: ITAL 202 or consent of instructor.

This course may be offered during a regular semester or during the Summer Study Program in Florence. Topic will be indicated in the schedule of classes. The course may be repeated if topic differs.

305.            Directed Readings in Italian Literature.

Fall (3) Staff. Prerequisite: ITAL 202 or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.

This course is designed to permit the student to pursue in depth an area of literature in which s/he has a major interest.

306.            Directed Readings in Italian Literature.

Spring (3) Staff. Prerequisite: ITAL 202 or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.

This course is designed to permit the student to pursue in depth an area of literature in which s/he has a major interest.

307.            Italian Civilization in English.

(GER 4A) Fall (3) Ferrari.

A topical study of Italian culture and civilization from the Middle Ages to the Republic. The course will emphasize selected outstanding movements and periods in Italian history, architecture, sculpture, painting and music. Students with advanced language skills, with the consent of instructor, may take a 4th credit for reading and discussions (one additional hour per week) in the original language.

309.            Dante and the Medieval Tradition.

Fall (3) Staff.

Readings, in translation, and discussion of representative works and trends in courtly love and scholastic traditions to focus attention on Dante’s literary, esthetic and historical milieu, and achievements. Students with advanced language skills, with the consent of instructor, may take a 4th credit for reading and discussions (one additional hour per week) in the original language.

310.            Italian Cinema and Post-War Italian Culture.

Spring (3) Ferrari.

A study of Post-War cultural developments in Italy through the medium of major Italian cinematic productions and directors.  The course will focus on political, economic, social, artistic and religious developments as important manifestations of contemporary Italian culture. Knowledge of Italian desirable, but not required. Two laboratory hours, one class hour. Students with advanced language skills, with the consent of instructor, may take a 4th credit for reading and discussions (one additional hour per week) in the original language.

312.            Italian Renaissance Literature in Translation.

(GER 5) Spring (3) Staff.

The course is designed to expose the students to and offer them direct contact with the nature and form of Italian Renaissance literary and aesthetic genres and phenomena by studying relevant and available texts and authors in English translation.  Students with advanced language skills, with the consent of instructor, may take a 4th credit for reading and discussions (one additional hour per week) in the original language.

314.            Modern Theatre: Self, Sex and Anarchy.

(GER 5) Fall or Spring (3) Staff. Prerequisite: ITAL 202 or consent of instructor.

In Italian. A study of Italian theatre through major Italian playwrights and filmmakers. Course will focus on political, social and economic developments in Italy from Futurism to the present. Playwrights include: Marinetti, Pirandello, De Filippo, Fo, Ginzburg, Rame and Maraini.

315.            Modern and Contemporary Italian Culture and Society.

(GER 4A,5) Fall or Spring (3). Ferrari. Prerequisites: ITAL 206 or consent of instructor.

In Italian. This interdisciplinary course will focus on literature, film, music, history and philosophy in relation to the development of modern and contemporary Italy.

316.            20th-Century Italian Women Writers.

(GER 5) Fall or Spring (3) Ferrari.

Taught in English. Twentieth-century Italian women writers will be selected and read. The course will focus attention in particular on feminist issues. Students with advanced language skills, with the consent of instructor, may take a 4th credit for reading and discussions (one additional hour per week) in the original language. (Cross listed with WMST 316)

411.             Independent Study.

Fall and Spring (3,3) Ferrari.

A written petition to instructor and approval of section coordinator required before registration.