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Italian Studies
The Italian studies major
consists of nine courses above the level of basic language. The department has
devised two tracks to provide guidelines for completing the major. Both
require nine courses above ITAL112.
Students may complete either track. Recommendations are included below.
Track A
consists of five courses conducted in Italian to be taken in the
Italian section of the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures. Two of these five
courses may be fulfilled by courses taken at the Vassar Wellesley Wesleyan
Program in Bologna (ECCO). Additionally, students in Track A must take four
related courses. These four courses may be taken in either English or Italian.
Related courses could include, for example, FIST courses on Italian topics,
courses in various disciplines throughout the University, or courses taken on
Wesleyan’s study-abroad program in Bologna. Of the courses taken in Italian,
students are encouraged to cover the following chronological areas: medieval,
Renaissance, 19th and 20th centuries.
Track A may be appropriate for
students with an interest in literary and cultural studies and/or art history.
SAMPLE OF A GRADUATING SENIOR IN
ITALIAN STUDIES, TRACK A (assumes student spent one semester [spring,
junior year] on the ECCO program these courses are designated as VWWB):
|
I. Courses in Wesleyan Italian Section
Courses given in
Italian |
II. Related courses
Courses may be in
English |
|
1. ITAL221 (F
Jun yr) |
1. FIST246 (S Frosh
yr) |
|
2. VWWB231 Cultural
Studies |
2. VWWB206
Leonardo to Caravaggio |
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3. VWWB208 Modern
Italian Literature |
3. ARHA128
Michelangelo (Soph) |
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4. ITAL241 (F Sen
yr) |
4. COL234 Dante and Medieval Culture I |
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5. ITAL249 (S Sen
yr) |
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Track B
consists of three courses in Italian to be taken in the Italian section
of the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures plus an additional six related courses.
One of these courses may be fulfilled by a course taken at the Vassar Wellesley
Wesleyan Program in Bologna (ECCO). Of the remaining six related courses, for
Track B a maximum of three may be taken in English. Courses taken in English may
include FIST courses on Italian topics and courses in various disciplines
throughout the University. As in Track A, related courses may include FIST
courses on Italian topics, courses in various disciplines throughout the
University, or courses taken on Wesleyan’s study abroad program in Bologna. Of
the courses taken in Italian, students are encouraged to cover the following
chronological areas: medieval, Renaissance, 19th and 20th centuries.
Track B may be appropriate for
students with an interest (or another major in) social sciences or natural
sciences and mathematics.
SAMPLE OF A GRADUATING SENIOR IN
ITALIAN STUDIES, TRACK B (assumes student spent one semester [spring, junior
year] on the ECCO program):
|
I Courses in Wesleyan
Italian Section
Courses given in
Italian |
II Related courses
Courses given in Italian |
III Related courses
Courses may be in English or
Italian |
|
1. ITAL221 (F
Jun yr) |
1. VWWB230 Government/Politics
Italy |
1.
FIST246
(S First yr) |
|
2. ITAL241 (F Sen
yr) |
2. VWWB268
Politics/Institutions of the EU |
2.ARHA207
Survey of Roman
Archaeology and Art |
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3. ITAL250 (S Sen yr)
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3. VWWB227 Contemporary History |
3.ARHA224
Italian Art and Architecture of the 16th Century |
Study Overseas
Wesleyan Program in Bologna
With Vassar and
Wellesley colleges, Wesleyan sponsors the ECCO in Bologna program for
all
students regardless of their choice of major. Students are required to take a
year of Italian language (through ITAL102 or its equivalent), but two years (through
ITAL112) is highly recommended. The Fall semester begins in August with an
orientation program in Lecce. (For students with
fewer
than three
semesters of Italian, the Lecce program is mandatory.) The Lecce program is
optional for students who have completed ITAL112 or a more advanced course,
but the Italian program encourages participation. In September, the Program
moves to Bologna, where it is housed for the remainder of the academic year. All
students will take courses
offered by the Program, and qualified students will
have the opportunity to take courses at the
Università di Bologna. Since course offerings
at the Università vary from year to year, students work closely with the
resident director to devise a program of study.
There
are other
approved programs in
Italy, but the Department strongly endorses and supports the ECCO program. Students interested in learning about
these
other
programs
should
consult the list compiled by the Office of International Studies.
Concerning Courses Taken
by Majors Overseas
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Whether
they are abroad for one or two semesters,
Track A
majors may count only two courses toward completion of the five-course
requirement
illustrated by Column I. Similarly, Track B majors may count only two
courses toward the completion of courses taken in Italian (either Column I
or II).
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In rare cases, one additional
course, for a maximum of three, will be accepted on a petition-only basis. The
program reserves the right to privilege the ECCO program; if the petitioner has
studied at a center other than the Wesleyan program in Bologna, it is very
possible that the petition will not be granted.
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There is no upper limit imposed
on related course work, either at Wesleyan or abroad for either track of the
major.
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Please note:
Courses taken overseas, and particularly courses taken at an Italian
university (at the University of Bologna or elsewhere) must plainly
and explicitly concern subject matter pertinent to Italian culture
and society in order to be applicable toward the Italian Studies Major.
Courses treating, for example, the art and architecture of ancient Syria, or
Economics of sub-Saharan Africa, will not be viable for the Major, even
though they were taken at an Italian university and through the medium of
Italian. On the other hand, a course in earth and environmental sciences
concerning the maritime science of the Venice Lagoon would make an excellent
related course for the Italian Studies Major. When in doubt, students should
check with the Major advisor before enrolling.
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It is expected that following
study overseas, majors will take one course in the medium of Italian each
semester after their return.
Concerning Honors in Italian and
Course Requirements for the Major
Students meeting requirements
for admission to the honors program in romance languages and engaged in writing
a thesis may petition to use either ITAL409 or ITAL410 as one of the
nine required courses. This option is not available to students writing Essays.
Course Assistantships in Italian
Majors and
other accomplished students returning from overseas may apply to serve as a
course assistant for elementary Italian. Students may not receive academic
credit for this exercise; rather, they will receive a stipend for their work.
Students should express their interest to the faculty advisor in the spring for
the following fall semester and in the early fall for consideration for the
spring semester. Please note that students may serve as course assistant for
only one course in the University per semester.
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