Academic Programs - Italian

The curriculum in Italian currently offers Elementary and Intermediate Italian (101, 102, 201, 202). You can also take courses in English on Italian Culture and Civilization (MLAN 211) and Italian Cinema (MLAN 217)

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Italian students at CNU have fun in the language courses! Check out what some groups did for their oral presentation in ITAL102-Spring 08: - "Il Colosseo"

The Curriculum in Italian

ITAL 101. Elementary Italian I (3-3-0)

Students with 2 years of high school Italian are encouraged to enroll in ITAL 102. Students with 3 or more years of high school Italian are encouraged to enroll in ITAL 201 or ITAL 202.

 An introduction to understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Italian. The student uses the language in practical situations while also acquiring a basis for reading and writing. 

ITAL 102. Elementary Italian II (3-3-0)

Recommended prerequisites: ITAL 101, or 2 years of high school Italian, or consent of the instructor. Students with 3 or more years of high school Italian are encouraged to enroll in ITAL 201 or ITAL 202.

A continuation course that builds on the skills developed in ITAL 101. An introduction to understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Italian. The student uses the language in practical situations while also acquiring a basis for reading and writing.  

ITAL 201. Intermediate Italian I (3-3-0)

Recommend prerequisite: ITAL 102, or 3 years of high school Italian, or consent of the instructor.

The purpose of the course is to continue the development of the communication skills in Italian acquired in Elementary Italian. It will offer students the opportunity to expand their vocabulary, to use the language in a vast variety of contexts prompted by cultural activities (film, short stories, poetry, music, newspapers, etc.), and to acquire more complex grammatical structures. By the end of the course it is expected that the student will be able to understand (through reading and listening) and communicate (in writing and orally) with a certain fluency and self-confidence in both formal and informal situations. Conducted chiefly in Italian. One hour per week in the language laboratory is recommended. 

ITAL 202. Intermediate Italian II (3-3-0)

Recommend prerequisite: ITAL 201, or 3 years of high school Italian, or consent of the instructor.

More advanced work in all skill areas of the language. Vocabulary and grammar will be greatly expanded by readings and conversations centered on Italian, culture and civilization. Conducted in Italian. One hour per week in the language laboratory is recommended. 

ITAL 395. Special Topics (3-3-0)

Recommend prerequisite: ITAL 202, or 4 years of high school Italian, or consent of the instructor.

Topics vary, determined by the special interests and needs of students and the expertise of faculty.

ITAL 499. Independent Study (credits vary)

Prerequisite: Modern Language major or minor, junior or senior standing and consent of instructor required. Taught upon request and at the instructor’s request.

No student may present more than six credits of 499 toward the major program.

The following courses do not require knowledge of Italian and are conducted entirely in English.

MLAN 211. Italian Culture & Civilization (3-3-0) WT

In this interdisciplinary course, we shall seek to answer the question, “How did the qualities of ‘Italianess’ that make Italy unique arise in history?” In order to address the phenomenon of Italy in all its grandeur and diversity, this course will focus on a broad range of major Italian achievements, movements, and events from the Middle Ages to the present. Taking St. Francis of Assisi as our starting point, we will consider both Italy’s socio-political history and the main developments in the fields of arts, literature, music, cinema, philosophy, and science. We will read excerpts from Dante, Boccaccio, and Machiavelli; we will admire Caravaggio’s art and Galileo’s scientific method; we will discuss Neorealism, mafia, and Italian pop-culture.

MLAN 217. Italian Cinema (3-3-0) CXP

This course will offer a historical overview of Italian cinema from the origins to the present. It will introduce students to the masterpieces of Italian cinema, with examples from the silent era, Neorealism, art films, and the newer trends, and will hone the analytical skills necessary to read and critically analyze a film. A short film project may be part of the course requirement (no video skills are necessary). Lectures/discussions in English. Films will be shown in the original language with English subtitles. 3 hours of lecture/discussion per week; one required film screening per week. This course may be counted toward the Film Studies minor.

Italian in the Liberal Learning Curriculum

MLAN 211 and MLAN 217 fullfil respectively 3-hour credits of Western Traditions and Creative Expressions required for Areas of Inquiry.

Freshmen can learn topics of Italian culture in the First Year Seminar-ULLC 100- "Discovering Italia. Contemporary Italian Culture and Society through Film, Arts, Literature, Media, and Popular Culture."

Fall 2006 - Students of ULLC 100 "Discovering Italia" were engaged in various campus and community activities (i.e., teaching Italian culture at the YMCA) and gave lively in-class presentations on various topics about Italy.

Ben Sciance ("the tourist") and Eric Morgan ("the gondolier")

engaged in a class presentation about Venice