Italian
Italian
courses
Italian department home page
Director of undergraduate studies: Risa Sodi, Rm. 410, 82–90 Wall St., 432-0596, risa.sodi@yale.edu
FACULTY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ITALIAN
Professors
Theodore Cachey (Visiting), Millicent Marcus (Chair), Giuseppe Mazzotta, Rebecca West (Visiting)
Assistant Professors
Francesca Cadel, Angela Capodivacca
Senior Lector II
Risa Sodi
Senior Lector
Monica Georgeo
Lectors
Laura Chiesa, Michael Farina, Anna Iacovella
The major in Italian is a liberal arts major designed to explore Italy's vital role in the development of the humanistic values and disciplines that have infused Western culture over several centuries. Central to the major in Italian is the conviction that study of another language yields the important benefit of enlightening students about their own culture while instructing them about a foreign one. Core courses provide students with a solid linguistic, literary, and historical background in Italian. Additional offerings range across several disciplines, including the study of film, philosophy, comparative literature, history, political theory, art, religious studies, theater, architecture, and music.
Requirements of the major. Candidates for the major should have completed a course in Italian at the level of 131b (L4) or should have received credit for equivalent work by the end of their sophomore year. Exceptions may be made in the case of outstanding students who have not satisfied this requirement.
The major normally consists of eleven term courses. Eight term courses in the Italian department numbered 138a or above (including graduate courses) are required, at least five of which must be conducted in Italian. The eight courses must include either ITAL 138a or 139b and a course on Dante's Divine Comedy as well as four courses covering different periods in Italian literature: one in the Middle Ages (in addition to the one on Dante's Divine Comedy), one in the Renaissance, and two in Italian literature after 1600. The aim of these six foundation courses is to provide students with both a broad acquaintance with the major works of Italy's literary tradition and a more detailed knowledge of specific periods in Italian literature. Students are also strongly encouraged to use their elective courses to expand their knowledge of either the Trecento (fourteenth century) or the Cinquecento (sixteenth century). Three Italian department courses taught in English may count toward the major. Students intending to major in Italian should consult the director of undergraduate studies.
In completing their programs, students are required to elect two courses in other languages and literatures, history of art, history, or philosophy that are related to their field of study and approved by the director of undergraduate studies. Any graduate course in another national literature or in linguistics may be substituted for one of these two courses. Some knowledge of Latin is especially desirable.
Senior requirement. In the spring of the senior year all students majoring in Italian must present a departmental essay, written in Italian and completed under the direction of a faculty adviser in ITAL 491a or b. The essay should demonstrate careful reading and research on a topic approved by the adviser in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies. A recommended length for the essay is thirty pages. Prospectus and draft deadlines are determined by the adviser; the final deadline is determined by the director of undergraduate studies. The senior requirement culminates in an oral interview with department faculty that not only covers the thesis, but also touches on the range of periods and subjects the student has studied.
Related majors. In addition to the major in Italian literature, the department will support the applications of qualified students who wish to pursue a course in Italian studies under the provisions of a Special Divisional Major. Majors can devise a broad program in social, political, economic, or intellectual history as related to and reflected in Italian literature, or pursue special interests in architecture, film, art, philosophy, music, history, linguistics, theater, political theory, or other fields especially well suited for examination from the perspective of Italian cultural history. Majors in Italian studies must design their programs in close consultation with the director of undergraduate studies and seek the guidance of an additional member of the department whose interests closely coincide with the proposed program of study. For further information, see Special Divisional Majors in this chapter.
The department's course offerings vary greatly from year to year. Students interested in planning course work in Italian that extends beyond the current academic year should consult the director of undergraduate studies.
For the Year or Term Abroad program, see chapter III.
Placement. All students who have not taken Italian at Yale are expected to take the departmental placement test, with the exception of students who have no previous knowledge of Italian. The departmental placement examination will be given at the beginning of the fall term on Tuesday, September 4, at 9 A.M.
•Foreign language requirement (Class of 2008). Students in the Class of 2008 may satisfy the foreign language distributional requirement by successful completion of ITAL 131b, Intermediate Italian II, or any Italian course numbered higher than 131b that is conducted in Italian. They may also satisfy the requirement by scoring above the intermediate level on a written and oral placement examination. The written portion tests reading comprehension, writing skills, and knowledge of Italian grammar at the level of ITAL 131b. The oral portion is a brief conversation with the professor administering the examination. The departmental examination will be given at the beginning of the fall term on Tuesday, September 4, at 9 A.M.
Foreign language requirement (Class of 2009 and subsequent classes). Details of the foreign language distributional requirement for the Class of 2009 and subsequent classes are contained under "Distributional Requirements" in chapter III under the heading "Requirements for the B.A. or B.S. Degree."
REQUIREMENTS OF THE MAJOR
Prerequisite: ITAL 131b or equivalent
Number of courses: 11 term courses beyond prereq
Distribution of courses: 8 term courses in Italian dept numbered 138a or above, incl 1 in Middle Ages (in addition to 1 on Dante's Divine Comedy), 1 in Renaissance, and 2 in Italian lit after 1600, at least 5 of these conducted in Italian; 2 term courses in other langs or lits, hist of art, hist, or phil approved by DUS
Specific courses required: ITAL 138a or 139b; ITAL 310a or equivalent
Substitution permitted: Any grad course in another national lit or in ling for 1 of the 2 courses in other depts, with DUS permission
Senior requirement: Senior essay (ITAL 491a or b) and oral interview
