Italian Studies

Italian Studies: Major, Minor 

The Italian Studies program at Holy Cross offers you the opportunity to begin or continue your study of Italian language, literature, and culture through rich course offerings and diverse opportunities for cultural immersion both in the classroom and beyond.

Through dynamic courses taught by distinguished faculty members, you will acquire critical language skills that are reinforced by small group practice sessions led by native Italian foreign language assistants. Whether you declare a major or minor, you will gain a broader understanding of the Italian literary tradition and culture, and learn to think and write critically as you master a different language. 

While the program’s courses are taught in Italian, at least one course is offered in English each year, so if you are just beginning your study of Italian you will also be able to examine more advanced topics in literature and culture. If you are interested in expanding your studies, various options are available, including studying abroad in Italy, where you can perfect your language skills and fully immerse yourself in Italian culture. 
 

Program Highlights

The Italian Studies curriculum consists of:

  • language courses that range from elementary to advanced levels; 
  • literature courses spanning from the Middle Ages to contemporary Italy; and
  • culture courses.
Goza
Study Abroad

Enhance your study of Italian by studying abroad in Florence or Bologna.

students serving pasta
Opportunities

See Italian culture come to life beyond the classroom through regular co-curricular programming.

Foreign Language Assistants sitting in a group
Foreign Language Assistants

Practice your Italian in small practice sessions led by Italian foreign language assistants.

Italian Studies News

Image
Italian Professor Edits Volume on Role of Italian Women in Wartime
Susan Amatangelo, professor of Italian and current speaker of the faculty, edited the volume “Italian Women at War: Sisters in Arms from the Unification to the Twentieth Century” (Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 2016), which she explains “offers diverse perspectives on …
Image
Blog: Guarracino ’18 Studies Italian and Classics During Year in Rome
NAME Nicholas Mario Guarracino ’18 HOMETOWN Billerica, Mass. AREAS OF STUDY Italian and classics double major WHERE HE’S STUDYING Rome, Italy WHY HE CHOSE ITALY “I could not miss a chance to study and live in the Eternal City. I …
Image
Holy Cross Academic Conference to Showcase Student Work
As the academic year comes to an end, the College of the Holy Cross will celebrate the great and varied work accomplished by its students at the annual Academic Conference taking place across campus from April 27 through April 30. The four-day conference gives students from all class years the opportunity to present the results of their independent research and course work done in a variety of environments—from campus classrooms and libraries to within the Worcester community; from research labs and study abroad locations to art studios and field sites.