Italian Studies, B.A.

About the B.A. in Italian Studies

• Preparation for graduate study
• Preparation for teaching
• Preparation for careers in business, communications, social services, healthcare, education or government
• Minors in Spanish, French, Italian, German and linguistics
• Courses in American Sign Language, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Hebrew, and Russian
• Internships in the Hispanic community in Philadelphia
• Opportunities to study abroad at some of the top universities around the world

Objectives

Proficiency in a language in addition to English is an increasingly important tool for a career in business, communications, social services, healthcare, education or government.

Modern Languages programs focus on the study of language, culture, literature and film within each international language group. Students who pursue a major in Spanish, Italian or French can take advantage of a wide range of courses in the language, culture and literature of Spain, Latin America, Italy, and France, respectively.

Modern Languages programs include a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, Spanish Cultural Studies, Italian Studies, French Studies, and minors in Spanish, French, Italian, German and linguistics. Also available are courses at the beginning level in, Arabic, Chinese, American Sign Language and Russian. Intermediate courses are offered in Japanese and Chinese. Modern Language courses emphasize both language proficiency and cultural understanding. Fluency and accuracy of language are the basis for effective communication. At the same time, students can begin to relate to the cultural aspects of the language they are studying through authentic written materials. Classes are taught in the target language, and small-group activities involve students in active learning.

Critical thinking is encouraged from beginning courses through advanced film and literature courses. Students who intend to continue a language studied previously (in high school or elsewhere) take a placement test and enroll in the course designated by the Department. The completion of the 101-201 level sequence (or its equivalent) is required for all courses above 201.

The Department supports chapters of Sigma Delta Pi, the national Spanish honor society, and Pi Delta Phi, the national French honor society. And Gamma Kappa Alpha, the national Italian honor society. Students of Spanish, French, German, Italian and Japanese are involved in the multicultural community at Arcadia University in many ways.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Italian Studies

The major in Italian Studies requires students to spend one year in Italy and to complete 44 credits devoted exclusively to Italy-related study areas.

If due to extenuating circumstances a student cannot study abroad for the required year to complete the MAP, a petition may be submitted for an Individualized Major, which would include only one semester abroad. This petition must be submitted by the beginning of the student’s junior year to the Academic Adviser for Individualized Majors in the Office of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies, for review by that Adviser and the UAPC Chair.

The courses taken as part of the major must cover at least three different areas from the following: Culture, Art History, History, Politics, Literature, Cinema, Music, and Economy and one departmental course in linguistics taught in English

In order to study abroad, students should have a minimum GPA of 2.7 or 3.0, depending on the site. Before departing, students must contact the adviser in Italian, in Glenside, to select courses.

The Program