Department of Spanish, Italian and Portuguese

The Italian Program

Italian is the voice of one of the major, formative cultural traditions of the Western world. The study of Italy and its language offers a rich opportunity to experience cross-cultural personal enrichment in such areas as: literature, opera and music, film, art history, the modern heritage of Roman thought and civil-ization, fashion, politics, tourism, Mediterranean cuisine, and much more. The Italian program is small and prides itself on its capacity to provide individual attention and mentoring to each of its majors and minors.

Rigorous training in Italian can prepare students for rewarding and unique careers in any of the above areas. In addition, the federal government employs liberal arts graduates with foreign‑language skills in organizations including the National Security Agency, the Central Intelligence Agency, the U.S. Information Agency, and the Department of Labor. Other opportunities exist in business, travel, ministry, banking, and education; however, students who intend to teach in the public schools should contact the College of Education for specific teacher certification requirements. The Italian major is also preparatory for graduate work directed to the Ph.D. degree required for teaching and research in colleges and universities. Students with degrees in the humanities are particularly successful applicants to professional schools, such as law and medicine.

The Italian Major

There are three undergraduate Italian major options: the Bachelor of Arts in Italian Language and Literature, the Bachelor of Arts in Italian Studies, and the Bachelor of Science in Applied Italian. Each major option permits students to focus on different aspects of the study of Italian language and culture.

All of the major options offer training in the skills required for fluency in Italian and knowledge in Italian culture, civilization, and literature. Its aim is to open to the student both the traditions of one of the major formative components of the Western world and the continuing vitality of modern Italian and Italian-American life.

In order to declare a major in Italian (any option), students should go first to the College of the Liberal Arts Undergraduate Office (138 Sparks Building, 814-865-2545) to receive the necessary paperwork. Next, students should make an appointment by email to speak with an Italian Advisor. At the advising appointment, students will discuss the various Italian major options, the courses necessary for graduation, and any other academic questions they may have. At that appointment, students will receive instructions for completing the major declaration paperwork.

Dr. Maria Truglio stands with 2007 graduating Italian majors (from left) Carissa Monroig, Craig Diena, Maria Anderson, and Marissa Emiliani, who are wearing their laurel crowns. In 2007, the Italian Program began the new commencement tradition of wearing the symbol (as old as ancient Roman times) of distinguished scholarly or artistic achievement. Graduating seniors “earn their laurels” by completing a special Italian project of their choice during their senior year.

For more information on the Italian Major.

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The Italian Minor

Students may add an Italian Minor to any bachelor major program of study (except the Italian Major), allowing them to create a sub-specialization within their respective majors.

For the Italian Minor students need a minimum of 18 credits of Italian (at least 6 of which must be at the 400 level), with grades of C or better. Click the following link to see the comprehensive list of courses that can count toward the Minor. Students are held to the requirements that are in effect when they officially declare the Minor. They can always take more than the minimum of 18 credits if they so desire. And there is no penalty for students who change their minds and ultimately do not complete all the Minor requirements (ie, they are not disqualified from graduating if they do not complete declared Minor requirements; they simply do not receive the Minor).

In order to declare the Italian Minor, students should download a minor declaration form from the departmental web site or pick up a declaration form from the department office. Students should then make an appointment with an Italian adviser, who will discuss minor requirements, sign the necessary paperwork, and instruct students on how to complete their minor declaration forms.

For more information on the Italian Minor.

Career Directions

Rigorous training in Italian can prepare students for regarding and unique careers in any of the above areas. In addition, the federal government employs liberal arts graduates with foreign-language skills in organizations including the National Security Agency, the Central Intelligence Agency, the U.S. Information Agency, and the Department of Labor. Other opportunities exist in business, travel, ministry, banking, and education; however, students who intend to teach in the public schools should contact the College of Education for specific teacher certification requirements. The Italian Major is also preporatory for graduate work directed to the Ph.D. degree required for teaching and research in colleges and universities. Students with degrees in the humanities are particularly successful applicants to professional schools, such as law and medicine.

Study Abroad

Italian advisers urge students wishing to study abroad in Italy to do so as soon as possible – ideally in the summer after freshman year or during the sophomore year. The reasoning is simple: Italy is a great place to finish your elementary and intermediate Italian language courses while fulfilling General Education or Bachelor degree requirements in other disciplines. Why not study art history while gazing on the actual Italian masterpieces in museums, churches, and other sites, rather than in textbooks? Why not see where Caesar crossed the Rubicon or what Roman monuments look like on site? Lots of disciplines, including archaeology, music, nutrition, and architecture offer opportunities in Italy that may not be available in central Pennsylvania. On the other hand, many programs in Italy do not offer 400-level Italian courses, so it is not a good idea to plan to complete very specialized advanced Italian coursework in the Italian major or minor during one’s senior year.

Penn State’s Office of Global Programs (Fourth floor of Boucke Building, www.international.psu.edu) is the clearinghouse for information on many study abroad programs opportunities, including all programs in Italy. Students interested in study abroad in Italy should start at the Office of Global Programs to determine which programs best correspond to their academic abilities, personal preferences, and financial situations. Some programs are offered during the academic year (for one semester or two); others are intensive programs offered during the summer. Deadlines and qualifications vary widely. Financial aid is often available.

Two programs in Italy are Penn State’s own: the summer programs in Todi and Reggio Calabria (www.outreach.psu.edu/summerabroad/). Many courses are taught by Penn State faculty members and all course offered directly correspond to Penn State’s current curriculum. Other programs are Penn State-affiliated, that is, they are offered through IES (in Milan, Rome, or Siena), the Temple University consortium (in Rome), Arcadia (in Perugia), and the Palazzo Rucellai and SACI consortia (in Florence) but have already been approved for Penn State transfer credit. Still other programs are available to Penn State students, but transferable coursework must be approved on a case-by-case basis.

IMPORTANT: Once you have visited the Office of International Programs and collected information about the program(s) that interest you most, make an appointment with an Italian advisor to discuss your choice. Italian advisors can help you to determine how courses taken abroad can fit into your academic plan and provide helpful advice for planning to study abroad.

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Extracurricular Opportunities in Italian

The Italian Student Society

Called The Italian Student Society, the Italian Club offers a variety of activities at the University Park campus, including bocce matches, an Italian flim series, an annual Carnevale celebration, cultural trips, and pasta and pizza parties. Italian majors, minors, or anyone else interested in learning more about the Italian culture is welcome to attend. For more information, please contact Brunella Brizzi, bub4@psu.edu or visit the Penn State Italian Student Society's website.

Film Series

Each semester during the academic year a weekly or bi-weekly evening film series is offered by the department. This series runs in conjunction with the Modern Italian Literature and Cinema course (IT 475) when it is offered. Other semesters it has been organized by interested Italian faculty members. Past themes include "The South," "Eros and Power," and "Love Italian Style." More information is available from any Italian faculty members.

Guest Lectures in Italian

Occasionally the Italian program hosts guest lecturers - typically experts in the fields of Italian literature, film, or Italian-American culture - to speak to the Penn State community and public free of charge. More information is available from any Italian faculty members.

Other PSU and Local Outreach Resources Relevant to Italian Studies

Lots of opportunities to enrich your knowledge of Italian culture are readily available on campus and in the State College vicinity. Why not check out…

The Arts and Humanities Reference area of Pattee Library. It contains Italian-English dictionaries and Italian encyclopedias. Call numbers for dictionaries are PC 1460 A 17 and following, for grammar are PC 1412.M26 and following.

The Music and Media Center in the Arts and Humanities Library. It has a vast collection of Italian films on VHS, DVD, and laser disk available for check out or for viewing in the library.

The Foreign Language Tutoring Center (4 Sparks). The tutoring center offers free peer tutoring in Italian during drop-in hours that vary each semester.

Eisenhower Auditorium. The Eisenhower Auditorium sometimes hosts Italian-related productions, including traveling opera companies performing Italian operas. Call 863-0388 for more information. Student discounts are often available.

The Palmer Museum (Curtain Road). The campus art museum has a collection of Italian Baroque paintings and modern Italian prints. Free admission.

The Slide Library (209 Arts Building, behind Forum off Curtain Road). The slide library has a large collection of slides of Italian masterpieces from all periods. Call 865-3952 for more information

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