Italian Studies
Italian Studies (IS) stems from the core of Franklin’s mission to educate future leaders in an increasingly changing world. New language learning has been proven to dramatically boost creative thinking and problem-solving skills, mental flexibility and resilience. Choosing to study Italian at Franklin, specifically, enables our students to “think globally and act locally” across disciplines, majors and minors; and also to thrive in off-campus life, creating lasting personal relationships and professionally meaningful collaborations. Striving for fluency in Italian demands dedication and creativity, as well as rigor. The personal and professional returns on this investment in Italian language learning success are appreciated by both students and international employers across fields.
IS students benefit in many ways from their cultural and linguistic integration in the Italian-speaking world. Students studying marketing, international relations, environmental studies, art history or cultural studies, psychology, or film will take full advantage of Italian-speaking networking, training, and internship initiatives taking place in the area. As a university that emphasizes experiential learning, project-based learning and on-site field study in Italian Studies require students to put their learning to the test outside the classroom, every day, in both academically structured and informal settings. From a student’s first day in ITA 100, active learners will perceive the uniquely Franklin language teaching methodology employed to embrace a positive, immersive experience. Embodying language learning through Academic Travel is just one example of the overarching “learning by doing” language pedagogy and teaching philosophy.
Major Requirements (48 Credits)
In addition to the Italian language requirements (18 credits), students are required to complete three Italian Studies courses conducted in Italian (ITA), three Italian Studies courses conducted in English (IS), two courses from a list of associated disciplines, a senior seminar, and a thesis or internship.
Italian Language (18 Credits)
Required courses (or equivalent proficiency):
| ITA 100 | Introductory Italian, Part I | 3 |
| ITA 101 | Introductory Italian, Part II | 3 |
| ITA 200 | Intermediate Italian, Part I | 3 |
| ITA 201 | Intermediate Italian, Part II | 3 |
| ITA 300 | Advanced Italian, Part I | 3 |
| ITA 301 | Advanced Italian, Part II | 3 |
Upper-Level Italian Language or Italian Studies (18 Credits)
At least 9 credits must be Italian Language courses
| ITA 302 | Advanced Italian Conversation | 3 |
| ITA 350 | Topics in Italian Cultural Studies | 3 |
| ITA 370 | Readings in Italian Literature | 3 |
| ITA 373 | Italian Film and Society | 3 |
| ITA 374 | Italian Cinema | 3 |
| ITA 375 | Italian Film Adaptation: From the Page to the Screen | 3 |
| IS 120T | Italian Tales of Courtship, Beauty, and Power | 3 |
| IS 274 | Italian and Italian-American Cinema | 3 |
| IS 275 | Modern Italian Poetry | 3 |
| IS 276 | The Italian Short Story | 3 |
| IS 277 | Italian Storytelling from Page to Stage | 3 |
| IS 278 | Italian Genre Crossings, Transmedia, and Hybridity | 3 |
| IS 279 | Italian Myths and Counter-Myths of America | 3 |
| IS 280T | Italian Cinema on Location: Projections of the Eternal City in Italian Film and Cultural Studies | 3 |
Note: Italian Studies courses are taught in English.
Major Electives (6 Credits)
Two of the following:
| AHT 231 | Renaissance Art and Architecture in Italy | 3 |
| ARC 200 | Practicum in Archaeology | 3 |
| BUS 236T | Marketing for Movies | 3 |
| COM 105 | Introduction to Communication and Media Studies | 3 |
| COM 201 | Fundamentals of Media Studies and Criticism | 3 |
| ENV 230T | Freshwater Conservation | 3 |
| LC 100 | The Stories We Live By | 3 |
| LC 110 | Reading Cultures: Approaches to Cultural Studies | 3 |
| CLCS 200 | Gender and Sexuality in a Global Context | 3 |
| CLCS 248T | European Food Systems: You Are Where You Eat | 3 |
| ENV 350 | Environmental Management in Switzerland | 3 |
| HIS 202T | History of Switzerland | 3 |
| HIS 204 | History of Italy from the Renaissance to the Present | 3 |
| HIS 351 | Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in Europe | 3 |
| POL 223T | Italy: Politics, Culture and Society | 3 |
| STA 209 | The Video Essay: From Conception to Projection | 3 |
| STA 275T | Studies in Ceramics: Northern and Central Italy | 3 |
| STA 279 | The Video Essay and Photography on Location in Europe | 3 |
| STA 280T | Adventures in Printmaking | 3 |
| STA 330T | Umbria: A Warm Refuge for Inspiration: Art, Music and Life in Umbria, the Heart of Italy | 3 |
| STA 331T | Umbria: Sustaining Art in the Heart of Italy | 3 |
Capstone Requirement (6 Credits)
| IS 497 | Senior Seminar in Italian Studies | 3 |
One of the following:
| IS 498 | Internship in Italian Studies | 3 |
IS 499
| Thesis in Italian Studies | |
Note: Prerequisites may be required for courses outside of the major