Italian (Major)

The undergraduate program in Italian offers a major, a supplementary major, and an honors track major in each of two possible concentrations: Italian literature and culture or Italian Studies. In addition, the program offers a minor in Italian, as well as the opportunity to focus on Italian through the Romance Languages major or the International Economics major, which is discussed separately in the Bulletin. The Italian program does not cap double-counting from other requirements.

Literature and Culture Concentration

The major in Italian with a concentration in literature and culture requires 10 courses that total at least 30 credits beginning at the 20000 level or above, including no more than two 20000-level courses (ROIT 20201 and ROIT 20202 count as two courses for the major; ROIT 20111 counts as one course toward the major), Medieval-Renaissance Italian Literature and Culture (ROIT 30711), Modern Italian Literature and Culture (ROIT 30721), Italian Seminar (ROIT 53000), and a minimum of five elective ROIT courses in Italian literature or culture at the 30000 or 40000 level or above. ROIT 30310 (Passage to Italy) is recommended for all majors. A maximum of two of these elective ROIT courses may be conducted in English or with texts in translation, or may be substituted by courses on Italian subjects originating in other disciplines or departments (for example, architecture, art history, music, or history). Equivalent Italian language, literature, or culture courses from foreign study programs or other universities may be substituted for any of the courses by permission. Students wishing to write a senior thesis should sign up for Senior Thesis (ROIT 48000) the spring of their senior year. The senior thesis is completed in addition to the 10 courses totaling at least 30 credits for the major. Fifty percent of the credits for the major must be taken in residence at Notre Dame. AP credit may not be applied toward the major.

Italian Studies Concentration

The major in Italian with a concentration in Italian Studies requires 10 courses that total at least 30 credits beginning at the 20000 level or above, to be chosen as follows: Five courses must be ROIT courses in Italian language, literature, and culture and taught in Italian, including at least one of ROIT 30711 (Medieval-Renaissance Italian Literature and Culture) or ROIT 30721 (Modern Italian Literature and Culture), and one course at the 40000 level or above. No more than two of these five courses may be at the 20000 level (ROIT 20201 and ROIT 20202 count as two courses for the major; ROIT 20111 counts as one course for the major).

The other five courses must be on Italian subjects or strictly relevant to Italian culture, and together they must not be drawn from more than three disciplines or departments, such as history, art history, classics, FTT, music, or political science (the courses may of course be listed under ROIT). Four of these five courses must be at the 30000 level or above, and include at least one course at the 40000 level or above; no more than one of the five may be at the 20000 level.

In order to create a coherent program, the selection of courses must be approved by the DUS or Associate DUS in Italian (or committee, if appropriate). Equivalent courses from foreign study programs or other universities may be substituted by permission. Students wishing to write a senior thesis should sign up for Senior Thesis (ROIT 48000) the spring of their senior year. The senior thesis is completed in addition to the 10 courses totaling at least 30 credits for the major. Fifty percent of the credits for the major must be taken in residence at Notre Dame. AP credit may not be applied toward the major.

The Honors Track Major in Italian:

Literature and  Culture Concentration

The honors track major in Italian with a concentration in literature and culture consists of 11 courses that total at least 33 credits, including all the requirements for the major, a GPA in the major of at least 3.7, plus a substantial final essay, to be written in Italian for a graduate course or for ROIT 58000, Honors Thesis Direction, which will constitute the 11th course. All honors track majors should enroll in ROIT 53000 Italian Seminar or a 40000-level course taught in Italian in the fall semester of the year they write their thesis. Interested students should contact the DUS or Associate DUS in Italian by October 15th of their senior year.

Italian Studies Concentration

The honors track major with a concentration in Italian Studies consists of 33 credits or 11 courses, including all the requirements for the major in Italian with a concentration in Italian Studies, a GPA in the major of at least 3.7, plus a substantial final essay, to be written for a graduate course or for ROIT 58000, Honors Thesis Direction, which will constitute the 11th course. The course or topic will be selected in consultation with the student’s advisory committee for the major. All honors track majors should enroll in ROIT 53000 Italian Seminar or a 40000-level course taught in Italian in the fall semester of the year they write their thesis. Interested students should contact the DUS or Associate DUS in Italian by October 15th of their senior year.