Italian, BALAS

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Italian


Major in Italian Studies

The major in Italian Studies at Illinois offers students a comprehensive and interdisciplinary introduction to the study of Italy in a larger Mediterranean, European and global context, covering Italian language, history, culture, and literature. With professors, lecturers and a team of graduate students from the United States and Italy, all of whom are committed to undergraduate education, we are able to offer not simply a series of courses in Italian Studies, but a major and minor where students get to know the faculty and instructors personally. Study abroad is not required, but is typically a rewarding and significant part of the major in Italian Studies at Illinois. The major in Italian Studies strongly emphasizes skills that are valuable for our student’s future careers, but also for their future as global citizens, and their life of the mind: extensive knowledge of a foreign language; strong written and verbal communication skills; cultural and cross-cultural knowledge and understanding; and critical thinking skills.

5 Year BALAS /MA in Italian and European Union Studies

The Department of French and Italian with the European Union Center offers a 5-year BALAS/MA degree program in Italian and the Master of Arts in European Union Studies (MAEUS). In order to be admitted to this degree program, students apply through a joint application process to their BALAS–granting program and the European Union Center during their third year of studies. Requirements for this degree program are identical to those for the stand-alone BALAS and for the stand-alone MAEUS. Students will receive both degrees when the requirements are met for the degrees; the BALAS and MA degrees will be conferred separately and independently. More detailed information may be obtained from department and EUC offices.

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Italian


A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Affairs Office before the end of the fifth semester (60-75 hours). Please see your adviser.

Departmental distinction: To be considered for departmental distinction, a student must maintain a 3.5 grade point average and fulfill special additional requirements. See the department's honors adviser.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.

Minimum hours required major and supporting course work. Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

University Requirements

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) 3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
Language Requirement (Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language other than English, or completion of the third semester in two different languages other than English is required)0-20

Major Requirements

Select 18 credits (max) from the following:18
Italian Studies in a Mediterranean Context
Practical Review Italian
Contemporary Italian, Oral and Written
Italy Middle Ages & Renaiss
Introduction to Italian Cinema
Advanced Grammar
Ital Business & Profess
Spec Topics Italian Studies
Honors Senior Thesis
Select 12 credits (min) from the following:12
Italian Culture and Globalization
Dante
Petrarch & Boccaccio
Europe and the Mediterranean
Masterpieces Renaiss Lit
Modern Italian Novel
Italian Syntax & Phonology
Topics in Italian Cinema
Italian Critical Theory
Supporting course work or a minor chosen in consultation with an adviser, in one related area (or a combination, with no fewer than 8 hours in each). Areas may include, for example, any other language and literature, history, political science, biology (premed), international law (prelaw), economics, finance, business administration, education, architecture, fine arts, journalism. 115-18
1

A minor consists of 16-21 hours.

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Italian


Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a fourth level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHours
Free Elective course1
Language Other Than English (3rd level)4
Composition I or General Education course4
General Education course3
General Education course3
 15
Total Hours 15
First Year
Second SemesterHours
Supporting Coursework3
Language Other Than English (4th level)4
General Education course or Composition I3
General Education course3
General Education course3
 16
Total Hours 16
Second Year
First SemesterHours
ITAL course from 18 credits list3
ITAL course from 18 credits list3
Supporting Coursework3
General Education course3
Free Elective course3
 15
Total Hours 15
Second Year
Second SemesterHours
ITAL course from 18 credits list3
ITAL course from 18 credits list3
Supporting Coursework3
General Education course3
Free Elective course3
 15
Total Hours 15
Third Year
First SemesterHours
ITAL course from 18 credits list3
ITAL course from 18 credits list3
Supporting Coursework3
General Education course3
General Education course3
 15
Total Hours 15
Third Year
Second SemesterHours
400 level course from 12 credits list3
400 level course from 12 credits list3
General Education course3
General Education course3
Free Elective course3
 15
Total Hours 15
Fourth Year
First SemesterHours
400 level course from 12 credits list3
Supporting Coursework3
General Education course3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3
 15
Total Hours 15
Fourth Year
Second SemesterHours
Supporting Coursework3
400 level course from 12 credits list3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3
Free Elective course2
 14
Total Hours 14

Total Hours: 120

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Italian


Upon graduating with a major in Italian, students shall be able to do the following:

  1. Language proficiency and accuracy: reach proficiency and accuracy in written and oral comprehension and production of Italian (based on proficiency guidelines outlined by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages [ACTFL] and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages [CEFRL]).
  2. Research skills and literacy in text, media, and technology in Italian: access, manage, evaluate, and effectively use culturally relevant sources according to the standards of professional conduct; understand how these resources relate to language and culture; use appropriate tools when interpreting sources, interacting with others, and producing written, oral, or visual content; develop sensitivity to the changes in cultures and languages produced by emerging technologies.
  3. Intercultural awareness, knowledge, and competence: develop an awareness of differences between Italian and their own cultures.Identify implicit assumptions present in Italian linguistic practices and relate them to their own cultural conventions. Learn how to identify the cultural component of everyday practices, from food to body language, and recognize difference as culturally specific.
  4. Proficiency in Italian Literature and Culture: acquire familiarity with Italian literature and culture, their history and their contexts, as well as the critical tools used in their analysis.
  5. Competence in Italian linguistics: acquire competence in the structure and history of the Italian language.