Italian (ITAL)

The Italian major seeks to foster linguistic fluency and appreciation of Italian culture. In addition to acquiring advanced oral and written proficiency in the Italian language, majors will have the opportunity to access Italy's rich literary and cultural heritage through a variety of venues, including short stories, novels, poetry, film, music, art, and contemporary newspapers.

In addition to selecting courses offered at Mount Holyoke and in the Five College community, students are encouraged to investigate the many study abroad options available to them in such culturally diverse cities as Florence, Rome, Milan, Siena and Bologna. A major in Italian language and culture can lead to a variety of national and international careers, from foreign service to fashion marketing, from international banking and trade to film publishing and journalism, and from a career in journalism to teaching.

The department offers some courses taught in English (listed at the end of the Italian course descriptions) as well as courses taught in Italian.

Students with no previous training in Italian should elect 101–102, Elementary Italian. Those who have a superior aptitude for language or are proficient in another Romance language may elect 103, Intensive Elementary Italian, in the spring semester.

Students with 2 years of high school Italian should contact the Department about the possibility of electing 201f, Intermediate Italian. Students whose proficiency in the Italian language is superior and who wish to study literature should elect 221, Introduction to Italian Literature, in the fall semester. Students specially qualified for more advanced courses should consult department members during September registration for placement in appropriate courses.

First-year students may consider enrolling in:

ITAL-101f-102s	Elementary Italian
ITAL-103s	Intensive Elementary Italian
ITAL-201f	Intermediate Italian (with permission from instructor)
ITAL-209s	Conversation and Composition (with permission from instructor)
ITAL-221f	Introduction to Italian Literature (with permission from instructor)