2023-24 Edition

Italian Studies, Minor

The Italian Program at the University of California, Irvine offers a minor in Italian Studies with courses both in Italian language from introductory to intermediate, and in English on a variety of literary and cultural subjects, such as Dante, Renaissance Theater, Holocaust literature, and contemporary migration. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, students study Italian culture through film, music, theater, history and literature. Beyond the Department of European Languages and Studies, Italian Studies students also take courses in history, art history, classics, and other areas.

Students may also choose to major or minor in European Studies with a specialization in Italian Studies.

The University of California also offers students many opportunities to expand their knowledge of Italian by studying in Italy in the cities of Bologna, Florence, Rome, Milan, and other locations, applying a number of credits earned abroad directly to their major or minor at UCI. Learn more about UC Education Abroad by visiting the UCEAP website. For additional programs in Italy led by UC faculty see the Other UC Programs webpage.

The minor in Italian Studies is an interdisciplinary curriculum that allows students to go beyond second-year Italian and engage in various aspects of Italian culture by taking courses in Italian literature and other courses related to Italian history and culture in the Departments of Art History, Comparative Literature, English, Film and Media Studies, History, and Philosophy.

A. Complete the following:
ITALIAN 2C Intermediate Italian
B. Three course topics from the following, no more than two of which may be lower-division:
Topics in Italian Culture
Topics in Italian Literature and Culture
C. Four courses selected from the following, when topics are appropriate. No more than two courses may be taken from any one department, with the exception of Italian courses.
Studies in Renaissance and Baroque Art
Studies in Southern Renaissance Art
Studies in Southern Baroque Art
European Studies Core I - Early Europe (Pre-1789)
European Studies Core II: Modern Europe (Post-1789)
National/Regional Cinemas and Media
Topics in Italian Literature and Culture
Studies in Roman Art
Classics and History: The Ancient World
Classical Mythology
Topics in Classical Civilization
Topics in Early Modern Europe
Topics in the History of Science and Technology

Residence Requirement for the Minor: At least four upper-division courses must be completed successfully at UCI. By petition, two of the four may be taken at an Italian university through the UC Education Abroad Program, at a UCEAP study center in Italy, or through a UC Faculty-Led Program in Italy.

The Department strongly encourages its students to take advantage of the study-abroad programs in Italy to improve their language skills and gain invaluable cultural experience in a foreign university setting. The Department recommends the UC Education Abroad Program in Italy and UC Faculty-Led Programs in Italy.

Credit for courses taken through study-abroad programs is available. Students are advised to discuss their course of study with the Undergraduate Director before their departure and to arrange to bring home proof of their work.