Your first-year Italian courses develop basic language skills and introduce you to the cultures of the Italian-speaking world. You’ll to develop proficiency through applied language components of courses taught in English, allowing you to read and discuss, in Italian, selected texts and materials pertinent to the subject matter of the course. These courses may be offered in a variety of disciplines. You’ll meet one additional hour per week with instructor(s) to discuss the texts in Italian. Those who successfully complete the language portion of such a course will receive credit for a half course.
Your next courses are based on the literature and culture of the Italian-speaking world. You’ll study and practice oral expression, including interviews with native speakers, the production of radio programs, video projects, a visit to Italian communities in Montreal, Boston, or New York City or an evening at a local Italian restaurant.
Other courses help you enrich your grammatical resources, expand vocabulary and practice writing in Italian in order to consolidate those skills and to critically reflect in the target language on a variety of subjects. “Topics” courses explore the major contributions of Italy to Western culture in such areas as art, architecture, cinema and music and may be repeated barring duplication of materials. Take a course that surveys Italian film from Neo-realism to present, analyzing important moments in Italy’s historical, social and political movements of the 20th century, through chosen films by leading Italian directors such as Visconti, Rossellini, De Sica, Fellini and Benigni.
Study Abroad
The hard part might be deciding which study-abroad experience in Italy will best suit your personal interests. One in three Saint Michael’s students in general spends a semester or year abroad. As you might guess, the figure is much higher for Modern Languages students. Here are some programs in Italian language or locations that our students have explored. View our Study Abroad Programs Page for more information.
Study Abroad Politi Scholarships:
A limited number of scholarships are available to support study in countries and programs that the College believes offer optimum learning opportunities. The scholarships are made possible through the Dr. A. Francis Politi International Fund.
Applications for study abroad programs emphasizing experiential learning opportunities (field based research, internships, student teaching, and service learning) or study in a language that is not the student's primary language will be given priority. Grants will range from $1,000 - $1,800. An academic year student can apply for a maximum of $2,000. The scholarships will be applied to the student's accounts.
Special consideration will be given to students who study in the following regions of the world:
- Africa
- Central and Latin America
- Asia
- Middle East
- Non-English speaking countries in Europe in which the student studies in the language of the host country and/or takes language courses.
Teaching, translating, interpreting, international journalism, business, law, foreign service, travel industry, or graduate studies in Italian literature are some post-graduation or career possibilities for Italian minors.
Professor Adrian Languasco, our chief Italian expert at St. Mike’s, enjoys learning new languages, traveling, hiking, bicycling, and cross-country skiing. He has run 16 New York City Marathons and about another dozen including Burlington, Stowe, Montreal, Rome and Orlando.