Graduate Specializations

The M.A. degree in Italian consists of different specializations.  In conjunction with the director, students will select one specialization at the start of the program. Students must fulfill the following minimum distribution requirements indicated for the specialization that they have chosen:

Specializations

General Studies in Italian

The General Studies specialization is meant for students who prefer not to specialize in one area of study. The courses required for this option are culled from the other specializations, below.

Requirement: 1 language course (unit) at the 500-level, 1 language or linguistics unit at the 600-level, 2 units in civilization, 3 units in literature. Students who plan to teach and who are completing the M.A. on the Middlebury campus must also include one unit in methodology or professional preparation.

Culture

The Culture specialization invites students to explore the various traditions and cultures present throughout the 20 regions of Italy through diverse lenses: thematic, regional, historical, folkloric, music, etc.

Requirement: 1 language or stylistics course (unit); 5 units in culture; 3 units to be chosen from literature and/or linguistics courses.

Literary Studies

The Literary Studies specialization focuses on the rich literary history of Italy from the Middle Ages until the present. General period courses are offered in addition to thematic, monographic, genre courses and critical theory courses.

Requirement: 1 language or stylistics course (unit); 5 units in literature; 3 units to be chosen from culture and communication and/or linguistics courses.

Past Courses: Tradition of the Italian Fable, Modes of Critical Theory, Exile and Migration in Contemporary Italian Literature, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Myth of Ulysses in Italian Literature, Being a Woman & Doing Theater, Italian Baroque Literature, Italo Calvino’s Fiction, Italian Political Novels & Thought, New Verses in Italian Contemporary Literature, The Italian Narrative of the last 20 years: Height and Decline of Postmodernism, Industrial Literature, Power and Success in the Renaissance, The Risorgimento, Verism: Giovanni Verga, Italian Political Theater.

Language and Linguistics

The Language and Linguistics specialization deepens students’ knowledge of the storia della lingua italiana, the rich dialectal tradition of Italy, the philology of the Italian Language, romance languages, and Mediterranean languages.

Requirement: 1 language or stylistics course (unit); 5 units in linguistics; 3 units to be chosen from literature and/or culture and communication courses.

Mass Media, Communications, and Cinema

The Mass Media, Communication, and Cinema specialization exposes students to a diverse, specific, and important aspect of Italy. Courses offered within this specialization touch on linguistics, cinema theory, history of Italian cinema, and documentary film/film making.

Requirement: 1 language or stylistics course (unit); 5 units in mass media, communication, or culture; 3 units to be chosen from literature and/or linguistics courses.

Mediterranean Studies

The Mediterranean Studies specialization will enable students to develop insight into the history and culture that have shaped a vital region, helping them to interpret and address the complex issues of today’s world in the age of globalization. Topics will include literature, cinema, diverse religious backgrounds, history and art. This innovative program is designed for students seeking a career in international affairs, economics or economic development, diplomacy, politics, journalism, or education.

Requirement: 1 language or stylistics course (unit); 5 units in Mediterranean Studies; 3 units to be chosen from literature, linguistics, and/or mass media courses.

Additional specializations or concentrations offered during the summer session may or may not be accommodated during the Florence academic year session. Please contact the director of the Florence program to confirm your selection if it varies from those listed above.