Italian | Romance Studies

Study Italian at Boston University

Italian Studies at Boston University offers a comprehensive undergraduate preparation in the fields of Italian language, literature and culture.

The Section Head of the Italian Studies Program, Professor Nancy Harrowitz, teaches courses on 19th and 20th century Italian literature, on the Italian novel, on literature and film during/in response to the fascist period, and on Primo Levi, and is a specialist in Holocaust studies as well. The overall coordinator, Laura Brusetti McGinn, teaches all levels of Italian language courses as well as 313 “Italian Media and Popular Culture”. Jim Carter teaches courses on Italian film and on aspects of contemporary Italian culture. Rita Coté teaches LI 312 “Italian for the Professions” as well as reading, writing, and literature classes. Our courses in advanced language and Italian culture (Italian media, Italian film) on the Boston campus are supplemented by the curriculum of our study abroad program (CIES/Center for Italian & European Studies) in Padova in coordination with the Universita’ degli Studi di Padova.

Overview of the Program

All majors must take at least 10 courses above LI 211 (LI 212 now counts as one of the 10 so 9 courses after 212). The minor requirements are being proposed as 6 courses above LI 111(LI 212 will count as one of them, so 5 courses after 212*). The remaining 9 courses for a major and 5 courses for a minor must be LI 283 and above with many course available to take abroad in Padua, Italy. (*the minor requirements will be updated this summer)

Major In Italian

Minor in Italian

To declare a Major or Minor in Italian, please follow the instructions on our Undergraduate Resources page.

Peer Tutoring

Free peer tutoring is available to all students in first through fourth semester of Italian language courses. Please click here for further information.