Undergraduate Program in Italian

The Italian program seeks to prepare students to understand, appreciate and use professionally the language, literature, and culture of Italy, through the achievement of an accurate reading knowledge, adequate aural comprehension, and conversational proficiency. Upon completion of the basic courses, students are expected to have a thorough, practical command of the language they have studied, including an ability to understand more fully the culture or cultures of which that language is a reflection. Elective courses consist of both linguistic and literary studies of a more advanced and specialized nature. In all courses, correlation with other departments of the College is encouraged whenever students' use of their language training can be made effective in their field of specialization.
Students who have had less than one and one-half years of high school Italian normally begin with course 111; those entering with two years normally begin with course 112; those presenting three years usually begin with course 203; and those presenting four years normally begin with course 204. Native speakers should consult the Chair or a department representative for their correct placement.
Italian 111, 112, and 203 satisfy the current Queens College Foreign Language Requirement.

The Major

Majoring in Italian requires 36 credits above the 204 level, including the successful completion of Italian 207, 208, 209, and 224. Students should choose courses for the remaining 24 credits in consultation with the undergraduate adviser. Additional credits may be taken in courses related in content and purpose, and may include art history, music, Italian American Studies, political science, geography, economics, history, anthropology, and other such adjunct courses. All prospective majors must consult a departmental adviser in order to file proper concentration forms. Students who plan to teach Italian in secondary schools should also take at least three courses in a second foreign language. Approval for student teaching normally requires a 3.0 average in elective courses and the grade of B in intermediate conversation, phonetics, and grammar.

The Minor

Eighteen credits above language 112 are required for the minor in Italian Students may start with any course above Italian 112. Prospective minors should consult with the undergraduate adviser in order to plan their programs All prospective minors must consult a department adviser to have their programs approved.

Undergraduate Courses

Courses in English 41-50
Elementary and Intermediate Language Courses 111-204
Introductory Literature Courses 207-209
Advanced Language Courses 223-235 and 336
Elective Literature Courses 329 and 345-381

Courses in English

Italian 41, 41W. Masterpieces of Italian Literature in Translation. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: English 110. Readings in English translation of some outstanding works of Italian literature from its beginnings to the twentieth century, illustrating a variety of genres. The specific works to be considered will vary from semester to semester and from section to section, and will be announced in advance. (H1T1) Ý Ý
Italian 45, 45W. Italian Civilization. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
This course will deal with various aspects of Italian culture, such as music, the visual and performing arts, and the history of ideas. The specific topics to be considered will vary from section to section, and will be announced in advance. Readings and class discussions will be conducted in English. This course may be taken more than once for credit provided the topic is different. (H3)
Italian 50, 50W. Italian Cinema. 4 hr.; 3 cr.
The course will deal with the various aspects of Italian cinema: historical, cultural, aesthetic, political, technical, etc. Particular courses may deal with a certain tendency (such as neo-Realism), period, or an individual director (such as De Sica, Visconti, Fellini, or Antonioni). Lectures and work will be done in English; films will be shown in the original language with subtitles. May be taken more than once for credit provided the topic is different.Ý Ý

The above courses may be offered as Writing Intensive (W-designated) courses. 41 and 45 satisfy LASAR requirements.

Elementary and Intermediate Language Courses

Italian 111. Elementary Italian I. 4 hr.; 4 cr.
Intended for students with no previous training in Italian. Designed to establish correct pronunciation, to teach the elements of grammar, to enable students to read, to understand spoken Italian, to become familiar with cultural aspects of Italy, and especially to establish a good basic vocabulary. Class hours include use of the language laboratory. Fall, Spring
Italian 112. Elementary Italian II. 4 hr.; 4 cr.
Prereq.: Italian 111 or two years of high school Italian. This course is a continuation of Italian 111. A graded reader is introduced to present literary and cultural aspects of Italy, and to offer topics for simple exercises in composition. Class hours include use of the language laboratory. Fall, Spring
When circumstances warrant, the department may offer a course of Intensive Italian 111 and 112 for eight credits.
Italian 203. Intermediate Italian I. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Italian 112 or three years of high school Italian. Grammar review, conversation, and readings in literary and cultural materials at an intermediate level. Fall, Spring
Italian 204. Intermediate Italian II. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Italian 203 or four years of high school Italian. Continuation of Italian 203 with grammar review, conversation, composition, and readings in literary and cultural materials. Fall, Spring

Introductory Litirature Courses

Italian 207. Survey of Italian Poetry. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Italian 204 or permission of department. Reading and analysis of representative works from the Middle Ages through the present; special emphasis on the history of literary movements. Required for majors and others planning to take elective courses in the department. (H1T2, PN)
Italian 208. Survey of Italian Prose. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Italian 204 or permission of department. Reading and analysis of representative works from the Middle Ages through the present; special emphasis on the history of literary movements. Required for majors and others planning to take elective courses in the department. (H1T2, PN)
Italian 209. Introduction to Italian Culture. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Italian 204 or permission of department. Background for the meaningful study of Italian literary culture. This includes major historical developments from ancient times through the comuni, the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, up to Unification, and the recent economic miracle. (H3, PN)

The above courses satisfy LASAR requirements.

Advanced Language Courses

Italian 223. Advanced Conversation. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Italian 203. For students who want to perfect their fluency in current idiom. Prepared and impromptu group discussions on general topics and everyday situations. Frequent short talks by students. May not be taken by students who speak Italian with native fluency. Ý Ý
Italian 224. Advanced Grammar. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Italian 204 or permission of department. Provides instruction in advanced Italian grammar and idiom patterns. Spring
Italian 228. Advanced Composition (Dissertation and Explication of Texts). 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: 204 or permission of department. Provides instruction in formal composition of a literary nature; trains students in the techniques of textual analysis. Fall
Italian 231. Skills and Art of Translation I. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Italian 204 or permission of department. Introduction to the techniques and problems of translation; intensive practice in translating texts of various types. Ý Ý
Italian 232. Skills and Art of Translation II. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Italian 231. Translation of more advanced texts. Texts may be chosen not only from literature but from journalism, advertising, business, and other technical or specialized areas.Ý Ý
Italian 235. Commercial and Technical Italian. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Italian 204 or permission of department. Provides adequate training in the use of Italian for business, technical, and consular purposes by giving extensive practice in written and oral usage of the forms in use in these fields. Drill will be required in translation techniques, use of special vocabularies and other adjuncts as needed in practical usage in these and related fields of work.Ý Ý
Italian 336. The Italian Language. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one course from Italian 223 through 235 or permission of department. Introduction to key aspects of the Italian language. The course will provide basic linguistic tools and an overview of the historical development of the language and its dialects. Emphasis may be on such topics as Italian dialects, language use in contemporary society, Italian as an immigrant language. May be repeated for credit provided the topic is different. (H1T2)

Elective Courses in Literature

Italian 329. Textual Analysis. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one course from Italian 223 through 235 or permission of department. Introduction to the idea of text, stylistics, research, and criticism. Explication of different methodologies and theories of interpretation, with strong emphasis on practical strategies of identifying and contextualizing the literary artifact.
Italian 345. Studies in Medieval Literature I: Dante. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one course from Italian 223 through 235 or permission of department. Studies of various aspects of the poet's aesthetic and vision through analysis of representative works such as the Vita Nuova, The Rime, and the Commedia. May be repeated for credit provided topics and selections are different. (H1T2, PN)
Italian 346. Studies in Medieval Literature II: Poetry. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one course from Italian 223 through 235 or permission of department. Focuses on specific works and poetics of medieval Italian poetry represented by Petrarch and other early poets. May be repeated for credit provided topics and selections are different. (H1T2, PN)
Italian 347. Studies in Medieval Literature III: Prose. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one course from Italian 223 through 235 or permission of department. Studies specific works and narrative techniques in Italian prose represented by Boccaccio and the Italian novella. May be repeated for credit provided topics and selections are different. (H1T2, PN)
Italian 355. Studies in Renaissance Literature I: Theatre. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one course from Italian 223 through 235 or permission of department. Study of selected dramatic texts from the Sacra Rappresentazione through Aretino and Monteverdi to Alfieri. May be repeated for credit provided topics and selections are different. (H1T2, PN)
Italian 356. Studies in Renaissance Literature II: Poetry. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one course from Italian 223 through 235 or permission of department. Focuses on specific works and poetics of Renaissance Italian poetry represented by Lorenzo de Medici, Boiardo, Ariosto, Tasso, Marino, and others. May be repeated for credit provided topics and selections are different. (H1T2, PN)
Italian 357. Studies in Renaissance Literature III: Prose. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one course from Italian 223 through 235 or permission of department. Studies specific prose works and narrative techniques of authors such as Alberti, Valla, Poliziano, Machiavelli, Guicciardini, and Castiglione. May be repeated for credit provided topics and selections are different. (H1T2, PN)
Italian 361. Studies in Modern Literature I: Theatre. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one course from Italian 223 through 235 or permission of department. Study of selected dramatic texts from such authors as Manzoni, Boito, Pirandello, and Fo. May be repeated for credit provided topics and selections are different. (H1T2)
Italian 362. Studies in Modern Literature II: Poetry. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one course from Italian 223 through 235 or permission of department. Focuses on specific works or problems in poetic of modern Italian poetry represented by 19th- and 20th-century poets from Foscolo and Leopardi to Montale, Ungaretti, and others. May be repeated for credit provided topics and selections are different. (H1T2)
Italian 364. Studies in Modern Literature III: Prose. 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: At least one course from Italian 223 through 235 or permission of department. Studies specific works and narrative techniques of authors such as Foscolo, Verga, Svevo, Pirandello, Moravia, and Eco. May be repeated for credit provided topics and selections are different. (H1T2)
Italian 381. Seminar. 381.2, 2 hr.; 2 cr.; 381.3, 3 hr.; 3 cr.
Prereq.: Upper junior or senior standing, an average of B in elective courses in Italian, and permission of department. Designed especially to give qualified students experience in scholarly investigation. Fields chosen for in-depth study may be in literature, civilization, linguistics, or interdisciplinary areas including film, visual arts, music, etc. May be repeated for credit provided the topic is different.

Most of the above courses satisfy LASAR requirements.