Requirements

During the academic year our program emphasizes the study of literature and culture in the context of language acquisition. The other integral components of Italian at Middlebury are the Italian School (summer immersion program), and the C. V. Starr-Middlebury College School in Italy (junior year or semester), where students can take courses in our beautiful Sede in Florence, or can direct-enroll in our programs at the University of Firenze. These rich programs encourage students to deepen and broaden their study of Italian literature, cinema, history, art history, political science, and many other disciplines. During the academic year in Middlebury, all four levels of courses in Italian are available every semester, and—for qualified students—faculty members are also available to direct independent research projects (ITAL 0550).

Major in Italian

For a full or double major in Italian, students must complete ten credits in Italian. The standard curriculum includes: three courses at the 100-level (0101, 0102 and 0103); two courses at the 200-level (0251 and 0252); three credits abroad plus one course at the 300-level at Middlebury (a total of four courses at the 300-level); and one course at the 400-level. Italian majors are strongly encouraged to complete ITAL 0755 (a research project such as an essay, or a creative work such as a Podcast or a video). Majors are normally expected to study at least one semester at the C.V. Starr-Middlebury College School in Florence, Italy, with at least one course at the University of Florence. No more than three credits per semester from Study Abroad in Italy are applicable to the major.  A student can complete major requirements at all levels with courses taken at the Middlebury Summer Italian School.  Students who place into ITAL 251 or above for their first course at Middlebury must complete two 400-level courses.

Joint Major in Italian

For the joint major in Italian, students must complete nine credits in Italian: three credits at the 100-level (ITAL 0101, 0102 and 0103); two credits at the 200-level (ITAL 0251 and 0252); three credits at the 300-level; and one course at the 0400 level. Students must also complete a joint project credited in either of the two disciplines, as well as fulfill the requirements in the second discipline. Students are normally expected to complete one semester at the C.V. Starr-Middlebury College School in Florence, with at least one course at the University of Firenze. No more than three credits per semester from coursework in Italy are applicable to the Italian part of the major.  Students who place at ITAL 251 or above for their first course at Middlebury must complete 2 400-level courses.

International and Global Studies Major with Italian

(European Studies Track)

Along with other required courses and senior work as described in the International and Global Studies major section, the Italian language component of an International and Global Studies major requires completion of the following: 1) Italian courses required for study in Italy (see below); 2) one semester, and preferably a full year, at the C.V. Starr-Middlebury College School in Florence; 3) one 0400-level course in Italian upon return from Italy. Regional specialization requirements for the International and Global Studies major may include ITAL 0290-level courses (in English) as well as 0300-level courses taught at Middlebury or in Italy.

Minor in Italian

The Italian minor consists of seven courses: ITAL 0101, ITAL 0102, ITAL 103, ITAL 0251, ITAL 0252 (or two courses counted from ITAL 3251-3252-3253 in the Italian Summer School) and two courses at the 0300-level or higher. Students entering the program with a standing beyond the ITAL 0103-level are required to take at least three courses at the 300-level or higher. All courses at the 0300-level can be completed during the academic year at Middlebury, at the Italian School, or at the C.V. Starr-Middlebury College School in Florence.

Honors

To earn departmental honors, high honors*, or highest honors** a student must have at least a 3.6, 3.7*, or 3.8** average or above in Italian courses other than the senior project, have a project defense, and receive a grade of at least B+, A-*, or A** on the thesis (ITAL 0755).

Fulfilling The Middlebury College Writing Requirement

All Italian majors, joint majors, minors, and International and Global Studies majors with literature and culture focus in Italian are strongly encouraged to fulfill their college writing requirement by enrolling in CMLT 0101 Introduction to World Literature.

Requirements for Junior Year/Semester Abroad

The Italian language proficiency requirements for participation in study abroad in Italy can be completed with any combination of courses at the Middlebury campus (summer or academic year) that culminates with the successful completion of ITAL 0252 during the academic year or ITAL 3253 at the Summer School. Students must also have an overall academic average of at least B-, an average of B in Italian (or additional course work), and be enrolled in an Italian course the semester before departure. Because of the demanding and intensive nature of our programs in Middlebury, and because of the difficulty of finding equivalent programs in the United States or in Italy, we do not accept alternative programs for the fulfillment of study abroad requirements.

C.V. Starr-Middlebury School in Italy-Florence

Students may study for a semester or for a full year in Italy. Fall and spring term students enroll for language, literature, and civilization courses in September and January. For examples of recent courses, please refer to the course database: http://www.middlebury.edu/international/sa/cid.  Students studying in Florence are also expected to enroll in at least one course at the Università degli Studi di Firenze. Subject areas generally offered there include archeology, philology, Italian literature, linguistics, international relations, political science, comparative politics, sociology, history, art history, and history of economics.