Advanced Track
The Advanced Track is designed for students with strong abilities in written and spoken Italian, with two or more years (4+ semesters) of college-level Italian (or the equivalent).
This track emphasizes acquisition of language skills and intellectual development through a curriculum of content-driven language and cultural study exclusively in Italian under the Middlebury Language Pledge®. We strongly urge all students to enroll in the program for the full academic year; compared to a shorter stay, the linguistic, academic, and personal benefits of a ten-month stay are incalculable.
Students will enroll in one or two courses organized by the Middlebury Sede*, a half-credit Stylistics course also at the Sede, and take their remaining credits at the Università degli Studi di Firenze or the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze. The program director will guide you toward courses most appropriate to your intellectual, linguistic, and curricular interests. An academic internship may take the place of one university course.
*Italian majors studying in Florence will be required to take two courses at the Università degli Studi di Firenze, or one course at the university and one credit-bearing internship.
To prepare for their immersive experience in Italy, students may wish to visit the School in Italy’s Pre-Immersion website for language practice, music, book, and movie recommendations, and student testimonials about studying under the Middlebury Language Pledge®.
Track Structure
- Two Required Courses
- Middlebury stylistics course in Italian
- Course in Italian at the local university
- Third Course (choose one)
- Course in Italian at the local university
- Course in Italian at the Middlebury Sede
- Studio Art Course at the Accademia di Belle Arti (academic year or spring semester only)
- Internship for Credit
- Fourth Course (choose one)
- Course in Italian at the local university
- Course in Italian at the Middlebury Sede
- Studio Art Course at the Accademia di Belle Arti (academic year or spring semester only)
- Internship for Credit
Middlebury Sede Courses
Area studies courses offered by Middlebury Sede vary from semester to semester. Students in the advanced track will also have a half-credit stylistics course accompany their Middlebury Sede course. For the most recent examples of courses offered at the Middlebury Sede, please visit the Sede website here: https://sites.middlebury.edu/middleburyschoolabroaditaly/sede-course-descriptions-ug-adv-2/