Demonstrate an Understanding and Appreciation of Cultural Perspectives and Practices in the Italian-Speaking World.
The College of Liberal Arts’ Italian program is home to adventurous and curious individuals who seek to learn about other cultures, break down stereotypes and explore the world.
Building on a solid bedrock of Italian language proficiency, Temple University’s Italian degrees, minor and certificate are interdisciplinary programs of study that place a strong emphasis on cultural, global and national identity studies. Global awareness and cultural literacy are fundamental to being active citizens, capable of promoting change and innovation. Our students learn the vital critical thinking, public speaking and problem-solving skills necessary to thrive both at home and abroad.
Why Study Italian?
Apart from being the number one study abroad destination among university students, Italy’s importance in the corporate world and its complementary pairing with humanities studies make Italian the fourth-most-studied foreign language in the United States. Temple University’s Italian major is an interdisciplinary course of study that, in addition to being built on requirements of language proficiency and Italian literary history knowledge, places a strong emphasis on cultural, global and national identity studies. The program’s methodology is based on a communicative approach coupled with technology-based student engagement practice to enhance language retention, level of competency and proficiency. Additionally, it provides a window into Italian culture. The transferable communication and critical thinking skills acquired through the program prove invaluable to employers of liberal arts graduates.
Italian majors take courses in Italian for Business, where students not only master the sectorial language of Italian business but also gain an understanding of the functioning of the nation’s business and economy. Special topics courses, offered periodically, explore what it meant (and means) to be Italian in relation to historical events and realities that have divided and united Italians. Each course utilizes cinema and media studies to further reflect on how the country’s literature and history have shaped Italian society, while in turn showcasing different modes of reading and thinking about literature.
Majoring in Italian prepares you for a career requiring analytical thinking and communication skills in fields such as education, academia, business, international business, government service, travel and tourism.
Face Time with Faculty
Our small class size allows faculty and students to build a rapport with each other. In turn, we devote a great amount of individual attention to every student throughout their college career, leading them towards success. We understand their talents and potential, and work with them to find opportunities that best fit their professional and academic aspirations.
Italy: #1 Study Abroad Destination
Students of Italian not only study abroad, but they have the opportunity to partake in fellowship and teaching programs as well as internships in Italy. Italian majors and minors are highly encouraged to apply for the Marthe Lavallée-Williams Study Abroad Scholarship and Grants Award. Assorted awards ranging from $2,000 to $8,000 support language study in Italy for one semester, one academic year or one summer.
Teach in Italy
Each year, two Italian majors are selected to participate in a paid teaching program in Northern Italy through the Study, Intercultural Training and Experience (SITE) program. SITE interns live in a city of the Lombardy region for three-to-eight months, teach English at local high schools and are trained in teaching.