Italian
Department of Romance Languages and Literatures
College of Arts and Sciences
910 Clemens Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-4620
Phone: 716.645.2191
Fax: 716.645.5981
Web: rll.buffalo.edu/rll
Email: rll-info@buffalo.edu
Maureen Jameson
Chair
Emanuele Licastro
Director of Undergraduate Studies and Language Program Director
716.645.2191, ext. 1170
licastro@buffalo.edu
About the Program
Italian is spoken by more than 60 million people, mainly in Italy but also in Switzerland where it is one of the four official languages (Canton Ticino). Italian is also spoken by the large Italian communities in the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, and South America (specifically in Argentina and in the south of Brazil where almost half of the population is of Italian origin). Our program develops an appreciation of world cultures through the study of language, literature, and film.
Students who study Italian at the advanced level acquire language proficiency, explore various aspects of Italian culture, and obtain knowledge of Italian literature.
About Our Degrees
The objectives of the Italian program are to develop students' proficiency in the use of the language, to familiarize them with the history of Italian literature, and to train them in the reading, interpretation, and appreciation of the country's literary masterpieces.
Acceptance Information
Applications to the major and minor are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications are available at the department office or on the RLL website.
Accepted majors/minors (2003-2004): 10
Total number of majors currently enrolled: 7
Total number of minors currently enrolled: 9
Acceptance Criteria
Minimum GPA of 2.0 overall.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 in the following prerequisite courses: ITA 101, ITA 102, ITA 151, ITA 152.
Degree Requirements
See the Undergraduate Catalog.
About Our Courses
The typical class size for:
Freshman/introductory level courses is: 24
Sophomore/intermediate courses is: 24
Upper level/advanced courses is: 20
In the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, what do teaching assistants (TAs) do?
TA’s generally teach introductory-level courses.
For course descriptions, please see the Undergraduate Catalog.
About Our Faculty
Classes in the Italian program are small, and are taught by faculty with recognized commitment to teaching. One faculty member has received the Milton Plesur Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Practical Experience and Special Academic Opportunities
Undergraduate Research and Practical Experience
SUNY offers study abroad programs in Florence, Rome, and Venice. See Study Abroad Programs.
Students wishing to satisfy the requirements for teacher certification should plan their programs with particular care in order to accommodate the required semester of the professional sequence during their senior year. For certification requirements, students should contact the Teacher Education Institute, Graduate School of Education, 375 Baldy Hall.
Honors, Awards, and Scholarships
Departmental Honors are awarded to graduating students based on GPA.
Extracurricular Activities
There are many opportunities to participate in out-of-class enrichment activities through the RLL department, including conversation groups and lectures. The Italian Department Club sponsors rewarding cultural events such as a film night. The club has received several UB Student Association awards.
See the UB Student Association.
Complementary Programs and Courses
- Architecture
- Business Administration
- Classics
- English
- Environmental Design
- French
- History
- International Studies
- Spanish
Career Information and Further Study
Students in Italian find a number of career opportunities open to them. Among graduates in the past decade, a small number have gone on to do graduate work, some have gone on to law school, and others have found positions in public service and secondary education. Whatever career appeals to graduating students, fluency in Italian will assuredly be an advantage.
Some careers our graduates have pursued include:
- Anthropological linguist
- Diplomat
- Foreign service officer
- Foreign student advisor
- Immigration inspector
- International relations specialist
- Journalist
- Lawyer
- Public relations specialist
- Social worker
- Teacher
- Translator
Links to Further Information About This Program
- Undergraduate Catalog
- Department of Romance Languages and Literatures
- Undergraduate Admissions
- Graduate Admissions
- College of Arts and Sciences
Last Modified: Tuesday, 7-Nov-2006 10:26:10 EST