Italian

Faculty List

Professors
E. Brilli, Dott in Lett, PhD
F. Pierno, Dott in Lett, DEA, Doctorat
L. Somigli, Dott in Lett, PhD

Associate Professors
E. Morra, Dott in Lett, PhD
A. Zambenedetti, Dott in Lingue e Lett Straniere, MA, PhD

Assistant Professors
G. Gaimari, MA, PhD
L. Ingallinella, Dott in Filologia Mod, PhD
A. Pesarini, Dott in Antr, MSc, PhD

Associate Professors Emeriti, Teaching Stream
B. Magliocchetti, MA (SM)
M. Pasquarelli Clivio, MA, PhD (SM)

Associate Professor, Teaching Stream
M. Scarci, MA, PhD (V)

Assistant Professors, Teaching Stream
P. Frascà, MA, PhD
A. Lanza, Dott in Storia, DEA, PhD

Senior Lecturers Emeritae
R. Longo Lavorato, MA, PhD (SM)
A. Urbancic, B Ed, MA, PhD (V)

Introduction

To study Italian is not only to acquire a language, but also to engage with a rich literary, artistic, and cultural tradition that has played a central role in shaping Western civilization. Italian culture continues to influence contemporary life through literature, cinema, visual culture, philosophy, and social thought. Italy’s linguistic diversity, shaped by centuries of regional, historical, and migratory experience, offers further insight into the country’s cultural complexity. The study of Italian allows students to explore these traditions in depth and to understand Italy’s continuing contributions to cultural, intellectual, and global exchange.

Italian Studies combines the study of the Italian language with the study of Italy’s literature, cinema, culture, and linguistic traditions, considered in both historical and contemporary perspectives. The discipline brings together multiple approaches to Italian cultural production and social life and offers an interdisciplinary framework for understanding Italy’s place within broader European and global contexts.

Italian Studies is organized around language and four areas of concentration – literature, cinema and visual culture, linguistics, and cultural studies – which reflect the contemporary configuration of the discipline. These areas offer distinct but interconnected perspectives on Italian language, culture, and society and structure the undergraduate programs of study on this area.

Students in the Specialist in Italian Studies complete advanced language training alongside coursework in all four areas of concentration. This structure ensures that Specialist students are well versed across the full range of the discipline and acquire a comprehensive understanding of Italian Studies at an advanced undergraduate level.

Students in the Major in Italian Studies complete a structured sequence of language study together with coursework in three of the four areas of concentration. This design allows students to pursue their academic interests in a focused and coherent manner while maintaining meaningful breadth across the discipline.

The Department also offers two Minor programs, reflecting distinct student interests. The Italian Studies Minor is designed for students whose primary focus is on Italian literature, cinema, and culture, with the option to include language study as one area of concentration. The Italian Language Minor is intended for students whose primary goal is the development of Italian language skills, situating language learning within broader cultural and contextual frameworks.

Each area of concentration is supported by a dedicated introductory course at the 200 level. Although these courses are not listed as formal prerequisites for 300- or 400-level offerings, they are required components of all programs of study in Italian Studies and provide essential historical and disciplinary grounding. Students are therefore strongly encouraged to complete these introductory courses as early as possible in their program, ideally before enrolling in advanced coursework.