Italian Studies

The Program in Italian Studies is a modern, forward-looking program that has found a dignified place in the multicultural and interdisciplinary environment of the college, without losing its own identity and integrity. Our courses reflect the multifaceted Italian national identity and situate it in the larger mappa mundi at the intersection with other languages and disciplines .

The FAU Italian Program is unique and most complete program in the Southeastern United States: it offers a Minor and Major concentrations, Master's graduate coursework and PhD doctoral courses. It is also one of the few programs in the nation to be deeply dedicated to the discipline of Italian American Studies and to incorporate a strong creative writing component.

The Program's creativity sparks the many educational initiatives listed in the side menu. Among them, the Venice Study Abroad Program and the Castle in Tuscany research days. While keeping the students' growth as main focus, the Program's many activities are open to the community, through Club Insieme and the GKA National Honor Society.

The FAU Italian program has also a healthy relationship with the Italian community that generously contributes with scholarships and support to the study of Italian culture.

Italian Course Offerings ITALIAN VIRTUAL ADVISING

In Fall 2024 FAU Italian is hosting the National Conference of Italian American Studies Association on October 17-19. Events and paper presentations are open to students and friends.

 

Click here for 9-minute video presentations of the FAU Italian program.

 

The Italian Program faculty has been honored with several prestigious recognitions:

• Dr. Myriam Ruthenberg won two university-wide teaching awards, a University Faculty Talon Award, and in 2007 she was knighted by the Republic of Italy. She is now Professor emerita.
• Dr. Ilaria Serra won the 2020 and 2012 University Scholar of the Year Award. She was honored by the Italo American Cultural Society "for her dediction to Italian Studies" in 2019, and received a Career Achievement Award from FATI-Florida Association Teachers of Italian in 2023 and 2024. She was knighted by the Republic of Italy in 2023. She received both the ILF Italian Language Foundation Teaching Award and the Columbus International Award in 2024. 
• Dr. Emanuele Pettener was appointed Writer in Residence in the Department of Languages, Linguistics and Comparative Literature in 2020. He is a recognized author of fiction and editor.

The Italian Program currently has "memoranda of understanding" with the University of Roma 3, the American University in Rome, and the University of Macerata, and gives students partnership possibilities (Progetto Tandem) with the University of Trento, and teaching experience in Italy as part of the SITE network (Study, Intercultural Training and Experience) in Lombardy.

 

WHY STUDY ITALIAN?

Discover what our students say or talk to one of our majors (Francesca) for student to student advising.

Browse your career possibilities with a degree in Italian