B.A. Degree in Italian Studies

If you want to blaze your own path to fluency in Italian language and culture, the Italian area studies major at Fordham might be right for you. It’s a highly individualized, interdisciplinary course of study based in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures. With the help of a faculty advisor, you’ll craft a rigorous course of study that fits your passions and ambitions. Most of your classes will be in Italian. You’ll study a broad range of topics, including art history, classical languages, political science, and visual arts. In the process, you’ll become fluent in Italian, refine your analytical skills, and acquire a critical understanding of Italian literary and cultural tradition over the centuries. We draw on a long Jesuit tradition of scholarship on and respect for the world's diverse languages and cultures-and virtually all of them are in New York City. From cultural events to people on the streets, New York City is your classroom for learning Italian. You’ll learn more than Italian language and literature here. You’ll also study philosophy, theology, economics, mathematics, ethics, science, and the performing arts through Fordham’s common core curriculum, the centerpiece of our liberal arts education. As an Italian area studies major, you take 10 required courses. It’s an individualized, interdisciplinary major, so tailor a track to fit your interests. Some of the tracks our students have created: Italy and the Arts Italy, Film and Media Studies Italy, Europe and the Mediterranean Italy and the Italian American Experience Italy and the Italian Diaspora All literature courses are taught in Italian, and you will be required to speak in Italian in class discussions and oral presentations. You’ll graduate with advanced proficiency in speaking and writing in Italian-as well as an extensive literary and cultural preparation-that will open doors to many careers. Wherever Italian is spoken, there may be a role for you. Our graduates earn advanced degrees in graduate programs in: Foreign languages and literature Comparative literature International affairs They attend professional schools in: Law Journalism Social work They work in as many fields as there are people speaking French, including: Finance Publishing Nonprofit