Saint Joseph's University Saint Joseph's University

Italian Studies Major

Get Started

Overview

The Italian studies major provides students the opportunity to become proficient in the Italian language through courses in Italian culture and history.

What Is the Italian Studies Major?

The Italian studies major at Saint Joseph’s University features a curriculum of 10 courses, six of which must be an Italian language course starting at the 100 level or higher. The four other courses may be taken in English and span a variety of disciplines including art, classical studies, film studies, history, linguistics, music, philosophy and political science.

Through your studies of Italian culture and language, you will develop and grow as a critical thinker and develop a global perspective that will prepare you for any career path. In your courses, you will research, analyze and report results by using Italian as a tool of investigation and as a means of communication.

Ways to Study Italian

While Italian studies is only offered as a major, you may choose to combine it with another major or minor at Saint Joseph’s to enhance your learning experience. Common areas of study include:

What Can I Do with an Italian Studies Major?

The Italian studies major is an interdisciplinary program designed for students who want to communicate effectively in both spoken and written Italian and gain a deep understanding of the history, culture and current events of the Italian-speaking world. Majoring in Italian studies will give you a strong foundation for graduate or professional school and can lead to careers in fields such as:

  • Education
  • Business
  • International relations
  • Politics
  • Marketing

How Will Majoring in Italian Studies at Saint Joseph’s University Prepare Me for a Career?

As an Italian studies major, you’ll take courses in our state-of-the-art language labs and get an interactive learning experience. Beyond achieving linguistic, literacy and cultural competency, you’ll also get first-hand experience and knowledge of the Italian language and culture through internships, scholarships and the Department of Modern and Classical Languages’ study abroad programs in countries such as Rome, Florence and Milan. You can also take advantage of the Italian Club, which hosts conversation groups, conferences and cultural trips to the Philadelphia Opera, Philadelphia Museum of Art and International Italian Film Festival and more. These experiences will allow you to apply the skills you learn in the classroom and explore a wide range of career paths and professional interests.

Course Catalog Information

Related Programs

Italian

Saint Joseph's University Italian program promotes the understanding of linguistic, literary and cultural competency. Additionally, we aim to provide students with experiential knowledge of the language and culture through study tours, study abroad opportunities and internships in Italy.

Classical Studies

Classical studies program focus their academic courses on exploring the rich history of the world's earliest cultures and languages, preparing to be the preservationists of and experts on modern society's foundation. Students go on to work in professions such as Latin language instruction, museum curation and education, archaeology, law, medicine and technology.

International Relations

As an international relations major, you will study world regions, global affairs, economic development and human rights from various disciplinary perspectives.