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Italian Language Programs

Most Northwestern students begin to study Italian with the introductory course sequence that begins in the Fall Quarter. Those with some background in Italian should take the Italian Placement Test, which may allow them to jump part or all of the introductory sequence. For Placement Test information contact Professor Pozzi Pavan.

Beginning Italian students have two options

1) The 101-1,2,3 Beginning Italian sequence starts in the Fall and continues throughout the school year. The class meets for four 50-minute sections each week, every class day except Thursday. No class section may have more than 15 students. At the end of full-year 101 sequence, the student will be able to ask and answer simple questions in Italian, to write a grammatically correct sentence, and to follow the drift of a simple conversation. Students will gain knowledge of fundamental aspects of Italian culture, history, and geography. Completion of 101-3 satisfies the requirement for several affiliated study abroad programs in Italy. After completing the first year sequence, students move on to Italian 102 Intermediate Italian.

2) The 133/134 Intensive Italian is a special double course that starts in the Fall, continues in Winter and Spring and covers two years of language study in a single academic year. The completion of the Intensive Italian sequence fulfills the two-year language requirement for Weinberg College. The class meets for two-hour sessions MTWF. No class section may have more than 15 students. At the end of the Intensive Italian sequence, students will be able to ask and answer detailed questions, understand brief articles and stories in modern written Italian, and compose a grammatically correct paragraph in Italian. Students will significantly increase their knowledge of Italy's history and culture. Having completed 102, students will be eligible to apply to several affiliated study abroad programs in Italy.

Intermediate Italian

Having completed the Beginning Italian sequence, students move on to the 102-1,2,3 Intermediate Italian sequence, which begins in the Fall and continues throughout the academic year, meeting for four 50-minute sessions per week. At the end of the 102 sequence, students will be able to ask and answer detailed questions, understand brief articles and stories in modern written Italian, and compose a grammatically correct paragraph in Italian. Students will significantly increase their knowledge of Italy's history and culture. The second-year Italian course sequence completes the two-year language requirement for Weinberg College. Having completed 102, students will be eligible to apply to several affiliated study abroad programs in Italy.

Advanced Italian

Students who complete the two-year WCAS Language Requirement may proceed on to 200 and 300 level courses in Italian which allow participants a high degree of participation in directing the further development of their language skills. Go to Italian Courses for a detailed list of advanced courses in both Italian and English.

200 level Italian courses are bridge courses that combine language work with study of culture, literature, theatre and film. Bridge courses include:

The 300 level Literature and Culture courses are conducted entirely in Italian and focus especially on the visual culture of Italy. Courses include:

Contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Paola Nasti for more information.