Department of Italian

Overview Program of Study Course Requirements Faculty Scholarships Degree Requirements Coursework Admissions

Overview

The M.A. in Italian Studies offers students:

• A broad in-depth knowledge of Italian culture
• High proficiency in Italian language
• Opportunities for interdisciplinary study
• Overseas study and cultural immersion
• Career options in the academic or professional fields

The four-semester, 30-credit program takes into consideration students' different academic and professional goals. It offers three specialization options that revolve around a common core curriculum, and culminate with a thesis writing seminar and a Master's thesis.

The first option, focusing on literature and culture, is designed for students seeking the solid academic preparation needed to enter a doctoral program. The second option, with a focus on language pedagogy, addresses either current teachers who seek a graduate degree or those seeking to enter the teaching profession at the secondary level. The third option, with a social science emphasis, is designed for students who seek to apply their strong interest in Italian culture in a professional environment.

The M.A. degree program includes a mandatory semester abroad at one of our three partner universities in Italy: 

Istituto Italiano di Scienze Umane (SUM)

Università per Stranieri di Perugia

Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi

Students following the first curricular option will spend the semester abroad at one of the universities of the Istituto Italiano di Scienze Umane (SUM) network. Those pursuing the second option will spend the semester at the Università per Stranieri di Perugia. With their strong tradition of scholarship in the humanities, social sciences, and linguistics, both institutions are the ideal environment for students interested in the academic or teaching world.

Students following the third curricular option will spend the semester abroad at Milan's Bocconi University, the leading Italian institution of higher learning for business administration. A semester at Bocconi will complement students' course of study at Georgetown by providing them with a strong international perspective and an understanding of the Italian business culture and practices.

An optional summer, not-for-credit internship with leading cultural organizations and financial and commercial firms is also a component of the M.A. program.

For addititional information on the M.A. in Italian Studies please contact:
Dr. Nicoletta Pireddu, Director of Graduate Studies
DGSItalian@georgetown.edu
(202) 687-5681

M.A. Program of Study

The M.A. curriculum consists of 30 credits plus a thesis: 3 core courses during the first semester, 3 gradeuate-level courses at one of our partner universities in Italy during the second semester, 3 graduate-level electives at Georgetown during the third semester, a writing thesis seminar, and a thesis during the 4th and last semester at Georgetown.  

Prior to the students' overseas study, the Director of Graduate Studies, in collaboration with the director of the graduate studies at the partner university, will select courses that ensure a strong cohesion with students' course plans at Georgetown. Students will only receive Georgetown credit for pre-approved courses. 

Following the spring semester, students have the option to remain in Italy to complete a non-credit summer internship in a field to their career goals and academic interests. Although the internship will not bear any credits, it will provide students a direct experience with Italian culture and society.

Students will return to Georgetown for the third semester of coursework. During this time, they will enroll in 2 elective courses from the Italian Department and 1 elective from another department, according to their designated field of specialization.

During the final spring semester at Georgetown, students will enroll in a required Thesis Writing Seminar offered by the Italian Department, and will complete and defend a Master's Thesis.

Course Requirements

The following courses must be completed for the M.A. in Italian Studies:

1st semester
3 required core courses at Georgetown:
ITAL-527 Research Methodology: Critical and Cultural Theories
ITAL-531 Issues and Perspectives in Italian Studies
ITAL-551 Italy and the Idea of Europe

2nd semester--3 electives at the graduate level during the spring semester in Italy. The Director of Graduate Studies will work with the partner universities to ensure coherence in course selection. Students will only receive Georgetown credit for pre-approved courses.

Overseas Study Options:
a) The Istituto Italiano Di Scienze Umane (SUM):
3 graduate courses in art, literature, or culture

b) Università per Stranieri di Perugia:
3 graduate courses in pedagogy and 2nd language acquisition

c) Bocconi University:
3 graduate courses in business administration or business culture (depending on students’ academic background in business)

During the summer:
Students may hold summer internships in Italy; no credits will be awarded.

Internships are available with several institutions and companies, among which: 

Zegna Group (Milan)
Palladio Finanziaria (Vicenza and Milan)
RAI (radiotelevisione italiana, S.p.A)
Agemar, S.r.l. (Trieste)

3rd semester:
3 Elective courses at Georgetown, comprised of:

2 Electives from the Italian Department course offerings, for example:
ITAL-601 Italian, Italians, and Linguistic Identity
ITAL-533 Art, Opera, and Society
ITAL-550 Italian Women’s Historical Journey
ITAL-535 Italian as a Second and Foreign Language
ITAL-603 Betrayals of Literary Translation
ITAL-605 Images and Politics: Italian Cinema and National Consciousness
(Course offerings vary from year to year. Click here for current Italian course offerings...link to follow once course listing for Spring 2011 is posted online)

1 Elective from the BMW Center, German, Government or Linguistics Department course offerings, for example:
INAF-445 Europe as World Region
INAF-590 International Relations in Europe
GERM-590 L2 Curriculum Construction: Contexts, Principles, Goals and Approaches
GOVT-593 Comparative European Politics
LING-496 Intercultural Communication
LING-553 Introduction to Second Language Acquisition and Bilingualism
LING-586 Language & Identity
(Course offerings vary from year to year. Click here for current offerings in all departments.)

4th semester:
1Thesis Writing Seminar and the Master’s Thesis at Georgetown.
ITAL-750 Thesis Writing Seminar (a core course)
Master’s Thesis Writing and Defense

Faculty

Laura Benedetti, Professor and Chair
Laura and Gaetano De Sole Professor in Contemporary Italian Culture
Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University
e-mail: lb227@georgetown.edu

Gianni Cicali, Assistant Professor
Dottorato di ricerca in Storia dello Spettacolo, Università degli Studi di Firenze
Ph.D., University of Toronto
email: gc227@georgetown.edu

Anna De Fina, Associate Professor
Ph.D., Georgetown University
e-mail: definaa@.georgetown.edu
webpage: www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/definaa

Scholarships

Competitive, merit-based scholarships are available to M.A. candidates. Students should request scholarship aid on their application.

Degree Requirements

They will plan their program of study and curricular option with the Director of Graduate Studies.

Admissions

To apply use the online application form

Application Deadlines
January 15, 2013 (scholarship deadline) 
April 1, 2013 (final deadline)

Application Materials Required
Application form
Non-refundable Application Fee ($80)
Statement of Purpose
Official Transcript (all prior institutions)
Official Recommendations (3)
Writing Sample in Italian, at least 1800 words

The Admissions process may also include a telephone interview.

Mail Official Hard Copy Transcripts to:

Office of Graduate Admissions
Attn: Credentials – (Italian)
Box 571004
3520 Prospect St., NW CB-207
Washington, DC 20057-1004