Knowledge of Italian affords access to one of the West's richest cultural traditions as well as to one of Europe's most dynamic contemporary societies. The program results in a:
Italy has produced some of the most important and influential cultural works in the western canon, from Dante's Divine Comedy to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoes, from Machiavelli's The Prince to the neo-realist films of Vittorio De Sica, from Boccaccio's Decameron to Pirandello's theater and Italo Calvino's post-modernist novels.
Today Italy has one of the six largest economies in the world. Its economy continues to grow as state-owned companies become privatized in increasing numbers, opening up the Italian market to a wide variety of American firms and professions. Because of historic ties and immigration patterns, Italian is still the fourth most-spoken language in American homes. The study of Italian can lead to a variety of careers in diplomacy, banking, finance, business, teaching, journalism, tourism, fashion, interpreting and translation.
The Italian program offers a balanced sequence of courses in language, literature and culture from the elementary to the post-intermediate levels. Special opportunities include working as practice assistants and participating in study abroad.
For more information about studying Italian at the University of Richmond, contact us.
