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Italian Studies

The Italian Studies Program at ̽»¨ÊÓƵ is one of the most comprehensive in the Southeastern United States. We offer:Ìý

• undergraduate MinorÌýin Italian;
• undergraduate Major in Languages Linguistics and Comparatve Literature: Italian;
• Master's graduate-level coursework;
• Doctorate graduate-level coursework;Ìý
• focus on Italian American Studies and Creative Writing between Cultures.

Lively Classes: The heart of our vibrant academic community is our dedicated faculty and native-speaking teaching assistants and LA assistants who bring passion and authenticity to the classroom.

Beyond-the-Classroom Projects: Students are involved in multiple research initiatives, such as:

• Italian American Oral History Archive to preserve Italian American voices at the FAU library;
• ITAMM-Italian American Memories Documentary Archive to digitalize Italian American documents, letters and photographs;
• Floritalians. Portraits of Italians in South Florida: an ongoing series of student-led interviews;
• Strade dorate : a website Ìý dedicated to expanding the knowledge of Italian American culture in Italy.
• The first international literary park included in the Rete Nazionale Parchi Letterari, dedicated to American poet Mary Oliver.
• Undergraduate Research: student-led research projects beyond the classroom.

Immersive and Experiential Learning in international initiatives such as:

• Venice Study Abroad Program:Ìýa six-week journey through the heart of Venice, Italy, with Academic Service Learning opporuntities;
• Castle in Tuscany research days: dynamic, on-site academic enrichment activities that vary every year.

Campus Life: In the FAU Boca Raton campus, we foster strong community engagement Ìýthrough:

• Club Insieme : our Student Club funded in the 1980s and still vibrant and active.
• Gamma Kappa Alpha National Honor Society: the FAU Chapter of GKA was founded in Fall 2017.

Community Engagement:Ìý We welcome public participation in our academic activities such as:

• Film Series , showcasing classic and contemporary Italian cinema;
• Michele D. Serra New Italian Cinema Series, welcoming guests from Italy’s film scene;Ìý
• Italy in Transit: International Symposium, our renown annual scholarly gathering that continues to grow in scope and impact.

The FAU Italian program has a healthy relationship with the local Italian community that generously contributes with scholarships and participation to the support of Italian culture.

Strong Relations with Italy: The Italian Program currently has "memoranda of understanding" with the University of Venice Ca' Foscari, University of Roma 3, the American University in Rome, and the University of Macerata. We also give our students partnership possibilities with the following entities:

• "Progetto Tandem" with the University of Trento, pairs students to their peers for conversation opportunities;
• SITE (Study, Intercultural Training and Experience) gives our graduates the opportunity to gain experience by teaching English in Italy for one academic year.
• Gallio Film Festival delle Opere Prime , celebrates emerging Italian filmmakers, thus strengthening our ties to Italy’s contemporary cultural landscape.

Curious about what we have been doing? See the Photo Journal of our program highlights.

Want to hear directly from our students? Listen to our Students' Voices about the FAU Italian program.

Looking for student-to-student advising? Write to one of our current majors.

ITALIAN VIRTUAL ADVISING

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Click here for 9-minute video presentations of the .

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The Italian Program faculty has been honored with several prestigious recognitions:

• Dr. Myriam Ruthenberg won two university-wide teaching awards, a University Faculty Talon Award, and in 2007 she was knighted by the Republic of Italy. She is now Professor emerita.
• Dr. Ilaria Serra won the 2020 and 2012 University Scholar of the Year Award. She was honored by the Italo American Cultural Society "for her dediction to Italian Studies" in 2019, and received a Career Achievement Award from FATI-Florida Association Teachers of Italian in 2023 and 2024. She was knighted by the Republic of Italy in 2023. She received both the ILF Italian Language Foundation Teaching Award and the Columbus International Award in 2024.Ìý
• Dr. Emanuele Pettener was appointed Writer in Residence in the Department of Languages, Linguistics and Comparative Literature in 2020. He is a recognized author of fiction and editor.

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WHY STUDY ITALIAN?

Browse your career possibilities with a degree in Italian

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