Italian Studies

Graduate Program

Graduate Program

The Doctoral program in Italian Studies prepares students for research and teaching positions in academic environments, and in the world of advanced thought more generally.

The doctoral program in Italian Studies will not accept graduate applications during the 2025 admissions cycle. Please share your interest in future application cycles by completing an Inquiry Form.

 

The program emphasizes an interdisciplinary “cultural studies” perspective, while maintaining vital links to literary-critical, philosophical, art-historical and historical disciplines. Along with intensive training in teaching language and culture at all levels, we offer our students preparation in the most recent relevant theories and methodologies, including special training in the digital humanities.

Number of Required Courses

At least 12 courses in Italian Studies are required of doctoral students. All courses must be taken at the 1000-, or 2000-level. Students in their first year typically take 8 courses (including the Colloquium which carries a credit for the year). Students in their second year take 6 courses when teaching, including the Colloquium. One of these 6 courses can be a Reading & Research (independent study) course, in preparation for the Preliminary Examination. Up to 8 credit courses (depending on the subject and including a course fulfilling one of the two language requirements) can be transferred from a Laurea Specialistica or M.A. in Italian Studies.  

Specific Required Courses

  • ITAL 1610 - Dante (can be replaced with ITAL 1620 with the instructor's permission)
  • ITAL 2100 - Introduction to Italian Studies
  • ITAL 2820 - Italian Studies Colloquium
  • ITAL 2900 - Teaching Methodology

Distribution Requirements

  • All students must take at least 3 courses in Medieval/Early Modern Italian Studies and 3 courses in Modern/Contemporary Italian Studies.
  • All students must take at least one 1000- or 2000-level course in three out of the four following disciplinary fields:
    • Italian literature;
    • Italian history and anthropology;
    • History of Italian art and architecture;
    • Italian film and media studies. 

    NB: one course can fulfill both the chronological and the field requirement (for example: a course in Renaissance art can fulfill both the Medieval/Early Modern and history of Italian art and architecture field requirement).

  • With the approval of the DGS, distribution requirements can occasionally be fulfilled by pertinent courses taken outside the department. 

Applying to the Program

Follow the link below for more information about applying to the doctoral program in Italian Studies.

Application Information