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Italian studies - Faculty of Arts

Offered by the School of Languages Cultures and Linguistics

Campus availability: Caulfield, Clayton

Relevant courses

• 2371 Diploma in Languages (Italian)
• 0002 Bachelor of Arts (and associated double degrees)
• 3910 Bachelor of Arts (Global)
• 1366 Bachelor of Arts (Languages)
• 0202 Bachelor of Letters

The Italian studies program aims to assist students as they gradually develop their linguistic competence, both passive (understanding and reading) and active (speaking and writing). It also helps students to expand their knowledge of important areas of Italian culture: history, society, language, literature, film and theatre. Each proficiency level sequence has a cultural component as well as a language component. Italian has four entry points, all of which lead to either a minor or a major sequence. Students who complete a major sequence with good results may undertake honours at fourth-year level. A level six exit point is the minimum required for the honours year.

Non-Arts students

In some non-Arts courses students are able to take Arts electives and count them towards their course.

Students who decide that they want to study a language as part of their non-Arts course should:

1. discuss with their home faculty whether they are allowed to include language units as part of their course
2. check with their home faculty how many units/credit points they may study and at what year-level
3. select the appropriate language units to enrol in.

NOTE: Because some students will be unable to study language as first-year level units, the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics have created second-year level codes to enable non-Arts students to complete the equivalent of a first-year sequence in their chosen language. Students wishing to enrol in these units, must discuss any future enrolment with the relevant language program before going any further.

Right of school to determine entry level and approve accelerated enrolment

The Italian studies program convenor retains the right to determine the proper proficiency level for any particular student. Students are not permitted to accelerate their enrolment without first consulting the program convenor.

Language Study Abroad Program

Grants are available to second and third-year students who intend to study in Italy. Students have the possibility of attending intensive six-point units at first and second-year level at the Monash University Prato Centre. Honours students are strongly encouraged to study for one semester in an Italian university (preferably at the University of Florence or at the University of Bologna) as part of their honours degree. For a full list of units see the lists below.

NOTE: Depending on the teaching institution, Italian study abroad units may be CSP-liable or only available on a fee-paying basis. Students may be eligible to apply for Monash Abroad Study Grants.

Sequences

First-year sequence

A sequence is normally a first semester first-year level unit which is followed by a second semester first-year level unit in the same discipline.

Minor sequence

Students complete a standard minor chosen from one of the following options:

24 points of core language units

18 points of core language units plus one second-year level elective chosen from units below.

Major sequence

Students complete a standard major consisting of six core language units as listed below and also including two electives chosen from units below.

NOTE: Students may replace some of their core language units with alternate intensive in-country units (up to 24 points) or choose language study abroad units as electives. Students must obtain written approval from the Italian studies program before enrolling. Students are required to consult with, the program's Study Abroad coordinator.

Major sequences - choosing the right entry point for you

Students wishing to undertake Italian studies have the option of starting in one of four entry points. The following sequences are provided as guides only. There are several ways to structure your Italian studies major, however students wishing to accelerate through the proficiency levels either by taking study abroad units or because language acquisition results allow them to, must consult with the language program before enrolling.

Basic major sequences

Basic Italian major, entry point 1

For students with little or no knowledge of the language.

• ITA1010 Italian studies 1
• ITA1020 Italian studies 2
• ITA2030 Italian studies 3
• ITA2040 Italian studies 4
• ITA3050 Italian studies 5
• ITA3060 Italian studies 6
• one second or third year level elective from the list of electives below
• one third year level elective from the list of electives below

Basic Italian major, entry point 2

For students who can demonstrate an intermediate language competence or who have achieved a VCE Italian score of 30 or below.

• ITA1030 Italian studies 3
• ITA1040 Italian studies 4
• ITA2050 Italian studies 5
• ITA2060 Italian studies 6
• ITA3070 Italian studies 7
• ITA3080 Italian studies 8
• one second or third year level elective from the list of electives below
• one third year level elective from the list of electives below

Advanced major sequences

Advanced Italian major, entry point 3

For students who have achieved a VCE Italian score of 31 or above or who can demonstrate equivalent knowledge.

• ITA1050 Italian studies 5
• ITA1060 Italian studies 6
• ITA2070 Italian studies 7
• ITA2080 Italian studies 8
• ITA3090 Italian studies 9
• ITA3100 Italian studies 10
• one second or third year level elective from the list of electives below
• one third year level elective from the list of electives below

Advanced Italian major, entry point 4

For students who can demonstrate an advanced Italian competence beyond VCE level. Students may enrol in this stream subject to the convener's approval.

• ITA1070 Italian studies 7
• ITA1080 Italian studies 8
• ITA2090 Italian studies 9
• ITA2100 Italian studies 10
• one second or third year level elective from the list of electives below
• three third year level electives from the list of electives below

Units

Language Study Abroad units

• ITA2990 Language study abroad program
• ITA3990 Language study abroad program
• ITA3991 Language study abroad program

Elective units

• CLS2045/CLS3045 Writing lives: Women's auto/biography and historical fiction
• HSY2025/HSY3025 Beyond Machiavelli
• ITA2190/ITA3150 Individual option
• ITA2230/ITA3230 Italian language and society
• ITA2250 Modern Italian literature and society I*
• ITA2270 Modern Italian literature and society II
• ITA3330 Women in Italy: Representations and realities
• ITA3350 Modern Italian literature and society IV
• ITA3360 Italian Theatre from Goldoni to Fo
• ITA3450 The Italian experience in Australia
• ITA3470 Dante
• JWC2150/JWC3150 Italian Jewish writers in translation**
• VSA2260/VSA3260 Italy on film*

* Not offered from 2007.

** Not offered from 2006.

Contact details

Enquiries (Clayton): Room S423, fourth floor, South Wing, Menzies building

Telephone +61 3 9905 2281 or +61 3 9905 2223

Email lcl.enquiries@arts.monash.edu.au

Visit http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/italian