The major in Italian offers students the opportunity to master skills of language acquisition and literary and cultural knowledge as cross-cultural communicative competence while developing multicultural awareness of Italian speakers in Italy and around the world. Our program prepares students to think critically and to develop advanced reading comprehension skills and allows them to gain knowledge of Italian language, literature, film and culture<br>Learning Outcomes<br>Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:<br>Show intermediate to advanced proficiency in speaking, understanding, reading and writing<br>Demonstrate literary knowledge of both Italian historical contexts and Italian poetry and prose literary forms<br>Show knowledge of contemporary Italian society (in Italy) and Italian cultural life (in Italy and elsewhere) including knowledge of how the films of leading Italian and Italian American directors reflect changing concepts of italianita (Italian-ness)<br>Understand the principle characteristics which define Italian culture<br>Examine, describe and analyze numerous cultural expressions in order analyze key elements of Italian cultural identity and make cross-cultural, intercultural comparisons, Establish connections between literature, film, and society in Italian culture<br>Foster a lifelong interest and enthusiasm for the study of Italian language, literature and culture