Italian

Department of Languages, Cultures and Literatures

  • MIRKO M. HALL, chair
  • DOUG P. BUSH
  • RAFAEL E. HERNÁNDEZ
  • CATHERINE JONES
  • STEFANIA LICATA

Mission

The mission of the Department of Languages, Cultures and Literatures is to enable Converse students to embrace diversity and complexity in the world through communication in other languages and knowledge of other cultures. The department will achieve this goal by preparing students in the following areas:

  1. competence in oral comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing of the target language;
  2. knowledge of the culture and literature of the major language;
  3. preparation to enter an advanced degree program, public service, business, or the professions.

The Department of Languages, Cultures and Literatures offers a Bachelor of Arts degree with the majors of German Studies and Hispanic Studies. Students majoring in German Studies or Hispanic Studies must complete 30 credit hours in courses numbered 202 and above.

The General Education Program is a requirement for all degrees. The requirements listed below are approved for the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Fine Arts.

ENG 101 3 hours
Language and Culture 9 hours
MTH 108 or higher 3 hours
One course designated as Quantitative reasoning 3–4 hours
Health and Well-being Wellness 2 hours
Activity course 1–2 hours
Humanities 6 hours
Literature 3 hours
Fine Arts 6 hours
Natural Science 7–8 hours
Social Science 6 hours
Total 49–52 hours

Graduation requirements but not a separate course:

  • First Year Seminar
  • Writing Intensive course
  • Non-European/non-Anglophone course Capstone experience.

Calculation of Major and Minor GPA in Languages, Cultures and Literature

To earn a major or minor in German Studies or Hispanic Studies, or a minor in French, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 across all of their required and elective courses on the Degree Completion Form for that specific program.

Elective credits beyond the required number may not be considered in the calculation.

For the major in German Studies, this GPA includes the allowance of two elective courses from other departments with a substantial Germanic component. For the major in Hispanic Studies, this GPA includes the allowance of one elective course, either SPN 400 or HST 477. Transfer credits from other institutions do not figure into the calculation for major or minor GPAs.

Courses

ITL 265: LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND LITERATURE STUDY SEMINAR

Class Program
Italian
Credits 3
Students will study the target language and enroll in a foreign study program or participate in a Converse designed program, studying the language and discussing important topics on culture and contemporary life. Grades in the course will be determined either by the native language teacher or by a Converse professor, based on class participation, tests and graded assignments. Offered during Jan Term or Summer Terms, contingent upon sufficient enrollment.
Notes
GEP credit.

ITL 314: SPECIAL TOPICS IN ITALIAN

Class Program
Italian
Credits 3

This course will introduce students to various aspects of the social and cultural realities of the target cultures using historical readings and literary selections supported by film and/or travel. Topics of consideration may include history, women, the media, immigrants and racism, and colonialism.

Prerequisites

ITL 202 or approval of the department chair.

Notes

Elective credit.

ITL 365: LANGUAGE, CULTURE AND LITERATURE STUDY SEMINAR

Class Program
Italian
Credits 3
Students will study the target language and enroll in a foreign study program or participate in a Converse designed program, studying the language and discussing important topics on culture and contemporary life. Grades in the course will be determined either by the native language teacher or by a Converse professor, based on class participation, tests and graded assignments. Offered during Jan Term or Summer Terms, contingent upon sufficient enrollment.
Notes
GEP credit.

ITL 490: DIRECTED INDEPENDENT STUDY

Class Program
Italian
Credits 3
This course allows students to pursue a course of study not covered by regular offerings in Italian. Both teacher and student will select the topic of study according to the student’s needs and interests.
Notes
Elective credit.