Italian
The Department of Italian offers courses in Italian language and literature, including courses in Italian women's writing, Dante's Divine Comedy, Italian Neorealism, the literature and culture of Naples, Calvino, Tasso, Italian cinema, and the literature and culture of Venice.
For questions about specific courses, contact the department.
Language Course Enrollment
Students are advised to consult the Department of Italian Web site in advance of the registration period. Enrollment is limited and the attendance policy is strict. Note that the telephone/online registration period for Italian language courses ends after the first Monday of classes.
Placement Test
Students who have taken courses in Italian elsewhere (whether in high school, college, or both), but not at Columbia, must take the Italian Placement Test before registering for any Italian course. The placement examination is given in the department the week before classes begin. The dates are available in the departmental office, 502 Hamilton, and on the department's Web site. The results are made known to the student before the start of classes.
Language Resource Center
The Language Resource Center, located in 353 IAB Extension, provides intensive practice in pronunciation, diction, and aural comprehension of some 25 modern languages. Exercises are closely coordinated with classroom work. Coordinated tape programs are available and mandatory for students registered in elementary Italian language courses; they are available and optional in intermediate Italian language courses. Taped exercises in pronunciation and intonation, as well as tapes of selected literary works, are also available to all students in Italian.
For questions about specific courses, contact the department.
Courses
Course Number
ITAL1101W001Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsFall 2024
Times/Location
Mo 09:10-10:00Tu 09:10-10:00We 09:10-10:00Th 09:10-10:00Section/Call Number
001/10031Enrollment
7 of 16Instructor
Kathleen CannonCourse Number
ITAL1101W002Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsFall 2024
Times/Location
Mo 10:10-11:00Tu 10:10-11:00We 10:10-11:00Th 10:10-11:00Section/Call Number
002/10032Enrollment
1 of 16Instructor
Matteo HeilbrunCourse Number
ITAL1101W003Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsFall 2024
Times/Location
Mo 11:10-12:00Tu 11:10-12:00We 11:10-12:00Th 11:10-12:00Section/Call Number
003/10033Enrollment
0 of 16Course Number
ITAL1101W004Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsFall 2024
Times/Location
Tu 12:10-14:00Th 12:10-14:00Section/Call Number
004/10034Enrollment
14 of 16Instructor
Federica FranzeCourse Number
ITAL1101W005Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsFall 2024
Times/Location
Mo 08:40-09:55We 08:40-09:55Th 08:40-09:55Section/Call Number
005/10035Enrollment
6 of 16Instructor
Felice BeneduceCourse Number
ITAL1101W006Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsFall 2024
Times/Location
Mo 10:10-11:25We 10:10-11:25Th 10:10-11:25Section/Call Number
006/10036Enrollment
7 of 16Instructor
Felice BeneduceCourse Number
ITAL1101W007Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsFall 2024
Times/Location
Mo 12:10-13:00Tu 12:10-13:00We 12:10-13:00Th 12:10-13:00Section/Call Number
007/10052Enrollment
4 of 16Course Number
ITAL1102W001Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsFall 2024
Times/Location
Th 10:10-12:00Tu 10:10-12:00Section/Call Number
001/10037Enrollment
14 of 16Instructor
Federica FranzeCourse Number
ITAL1102W002Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsFall 2024
Times/Location
Tu 16:10-18:00Th 16:10-18:00Section/Call Number
002/10038Enrollment
8 of 16Instructor
Federica FranzeAn intensive course that covers two semesters of elementary Italian in one, and prepares students to move into Intermediate Italian. Students will develop their Italian communicative competence through listening, (interactive) speaking, reading and (interactive) writing. The Italian language will be used for real-world purposes and in meaningful contexts to promote intercultural understanding. This course is especially recommended for students who already know another Romance language. May be used toward fulfillment of the language requirement.
Course Number
ITAL1121V001Format
In-PersonPoints
6 ptsFall 2024
Times/Location
Tu 12:10-14:00Th 12:10-14:00Fr 12:10-14:00Section/Call Number
001/10040Enrollment
6 of 16Instructor
Barbara SpinelliCourse Number
ITAL1221W001Format
In-PersonPoints
2 ptsFall 2024
Times/Location
Th 10:10-11:25Tu 10:10-11:25Section/Call Number
001/10041Enrollment
6 of 16Instructor
Barbara SpinelliCourse Number
ITAL1311W001Format
In-PersonPoints
2 ptsFall 2024
Times/Location
Th 16:10-17:25Tu 16:10-17:25Section/Call Number
001/10049Enrollment
7 of 16Instructor
Maria Luisa GozziPrerequisites: ITAL V1102 or W1102, or the equivalent. If you did not take Elementary Italian at Columbia in the semester preceding the current one, you must take the placement test, offered by the Italian Department at the beginning of each semester.
Course Number
ITAL2101W001Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsFall 2024
Times/Location
Mo 10:10-11:25We 10:10-11:25Th 10:10-11:25Section/Call Number
001/10042Enrollment
12 of 16Instructor
Alessandra SagginPrerequisites: ITAL V1102 or W1102, or the equivalent. If you did not take Elementary Italian at Columbia in the semester preceding the current one, you must take the placement test, offered by the Italian Department at the beginning of each semester.
Course Number
ITAL2101W002Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsFall 2024
Times/Location
Mo 08:40-09:55We 08:40-09:55Fr 08:40-09:55Section/Call Number
002/10043Enrollment
3 of 16Prerequisites: ITAL V1102 or W1102, or the equivalent. If you did not take Elementary Italian at Columbia in the semester preceding the current one, you must take the placement test, offered by the Italian Department at the beginning of each semester.
Course Number
ITAL2101W003Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsFall 2024
Times/Location
Mo 11:40-12:55We 11:40-12:55Fr 11:40-12:55Section/Call Number
003/10044Enrollment
9 of 16Course Number
ITAL2102W001Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsFall 2024
Times/Location
Tu 12:10-14:00Th 12:10-14:00Section/Call Number
001/10046Enrollment
13 of 16Instructor
Patrizia PalumboCourse Number
ITAL2102W002Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsFall 2024
Times/Location
Tu 16:10-18:00Th 16:10-18:00Section/Call Number
002/10047Enrollment
5 of 16Instructor
Patrizia PalumboPrerequisites: ITAL UN1102 or the equivalent, with a grade of B+ or higher. An intensive course that covers two semesters of intermediate Italian in one, and prepares students for advanced language and literature study. Grammar, reading, writing, and conversation. Exploration of literary and cultural materials. This course may be used to fulfill the language requirement.
Course Number
ITAL2121V001Format
In-PersonPoints
6 ptsFall 2024
Times/Location
Mo 12:10-14:00Tu 12:10-14:00Th 12:10-14:00Section/Call Number
001/10048Enrollment
13 of 16Instructor
Maria Luisa GozziPrerequisites: Intermediate Italian II ITAL UN2102 or the equivalent. UN3334x-UN3333y is the basic course in Italian literature. UN3333: This course, entirely taught in Italian, introduces you to Medieval and early modern Italian literature. It will give you the opportunity to test your ability as a close-reader and discover unusual and fascinating texts that tell us about the polycentric richness of the Italian peninsula. We will read poems, tales, letters, fiction and non-fiction, travel writings and political pamphlets. The great “Three Crowns” - Dante, Petrarca and Boccaccio - as well as renowned Renaissance authors such as Ludovico Ariosto and Niccolò Machiavelli, will show us the main path to discover Italian masterpieces and understand the European Renaissance. But we will also explore China with Marco Polo and the secrets of the Medieval soul diving into the mystical poems by Jacopone da Todi. We will study parody and laughter through the “poesia giocosa” (parodic poetry) by Cecco Angiolieri and the legacy of Humanism through the letters of Poggio Bracciolini. This first overview will allow you to explore Italian literature from its complex and multicultural beginnings to its diffusion across Europe during the Renaissance.