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
Ciao! I am so thrilled that you have chosen to study Italian at Barnard. This class marks the beginning of your journey through the wonderful language, history, and culture of Italy. I am hopeful that our time together will be fruitful, informative, and fun.
This document outlines the course objectives, requirements and policies for Elementary Italian 2. I have chosen to outline these policies in English so that they are as clear as possible, but Italian is the official language of the course, and classes will be conducted accordingly. Some English will be used at the beginning of the semester as we get to know each other, but it will be phased out over the course of our time together.
Course Number
ITAL1002X001Points
4 ptsSpring 2026
Times/Location
Tu 08:40-09:55Th 08:40-09:55Fr 08:40-09:55Section/Call Number
001/00852Enrollment
13 of 15Instructor
Emilia GambardellaCiao! I am so thrilled that you have chosen to study Italian at Barnard. This class marks the beginning of your journey through the wonderful language, history, and culture of Italy. I am hopeful that our time together will be fruitful, informative, and fun.
This document outlines the course objectives, requirements and policies for Elementary Italian 2. I have chosen to outline these policies in English so that they are as clear as possible, but Italian is the official language of the course, and classes will be conducted accordingly. Some English will be used at the beginning of the semester as we get to know each other, but it will be phased out over the course of our time together.
Course Number
ITAL1002X002Points
4 ptsSpring 2026
Times/Location
Tu 13:10-14:25Th 13:10-14:25Fr 13:10-14:25Section/Call Number
002/00853Enrollment
9 of 15Instructor
Emilia GambardellaCiao! I am so thrilled that you have chosen to study Italian at Barnard. This class marks the beginning of your journey through the wonderful language, history, and culture of Italy. I am hopeful that our time together will be fruitful, informative, and fun.
This document outlines the course objectives, requirements and policies for Elementary Italian 2. I have chosen to outline these policies in English so that they are as clear as possible, but Italian is the official language of the course, and classes will be conducted accordingly. Some English will be used at the beginning of the semester as we get to know each other, but it will be phased out over the course of our time together.
Course Number
ITAL1002X003Points
4 ptsSpring 2026
Times/Location
Tu 14:40-15:55Th 14:40-15:55Fr 14:40-15:55Section/Call Number
003/00854Enrollment
7 of 15Instructor
Emilia GambardellaCourse Number
ITAL1101W001Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsSpring 2026
Times/Location
Mo 08:40-09:55We 08:40-09:55Th 08:40-09:55Section/Call Number
001/11451Enrollment
15 of 18Instructor
Felice BeneduceCourse Number
ITAL1101W002Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsSpring 2026
Times/Location
Mo 10:10-11:25We 10:10-11:25Th 10:10-11:25Section/Call Number
002/11454Enrollment
14 of 18Instructor
Felice BeneduceCourse Number
ITAL1102W001Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsSpring 2026
Times/Location
Mo 08:40-09:55We 08:40-09:55Th 08:40-09:55Section/Call Number
001/11458Enrollment
10 of 18Instructor
Alessandra SagginCourse Number
ITAL1102W002Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsSpring 2026
Times/Location
Mo 12:10-14:00We 12:10-14:00Section/Call Number
002/11459Enrollment
17 of 18Instructor
Alessandra SagginCourse Number
ITAL1102W003Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsSpring 2026
Times/Location
Tu 12:10-14:00Th 12:10-14:00Section/Call Number
003/11469Enrollment
18 of 18Instructor
Patrizia PalumboCourse Number
ITAL1102W004Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsSpring 2026
Times/Location
Tu 16:10-18:00Th 16:10-18:00Section/Call Number
004/17414Enrollment
2 of 18Instructor
Patrizia PalumboAn 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 ptsSpring 2026
Times/Location
Tu 12:10-14:00Th 12:10-14:00Fr 12:10-14:00Section/Call Number
001/11460Enrollment
8 of 18Instructor
Barbara SpinelliPrerequisites: ITAL W1221 or sufficient fluency to satisfy the instructor. Corequisites: Recommended: ITAL V1201-V/W1202 or ITAL W1201-W1202. Conversation courses may not be used to satisfy the language requirement or fulfill major or concentration requirements. Intensive practice in the spoken language, assigned topics for class discussions, and oral reports.
Course Number
ITAL1222W001Format
In-PersonPoints
2 ptsSpring 2026
Times/Location
Th 10:10-11:25Tu 10:10-11:25Section/Call Number
001/12000Enrollment
5 of 18Instructor
Barbara SpinelliCourse Number
ITAL1312W001Format
In-PersonPoints
2 ptsSpring 2026
Times/Location
Tu 14:40-15:55Th 14:40-15:55Section/Call Number
001/12001Enrollment
5 of 18Instructor
Federica FranzePrerequisites: 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 ptsSpring 2026
Times/Location
Tu 12:10-14:00Th 12:10-14:00Section/Call Number
001/12639Enrollment
12 of 18Instructor
Alessandra SagginCourse Number
ITAL2102W001Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsSpring 2026
Times/Location
Mo 10:10-11:25We 10:10-11:25Th 10:10-11:25Section/Call Number
001/11456Enrollment
11 of 18Instructor
Alessandra SagginCourse Number
ITAL2102W002Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsSpring 2026
Times/Location
Th 10:10-12:00Tu 10:10-12:00Section/Call Number
002/12003Enrollment
6 of 18Instructor
Federica FranzeCourse Number
ITAL2102W003Format
In-PersonPoints
4 ptsSpring 2026
Times/Location
Tu 12:10-14:00Th 12:10-14:00Section/Call Number
003/11457Enrollment
17 of 18Instructor
Federica FranzePrerequisites: 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 ptsSpring 2026
Times/Location
Mo 14:10-16:00Tu 14:10-16:00Th 14:10-16:00Section/Call Number
001/11488Enrollment
8 of 18Instructor
Maria Luisa GozziPrerequisites: ITAL UN2102 or the equivalent. UN3334-UN3333 is the basic course in Italian literature. UN3334: Authors and works from the Cinquecento to the present. Taught in Italian.