Please note: Per university policy, "The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only. The Undergraduate Record and Graduate Record represent the official repository for academic program requirements. These publications may be found at http://www.virginia.edu/registrar/."
Italian has been taught at the University without interruption since its founding. In 1986 the Virginia Council for Higher Education approved the reinstatement of a B.A. degree and the establishment of a graduate course of studies leading to the M. A. degree in Italian (currently suspended). Since 1986, enrollment in Italian basic language courses has increased severalfold, as has the number of majors and minors.
Today, the Department offers two kinds of specialization in Italian Studies: a minor concentration of courses and a major program leading to the B.A. or B.A. with distinction. Please visit our undergraduate page for more information on our programs.
Click here to learn more about the beauty of the Italian language and here to learn more about why you should study Italian!
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Our Faculty
The Italian faculty’s expertise encompasses a broad range spanning literary and cultural studies from the medieval to the modern periods, Italian cinema, comparative and interdisciplinary studies, women’s studies, and the use of technology in the humanities. For more information on faculty research and areas of expertise, please visit our profiles page.
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Italian Studies Newsletter
La vendemmia is the electronic newsletter for the Italian Studies program at the University of Virginia. To download the current issue and access archived issues, please click here.
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Italian Tutoring
The Italian tutor list is maintained by the Department of Spanish, Italian & Portuguese. The department does not offer free tutoring services. Individuals from this list are contracted independent of any participation by the department. They establish their own scheduling and fee rates for tutoring services. If you are interested in tutoring, you may contact one of the tutors in our department.
Click here for the list of tutors who are currently available.
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Student Life
Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese is one of the more active departments within the University, and we encourage students to strengthen their knowledge and love of Italian culture by participating in our many activities. These activities are meant to facilitate interaction between faculty and students, and to promote appreciation and understanding of Italian culture, art, and lifestyle. To receive updated information on Italian activities please join our e-mail list. You can also friend us on Facebook. We're @ItalianStudiesProgramUVA.
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Connect with us online! Find news, events, and opportunities to learn more about Italian language and culture by following us: @ItalianStudiesProgramUVA.
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Study Abroad
For information on our programs in Florence and Siena, please see our study abroad page.
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Grants & Awards
Each year, the Department rewards excellence in undergraduate and Graduate studies by awarding the following fellowships and awards. For more information, please contact the Department Chair:
UNDERGRADUATE
Lola Pelliccia Prize: This prize is awarded by the Italian program thanks to the generous and continuing sponsorship of the Lola Pelliccia family for outstanding essays written in Italian (separate prizes for 1000/2000 level and 3000/4000 level)
Marie M. Giuliano Award: This award is given to a fourth-year graduating student on the basis of demonstrated academic excellence in Spanish or Italian language study and a contribution to the growth and nurturing of Spanish or Italian at the University.
Tibor Wlassics Dante Research Fellowship: This award is open to both undergraduate and graduate students from any department at the University. Call for applications usually in early Fall and proposals due in late Spring. For additional information contact Enrico Cesaretti (efc4p).