Graduate Academic Programs
Italian Department offers the following graduate academic programs:
Overview
Program of Study
Course Requirements
Faculty
Scholarships
Degree Requirements
Coursework
Admissions
MASTER OF ARTS IN ITALIAN STUDIES
The Italian Department offers a distinct program of studies in Italian culture and society with a strong international component that leads to the M.A. in Italian Studies. The goal of this program is to offer students a graduate program of studies that will give them:
- A broad in-depth knowledge of Italian culture
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High proficiency in Italian language
- Opportunities for interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary study
- Overseas study and cultural immersion
- Career options in the academic or professional fields
The four semesters, 30-credit curriculum of the Italian Master’s program takes into consideration students’ different needs and interests and offers three specialization options that revolve around a common core curriculum. The core curriculum provides the intellectual basis for the different options of our Master’s Program, while at the same time, aids students in the transition from undergraduate to graduate-level work by introducing them to methodology and major trends in critical and cultural theory, and training them to apply these approaches to specific expressions of Italian culture.
The M.A. degree program includes a semester abroad at an Italian university, an optional summer not for credit internship in Italy, a required thesis writing seminar, (considered part of the core curriculum) and a Master’s thesis.
The Italian Department program of studies, with a full immersion in Italian culture, responds to students’ academic and professional goals. The first option is designed for students seeking the solid academic preparation needed to enter a doctoral program, the second option for either current teachers who seek a graduate degree or for those seeking to enter the teaching profession at the secondary level. The third option is designed for students who seek to apply their strong interest in Italian culture in a professional environment.
Students are required to spend a semester abroad at one of our three partner universities in Italy:
Istituto Italiano di Scienze Umane (SUM)
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| Palazzo Strozzi, sede dell'Istituto |
Università per Stranieri di Perugia
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Palazzo Gallenga-Stuart Sede dell'Università |
Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi
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| Velodromo, Bocconi |
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Students following the first curricular option will spend the semester abroad at the Istituto Italiano di Scienze Umane (The Italian Institute of Human Sciences) (SUM) in Florence, those pursuing the second option will spend the semester at the Università per Stranieri di Perugia. These institutions, with their strong tradition of scholarship in the humanities, social sciences, and linguistics are the ideal partners for students interested in entering the world of academia.
Students following the third curricular option will spend the semester abroad at Milan’s Bocconi University, the leading Italian institution of higher learning for business administration. A semester at Bocconi will complement students’ course of study at Georgetown by providing them with a strong international perspective and an understanding of the Italian business culture and practices.
An optional internship during the summer is also a component of the M.A. program. The Italian Department has already secured internship commitments from leading cultural organizations and financial and commercial firms.
For additional information on the M.A. program, please contact Dr. Serafina Hager, Director of Graduate Studies.
Program of Study
The curriculum consists of 30 credits plus a thesis: 3 core courses during the first semester, 3 graduate-level courses at one of our partner university in Italy during the second semester, 3 graduate-level electives at Georgetown during the third semester, a writing thesis seminar, and a thesis during the 4th and last semester at Georgetown.
Prior to the students’ overseas study, the Director of Graduate Studies, in collaboration with the director of graduate studies at the partner university, will select courses that ensure a strong cohesion with students’ course of study at Georgetown. Students will only receive Georgetown credit for pre-approved courses.
Following the spring semester, students have the option to remain in Italy to complete a non-credit summer internship in a field relevant to their career goals and academic interests. Although the internship will not bear any credits, it will provide students a direct experience with Italian culture and society.
Students will return to Georgetown for the third semester of coursework. During this time, they will enroll in 2 elective courses from the Italian Department and 1 elective from one of the following departments: the BMW Center for German and European Studies, the Department of German, the Department of Government, and the Department of Linguistics.
During the final spring semester at Georgetown, students will enroll in a required Thesis Writing Seminar offered by the Italian Department, and will complete and defend a Master’s Thesis.
Course Requirements
The following courses must be completed for the M.A. in Italian Studies:
1st semester:
3 required core courses at Georgetown:
ITAL-527 Research Methodology: Critical and Cultural Theories
ITAL-531 Issues and Perspectives in Italian Studies
ITAL-551 Italy and the Idea of Europe
2nd semester:
3 electives at the graduate level during the spring semester in Italy. The Director of Graduate Studies will work with the partner universities to ensure coherence in course selection. Students will only receive Georgetown credit for pre-approved courses.
Overseas Study Options:
a) The Istituto Italiano Di Scienze Umane (SUM):
3 graduate courses in art, literature, or culture
b) Università per Stranieri di Perugia:
3 graduate courses in pedagogy and 2nd language acquisition
c) Bocconi University:
3 graduate courses in business administration or business culture (depending on students’ academic background in business)
During the summer:
Students may hold summer internships in Italy; no credits will be awarded.
The following internships have been secured:
Zegna Group (Milan)
Palladio Finanziaria (Vicenza and Milan)
RAI (radiotelevisione italiana, S.p.A)
Agemar, S.r.l. (Trieste)
3rd semester:
3 Elective courses at Georgetown, comprised of:
2 Electives from the Italian Department course offerings, for example:
ITAL-601 Italian, Italians, and Linguistic Identity
ITAL-533 Art, Opera, and Society
ITAL-550 Italian Women’s Historical Journey
ITAL-535 Italian as a Second and Foreign Language
ITAL-603 Betrayals of Literary Translation
ITAL-605 Images and Politics: Italian Cinema and National Consciousness
(Course offerings vary from year to year)
1 Elective from the BMW Center, German, Government or Linguistics Department course offerings, for example:
INAF-445 Europe as World Region
INAF-590 International Relations in Europe
GERM-590 L2 Curriculum Construction: Contexts, Principles, Goals and Approaches
GOVT-593 Comparative European Politics
LING-496 Intercultural Communication
LING-553 Introduction to Second Language Acquisition and Bilingualism
LING-586 Language & Identity
(Course offerings vary from year to year)
4th semester:
1Thesis Writing Seminar and the Master’s Thesis at Georgetown.
ITAL-750 Thesis Writing Seminar (a core course)
Master’s Thesis Writing and Defense
Faculty
Laura Benedetti, Professor and Chair
Laura and Gaetano De Sole Professor in Contemporary Italian Culture
Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University
e-mail: lb227@georgetown.edu
Gianni Cicali, Assistant Professor
Dottorato di ricerca in Storia dello Spettacolo, Università degli Studi di Firenze
Ph.D., University of Toronto
email: gc227@georgetown.edu
Anna De Fina, Associate Professor
Ph.D., Georgetown University
e-mail: definaa@.georgetown.edu
webpage: www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/definaa
Nicoletta Pireddu, Associate Professor
Director, Comparative Literature Program
Ph.D., University of California at Los Angeles
e-mail: pireddun@georgetown.edu
Scholarships
Scholarships will be available to M.A. candidates. Students should request scholarship aid on their application.
Degree Requirements
Students should demonstrate a high level of proficiency in Italian and have a reading knowledge of a second language. They will plan their program of study and curricular option with the Director of Graduate Studies.
Coursework
The department offers three different options with a common core and requires 10 courses (30 credits) and a thesis. Coursework during the semester abroad is part of the 10 courses. During the third semester students can take 3 credits of coursework in one of the designated departments at Georgetown (the BMW German & European Study Center, The Linguistics, Government, or German Department)
Course Descriptions
Click here for course descriptions for the Italian courses and here for other course offerings.
Admissions
To apply use the online application form
Application Deadlines
January 15, 2010 (Scholarship Deadline)
April 1, 2010 (Final Deadline)
Application Materials Required
Application form
Non-refundable Application Fee
Statement of Purpose
Official Transcript (all prior institutions)
Official Recommendations (3)
GRE Score (no minimum required score)
TOEFL/IELTS ( minimum score of 550 for paper-based test/80 for internet test)
Writing Sample
Mail Official Hard Copy Transcripts to
Office of Graduate Admissions
Attn: Credentials – (Italian)
Box 571004
3700 O Street, N.W. (ICC 302)
Washington, DC 20057-1004
GRE – Graduate Record Exam
Results of the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are required for all applicants. There is no minimum required score on the GRE. Test scores must be received by the application deadline date. Applicants should allow six to eight weeks from the test date for the reporting of scores to the institution. Applications will not be considered without GRE scores. Information on registering to take the GRE can be found at here.
FIVE-YEAR JOINT MASTERS
IN ITALIAN, GERMAN & EUROPEAN STUDIES
Joint MAGES/Undergraduate Degrees
In conjunction with the BMW Center for German and European Studies, the Italian Department offers a five-year AB/MAGES program for Italian majors who plan to pursue an education in international affairs at the graduate level.
Requirements
Third-year students who have maintained an honors academic average (3.5 cumulative GPA) are eligible to apply. Candidates for these joint degree programs must complete all requirements for the respective undergraduate program as well as for the MAGES degree. Candidates matriculate fully into the MAGES program in their senior year and receive the Undergraduate and MAGES degrees simultaneously upon completion of two years of coursework. Appropriately selected MAGES elective coursework will be accepted in fulfillment of undergraduate divisional requirements and free electives.
Students seriously considering an AB/MAGES program are encouraged to select their junior year divisional courses in consultation with the Director of the MAGES program. Students interested in exploring this joint degree should be in contact with Dr. Serafina Hager, Chair of the Italian Department.
Admissions
Joint Undergraduate/MAGES Program applicants must complete all application procedures and fulfill all entrance requirements for the MAGES program with the following variations:
Applicants are exempt from submitting scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Each applicant must be interviewed by the Director of the MAGES program (except those studying abroad)
If studying abroad, students should contact MAGES before departure.
AB/MAGES
Applications, which can be obtained from the MAGES website, must be submitted to Dr. Serafina Hager, Chair of the Italian Department for endorsement, which will be contingent upon the student’s completion of the College general education requirements as well as satisfactory progress in the major. Approval from the College Dean’s Office is also required. The application requires a letter of support from the Italian Department Chair.
Students who are interested in this program should strongly consider declaring an undergraduate minor in Economics, Government, History, or European Studies Certificate for greatest flexibility in course selection.
The Program:
6 required courses (RCs)
3 interdisciplinary electives (IEs) selected from three of the five disciplines: Cultural Studies, Comparative Politics, Economics, History and International Relations.
7 free electives
NOTE: A maximum of two courses applied toward the Italian Major may also count for the MAGES degree.
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