CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT: Associate Professor Ben-Ghiat
DIRECTOR OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES: Assistant Professor Ferrari
DIRECTOR, ITALIAN LANGUAGE PROGRAMS: Ms. Marchelli

Italy has played a major role in the shaping of Western civilization and today holds the largest number of world heritage sites as defined by UNESCO. The study of Italian literature and culture permits an investigation of this heritage. Yet Italy is not defined only by its past. One of the most advanced and prosperous countries in the world, Italy has long provided models of family-based capitalism (Benetton, Fiat) and is a leader in fashion and design. Its economic productivity and importance in geopolitical and trade networks bring immigrants from Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia to the country. An education in Italian language, culture, and society offers a basis for understanding present-day Italy and its impact on globalized workforces and marketplaces. Italian studies has application for careers in international business, diplomacy, design, and the fine arts. As part of a double major, Italian is an excellent complement to studies in other areas, including economics, political science, law, history, comparative literature, music, art, drama, and film.

The Department of Italian Studies at New York University is one of the country’s leading centers for Italian studies and offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. A faculty of internationally renowned scholars is supplemented by the regular presence of prominent visiting professors from Italy.

Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò: The Department of Italian Studies is located in the Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò at 24 West 12th Street. Once the residence of General Winfield Scott, it is a national historic landmark. Donated to NYU by Mariuccia Zerilli-Marimò in memory of her husband, the late Baron Guido Zerilli-Marimò, the Casa Italiana is now a widely recognized center for Italian cultural and social activities. Students are encouraged to participate in the many lectures, conferences, concerts, and film series offered by the Casa Italiana and by the Department of Italian Studies.

NYU in Florence at Villa La Pietra: NYU’s center for study abroad in Florence is situated on a hillside just north of the city. A magnificent 57-acre Renaissance estate with five villas, La Pietra houses a notable early Renaissance art collection and one of the most beautiful and authentically restored Renaissance gardens in Italy. This extraordinary campus environment features newly renovated classrooms, computer labs, e-mail and Internet access, and other facilities. Students are lodged in villas at La Pietra or in private apartments and households in residential areas.

Students can study at NYU in Florence for the fall or spring semester, as well as for the full academic year. A full course load is usually four courses per semester (16 to 18 points) or 32 to 36 points for the academic year. While most courses are taught in English, NYU in Florence is also proud to offer a new Italian immersion program for majors and minors in Italian, as well as those whose language abilities are sufficiently advanced. Students are eligible to take upper-level content courses in Italian, taught at the Villa, as well as courses at the Università di Firenze. They may live at the Casa Fiorentina, a residence in centro for Italian-speaking only that offers special events and trips for students, or they may choose to live with a family. They may also wish to become involved in one of the many internship possibilities offered either for credit or for no credit: working in a school, in a museum, or with the elderly in a “meals on wheels” program.

Additionally, NYU in Florence offers a six-week summer program for NYU undergraduates and visiting students. Students can attend Italian language as well as literature, cinema, opera, and art history courses. Courses include all levels of intensive Italian language classes and offer a chance to experience the city of Florence in its different aspects. Students live in the modern residences that surround Villa La Pietra and participate in weekend excursions and cultural activities.

Undergraduates from NYU who have majored or minored in Italian with a GPA of 3.5 or above are eligible for the five-year B.A./M.A. degree program in Italian studies, with the fifth-year M.A. held entirely in Florence at Villa La Pietra. Students must apply for the B.A./M.A. before they graduate, and ideally before they have accumulated more than 96 credits. Additionally, they must have taken at least one graduate course over and above their required credits for the B.A. while they are in the B.A. program, and must have a 3.5 GPA or above in their major. Students receive a significant tuition discount of 50 percent for their M.A. year abroad.

While enrolled in the B.A./M.A. program, students take courses during the fall and spring semesters in Florence with resident faculty from the Department of Italian Studies, faculty at the Università di Firenze and the Istituto Italiano di Scienze Umane, and, if appropriate, with NYU in Florence faculty. Students are also eligible for internships. With the assistance of a senior academic adviser, B.A./M.A. students visit research institutions, such as the Biblioteca Nazionale, Villa I Tatti, and the Archivio di Stato, and attend biweekly seminars at Villa La Pietra led by distinguished Italian and American scholars. While in Florence, they may have the opportunity to work as a peer adviser in one of the undergraduate dorms and receive free room and board; otherwise, they are entitled to receive assistance with housing options through the Office of Student Life. One such option is living with an Italian family in Florence.

Current majors and minors in Italian at NYU are encouraged to begin thinking about the B.A./M.A. program in their junior year and should plan to register for two graduate-level seminars before graduating. They should also contact Professor Jane Tylus (jt76@ nyu.edu), departmental liaison to the villa program, and Professor Virginia Cox, director of graduate studies (virginia.cox@nyu.edu), for further information on the M.A. A designated adviser in the College of Arts and Science (CAS) advising office in the Silver Center for Arts and Science (100 Washington Square East, 9th Floor) is also available for assistance on B.A./M.A. programs.

Faculty

Professors:
Ben-Ghiat, Cox, Freccero, Tylus

Associate Professor:
Ardizzone

Assistant Professor:
Ferrari

Clinical Associate Professor
Albertini

Adjunct Professors:
Calvino, Rossellini

Global Distinguished Professor:
Bolzoni

Faculty Affiliates:
Appuhn (History), Hendin (English), Javitch (Comparative Literature), Judt (History), Rice (Art History)

Language Lecturers:
Anderson-Tirro, Bonfield, Bresciani, Cipani, Marchelli, Scarcella Perino, Sebastiani de Nicola, Visconti di Modrone

Lettore, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
Luongo