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Disciplines and areas of study

Italian studies

Italian studies combines Italian language study and language skills with the study of Italy and its literature, history and civilisation. The first year subjects for students who have VCE Italian or equivalent are Italian Advanced 1A and 1B.

Two subjects for beginners (Italian Beginners 1A and 1B) are offered in first year and sequels to these are available at second and third year levels.

The European studies subjects EST2RJS/EST3RJS Romeo and Juliet: Fact, Fiction, Film and EST2REI/EST3REI Renaissance Italy, and the history subject HIS2MMI/HIS3MMI, The Making of Modern Italy are also coordinated and largely taught by Italian Studies and may be taken as part of the Italian Studies major. EST2REI/EST3REI Renaissance Italy is taught in Prato (Italy) in January.

Programs of study

Students will be assigned to language subjects according to their prior knowledge of Italian. The language streams will merge and be taught and assessed as follows.

There will be a three-year sequence of components for post-VCE students with an initial enrolment in Italian Advanced 1A.

Beginner students will take Italian Beginners 1A and 1B in first year. The continu­ations are Italian Beginners 2A and 2B, 3A and 3B.

Students shall not be deemed to have fulfilled the requirements of Italian Advanced 1A and 1B unless they pass both the language and non-language components of these subjects.

Assessment

Unless otherwise stipulated in individual subject descriptions, assessment is by coursework “including such tests as may be prescribed by the tutor as part of the subject” and by examination. Coursework consists of written and oral assignments. Most culture subjects involve the writing of a major essay and the presentation of at least one seminar paper per semester. Precise details are given by each tutor at the beginning of the subject. Language subjects involve regular weekly assignments and regular participation in oral work. Language work is also assessed by oral and written examination.

Assessment is based on judgements of the student’s performance, aptitude, and ability. Students are encouraged to discuss their progress with their tutors and with the coordinator, who will be very happy to help them with any problems they may encounter in the course of their studies.

Programs of study

To qualify for a degree with a major in Italian, a student must pass a minimum of 130 credit points of Italian subjects, including the core subjects outlined below. Depending on a student’s prior knowledge of and/or qualifications in the Italian language when they commence their degree, there are two different major streams: beginners and advanced. The major requirements for these streams are as follows.

Italian Major

To complete a major in Italian students must complete:

• the Italian core subjects for their language level at each year level of their degree.
• 30 credit points at first year level,
• 40 credit points at second-year level and
• at least 60 credit points at third year level.

Note: students wishing to qualify as Italian language teachers in schools must complete the advanced stream. This is the requirement to take Italian language as a teaching method in the Diploma of Education or the double degree Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Arts Education.

Note: reading course A and B are only made available to third year students in special circumstances and with the permission of the program coordinator.

Key: ² Students majoring in Italian will have tutorials and texts in Italian.

Other subjects recommended for students of Italian

Not all of the subjects listed below will be available every year.

Honours

Students majoring in Italian studies who achieve an average mark of at least 70% in second and third years may apply to undertake a fourth, honours year.

The honours year consists of:

• (a) a coursework component of three semester subjects, and
• (b) a 12,000 to 15,000 word minor thesis on a topic agreed upon between the student and the supervisor.

Honours students who have not completed the language subjects ITA3ADA and ITA3ADB will undertake these to count jointly as one fourth year subject and will complete all assessment items, including examinations in the subject.

Assessment is 50% coursework and 50% dissertation. Queries may be directed to the Honours Coordinator.

Study abroad

Students who undertake a three-month course at Perugia University for Foreigners subsequent to completing their second year at La Trobe may obtain a maximum of 20 credit points of language at third year level. It is required, however, that the course undertaken be at least of level B2 or above and also that the students present the official university students’ examination booklet certifying that they have obtained a satisfactory result at the official examination for that subject. Study at other tertiary institutions in Italy may also be credited on a similar basis, at the discretion of the program coordinator.