The Italian Studies Department is a pioneer in new language teaching methodologies. This ensures that, whatever your level of Italian, you will have an increased knowledge in both the written and spoken language. Throughout the modules, we have put considerable emphasis on the historical and cultural context so that you acquire an in-depth understanding of Italy and her culture from both a historical and contemporary perspective.

Example modules

Representatives of Modern Italy

The aim of this module is to introduce you to a variety of twentieth-century Italian ‘texts’, including film, and to the political, social, and cultural  developments which make up their context. Through the texts you will be helped to develop a familiarity with wider trends and with major figures in modern Italian culture (from the 1920s to the 1990s), and an appreciation of the socio-cultural issues which have contributed to the nature and identity of Italy today.

Forms and Fashions in Italian Intellectual Culture

This module is designed to introduce you to major forms, genres, stylistic questions and movements in Italian literary and cultural history, concentrating
primarily on both the twentieth century and the Renaissance and medieval literature (Dante), in order to illustrate the broader context in which past and contemporary issues related to language, style and genre are situated. This wide-ranging but detailed introduction provides students with a solid foundation for further study of Italian literature and culture, as well as developing key skills.

Most modules in the Department are available to fullyear students as well as to Autumn, Autumn & Spring and Spring & Summer terms. Advice on appropriate language modules should be sought from the Department of Italian.