SEARCH
Passport money and map

Italian

 

At Nazareth, you can either start or continue your study of Italian language and culture. Our program in Italian offers a variety of challenging courses in Italian language, literature, culture, and civilization. For those interested in business, Nazareth College also offers unique courses in Business Italian.

Instructor

Prof. Maria Rosaria Vitti-Alexander is a native speaker of Italian, and she has been teaching since 1978. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1983, with a thesis on Italian playwright Luigi Pirandello. Prof.Vitti-Alexander believes in closely associating with her students for a fuller appreciation of the language and culture of Italy. The success of the program is due to the high participation of students and faculty in many cultural and social activities:

  • film screenings
  • lectures
  • concerts
  • dinners
  • parties

These events help to create a cordial and collegial atmosphere that is very conducive to learning. In addition, Prof. Vitti-Alexander has accompanied students abroad through the University of Michigan Summer program in Florence for 18 years. She is presently running a summer program for Nazareth in Pescara.  Traveling to Pescara provides a unique first-hand experience with the beauty of the Italian culture.

Recent teaching awards include:

  • The 1999 Ruth E. Wasley Distinguished Teacher Award from the NYS Association of Foreign Language.
  • Citation from New York State Senator James S. Alesi for Dedication to Profession and Community in 1998.
  • The 1998 Woman of the Year Award for outstanding Leadership, Devotion and Enthusiasm in Developing International Programs.
  • Teaching Excellency Award from Nazareth College 1997
  • F.L.A.T.R.A. Teacher Recognition Award for outstanding contributions in the teaching of Foreign Languages and Culture, 1996.

Courses Offered

Itl 101, 102. Elementary Italian
Beginning level work in the language. Practice in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Emphasis on communicative proficiency. Introduction to the basic vocabulary, expressions and structures of Italian and to the culture of Italy.
3 credits each semester, 3 hours		 Itl 307. Commercial Italian
An advanced language and area studies course, specializing in the terminology of business, economic structures, import-export trade, reports and business correspondence.
3 credits each semester, 3 hours

Itl 103, 104. Intermediate Italian
Intermediate level work in the language, adding more extensive practice in the four basic language skills. A review of the grammar. Continued emphasis on communicative proficiency, Expansion of the study of the ltalian culture. Prerequisites: Itl 101, 102 or department approval.
3 credits each semester, 3 hours

Itl 310. Special Topics in Italian Studies
This Course studies a major 20th century author, analyzing his/her literary perspectives individually and in the context of the major currents of 20th century Italian literature.
3 credits, 3 hours
Itl 201, 202. Advanced Composition and Conversation
A thorough review of finer points of grammatical structure. Development of oral expression in everyday Italian. This course is designed primarily, but not exclusively, for Italian majors who plan to spend their junior year abroad.
3 credits each semester, 3 hours

ITL 312. Advanced Grammar and Stylistics

Advanced language and grammar course specializing in in-depth study of grammatical structures, stylistics and translation with extensive exercises in writing.

3 credits, 3 hours

Itl 203. Urban Culture of Italy
Focused study of representative Italian cities and their urban history (such as Venice, Florence, Perugia, Rome, Palermo) with emphasis on local architecture, monuments, urban commerce, holidays.
3 credits, 3 hours

Itl 405. Senior Seminar: 19th Century Views of Reality
A study of the intellectual trends in 19th century Italy: Preromanticismo, Romanticismo, Verismo and Predecadentismo.
3 credits, 3 hours

Itl 204. Italian Culture through Cinematography
Discussion of Italian films showing their close link to Italian literary, social, and political trends, to demonstrate the most significant changes occurring in Italian society since the postwar period.
3 credits, 3 hours

Itl 406. Senior Seminar: 20th Century Literary Trends
A study of the intellectual trends in 20th century Italy: Decadentismo, Crepuscolarismo, Futurismo, Ermetismo and Neorealismo. Representative authors include Svevo, Pirandello, Moravia, Montale, Silone.
3 credits, 3 hours

Itl 303. Masterpieces of Italian Literature of the 19th Century
Survey of selected authors from the 18th century to the beginning of Verismo, including works of Foscolo, Manzoni, Verga, d'Annuzio, Carducci, and Leopardi.
3 credits, 3 hours

Itl 457. Curriculum Methodology, Middle School and Senior High
(See Frn 457.)
3 credits, 3 hours

ltl 304. Masterpieces of Italian Literature of the 20th Century
Survey of selected authors from Verismo to contemporary times including works of Verga, Moravia, Pirandello, Vittorini, Ginzburg, and Lagorio.
3 credits, 3 hours

Itl 479. Student Teaching Middle School and Senior High
The field-based practicum in Italian.
6 credits

Itl 305-306. Dante's Divine Comedy

All three canticles, Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso are read and discussed.

3 credits, 3 hours

 

Itl 485, 486. Independent Study
By invitation of the department. Special literary and linguistic problems, under direction of a member of the language staff.
3 credits each semester, 3 hours

 

Lan 300. Study Abroad
Study abroad, required for all foreign language majors and modern foreign language majors.
0 credits, 0 hours

F = St. John Fisher College


(Sample program)

Freshman Year Sophomore Year
Courses Credits   Courses Credits
Eng 101,102 6   Perspectives I 3
Perspectives I 9   Mth/Sci (Pers. II) 3
For. Lang. 103, 104 6    Major Lang. (201, 202) 6
Mth/Sci (Persp I) 7   Major Lang. (203, 204) 6
Frs 101 3   Electives 12
Junior Year (Abroad) Senior Year
Courses Credits   Courses Credits
Perspectives I 6   Perspectives II 3
Perspectives II 6   Major Lang. (300 level) 6
Major Lang. 6   Major Lang. (400 level) 6
Electives 12   Electives 15
Wtg. 399 0   For Lang 499 0


The Casa Italiana

The Casa Italiana was established at Nazareth College in 1978 as a center of Italian language, literature, and culture for both Nazareth students and the general public. The building, a gift from the Italian-American community of greater Rochester, has become a symbol of a rare partnership between an ethnic group and an institution of higher learning.

As a center for the study of Italian language, literature, and culture, the Casa enriches the community by promoting a shared, deeper appreciation of traditional and contemporary Italian trends. It promotes exploration of ideologies that clarify the history of the Italian experience in America, and the enhancement of meaningful cultural exchanges between the United States and Italy.Nazareth College offers an undergraduate major in Italian language and literature. Students thrive in the supportive atmosphere of the Casa, where they complete their coursework with the guidance of innovative and dedicated faculty members.

Scholarship: Each year, through the Casa Italiana Endowed Scholarship Fund, the Casa provides financial assistance to a student of academic distinction in Italian Studies.

Elderhostel: The Casa Italiana is committed to meeting the educational needs of adult learners. Each summer, individuals 55 years of age and older from all areas of the United States enjoy a week of intensive work in the language during the day, and a variety of Italian cultural programs in the evening.

Children's Programs: The Casa offers a variety of affordable programs from language classes to summer camps for children interested in discovering Italian language and culture.

For more information go to the Casa Italiana Homepage.

Phone: (585) 389-2465

 

Study Abroad

Nazareth College has an overseas affiliation with the Universita degli Studi `G. D'Annunzio' in Pescara, Italy. The program is for students interested in spending a year or a semester abroad to study Italian culture, literature, politics, history, economics, art history, religion, and international affairs. Nazareth students take courses with Italian students, and are hosted by Italian families for a genuine experience of life in Italy. Additional excursions in Italy include:

  • Venice
  • Florence
  • Rome
  • Aquila

Dates: Second week of September to mid December (Fall); End of February to mid June (Spring).

Eligibility requirements: Minimum age 19; Open to sophomores, juniors, seniorsCoursework in Italian 3.0 GPA.

For more information: Visit the "Study Abroad in Pescara" web site or the "Study Abroad in Florence" web site.

Nazareth College also has an overseas affiliation with Palazzo Rucellai in Florence, Italy.  The program is for students who are not majors in Italian and are interested in spending a semester or year abroad to study Italian art history, culture, literature, politics and history.  Nazareth students are housed with other foreign students coming from all over the world.

Contact:
Maria Rosaria Vitti-Alexander
Director, Pescara Program
Nazareth College
4245 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14618-3790
Phone.: (585) 389-2688
Fax: (585) 586-2452
E-Mail mrvittia@naz.edu