Introduction to the Major
The Italian Studies major is an interdisciplinary program, with courses on Italian language, literature, history, cultural studies, film, and folklore offered in both Italian and English. Students will also discover courses in other departments and programs that have significant Italian content in them, including history of art, music, comparative literature, film studies, anthropology, political science, history, and Medieval studies.
“Studying Italian...has not only enriched my academic career at Cal but also shaped me to be someone who dares to get outside of my comfort zone.”
- Class of 2019 Graduate
Additional Options
-
Already have an intended major but interested in Italian Studies? Consider adding an Italian Studies double major or minor
-
If you have a strong interest in Italian Studies but do not yet know the language, we offer a range of upper and lower division courses in English that fulfill L&S breadth requirements, and Reading and Composition (R&C) courses.
-
Always wanted to learn Italian, but couldn’t fit it into your schedule? Check out summer study opportunities in Trieste, Venice, and Florence, and academic year programs in Bologna, Milan, and Rome.
Amplify Your Major
-
Immerse yourself in Italian language and culture through study abroad
-
Take free weekly peer tutoring sessions in Italian language.
-
Apply for a FLAS award to support your language study.
-
Apply for the Gian-Paolo Biasin Memorial Travel Prize to fund post-graduate studies in Italy.
-
After graduation, consider teaching in Italy with the SITE Internship program.
First Year
Explore Your Major
-
Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
-
Review major and college requirements
-
Enroll in L&S 1 and HUM 10 (Compass Courses)
-
Take the Italian language placement exam or enroll in ITALIAN 1 or 1R.
Connect and Build Community
-
Get 1:1 mentoring with Berkeley Connect.
-
Find study groups, tutoring, and academic support at the Student Learning Center
-
Explore the Berkeley Language Center
-
Take advantage of Italian’s tutoring program.
Discover Your Passions
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar or student-run DeCal course.
- Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarships.
Engage Locally and Globally
-
Attend the Calapalooza student activities fair and get involved with a student organization.
-
Find service opportunities through the Public Service Center
-
Explore study, internship and research abroad options in Italy with Berkeley Study Abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
-
Visit Berkeley Career Engagement and the Career Counseling Library
-
Develop a plan for getting career ready.
-
Set up a Handshake account and sign up for CareerMail
-
Explore career fields in the Career Connections Networking Series.
Second Year
Explore Your Major
-
Complete lower division requirements in elementary and intermediate Italian language and declare the major
-
Review the major guidelines for study abroad
-
Participate in the annual Bocciardi Undergraduate Conference.
Connect and Build Community
-
Join a student organization like the Italian Society at Berkeley
-
Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.
-
Start attending Italian Studies events such as guest lectures and student performances.
Discover Your Passions
-
Continue exploring with a Sophomore Seminar, Big Ideas Course or Discovery Course
-
Assist faculty in research through URAP.
Engage Locally and Globally
-
Contribute to a community organization with an American Cultures Engaged Scholarship course
-
Go on a service-learning trip with the Alternative Breaks Program
-
Consider a Berkeley Global Internship in the United States or abroad.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
-
Discuss career options and goals with a Career Educator
-
Shadow alumni during the Cal Job Shadow Program.
-
Learn about graduate and professional school. See Step-by-Step for planning help.
-
Think about doing an internship and attend an internship fair.
Third Year
Explore Your Major
-
Focus on upper division requirements in Italian language, culture, and electives.
-
Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor
-
Ask your major advisor about the Italian Studies honors program.
Connect and Build Community
-
Explore resources from the Program for the Study of Italy
-
Become a Golden Bear Orientation Leader and welcome new students to Berkeley.
Discover Your Passions
-
Apply for a FLAS award to support your Italian language study.
-
Planning a senior thesis or project? Apply to the Haas Scholars Program or SURF
-
Curious about entrepreneurship? Enroll in HUM120: Entrepreneurship for All.
Engage Locally and Globally
-
Experience life at another UC or college on a visitor and exchange program
-
Study and intern in Washington D.C. with UCDC or Cal in the Capital
-
Hone your leadership skills with the Peter E. Haas Public Service Leaders program.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
-
Learn about career fields and conduct informational interviews with people in those fields.
-
Discuss graduate school options with advisors and professors.
-
Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
-
Attend career and graduate school fairs.
Fourth Year
Explore Your Major
-
Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.
-
Complete any “bucket list” courses.
-
Finish remaining major, college, and campus requirements
-
Complement your major with a certificate, course thread, or summer minor.
Connect and Build Community
-
Practice your language skills while helping others learn as an Italian language peer tutor or in the SLC Language Exchange Program
-
Get support for your thesis project in the Townsend Honors Thesis Workshop
-
Connect with alumni groups and build your network as you prepare to graduate.
Discover Your Passions
-
Teach your own DeCal course
-
Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study.
-
Apply for the European Studies Undergraduate Paper Prize.
-
Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.
Engage Locally and Globally
-
Explore service opportunities after graduation such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, or U.S. Department of State
-
Apply for the Gian-Paolo Biasin Memorial Travel Prize to fund post-grad study in Italy.
-
After graduation, consider teaching in Italy with the SITE Internship program.
Reflect and Plan Your Future
-
Utilize job board tools in your job search.
-
Ask professors and graduate student instructors for recommendation letters.
-
Attend Employer Info Sessions and On-Campus Recruiting
-
Apply to jobs, graduate school, and other opportunities.
Jobs and Employers
-
Associate, Morrison & Foerster
-
Business Platform Agent, Accenture
-
Clinical Svcs. Coordinator, UCLA
-
Consultant, Capgemini
-
Culinary Producer, Viceland
-
English Teaching Asst., SITE Program
-
Site Coordinator, AmeriCorps
Graduate Programs
-
Applied Math, PhD
-
Art History, PhD
-
Comparative LIterature, PhD
-
Educational Leadership, EdD
-
Historical Musicology, PhD
-
International Business, Masters
-
Italian Studies, PhD
Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.
Connect With Us
Cal Day
Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.
Golden Bear Orientation
Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.
Events
Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit italian.berkeley.edu for news and updates.
Advising
Students can drop in to 6303A Dwinelle Hall to speak with an advisor or email questions to issaug@berkeley.edu
Advising Drop-In Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5pm
How to Use this Map
Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.
