Italian Studies Joint Major (ITJ1)

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The Italian Studies programme at UCD offers those with a curiosity about different mindsets the opportunity to develop their critical and linguistic skills through engaging with a distinctive cultural universe.



Students with or without previous knowledge of Italian will learn how to negotiate the culturally diverse forms and contents of the Italian tradition, which has a distinctive multilingual character. The importance accorded to research-led teaching within the subject reflects this diversity, offering historical, sociological, literary and linguistic viewpoints through a variety of modules.



This variety of cultural experiences, alongside the impact of the Italian tradition on other cultures, fosters an appreciation of alternative perspectives as a key prerequisite for cultural and intercultural dialogue, and allows students and graduates with their nuanced understanding of cultural difference to play an important societal role in issues arising from internationalization and globalization. This adds a distinctive quality to those fundamental language skills that are, and will continue to be, in great demand in our society and in the workplace.



The Italian programme is delivered through a mixture of lectures and small group teaching in tutorials and language classes, which allows students to develop critical thinking, enables collaboration and peer learning, and stimulates autonomous learning. Furthermore the mixture of assessment forms (varied language exercises, essays, presentations, written and oral communication, aural and audiovisual comprehension) encourages the development of crucial transferable skills.


1 - Demonstrate a strong awareness of linguistic structures.
2 - Demonstrate an ability to interpret texts produced during different historical periods, covering a longer time-span than in most other European cultures.
3 - Critically engage with the literature, history and culture of Italy from the Middle Ages up to the present day, on the basis of solid historical awareness.
4 - Apply fundamental skills in research methods and the sourcing of information in a competent, critical, and effective way from the earliest stages.
5 - Communicate effectively and appropriately, both orally and in writing, in Italian and in English.
6 - Develop core skills in critical reading and textual analysis.
7 - Engage with literary texts and cultural expressions in their social and historical context.
8 - Demonstrate an ability to understand the motivations and the cultural background of ideologies and outlooks that differ from our own and from each other.
9 - Demonstrate the distinctive historical understanding provided by the study of Italian by means of informed contributions to broader debates related to cultural diversity.
10 - Make an articulate and informed contribution to debates on matters of both national and international significance.
11 - Demonstrate the crucial need for linguistic and skills and cultural awareness in an open and innovative society.
Studying Italian opens the door to graduate studies (MA or PhD, in Ireland or abroad) and many careers, including:

  • Careers in organisations including the EU, UN, NGOs
  • Multinationals
  • Hospitality & entertainment industries
  • Teaching, publishing & journalism
  • Translation and interpreting

    You can also pursue graduate studies at MA or PhD level, in Ireland or abroad.
  • Stage 2

    Students MUST pass ALL Level 2 core modules. In addition, students must pass three level 2 option modules. Students must pass Level 2 language modules before proceeding to Level 3 language modules.

    Stage 3

    In order to receive a BA degree with Italian, students must have passed ITAL30070 (Italian Language IIIa) and ITAL30080 (Italian Language IIIb).

    Stage 4

    In order to receive a BA degree with Italian, students must have passed ITAL30070 (Italian Language IIIa) and ITAL30080 (Italian Language IIIb).

    Module ID Module Title Trimester Credits
    Stage 2 Core Modules
         
    ITAL20010 Italian Language II a Autumn 5
    ITAL20080 Italian Language II b Spring 5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
         
    Stage 2 Options - A)3OF:
    Students must complete three level 2 option modules.
         
    ITAL20160 Reading Italian Literature Autumn 5
    ITAL20240 Italian history 1815-1945 Autumn 5
    ITAL20170 Italian Short Stories Spring 5
    ITAL20230 Italian cinema and society Spring 5
    Stage 2 Options - A)3OF:
    Students must complete three level 2 option modules.
         
    Stage 2 Options - B)MIN0OF:
    This module is the equivalent of an elective. You can take it instead of one of your Stage 2 electives. Please make sure that you have selected the correct number of programme options.
         
    HUM20010 Career Readiness for Arts Autumn 5
    Stage 2 Options - B)MIN0OF:
    This module is the equivalent of an elective. You can take it instead of one of your Stage 2 electives. Please make sure that you have selected the correct number of programme options.
         
    Stage 3 Core Modules
         
    ITAL30070 Italian Language III a Autumn 5
    ITAL30080 Italian Language III b Spring 5
    Stage 3 Core Modules
         
    Stage 3 Options - A)MIN3OF:
    Students must complete three level 3 option modules. Additional modules can be chosen from the list below in place of electives.
         
    ITAL30110 Selected Twentieth-Century Italian Women Writers Autumn 5
    ITAL30300 Italian literary adaptations Autumn 5
    ITAL30200 The Story of Italian 2: Modern Age and Today Spring 5
    ITAL30260 Politics and Morals in Renaissance Italy Spring 5
    Stage 3 Options - A)MIN3OF:
    Students must complete three level 3 option modules. Additional modules can be chosen from the list below in place of electives.
         
    Stage 4 Core Modules
         
    ITAL30070 Italian Language III a Autumn 5
    ITAL30080 Italian Language III b Spring 5
    Stage 4 Core Modules
         
    Stage 4 Options - A)MIN3OF:
    Students must complete three level 3 option modules. Additional modules can be chosen from the list below in place of electives.
         
    ITAL30110 Selected Twentieth-Century Italian Women Writers Autumn 5
    ITAL30300 Italian literary adaptations Autumn 5
    ITAL30200 The Story of Italian 2: Modern Age and Today Spring 5
    ITAL30260 Politics and Morals in Renaissance Italy Spring 5
    Stage 4 Options - A)MIN3OF:
    Students must complete three level 3 option modules. Additional modules can be chosen from the list below in place of electives.
         
    See the UCD Assessment website for further details

    Module Weighting Info  
      Award GPA
    Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
    BHACS014 Stage 3 - 50.00%
    Stage 2 - 50.00%
    Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

    3.68

    4.20

    Second Class Honours, Grade 1

    3.08

    3.67

    Second Class Honours, Grade 2

    2.48

    3.07

    Pass

    2.00

    2.47

    BHACS001 Stage 3 - 50.00%
    Stage 2 - 50.00%
    Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

    3.68

    4.20

    Second Class Honours, Grade 1

    3.08

    3.67

    Second Class Honours, Grade 2

    2.48

    3.07

    Pass

    2.00

    2.47

    BHACS011 Stage 4 - 50.00%
    Stage 2 - 50.00%
    Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

    3.68

    4.20

    Second Class Honours, Grade 1

    3.08

    3.67

    Second Class Honours, Grade 2

    2.48

    3.07

    Pass

    2.00

    2.47

    BHACS023 Stage 3 - 70.00%
    Stage 2 - 30.00%
    Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

    3.68

    4.20

    Second Class Honours, Grade 1

    3.08

    3.67

    Second Class Honours, Grade 2

    2.48

    3.07

    Pass

    2.00

    2.47

    BHACS027 Stage 4 - 50.00%
    Stage 3 - 30.00%
    Stage 2 - 20.00%
    Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

    3.68

    4.20

    Second Class Honours, Grade 1

    3.08

    3.67

    Second Class Honours, Grade 2

    2.48

    3.07

    Pass

    2.00

    2.47


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