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Italian Studies: University of Birmingham

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Degree 
BA
Address
Italian Studies: University of Birmingham, Department of Italian Studies, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Subject
Cultural Studies
Duration 
4 years
Telephone 
+44(0)121 414 5996
E-mail 

d.da...@bham.ac.uk

Website 
http://www.italian.bham.ac.uk



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Italy combines the excitement of being one of the most dynamic (and perplexing) of modern European countries with the depth that comes from a cultural heritage stretching back over more than eight centuries.

Here at Birmingham we offer you the opportunity to build up a good understanding of Italy today, and at the same time to open the window on Italy’s past, to find out how the country became what it is today. Your study of the language is central to the programme. You do not need to have studied Italian before. We normally expect beginners to be catching up in their second year and all students are taught and examined together in their final year. The language teaching is also supported by Italian government funds, and we make extensive use of our computer-assisted language learning (CALL) facilities.

First year

All students devote up to one third of their first year to the intensive study of the Italian language. You also follow a course called Visions of Italy. This is designed to enable you, whatever your linguistic knowledge at the beginning of the programme, to develop and enhance your ability to read in Italian. It also provides grounding in the development of Italian thought and cultural production from the Middle Ages to the present day.

First-year Single Honours students take three further modules which include:

  • Beginners’ Italian
  • Advanced Italian 1
  • Advanced Italian Project Writing
  • Studies in Contemporary Italy
  • Visions of Italy
  • Cinema and the Written Word

Second year

  • In the second year you have much greater freedom of choice. The modules available include:
  • Intermediate Italian Language
  • Advanced Italian Language
  • Introduction to Summary from English into Italian and to Translation from Italian into English
  • Historical and Social Aspects of the Italian Language
  • Dante Alighieri, Inferno
  • The Italian Courts: Life and Society
  • Twentieth-century Theatre and Film

Third year

A vital part of the programme is the time you spend in Italy. This will normally be at one of our partner institutions, following approved university courses. Students may apply for a post teaching in an Italian school under an approved programme, and, under certain circumstances, a work placement may be approved. All our academic placements with universities in Italy come under the European Union’s Erasmus exchange scheme.

The year abroad, together with your second year, counts 25% towards the final degree classification.

Fourth year

In the final year all students follow a compulsory language module and then are free to choose other options. This includes a dissertation on a subject chosen by the student and approved by the department.

Teaching and assessment

Students can expect to have between 12 and 15 hours of teaching time per week in their first year of study. We also encourage students to make use of language learning facilities such as the digital laboratories and the University’s virtual learning environment, WebCT, in their own time.

Career opportunities

Their graduates go on to work in many areas such as academic research and teaching, translating and interpreting, retail and financial services, the Civil Service and public administration.

Other ways to study Italian

  • In addition to the Single Honours programme, Italian Studies is available:
  • As half of a Joint Honours degree
  • As a Major or Minor subject in the BA Modern Languages degree
  • In the BA Modern Languages and European Studies (Politics) and the BA Modern Languages and European Studies (Society, Culture and History) and in other combinations
  • In several ‘with Language’ degrees, such as International Business with Italian, Economics with Italian and Money, Banking and Finance with Italian
  • In other Modern Languages Major/Minor combinations

Entry requirements

  • Number of A levels required: 3
  • Typical offer: BCC
  • Required subjects and grades: a modern foreign language at A level grade B or C is preferred
  • General Studies: accepted
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma: 30–32 points including a modern foreign language at HL

Other qualifications are considered – see the entry requirements section for full details

Contact details

  • Admissions Tutor: Dr Charlotte Ross
  • Telephone enquiries: +44 (0)121 414 7505
  • Email: c.e.ross@bham.ac.uk

For general information about open days

Main University Switchboard

  • Postal address: The University of Birmingham
    Edgbaston
    Birmingham
    B15 2TT
    United Kingdom
  • Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3344
  • Fax: +44(0)121 414 3971

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