Italian Language and Literature

The objective of the study is to develop and enlarge the knowledge and skills learned acquired in the Bachelor’s degree study programme of Italian languages and cultures or similar programmes. The Master's Degree focuses on enlarging the scope of Cultural knowledge, as well as critical thinking. It also acquaints and introduces the students to the main currents of research in Italian Philology and Italian Studies. In the area of Linguistics, students focus on the historical development of Italian Language and its varieties in a social-historical an social-cultural conceptual framework. In Literary criticism, students learn to use modern methodologies and critical theories in textual studies and literary analysis, applied to texts written in Italian language and its dialects.

Input language competence is at the C1 level according to the CEFR; output language competence is at the C2 level.

After successfully completing his/her studies the graduate is able to:

• communicate with full proficiency in Italian language (reading, listening, speaking and writing).
• read and understand literary texts written in Italian from the middle ages to date
• find the proper bibliography on any specific topic of Italian studies
• discuss and solve problems with a critical approach
• have a general vision of Italian studies and deal with particular cases without forgetting the main framework

The graduate is prepared to work in those areas requiring a deep and proficient command of Italian language and a wide range of knowledge of Italian and Italian speaking culture; areas such as: specialised research action, editorial, publication, translation, advertising, marketing, etc. Typically, a graduate in Italian studies would find career opportunities in other professional positions that require skills such as independent critical thinking and full competence in Italian language at a high level.

Practical training is not required.

A standard scope of a Master's thesis is about 140,000 characters including footnotes, bibliography, etc.; supplements do not count in the scope of characters. Master's thesis has the character of an independent empirical research on a specific topic, eventually adding something new. Students should demonstrate the ability to work critically with specialised texts and apply their acquired knowledge in their own research. The student can decide between subjects dealing with linguistics and literature. The student selects the subject of her/his thesis, pending on consultations and approbation of her/his thesis tutor or director, who recommends a methodology and primary readings. The student must consult with her/his thesis tutor on a regular basis and interact in a constructive cooperation.

After completing the Master’s degree study program and after satisfying the admission requirements it is possible to continue further studies in a doctoral degree study program in Romance languages, Romance literatures, or other appropriate doctoral studies.