Italian Studies Minor
The Italian Studies minor is an interdisciplinary program whose objective is to introduce students to the language, culture, geography, and history of Italy contextualizing it within Europe and the Mediterranean. The program consists of 15 credits (five 3-credit courses). Students are required to take MLG 306 (Italian Culture and Civilization), ITA 122 (Italian II), and an Italian MLG of their choice. Students are required to choose two additional courses among the eligible ones. At least one of the additional courses must be chosen from a discipline other than MLG or ITA. Students must consult with the program’s coordinator prior to enrolling in the classes. Courses transferred from other institutions, taken abroad, or acquired in an Italian-focused internship will be considered by the coordinator to determine appropriateness for the minor.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will acquire an understanding and appreciation of Italian language, culture, geography, and history and of the broader Mediterranean and European culture it belongs to.
- Students will develop intercultural competence that will prepare them to communicate, work, and act with people from different and with diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Students will acquire interdisciplinary perspectives and knowledge and develop a personal understanding of the world through an individualized curriculum.
If interested please fill out the Application for an Academic Minor and return it to Registrar.
About Academic Minors
Farmingdale State College students are invited to enhance their studies with an "Academic Minor." A minor is a cluster of thematically related courses drawn from one or more departments. In addition to department based minors (e.g. computer programming & info systems), interdisciplinary minors are also available (e.g. legal studies).
Academic minors are approved by the College-Wide Curriculum Committee and the Provost. Students must make application for an academic minor through the department offering the minor in conjunction with the Registrar's Office Specific course work must be determined in consultation with a faculty member in the department offering the minor. A statement of successful completion of the academic minor will appear on the student's transcript at the time of graduation.
- A minor is considered to be an optional supplement to a student's major program of study.
- Completion of a minor is not a graduation requirement and is subject to the availability of the courses selected. However, if the requirements for a minor are not completed prior to certification of graduation in the major, it will be assumed that the minor has been dropped. Consequently, the student will only be certified for graduation in their primary major.
- Only students in 4 year baccalaureate programs can apply for a minor.
- A minor should consist of 15 to 21 credits.
- At least 12 credits must be in courses at the 200 level or higher.
- At least 9 credits must be residency credits.
- Specific requirements for each minor are determined by the department granting the minor.
- Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in their minor. Some minors may require a higher GPA.
- Students are prohibited from declaring a minor in the same discipline as their major (e.g. one cannot combine an applied math minor with an applied math major). Academic minors may not apply to all curricula.
- Students are permitted to double-count courses.
- Students are only permitted to take more than one minor with appropriate written approval of their department chair or curriculum Dean.
Admission to Farmingdale State College - State University of New York is based on the qualifications of the applicant without regard to age, sex, marital or military status, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.
Contact Information
Modern Languages
Eugenio Villarreal
Memorial Hall, Room 214 & 204
934-420-2192
villarep@farmingdale.edu
Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm
Fall 2024
Subject to revision
| Required: | Credits |
|---|---|
| MLG 306 Italian Culture and Civilization | 3 |
| ITA 122 Italian II (Elementary) | 3 |
| One MLG Course chosen from the list below | 3 |
Two additional courses for the minor may be chosen from the following (at least one course must be chosen from a discipline other than MLG or ITA):
| Choose From: | Credits |
|---|---|
| ART 202 Survey of Art History: Early Renaissance to the Present | 3 |
| ART 242 Italian Renaissance Art | 3 |
| GEO 231 Europe and Its People | 3 |
| HIS 217 From Constantine to Columbus Western Civilization in the Middle Ages | 3 |
| HOR 275 Italian Gardens: Art and Nature | 3 |
| ITA 223 Italian III (Intermediate) | 3 |
| ITA 224 Italian IV (Intermediate) | 3 |
| ITA 301 Italian V (Advanced) | 3 |
| ITA 302 Italian VI (Advanced) | 3 |
| MLG 201 Italian Food, Culture, and History | 3 |
| MLG 301 Italian Cinema (In English) | 3 |
| MLG 311 Italian American Experiences | 3 |
| MLG 318 Italy from Text to Cinema | 3 |
| MLG 323 The Holocaust in Italian Cinema and Culture | 3 |
| MLG 324 Italian Horror Films: Sex, Murder and Social Criticism | 3 |
| POL 265 Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POL 273 Italian Politics and Society | 3 |
| POL 372 Politics of Europe | 3 |
| RAM 303 Research Experience (Italian Focus) | 3 |
| SOC 329 Race and Ethnic Relations | 3 |
| SOC 263 Immigration Past and Present | 3 |
Students are encouraged to study abroad in Italy. Courses taken in Italy will be reviewed by the coordinator and considered toward the minor requirements.
MLG 306 Italian Culture and Civilization
An examination of contemporary Italy and its political, economic and social development. Italian cultural life and institutions in Italy will also be considered. This course may not be used to satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirements. Prerequisite(s): EGL 102
ITA 122 Italian II (Elementary)
A continuation of Italian 121 emphasizing the gradual development of the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing with stress on communicative competence and cultural awareness. Prerequisite(s): ITA 121
ART 202 Survey of Art History: Early Renaissance to the Present
A survey of the history of the visual arts from the Early Renaissance to the Present. Works of art are studied both as monuments of intrinsic aesthetic value and as expressions of the needs, ideals, and aspirations of the societies in which they were created. Prerequisite(s): EGL 101
ART 242 Italian Renaissance Art
This course is designed to introduce students to Ancient through Baroque art found in Italy. Students will be required to meet on campus prior to departing for Europe to study the great masterpieces of the Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods of art found in their original contexts throughout Italy. Works of Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, Illuminated Manuscripts and other applied arts will be studied as they relate to the periods in which they were created. Prerequisite(s): EGL 101
GEO 231 Europe and Its Peoples
This course is an exploration of the rich diversity of cultures and societies of contemporary Europe, as well as an introduction to the continent's geography and how its unique physical attributes shaped world history. Critical readings of recent ethnography will be used to examine themes such as ethnicity and migration, rural life and traditionalism, and family and kinship. Students will also be familiarized with the growth of cities, demographic changes, the development of a leisure culture, and attitudes towards work in Europe. Furthermore, we will examine the interaction between Europeans and their physical environment, interrogate the role of language on national identity among European peoples, and trace the evolution of religion from paganism to "Post-Christianity." We will also study the development of political culture on the continent and historical and contemporary projects to create a united Europe from the Pax Romana to the European Union. NOTE: Students cannot earn credit for GEO 231 and GEO 231*D GEO 231*D can be used to fulfill the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice requirement.
HIS 217 From Constantine to Columbus: Western Civilization in the Middle Ages
This course will examine the development of the major cultural, social, and political movements and institutions of Western Civilization in the period before Columbus. Through both lecture and discussion formats, students will examine the preservation of Greek and Roman learning; Christian civilization and its relation with Islamic culture; the rise of cities, international trade and national capitalism; European learning and the emergence of the university; the rise of the nation-state and the origins of secularism. By the end of the course, students will be able to identify the roots and explain the development of cultural, social, and political institutions that are unique to the Western world.
HOR 275 Italian Gardens: Art and Nature
This course is held in conjunction with Florence University of the Arts during a three week summer semester in Italy. Participants have the opportunity to study and experience the rich history of Italian gardens, particularly those created during the Renaissance and Baroque ages, in and around Florence. Students become garden detectives and peel away the layers of garden additions, deletions, and restorations in order to understand and experience landscapes as they were first conceived and constructed in the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries. The contemporary layout, artifacts, and plants within each garden are compared with historic accounts and illustrations depicting the original layout. The patrons, architects, and artists who created and contributed to each garden and the design theories they employed will be discussed "in situ" and through museum visitation.
ITA 223 Italian III (Intermediate)
A continuation of ITA 122 for students who have had 3 or 4 years of high school Italian. This intermediate course further emphasizes the development of the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing with stress on communicative competence and cultural awareness. A literary and cultural reader will be introduced. Prerequisite(s): ITA 122
ITA 224 Italian IV (Intermediate)
For those students who have taken ITA 223 or four or more years of high school Italian. This course emphasizes structural review, intensified practice in oral expression with increased emphasis on reading and writing skills. Continued attention will be given to contemporary Italian culture. Selections from Italian authors will be read. Prerequisite(s): ITA 223
ITA 301 Italian V (Advanced)
An advanced conversation/composition course with intensive practice in oral and written Italian. Prepared discussions and writing assignments on selected cultural, historical and literary topics. Prerequisite(s): ITA 224
ITA 302 Italian VI (Advanced)
A continuation of Italian V Advance with intensive practice in oral and written Italian. Prepared discussions and writing assignments on selected cultural, historical and literary topics. Prerequisite(s): ITA 301
MLG 201 Italian Food, Culture, and History
This course analyzes the history of Italian food and its connections to historic events and cultural changes that took place in the most representative Italian cities and regions from the Middle Ages through the present. The Italian cities and historical periods analyzed are selected to provide a broad historical and social perspective that aim to be both a history of Italian food and a history of Italy through its food. Prerequisite(s): EGL 102
MLG 301 Italian Cinema (In English)
Representative Italian films, from the post-war and Neorealism to the present, will be viewed, analyzed and discussed. Films are selected to provide a broad historical and social perspective as seen through the artistic vision of individual directors. The course will be conducted in English and all films have English subtitles. Prerequisite(s): EGL 102
MLG 311 Italian American Experiences
"Italian American Experiences" is an introduction to the experiences of people that created a unique and distinctive ethnic culture. The course begins with fundamental Italian heritage and examines the role of immigration and assimilation in a new world as Italian culture combined with the American experience to form the Italian-American culture. Italian-American studies offer students an opportunity to survey development in history, literature, media, art, and sociology. It also provides students with an in-depth exploration of the role ethnicity plays in what it means to be an Italian-American. Prerequisite(s): EGL 102
MLG 318 Italy: From Text to Film
This course will introduce the student to key topics within Italian culture as explored through Italian cinema and literature. Students will analyze narrative devices that tell a story, from the use of various styles of prose in written works to camera angles, editing techniques, and music in film. Through in-class readings of textual and cinematic expressions, including their theoretical background, students will learn to articulate both literary and cinematic criticism. Prerequisite(s): EGL 102
MLG 323 The Holocaust in Italian Culture and Cinema
Through the theoretical and technical analysis of films and literature, students will learn how Italian popular culture represented of the role that Italian citizen and the government had in the implementation of the Holocaust.
MLG 324 Italian Horror Films: Sex, Murder and Social Criticism
Italian horror films escape easy classification, but offer a glimpse into the cultural, economic, and political anxieties which inspired their directors. Characterized by carefully crafted soundtracks, non-sensical plots, saturated with color, violence, and nudity, these movies are cultural artifacts that invite profound reflections on issues of gender discrimination, economic inequality, racism and even anti-colonial criticism. During the semester students will acquire and sharpen analytical and critical skills that will allow them to dissect, eviscerate, analyze, and "take a stab" at interpreting Italian, and American societies. As a 300 level class, students are expected to complete weekly assignments which include writing short reflection essays, and reading scholarly articles. Prerequisite(s): EGL 102
POL 265 Comparative Politics
This course examines a broad range of governmental systems utilizing the comparative methods of analysis. In addition to analysis of selected political systems in the developed world (e.g., Great Britain, the United States, and the Russian Federation), students will also explore the governmental structures of at least one country in the developing world (India, Brazil, the People's Republic of China, etc.). Students will also compare plural democracies, monarchies, dictatorships, and neo-authoritarian forms of government, emphasizing policy-making and contemporary problems facing the state in era of globalization, such as the purported victory of neo-liberalism, the threat of terrorism, and the importance of satellite television and the Internet in shaping politics.
POL 273 Italian Politics and Society
This survey course is designed for students who have a lively curiosity about Italy. Employing a historical perspective, students will examine Italy's efforts at "nation-building" from Machiavelli to the present. Students will learn about Italy's unique and extensive contributions to Western Civilization (politics, economics, science, art, culture, societal organization). They will also be introduced to definitions, concepts, distinctions, and theories that are fundamental to the study of political science and, in particular, the subfields of comparative politics and political philosophy.
POL 372 Politics of Europe
This course is a comparative evaluation of European governments and politics, paying particular attention to challenges facing the Continent such as security, trade policy, ethno-nationalism, immigration, and terrorism. Integration of the former Eastern Bloc into Europe since 1989 will figure prominently in the course. Transnational cooperation and integration through organizations such as NATO and the European Union will be considered, alongside Russia-European relations in the wake of the war in Ukraine. Prerequisite(s): Any 200-level or higher HIS, POL, or GEO course.
RAM 303 Research Experience
This hands-on research experience with a faculty mentor is the culminating experience for students enrolled in the Research Aligned Mentorship (RAM) program. Students will be placed in research experiences on the Farmingdale Campus or off-campus in major universities, research laboratories, businesses, industry, government, horticultural gardens, and other settings that fit their academic interests and career goals.
SOC 329 Social Movements
In this course, students will learn to critically analyze processes of change in society while developing an analytical mind and improving their writing skills. Social movements are collective attempts to change the way people live their lives, how governments govern, and how economic systems produce and distribute goods. We live in a social movement society. Though we are not always aware of the level of activism going on around us, the number and different types of organizations working to create some type of social change is larger than ever before. Globalization and communications technologies have broken down barriers to worldwide participation in movements for change. Understanding how the world is influenced by individuals working together for change is of vital importance. This class focuses on theoretical domains in the sociological study of social movements and general social processes rather than on specific movements. Substantive work on specific movements is used to explain issues such as mobilization, tactics, and ideology, among other factors. NOTE: Students cannot earn credit for SOC 329 and SOC 329*D SOC 329*D can be used to fulfill the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice requirement. Prerequisite(s): Any 200 level or higher sociology course