ITALIAN13 Italian studies

Italian studies is a vibrant program that develops linguistic competence in the four skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing. At the same time it expands knowledge of important areas of Italian culture: literature, film and theatre, history and society.

The major in Italian studies requires a period of study in Italy, in the Arts semester in Prato (variations may be approved in special circumstances).

Italian studies has three entry points, preparing students from beginners to the most advanced levels. Each proficiency level sequence has a cultural component as well as a language component. To ensure that students are placed in the most appropriate level according to their individual profile and the best outcome they can expect to achieve, all students, except beginners, are required to undertake placement testing prior to the start of their first semester of language study.

The units on offer at the Prato centre include beginners units (accessible to all Monash students worldwide), Italian Proficient 2, and a series of electives.

Right of school to determine entry level and approve accelerated enrolment

The Italian studies program convenor retains the right to determine the proper proficiency level for any particular student. Students are not permitted to accelerate their enrolment without first consulting the program convenor, nor can they elect to take classes that are below their proficiency level. Students wishing to enrol in a language unit higher than introductory need to complete a language entry level test to determine the language level they should be enrolled in.

Students must sequentially progress through the language unit levels eg. Introductory, Intermediate, Proficient and Advanced. Students are not permitted to take classes that are below their tested language proficiency level.

Overseas study

All students are required to undertake 12 to 18 points of study at the Monash Prato Centre in Italy or at a partner university in Italy as part of their undergraduate studies (exemption can be made under exceptional circumstances). For a list of units, please refer to the Arts semester in Prato. Grants are available to second and third-year level students who intend to study in Italy. Honours students will be strongly encouraged to study for one semester in an Italian university (preferably at the University of Florence or at the University of Bologna as part of their honours degree.

Availability

Italian studies is listed in A2000 Bachelor of Arts at Caulfield and Clayton as a minor and a major, and in A0501 Diploma of Languages at Caulfield and Clayton as a major.