French and Italian

frenchanditalian.northwestern.edu

Studies in French and Italian provide unique insights into the language, thought, and character of cultures different from our own. Such knowledge builds an awareness of our own society’s diversity and the ways it resembles and differs from others. Proficiency in language and knowledge of culture are keys to careers in communication, media, business, the arts, and academia and are valuable components of any university education.

The department’s programs are varied. Language courses, from the elementary through the graduate levels, develop communication skills for functioning at ease with foreign texts or in a foreign environment. Courses in literature and culture not only broaden and deepen insights into the thought and writing of other societies but also train students to think independently, to organize and analyze materials thoughtfully, and to discuss ideas effectively.

The department offers a minor in French, a major in French studies, MA and PhD programs in French, and a minor and a major in Italian. These may be supplemented by study abroad, which allows students to increase their knowledge of a foreign language and society while continuing university work abroad in a variety of fields. It is not necessary to be a major to participate in these programs.

French

Study Abroad

Students studying abroad in France or other francophone countries may receive up to 7 credits (depending on program length) if the content of courses taken abroad relates in a substantive way to some aspect of French or francophone culture or society.

The Teaching of French

Weinberg College students pursuing a major in French who also wish to be certified for teaching must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program in the School of Education and Social Policy and complete all requirements as outlined in the SESP chapter of this catalog. Students are urged to contact the Office of Student Affairs in SESP as early as possible in their academic careers.

Italian Literature and Culture

The Italian Literature and Culture program offers an interdisciplinary exploration of Italy’s artistic, literary, and political traditions—from Dante to Ferrante, from medieval epic to global cinema.

Courses taught in both Italian and English emphasize close reading, critical thinking, and cultural analysis across literature, film, visual arts, and philosophy. The curriculum places literature and visual media in conversation with broader questions of political thought, cultural memory, migration, and social transformation. Courses address topics such as the aesthetics of dissent, language and belonging, ecological imagination, and Italy’s evolving role within global cultural networks. Italian cinema plays a central role, with courses covering neorealism, auteur film, and transnational cinema. With a focus on both canonical figures and emergent perspectives, the program cultivates a critical, historically, and theoretically grounded approach to cultural interpretation. Students develop strong analytical and communication skills through writing, discussion, and research, while gaining linguistic fluency and intercultural awareness.

Whether delving into medieval epic, modernist experimentation, or the global reception of Italian popular culture, students are invited to consider how Italy’s cultural production participates in—and helps shape—ongoing conversations about justice, identity, and human experience. Ideal for those passionate about storytelling, visual culture, and cultural critique, the program offers a flexible, intellectually rich path that prepares students for careers in education, media, international affairs, and beyond.

Programs of Study

French and Italian Learning Objectives

French:

  • Advanced proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and oral comprehension of French.
  • Knowledge of French-language cultural production from different periods and regions, and of its intellectual and historical contexts.
  • Corresponding understanding of the national and cultural diversity of France and the Francophone world in relation to colonial and postcolonial histories.
  • Intellectual engagement with a selection of critical or theoretical works by major French-language authors.
  • The ability to read critically and analyze different genres of cultural production in French (including prose, poetry, drama, non-fiction, and/or visual culture) with attention to both thematic and formal issues. Students will also gain the rhetorical and argumentative skills necessary to convey effectively their interpretations in writing.

Italian:

  • Situate Italian culture within a global, inclusive framework of knowledge.
  • Examine Italian-language cultural production across periods and regions, interpreting its intellectual and historical contexts.
  • Apply theoretical and methodological tools to interpret Italian cultural texts and contexts, synthesize diverse sources, evaluate differing perspectives, and challenge conventional narratives.
  • Critique stereotypical representations of Italian culture by engaging directly with primary sources and participating in immersive experiences such on-campus research or study abroad.
  • Develop cultural competence in Italian through academic writing, close reading, and textual analysis, with an emphasis on interpretive, critical, and presentational skills.
  • Consolidate advanced linguistic proficiency in Italian, building on foundational language training aligned with ACTFL-based benchmarks.

French and Italian Courses

See below for Italian Courses.

French Courses

FRENCH 101-7 College Seminar (1 Unit)   Small, writing and discussion-oriented course exploring a specific topic or theme, and introducing skills necessary to thriving at Northwestern. Not eligible to be applied towards a WCAS major or minor except where specifically indicated.

FRENCH 101-8 First-Year Writing Seminar (1 Unit)   Small, writing and discussion-oriented course exploring a specific topic or theme, and focused on the fundamentals of effective, college-level written communication. Not eligible to be applied towards a WCAS major or minor except where specifically indicated.

FRENCH 106-0 French for Research (0 Unit)  

FRENCH 111-1 Elementary French (1 Unit)   The first course of a three-quarter sequence for true beginners. This course covers grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, conversation and culture. The aim of the course is to learn and develop skills in speaking, understanding, reading, writing and cultural competence. Class will be conducted exclusively in French. Prerequisite: None or placed in the course by the French Language Placement Test.

FRENCH 111-2 Elementary French (1 Unit)   The second course of a three-quarter sequence for true beginners. This course covers grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, conversation and culture. The aim of the course is to learn and develop skills in speaking, understanding, reading, writing and cultural competence. Class will be conducted exclusively in French. Prerequisite: FRENCH 111-1 or placed in the course by the French Language Placement Test.

FRENCH 111-3 Elementary French (1 Unit)   The third course of a three-quarter sequence for true beginners. This course covers grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, conversation and culture. The aim of the course is to learn and develop skills in speaking, understanding, reading, writing and cultural competence. Class will be conducted exclusively in French. Prerequisite: FRENCH 111-2 or placed in the course by the French Language Placement Test.

FRENCH 115-1 Intensive Elementary French (1 Unit)   The first course of a two-quarter sequence. This accelerated first-year French course covers the same material as the three-quarter sequence of French 111, but which assumes some prior knowledge of the language. The aim of the course is to review and develop skills in speaking, understanding, reading and writing French through study, practice, and class activities. Prerequisite: Placement in the course by the French Language Placement Test.

FRENCH 115-2 Intensive Elementary French (1 Unit)   The second course of a two-quarter sequence. This accelerated first-year French course covers the same material as the three-quarter sequence of French 111, but which assumes some prior knowledge of the language. The aim of the course is to review and develop skills in speaking, understanding, reading and writing French through study, practice, and class activities. Prerequisite: FRENCH 115-1 or Placement in the course by the French Language Placement Test.

FRENCH 121-1 Intermediate French (1 Unit)   First course in a three-quarter sequence in Intermediate French. Further development in French language and culture, emphasizing grammar review, listening comprehension, conversation, reading, and writing. Prerequisite: Grade of at least C- in French 111-3 or FRENCH 115-2, or placed in the course by the French Language Placement Test.

FRENCH 121-2 Intermediate French (1 Unit)   Second course in a three-quarter sequence in Intermediate French. Further development in French language and culture, emphasizing grammar review, listening comprehension, conversation, reading, and writing. Prerequisite: Grade of at least C- in FRENCH 121-1, or placed in the course by the French Language Placement Test.

FRENCH 121-3 Intermediate French (1 Unit)   Third course in a three-quarter sequence in Intermediate French. Further development in French language and culture, emphasizing grammar review, listening comprehension, conversation, reading, and writing. Prerequisite: Grade of at least C- in FRENCH 121-2, or placed in the course by the French Language Placement Test.

FRENCH 125-1 Intensive Intermediate French (1 Unit)   French language and culture: conversation, composition, reading of cultural and literary texts, and grammar review. Three class meetings a week. Prerequisite: Grade of at least C- in FRENCH 115-2 or Department placement.

FRENCH 125-2 Intensive Intermediate French (1 Unit)   French language and culture: conversation, composition, reading of cultural and literary texts, and grammar review. Three class meetings a week. Prerequisite: Grade of at least C- in FRENCH 125-1 or Department placement.

FRENCH 125-3 Intensive Intermediate French (1 Unit)   French language and culture: conversation, composition, reading of cultural and literary texts, and grammar review. Three class meetings a week. Prerequisite: Grade of at least C- in FRENCH 125-2 or Department placement.

FRENCH 198-0 Independent Study (1 Unit)   Credit for 1 quarter only. Prerequisite: Department approval.

FRENCH 199-SA Language and Culture (2 Units)   Grammar, conversation, reading, writing, and culture study. Restricted to students in Northwestern's Paris programs. Students completing this course must take a placement exam before continuing French at Northwestern.

FRENCH 201-0 Culture and Society (1 Unit)   Development of fluency, accuracy, and creativity in speaking, comprehension, reading, and writing French; introduction to social, cultural, and literary topics. Prerequisite: Grade of at least C- in FRENCH 121-3 or Department placement.

FRENCH 202-0 Writing Workshop: Cultural Encounters in Contemporary France (1 Unit)   Practical study of French grammar and structure; students develop and improve writing skills through practice in preparing short compositions. Prerequisite: FRENCH 125-3, FRENCH 201-0, or Department placement.

FRENCH 203-0 Oral Workshop: Individual and Society in France Today (1 Unit)   Practical course to increase listening comprehension, build vocabulary and idiom use, and enhance communication skills. Prerequisite: FRENCH 125-3, FRENCH 201-0 or Department placement.

FRENCH 204-0 Acting French (1 Unit)   Use of dramatic scenes, dialogues, songs and performance to help students improve their language skills and develop their interpretive, interpersonal and intercultural competence at the Intermediate Mid/High level. Prerequisite: FRENCH 121-3 or FRENCH 125-3 or FRENCH 201-0 or consent of instructor.

FRENCH 210-0 Reading Literatures in French (1 Unit)   Introduction to texts in various genres such as essay, poetry, drama, novel, and autobiography, from at least two periods from the Middle Ages to the present. Prerequisite: FRENCH 202-0, AP score of 5, or consent of instructor. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

FRENCH 211-0 Reading Cultures in French (1 Unit)   Introduction to French and/or francophone cultures through texts and media from at least two periods; major themes, issues, and debates. Prerequisite: FRENCH 202-0, AP score of 5, or consent of instructor. Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

FRENCH 271-0 Introducing the Novel (1 Unit)   Textual interpretation and analysis of French novels from different periods, with special attention to formal issues. Prerequisite: FRENCH 210-0 or FRENCH 211-0, or consent of instructor. Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

FRENCH 272-0 Introducing Theatre (1 Unit)   Textual interpretation and analysis of French plays from different periods, with special attention to formal issues. Principles of tragedy and comedy; contemporary developments. Prerequisite: FRENCH 210-0 or FRENCH 211-0, or consent of instructor. Credit not allowed for both FRENCH 272-0 and FRENCH 279-0. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

FRENCH 273-0 Introducing Poetry (1 Unit)   Textual interpretation and analysis of French poetry from different periods, with special attention to formal issues. Overview of major poetic movements. Prerequisite: FRENCH 210-0 or FRENCH 211-0, or consent of instructor. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

FRENCH 277-0 French Existentialism (1 Unit)   Existentialism in its literary, philosophical, and cultural manifestations. Ethical and Evaluative Thinking Foundational Disci Ethics Values Distro Area Interdisciplinary Distro - See Rules Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

FRENCH 279-0 Theater in Translation (1 Unit)   Representative French plays from the 17th through 20th centuries; basic concepts of genre; social and historical context. Credit not allowed for both FRENCH 279-0 and FRENCH 272-0. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

FRENCH 280-0 Major Topics in French and Francophone Studies (1 Unit)   An introduction to major themes or problems in the study of French and Francophone studies for a wide audience. Potential topics include: literary approaches to scientific language, representing the 19th century in film, the French novel in translation, laughing in French, etc. Taught in English. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

FRENCH 299-SA Language and Culture (2 Units)   Study of French language and culture in Paris. Restricted to students in Northwestern's Paris programs. Students completing this course must take a placement exam before continuing French at Northwestern. Prerequisite: Fulfillment of Weinberg College French language proficiency via AP Score of 5; French 121-3, 125-3 or 201; or validation of proficiency.

FRENCH 300-0 French Phonetics (1 Unit)   Development of near-native spoken French through practice in correct pronunciation. Phonetic system of contemporary French; introduction to basic issues of theoretical phonetics. Prerequisite: FRENCH 202-0, FRENCH 203-0, or consent of instructor.

FRENCH 301-0 Advanced Language in Context: Society and Popular Culture (1 Unit)   Practical study of structure, syntax, and usage of French through contemporary media, cinema, theater, and popular culture. Prerequisite: FRENCH 202-0 or consent of instructor.

FRENCH 302-0 Advanced Writing: Finding Your Voice in French (1 Unit)   Development of written expression for different communicative needs and functions based on the study of French writing styles and techniques. Prerequisite: FRENCH 202-0 or consent of instructor.

FRENCH 303-0 Advanced Conversation: Debating Contemporary France (1 Unit)   Development of advanced proficiency and confidence in spoken French through practice of speech and discussion of issues in current French media and culture. Emphasis on culturally appropriate usage. Prerequisite: FRENCH 202-0, FRENCH 203-0, or consent of instructor.

FRENCH 309-0 French For Professions (1 Unit)   French language as used in professional contexts. May include study of a specific field and differences from its American counterpart. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. Prerequisite: FRENCH 202-0 or consent of instructor.

FRENCH 310-0 The Middle Ages & Renaissance (1 Unit)   Study of literary texts of the French Middle Ages and Renaissance with emphasis on their historical and literary-historical contexts. Prerequisite: FRENCH 271-0, FRENCH 272-0, or FRENCH 273-0, or consent of instructor. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

FRENCH 322-0 Medieval French Narratives (1 Unit)   Major narrative works of the French Middle Ages in historical context. Content varies; may include epics such as the Song of Roland, romances such as Chrétien de Troyes's Perceval, and narratives of childhood. Texts read in modern French versions. Prerequisite: FRENCH 271-0, FRENCH 272-0, or FRENCH 273-0, or consent of instructor. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

FRENCH 333-0 Topics in Renaissance Literature (1 Unit)   Study of literary and other texts of the French Renaissance with emphasis on their literary, historical, and political contexts. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. Prerequisite: FRENCH 271-0, FRENCH 272-0, or FRENCH 273-0, or consent of instructor.

FRENCH 334-0 Montaigne and Modernity (1 Unit)   In-depth study of the work of Michel de Montaigne and his models within the context of Renaissance history, politics and philosophy. All readings and discussion in French. Prerequisite: FRENCH 271-0, FRENCH 272-0, or FRENCH 273-0, or consent of instructor. Advanced Expression Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

FRENCH 335-0 17th Century Literature (1 Unit)   Topics and issues related to the literature and culture of 17th century France. Content varies; topics covered previously include theater and its social and political contexts, the rise of rational thought, and the development of fiction and poetry. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. Prerequisite: FRENCH 271-0, FRENCH 272-0, or FRENCH 273-0, or consent of instructor. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

FRENCH 340-0 Sexual Politics and the Ancien Regime (1 Unit)   Literary, intellectual, and political role of women in view of the debates generated by the issues of women's power in the public sphere before the French Revolution. Prerequisite: FRENCH 271-0, FRENCH 272-0, or FRENCH 273-0, or consent of instructor. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

FRENCH 344-0 Rousseau and the French Revolution (1 Unit)   Analysis of Rousseau's political thought and major literary works and their impact on Revolutionary ideology and culture. Prerequisite: FRENCH 271-0, FRENCH 272-0, or FRENCH 273-0, or consent of instructor. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

FRENCH 346-0 Studies in the Enlightenment (1 Unit)   Authors such as Rousseau, Diderot, Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Graffigny in relation to Enlightenment debates about science, religion, political authority, human nature, colonialism, gender, and slavery. Prerequisite: FRENCH 271-0, FRENCH 272-0, or FRENCH 273-0, or consent of instructor. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

FRENCH 350-0 The Novel in French (1 Unit)   Content varies; may include the novel of the ancien régime, the psychological novel, and the Bildungsroman in France. Prerequisite: FRENCH 271-0, FRENCH 272-0, or FRENCH 273-0, or consent of instructor. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

FRENCH 355-0 Topics in Modern and Contemporary French Literature and Culture (1 Unit)   Transhistorical study of literary and other texts of the modern and contemporary periods (1800–present) with emphasis on their literary, historical, and political contexts. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. Prerequisite: FRENCH 271-0, FRENCH 272-0, or FRENCH 273-0, or consent of instructor. Advanced Expression Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

FRENCH 360-0 From Modernism to Postmodernism (1 Unit)   Crises and reinventions of French prose from the modernist moment of the early 20th century to the ambiguities of "engaged" literature of the 1930s to postmodernism. Prerequisite: FRENCH 271-0, FRENCH 272-0, or FRENCH 273-0, or consent of instructor. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

FRENCH 362-0 African Literatures and Cultures (1 Unit)   Major issues, trends, and authors from francophone Africa. Content varies; may include Shahrazade, narratives of gender relations, law and literature, violence, and writing. Prerequisite: FRENCH 271-0, FRENCH 272-0, or FRENCH 273-0, or consent of instructor. Advanced Expression Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

FRENCH 364-0 Caribbean Literatures and Cultures (1 Unit)   Major issues, trends, and authors from the francophone Caribbean and its diasporas. Content varies; may include Caribbean women writers; slavery, history, and memory; Caribbean identities. Prerequisite: FRENCH 271-0, FRENCH 272-0, or FRENCH 273-0, or consent of instructor. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

FRENCH 365-0 The Maghreb and the Middle East (1 Unit)   Major issues in the literatures and cultures of North Africa and the Middle East. Content varies. May include exile in writing; politics of language and translation. Prerequisite: FRENCH 271-0, FRENCH 272-0, or FRENCH 273-0, or consent of instructor. Advanced Expression Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

FRENCH 366-0 France and East Asia (1 Unit)   Interdisciplinary approaches to the history of French-East Asian relations, including French representations of East Asia. May include translation, japonisme, cinema, literary and philosophical avant-gardes, and culture and globalization. Prerequisite: FRENCH 271-0, FRENCH 272-0, or FRENCH 273-0, or consent of instructor.

FRENCH 367-0 Transnational Francophone Studies (1 Unit)   Exploration of cultural production in various genres from the French-speaking world, with an emphasis on themes, ideas, and/or forms that traverse national and/or cultural boundaries. Prerequisite: FRENCH 271-0, FRENCH 272-0, or FRENCH 273-0, or consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit when content changes. Advanced Expression Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

FRENCH 371-0 Giants, Cannibals, and Critique (1 Unit)   Analysis of works of Rabelais and Montaigne and their techniques of satire and social critique. Readings include related selections from Erasmus, More, La Boétie, and others. Advanced Expression Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

FRENCH 374-0 Proust (1 Unit)   Introduces the works of Marcel Proust, a central figure of European literature and thought. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

FRENCH 375-0 French Film (1 Unit)   Topics in French cinema: for example, French classical cinema, the New Wave, postcolonial French film, the cinema of Marguerite Duras. Advanced Expression Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

FRENCH 376-0 Gender & Sexuality (1 Unit)   Major trends and perspectives in gender and sexuality studies such as first and second wave feminisms, lesbian writers, AIDS literature, queer theory, gender and orientalism, cross-cultural feminism. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

FRENCH 378-0 Contemporary Theory (1 Unit)   Introduction to some major trends in contemporary French theory and the way they have influenced literary studies in the United States. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

FRENCH 379-0 Topics in French Literature and Culture (1 Unit)   Advanced exploration of special topics in French studies. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

FRENCH 380-0 Political & Social Thought in France (1 Unit)   Major political and social trends in France from the ancien régime to the 20th century. Content varies. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. Prerequisite: FRENCH 271-0, FRENCH 272-0, or FRENCH 273-0, or consent of instructor. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

FRENCH 384-0 Women Writing in French (1 Unit)   Analysis of texts by women authors with regard to their respective social, cultural, political, and historical contexts. Prerequisite: FRENCH 271-0, FRENCH 272-0, or FRENCH 273-0, or consent of instructor. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

FRENCH 386-0 Gender & Writing (1 Unit)   Issues of gender and sexuality in the production of literary and other creative texts in various historical periods. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. Prerequisite: FRENCH 271-0, FRENCH 272-0, or FRENCH 273-0, or consent of instructor. Advanced Expression Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

FRENCH 390-0 Topics in Literature and Culture (1 Unit)   Topics, issues, and questions in French and francophone culture. Content varies; may include French and francophone cinema, the intellectual in France. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. Prerequisite: FRENCH 271-0, FRENCH 272-0, or FRENCH 273-0, or consent of instructor. Advanced Expression Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

FRENCH 391-0 Theory and Practice of Translation (1 Unit)   Intercultural communication through analysis of translation theories and translated works; translation exercises. Content varies; genres may include prose, poetry, graphic novels, and theater. Prerequisite: FRENCH 301-0, FRENCH 302-0, study abroad, or consent of instructor.

FRENCH 393-0 Foreign Language Teaching: Theory and Practice (1 Unit)   Theoretical foundation and practical applications of second-language acquisition and applied linguistics. Analysis and design of pedagogical materials. Self-reflection and analysis of teaching style and teaching philosophy. Prerequisite: senior status or consent of instructor.

FRENCH 395-0 Advanced Studies in Culture and Thought (1 Unit)   Theoretical perspectives and paradigms for understanding culture through in-depth study of a historical, cultural, or theoretical issue or of a literary or artistic work. Independent term paper. Prerequisite: senior status or consent of undergraduate advisor. Advanced Expression Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

FRENCH 399-0 Independent Study (1 Unit)   Independent reading and research. Topics arranged through consultation with an instructor and approval of the department.

Italian Courses

ITALIAN 101-1 Elementary Italian (1 Unit)   Emphasis on oral communication, supported by grammar, writing, reading, and listening. Three class meetings a week plus asynchronous Tuesdays. Prerequisite: none.

ITALIAN 101-2 Elementary Italian (1 Unit)   Emphasis on oral communication, supported by grammar, writing, reading, and listening. Three class meetings a week plus asynchronous Tuesdays. Prerequisite: Grade of at least C- in ITALIAN 101-1 or Department placement.

ITALIAN 101-3 Elementary Italian (1 Unit)   Emphasis on oral communication, supported by grammar, writing, reading, and listening. Three class meetings a week plus asynchronous Tuesdays. Prerequisite: Grade of at least C- in ITALIAN 101-2 or Department placement.

ITALIAN 102-1 Intermediate Italian (1 Unit)   Grammar review, conversation, composition, and readings in modern prose and drama. Three class meetings a week plus asynchronous Tuesdays. Prerequisite: ITALIAN 101-3 or equivalent.

ITALIAN 102-2 Intermediate Italian (1 Unit)   Grammar review, conversation, composition, and readings in modern prose and drama. Three class meetings a week plus asynchronous Tuesdays. Prerequisite: Grade of at least a C- in ITALIAN 102-1 or Department placement.

ITALIAN 102-3 Intermediate Italian (1 Unit)   Grammar review, conversation, composition, and readings in modern prose and drama. Three class meetings a week plus asynchronous Tuesdays. Prerequisite: Grade of at least C- in ITALIAN 102-2 or Department placement.

ITALIAN 103-1 Italian for Musicians (1 Unit)   Italian language course for musicians, focusing on developing comprehension and pronunciation skills for operatic performance. Analysis of libretti and scores of Italian operas. Prerequisite: Grade of at least C- in ITALIAN 101-2 or Department placement.

ITALIAN 105-7 College Seminar (1 Unit)   Small, writing and discussion-oriented course exploring a specific topic or theme, and introducing skills necessary to thriving at Northwestern. Not eligible to be applied towards a WCAS major or minor except where specifically indicated.

ITALIAN 105-8 First-Year Writing Seminar (1 Unit)   Small, writing and discussion-oriented course exploring a specific topic or theme, and focused on the fundamentals of effective, college-level written communication. Not eligible to be applied towards a WCAS major or minor except where specifically indicated.

ITALIAN 106-0 Italian for Research (0 Unit)  

ITALIAN 110-0 Italian in the Business World (1 Unit)   Italian language course with an emphasis on communication and a cultural focus on business and its practices.

ITALIAN 133-1 Intensive Italian (1 Unit)   Intensive double course covers two years of Italian language, the equivalent of Italian 101 and Italian 102, in a single academic year. Students enroll concurrently in ITALIAN 133-1 and ITALIAN 134-1 and receive 2 credits a quarter. Four two-hour class meetings a week. Prerequisite: none.

ITALIAN 133-2 Intensive Italian (1 Unit)   Intensive double course covers two years of Italian language, the equivalent of Italian 101 and Italian 102, in a single academic year. Students enroll concurrently in ITALIAN 133-2 and ITALIAN 134-2 and receive 2 credits a quarter. Four two-hour class meetings a week. Prerequisite: Grade of at least C- in ITALIAN 133-1 and ITALIAN 134-1 or Department placement.

ITALIAN 133-3 Intensive Italian (1 Unit)   Intensive double course covers two years of Italian language, the equivalent of Italian 101 and Italian 102, in a single academic year. Students enroll concurrently in ITALIAN 133-3 and ITALIAN 134-3 and receive 2 credits a quarter. Four two-hour class meetings a week. Prerequisite: Grade of at least C- in ITALIAN 133-2 and ITALIAN 134-2 or Department placement.

ITALIAN 134-1 Intensive Italian (1 Unit)   Intensive double course covers two years of Italian language, the equivalent of Italian 101 and Italian 102, in a single academic year. Students enroll concurrently in ITALIAN 133-1 and ITALIAN 134-1 and receive 2 credits per quarter. Four two-hour class meetings per week. Prerequisite: none.

ITALIAN 134-2 Intensive Italian (1 Unit)   Intensive double course covers two years of Italian language, the equivalent of Italian 101 and Italian 102, in a single academic year. Students enroll concurrently in ITALIAN 133-2 and ITALIAN 134-2 and receive 2 credits per quarter. Four two-hour class meetings per week. Prerequisite: Grade of at least C- in ITALIAN 133-1 and ITALIAN 134-1 or Department placement.

ITALIAN 134-3 Intensive Italian (1 Unit)   Intensive double course covers two years of Italian language, the equivalent of Italian 101 and Italian 102, in a single academic year. Students enroll concurrently in ITALIAN 133-3 and ITALIAN 134-3 and receive 2 credits per quarter. Four two-hour class meetings per week. Prerequisite: Grade of at least C- in ITALIAN 133-2 and ITALIAN 134-2 or Department placement.

ITALIAN 201-0 Italian Through Media (1 Unit)   Topical Issues from Italian media; frequent oral and written reports: for instance, America in Italian media, advertising, immigration, youth culture. Focus on advanced Italian grammar. Bridge course. Prerequisite: ITALIAN 102-3 or ITALIAN 133-3 / ITALIAN 134-3 or equivalent.

ITALIAN 203-0 Creative Writing in Italian (1 Unit)   A course meant to improve written Italian through exercises and experiments in a variety of genres and styles. Bridge course in the major/minor sequence. Prerequisite: ITALIAN 102-3 or ITALIAN 133-3 / ITALIAN 134-3 or equivalent.

ITALIAN 204-0 Introduction to Italian Literature (1 Unit)   Introduction to the history, genres, and themes of Italian literature. Course content may vary, focusing on reading, comprehension, and interpretive skills. May be repeated for credit with change in topic. Prerequisite: ITALIAN 102-3 or equivalent proficiency. Taught in Italian. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

ITALIAN 205-0 Voyage Through Italy (1 Unit)   An exploration of Italy’s transnational history and identity with a focus on advanced grammar. Addresses questions of internal and external migration, linguistic plurality, territory and ecology. Bridge course in the major/minor sequence. Prerequisite: ITALIAN 102-3 or ITALIAN 133-3 / ITALIAN 134-3 or equivalent proficiency.

ITALIAN 206-0 Business Italian (1 Unit)   Introduction to the business and economic environment in Italy. Study of business practice and development of linguistic skills necessary for professional communication.

ITALIAN 207-0 Conversation in Italian (1 Unit)   Introduction to Italian culture. Emphasizes group activities and focuses on listening comprehension and speaking skills. Prerequisite: ITALIAN 102-3 or ITALIAN 133-3 / ITALIAN 134-3 or equivalent proficiency.

ITALIAN 250-0 Topics in Italian Culture and Literature (1 Unit)   Cross-disciplinary exploration of a specific topic in Italian studies such as cultural traditions, national and transnational identity, intellectual and popular resistance, representation of violence and criminality. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. Taught in English. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

ITALIAN 251-0 Introduction to Italian Cinema (1 Unit)   Focus on filmmakers fundamental to the development of modern cinema (including Rossellini, Fellini, and Antonioni) from 1942 to the present. Emphasis on formal analysis and film criticism. Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

ITALIAN 275-0 Dante's Divine Comedy (1 Unit)   Introduction to the Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, its artistic and intellectual achievement, and its cultural and historical context. Taught in English. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

ITALIAN 277-0 Global Neorealism (1 Unit)   Exploration of Italian neorealism and its influence on European (especially the French New Wave), New Latin American, West African, and Indian cinema. Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

ITALIAN 304-0 Politics and Mass Culture (1 Unit)   Investigates the relation between politics and media (newspapers, radio, cinema, television, social media) from the Fascist period to the present. Texts in Italian and/or English, taught in English.

ITALIAN 306-0 Migrations (1 Unit)   Investigates literature, arts, media in relation to groups that official culture has defined as other, either beyond or within its geographical boundaries. Texts in Italian and/or English, taught in English. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

ITALIAN 310-0 Reading Italian Literature (1 Unit)   Investigates principal genres of Italian literature in historical and cultural context from the Middle Ages to the present. Authors include Dante, Boccaccio, Machiavelli, Leopardi, Verga, Primo Levi, Saviano and Ferrante. Texts in Italian and/or English, taught in English. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

ITALIAN 348-0 The Italian Novella (1 Unit)   Exploration of Italian culture through the form of the novella from the Middle Ages to the present. Each week is devoted to a groundbreaking author, such as Boccaccio, Sacchetti, Basile, Pirandello, Flaiano, and Calvino. Texts in Italian and/or English, taught in English. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

ITALIAN 349-0 Topics in Italian Culture and Literature (1 Unit)   Advanced exploration of special topics in Italian studies. Texts in Italian and/or English. Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

ITALIAN 350-0 Advanced Topics in Italian Culture and Literature (1 Unit)   Advanced exploration of special topics in Italian studies determined by the research interests of a visiting scholar. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

ITALIAN 351-0 Italian Film and Transnational Cinema (1 Unit)   In-depth exploration of key Italian filmmakers in the context of transnational cinema. Focus on relation between filmmakers (including Visconti/Renoir, Rossellini/Godard, and Antonioni/Wenders) and dynamics of cinematic style and cultural influence. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

ITALIAN 360-0 From the Avant-Garde to the Post-Modern (1 Unit)   Major authors and movements animating the modern and contemporary literary scene. Content varies-for example, futurism, feminist Italian fiction, and intellectuals and politics from D'Annunzio to Pasolini, Calvino, Eco, and the postmodern. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

ITALIAN 370-0 Major Figures in Italian History and Culture (1 Unit)   Investigation of the strategic roles played by Italian writers, artists, and theorists who have redifined canonical traditions and cultural forms, often from positions of marginality.

ITALIAN 371-0 Media Aesthetic Education (1 Unit)   This course explores the role that aesthetic education plays at crucial moments in the development of media culture and technology. Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

ITALIAN 374-0 Love and Sexuality in the Medieval and Early Modern Period (1 Unit)   Analysis of how love and sexuality work as generalized symbolic media of communication in medieval and early modern Italian society and culture. Literature Fine Arts Distro Area

ITALIAN 377-0 Gender and Sexuality in Italian Culture (1 Unit)   Interdisciplinary course on gender and audiovisual practices in Italy (photography, film, television, and video). Seminar. Global Perspectives on Power, Justice, and Equity Literature Fine Arts Distro Area Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline

ITALIAN 398-0 Undergraduate Seminar (1 Unit)   Advanced analysis and research of a topic in Italian culture. History of culture, literature, philosophy, the visual arts, film studies and theory of the image, gender and sexuality in contemporary Italy.

ITALIAN 399-0 Independent Study (1 Unit)   Supervised independent reading. Consult the director of undergraduate studies.