Italian - BA (Hons)

University of Leeds

Our Italian course will give you an in-depth knowledge of both Italy’s language and culture, helping you better understand a leading economy that’s steeped in cultural heritage. We welcome both beginners and advanced learners. You’ll take core modules to build up your language skills, and receive an introduction to Italian culture and society. Optional modules allow you to explore Italian history and culture, via material such as opera, pop music, film, fashion and advertising. Other topics covered in optional modules include Dante and the Renaissance, the mafia, migration, ethnic and gender identities and language varieties. Your third year will see you travel to Italy itself, letting you further develop your knowledge. Finally, you’ll take more advanced language and optional modules that cover feminism, food, design and Italian for business. A Final Year Project will allow you to work on a topic of your choice, with one of our expert tutors guiding your efforts. Our Italian tutors at Leeds are all specialists in their fields and dedicated teachers. You will be supported and receive guidance throughout your degree.At Leeds, we put emphasis on language learning and understanding today’s Italy in all its regional, social, gender, and ethnic diversity. You will explore Italian culture and society by engaging with authentic material such as books and the visual arts, films and TV series, photography, social media and websites, advertising, fashion, design, and much more.By doing so, you will understand how Italy as a nation has been changing and how Italian communities living in Italy and abroad express different cultural, ethnic, regional, social, and gender identities.Facilities Our Language Zone gives you access to free learning resources, including space for personal study, language learning software, and video, audio, books and magazines. You'll also have access to our translation computer labs equipped with specialist software and our interpreter training booths to explore different career options. Our Martin Thomas Translation Labs feature state-of-the-art computing facilities for translation studies as well as Interpreter Training Suites – ideal if you are considering a career in interpreting. With four libraries on campus, you’ll find space for study, group work and research. The world class Brotherton Library holds a wide variety of manuscript, archive and early printed material in its Special Collections – valuable assets for your independent research. They contain many early editions of major Italian authors - Petrarch, Dante, Boccaccio and many others (the Brotherton Collection Incunabula section contains over 100 books printed in Italy). You’ll have access to free classes and workshops so you can learn how to use them.