Learning a new language means learning about a new culture as well as discovering new aspects of our own identity. As such, it is an integral part of a liberal arts education and an essential step in the development of a widely literate mind. Studying Italian in particular opens the door to a country rich in art, music, literature, history, cinematography, technology, business and more. The Italian program at the University of Memphis offers a minor in Italian with beginning, intermediate, and advanced courses in Italian language and literature, as well as courses in English on topics such as Italian cinema and Dante. The communicative approach is employed, and classroom instruction is complemented by audio-visual media. Language laboratory work is mandatory for all beginning and intermediate students. During the first two years of language, students develop a competency in spoken and written Italian and become familiar with Italian culture.                                                     

Requirements for the completion of the Italian minor: 18 semester hours consisting of ITAL 1020, 2010, and 2020 (or their equivalents); and, in addition, 9 upper division semester hours in the Italian program.

From 2004 Italian can also be one of the concentrations in the Major in Foreign Languages.

Declaration of Minor form

Grants and scholarships: see Ciee, Icon, Niaf, Rotary Club, and Unico.

ITAL 1010. Elementary Italian I. (3). Basic skills fundamental to language proficiency and culture.

ITAL 1020. Elementary Italian II. (3). Further development of basic skills fundamental to language proficiency and culture. PREREQUISITE: ITAL 1010, or equivalent. 
ITAL 2010. Intermediate Italian I. (3). Comprehensive review of basic grammar, exercises in conversation, writing, and cultural readings. PREREQUISITE: ITAL 1020 or equivalent.

ITAL 2020. Intermediate Italian II. (3). Continued development of basic language skills through oral and written practice. PREREQUISITE: ITAL 2010, or equivalent. 
ITAL 3301. Conversation and Composition I. (3). Development of oral proficiency and writing skills. PREREQUISITE: ITAL 2020 or equivalent.

ITAL 3302. Conversation and Composition II. (3). Development of oral proficiency and writing skills. PREREQUISITE: ITAL 2020 or equivalent.

ITAL 3411. Introduction to Italian Literature. (3). Survey of major literary works from the Middle Ages to the present. PREREQUISITE: ITAL 3301 or permission of instructor.
ITAL 4441. Dante. (3). Study of the Vita Nuova and the Divina Commedia. Students taking this course do not receive credit for LALI 4441. PREREQUISITE: ITAL 2020, or permission of instructor.

ITAL 4780. Individual Studies in Italian. (1-3). Directed individual study in selected areas of Italian chosen in consultation with instructor. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours credit. PREREQUISITE: permission of instructor.

ITAL 4791-99. Special Topics in Italian Literature, Language, and Civilization. (3). May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours credit. PREREQUISITE: permission of instructor.

ITAL 7690. Research in Italian Studies. (3). Individual research on topics in Italian literature and culture. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credit hours. PREREQUISITE: permission of instructor.

LALI 4442 Italian Cinema from 1945 to Present. (3). Screening, discussion of major contemporary Italian movies in context of late 20th century Italian culture and society.

LALI 4441-6441. Dante. (3). Study of the Vita Nuova and the Divine Comedy in English translation.