2021-2022

Italian, Minor

Department of Global Languages and Cultures

College of Arts and Letters

Students with a Minor in Italian gain proficiencies in the Italian language and culture.  More specifically, students will have an advanced understanding of the differences culturally, linguistically, and gastronomically between Italy and American stereotypes of Italian culture and cuisine. The minor will also allow students to take advantage of study abroad programs in Italy offered by NAU faculty members as well a USAC, which currently offers programs in Milan, Viterbo and Reggio-Emilia.

  • A minor is earned in conjunction with a bachelor's degree.

    To receive a minor (18 - 24 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. At least 12 units of the minor must be unique to that minor and not applied to any other minor.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

No more than fifty percent of the units used to satisfy minor requirements may be used to satisfy major requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 19
Major GPA C
Foreign Language Required
Study Abroad Recommended

Purpose Statement

The Department of Global Language and Cultures takes great pride in bringing students closer to other cultures and introducing other cultures to them with the aim of broadening perspectives, breaking down social stigmas and stereotypes, and producing more global citizens. Students with an Italian Minor will become proficient in the Italian language; students will be able to speak about daily life and interact with and understand native Italian speakers. In addition to their verbal skills, students will be able to read and write at an intermediate level that could be understood by native speakers of Italian.  Students will be familiar with Italian history, culture (especially literary and artistic), and cuisine.  The minor will also allow students to take better advantage of study abroad programs in Italy offered by NAU faculty members as well as USAC, which currently offers programs in Milan, Viterbo and Reggio-Emilia.

Student Learning Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes are Aligned with Standards for Language Learning created by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.

Upon completing this minor, students will be able to:

  • express orally ideas in Italian through meaningful discussion of concrete topics relating to work, school, home, and leisure activities using all major time frames (present, past, and future). Students can interact with native speakers unaccustomed to dealing with non- natives, and handle complicated or unexpected communicative tasks. (Speaking skills)
  • identify and use main ideas and details from the conversation when listening to others, including description and narration in different time frames or aspects, about a variety of topics beyond immediacy of the situation, to communicate meaningfully with others. (Listening skills)
  • identify and use main ideas and details from authentic, connected, longer, written texts involving description and narration in different formats about a variety of topics for communicative purposes. (Reading skills)
  • create with language to express meanings in written form about familiar topics using the major time frames with some control of aspect. (Writing skills)
  • gain an understanding of Italian culture, especially in the areas of history, art, music and cuisine

Minor Requirements

    • *Topics course must have significant Italian content and department approval.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.