Undergraduate

Undergraduate Studies

Italian Studies at Berkeley is an interdisciplinary enterprise. You will find courses in Italian language, literature, history, cultural studies, film, and folklore offered by the Department, both in Italian and in English. 

You will also discover that courses with significant Italian content are often taught in other departments and programs, including History of Art, Music, Comparative Literature, Film Studies, Anthropology, Political Science, History, and Medieval Studies. If you’re thinking of a major in Italian Studies, contact the Undergraduate Student Affairs Officer as early as possible, in order to plan an individualized course of study.

If you have a strong interest in things Italian but do not yet know the language, we offer a range of general education courses, both upper and lower division, including offerings that fulfill breadth requirements in Arts and Literature, Historical Studies, Philosophy and Values, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The Department also offers reading and composition (R & C) courses.

If you already have a primary major, but would like to make good use of those credits earned on the EAP program in Italy or of upper division work done in Italian Studies here at Berkeley, explore the possibility of a minor or a double major in Italian Studies. Consult our pages about majors, minors, and double majors.

Always wanted to learn Italian, but just couldn’t fit in into your schedule? Check out the opportunities for summer study both here at Berkeley and abroad in Florence. In addition, the EAP offers academic year programs in Bologna, Milan, and Rome.

If you’re just getting started in the study of the Italian language, or are interested in transferring from another college or university, you can get more information on this website or by speaking to the undergraduate adviser.

Students can: 

  • Major and Double Major in Italian Studies
  • Minor in Italian Studies or Traditional Italian Studies
  • Transfer from a community college
I think that there’s so much one can gain by looking back at medieval and Renaissance literature, and seeing how the sciences and humanities were all connected once. Everything is still all connected, and we need to make that as clear as can possibly be.
Akash Kumar, Assistant Professor of Italian Studies

Words in Action: Italian

Words in Action: ITALIAN

Explore the Major in the Undergraduate Field Guide

Download the Italian Studies Major Map

Contact an Advisor

Diego Pirillo

Professor of Italian Studies; Department Chair; Undergraduate Advisor

Diego Pirillo (Ph.D., Scuola Normale Superiore) is Professor of Italian Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where is also affiliated with the History Department. He has been fellow of Villa I Tatti (the Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies), and his work has...Read more about Diego Pirillo

Amanda Minafo

Undergraduate Student Services Advisor

Book an appointment here.

Undergraduate student guidance and orientation; major, double major, and minor planning and declaration; study abroad course and requirements planning. Instructor support including enrollment...Read more about Amanda Minafo

Placement Contact

Students needing placement within the language program should consult with Dr. Giuliana Perco. Dr. Perco may also be consulted about our Summer Abroad program, and students should also seek advice from the campus EAP office (Berkeley Study Abroad advisor for programs in Italy: Renee Camarena).