Honors
In order for students to graduate with honors in Italian Studies, they must have achieved an overall grade-point average of 3.3 or higher in all work completed in the University, a minimum 3.5 grade-point average in all courses required for the major, and must have completed at least 18 upper division units in the major. A thesis is also required, which should normally emanate from H195, the Honors Seminar.
Italian H195, Special Seminar for Honors Candidates, 3 units, does not fulfill Italian major requirements. The honors thesis is written outside of and in addition to the completed major requirements. Theses must be submitted by the end of Finals Week of the term, unless an earlier deadline is established.
The student writes a thesis under the direction of a member of Italian Studies faculty as thesis director, and one additional faculty member as secondary reader, who also reads the completed thesis (this reader can be from another department).
Students who complete Italian H195 graduate with honors in Italian Studies, noted on their diploma and transcript.
Italian Studies Honors thesis writers are encouraged to apply for the Townsend Center Honors Workshop for writing support and a research stipend.
For more information, including enrollment details, contact the Undergraduate Major Advisor.
Awards
The Gian-Paolo Biasin Memorial Travel Prize
The Department of Italian Studies offers a competitive annual award for the Gian-Paolo Biasin Memorial Travel Prize. The prize amount varies depending on the year, and is to be used toward funding a recent Berkeley graduate’s travel to Italy for further study, either in the summer immediately after graduating or in the following academic year. All current seniors who intend to graduate within the year are eligible to apply. Applicants must have achieved passing grades in at least three courses taken in the Department of Italian Studies, at least one of which must have been taught in Italian. (Courses taken through the University of California Education Abroad Program at its sites in Italy may be counted for this purpose.) Other things being equal, those who majored or minored in Italian Studies will be given preference. Applicants should e-mail a two page description of their travel and study plans, along with the name of at least one faculty member or GSI who is familiar with their work. Please note that only the name is required; actual recommendation letters will be solicited by the Department if needed.
The Biasin Prize was endowed by Professor Biasin’s family, his colleagues at Berkeley and elsewhere, and his many friends in both Italy and North America, after his sadly premature death in 1998.
Send your submission to the faculty undergraduate advisor.
Departmental Citation
For outstanding achievement by a graduating senior (campus-wide).
2026 Alessia Cis
2025 Yuqi Tian
2024 Emily Daniel-Papi
2023 Arman Baradaran
2022 Jacquelyn Northcutt
2021 Sharon Burk
2020 Sarah Kersting
2019 Danlin Huang
2018 Simo Cocco
2017 Alison Lafferty
2016 Arianna Heyer
2015 Sasah Eisenpress
2014 Joe Gaetano Amato
2013 Gianna Albaum
2012 Savannah Lake
2011 Kalen Vaughan
2010 Romina Filippou
2009 Christina Federico
2008 Giulietta Pezzaniti
2007 Jennifer St. Clair
2006 Fredy Gonzalez
2005 Liza Sutterby
2004 Brett Auerbach-Lynn
2003 Maria Denise Anderson
2002 Stanley Levers
2001 Camilla Kardel
2000 Christian Charles
1999 Lindsay Eufusia
1998 Timur Nusratty
1997 Dola Mia Masia
1995 Kevin Vuong
1994 Marco Valla
1993 Sandra Spano
1991 Christine Anne Self
1990 Rebecca Albiani
1989 Ioana Petrou
1988 Jane Emley
1986 Sandra Elisabeth Cassayre
1985 Bradley Baker Dick