Students choosing the Language and Art track will have the opportunity to receive a full immersion, intensive language experience while participating in art history, humanities, fashion design, and studio arts courses offered at the school. Class time is divided between grammar lessons, where formal grammar topics are introduced and explained, and conversation lessons where students put to practice grammar topics that introduce new vocabulary appropriate to each new conversation topic.

Semester Courses

1 Intensive Italian Course (beginning only), 8 credits (8 hours/week)
1 Academic (non-studio) Elective, 3 credits (3 hours/week)
1 Studio Elective (or academic elective), 3 credits (6 hours/week)

Total Credits: 14 (14-17 hours/week)

Summer Courses

1 Italian Language Course, 3 credits (45 contact hours).
Option to take an additional elective:
1. 1 Academic (non-studio) Elective. 3 credits (45 contact hours) for an additional $995; or
2. 1 Studio Elective, 3 credits (90 contact hours) at an additional cost for an additional $1095.

Or take an Intensive Italian Language Course worth 6 credits for an additional $295.

Total Credits: 3-6 (45-135 contact hours)

Instruction

The language course is a full immersion Italian language course where class lessons are taught in Italian from the first day, exposing students immediately to the language and developing the student’s listening and speaking skills. All instructors, though native Italians, will give explanations when necessary in English. Students are encouraged to utilize their new language skills from the first day.

Conversation Lessons

At the beginning of the semester, topics will focus on daily situations and travel in Italy, such as how to ask for information or directions, use transportation, order food, or book hotels. This focus on practical topics will give students the tools to interact immediately in their new environment. As students develop their language skills, new and more complex topics of conversation are introduced. Emphasis is given to the introduction of Italian culture (politics, history, art, traditions, social customs, literature, cinema, daily life, etc.) Many conversation topics are taken from local newspapers, television and Italian magazines.

Learning Objectives

Upon the successful completion of one semester of Intensive Italian Language, students should have a solid understanding of basic Italian grammar. Students should be able to express phrases in the present and past tense, express opinions on many topics and have a general introduction to the Italian culture, customs and daily life.

Language Exchange

Students will have the opportunity to participate in arranged language exchanges ("scambi") with Italian students who are studying English, coordinated by the instructors. These exchanges will take place outside of class time during the day and in the evening at school. Intensive Italian students will be required to participate in these language exchanges.

Track Highlights

Small class size (max 12 students) gives students one on one attention with instructors.
Free tutoring with instructors during office hours is available to all students.
Immersion style language lessons expose students to the language from the first day of class.
Many language resources are available for check-out in the library including cassettes, DVDs (in original Italian language that can be watched on campus or on personal laptops), texts at varying levels of difficulty to help students practice their reading skills, flash cards, games and many grammar books.
Free Language Exchanges with locals are arranged for students by instructors.