The George L. Graziadio Center for Italian Studies at CSU, Long Beach Founded in 1998
George and Reva Graziadio brought The Italian Chair Campaign at CSULB to fruition in 1997 with a generous naming gift and founded The George L. Graziadio Center for Italian Studies in 1998. Their contribution, together with the community monies and matching funds from the University, made the CSULB Italian Chair Campaign a model of community-university collaboration benefitting students through the establishment of degree and credential programs.
The George L. Graziadio Center for Italian Studies is a tangible expression of George and Reva Graziadio’s uniquely philanthropic educational vision and their commitment to Italian Studies as a global resource in all professional endeavors.
The George L. Graziadio Center of Italian Studies has become a landmark in California Italian Studies education. With a thriving BA program in Italian Studies, the subject matter program for the teaching credential in Italian, the establishment of the annual Frank J. De Santis Lectureship on Italian-American issues and plans for the Master of Arts degree in Italian Studies, the George L. Graziadio Center represents the future. The Center’s continuing relationship with the community will ensure the permanence and future growth of our presence.
In 2010 Dr. Clorinda Donato was appointed The George L. Graziadio Chair of Italian Studies. Together with Dean Gerry Riposa, Assistant Professor Enrico Vettore, Community and Italian government leaders, she has begun crafting the plan for the future of The George L. Graziadio Center over the coming years. Plans include expanding curricular and degree offerings; creating study and internship abroad programs for students; and augmenting the corps of Italian teachers and professionals who require the expertise that only The George L. Graziadio Center at California State University, Long Beach can offer.
The George L. Graziadio Center for Italian Studies at California State University, Long Beach is committed to offering outstanding programs in Italian language, literature and culture to prepare students for careers in the global arena where strong skills in Italian Studies are an asset for professional success. Founded through an Italian American Community and University partnership, the George L. Graziadio Center for Italian Studies is equally committed to serving the cultural goals of these communities through events that present and interpret Italian and Italian American culture.
Master of Arts In Italian Studies
Admission to the Program:
1. Apply for admission to the University, indicating the M.A. in Italian as your objective.
2. Visit the departmental website for application instructions to initiate departmental application process. Materials will include: application form; official copies of all transcripts of university-level study; a statement of purpose in English related to
the applicant’s goals (not to exceed 2 pages single-spaced);
a short essay (3-10 pages) in Italian that has been graded in a previous course.
Prerequisites for Admission to Classified Standing in Italian:
Either a B.A. in Italian or at least 18 units of upperdivision study in Italian equivalent to the Basic Core of the CSULB Bachelor’s Degree in Italian, with at least a “B” (3.0) average in the major. The candidate must pass the CSULB Writing Proficiency Exam (WPE). For additional information about prerequisites, please contact the graduate advisor.
Requirements for the M.A. Degree in Italian (Code RGR_MA04):
1. Completion of a minimum of 30 units in Italian, 70% of the coursework must be at the 500 or 600 level, while 50% of the coursework must be in seminars designated for grad students only.
2. Two years of the following languages: Spanish, Portuguese, French or German, or pass an examination at intermediate level in one of those languages. Major or minor in a second foreign language may be used to fulfill this requirement, upon approval by the graduate advisor.
3. Maintain a GPA of at least “B” (3.0) in Italian exclusive of courses taken in other programs.
4. Pass comprehensive examinations based on Graduate Reading List after course work completed
5. Maximum of six (6) units of transfer graduate credit are allowed, subject to approval by the graduate advisor.
To ensure a successful experience, students should meet with the Graduate Advisor for advising sessions every semester.
Required of all M.A. Students:
ITAL 600 Italy and the Idea of Europe (3)
ITAL 650 Research Methodology and Critical Theory (3)
Choose 27 units from the following list of courses in consultation with your Graduate Advisor.
ITALIAN
ITAL 514/414 History of the Italian Language (3)
ITAL 533/433 Italian Literature as Historical Memory (3)
ITAL 554/454 Italian Cinema (3)
ITAL 562/462 Italian Women Writers (3)
ITAL 573/473 Masterpieces of Italian Renaissance Literature (3)
ITAL 576/476 The Modern Italian Short Story (3)
ITAL 578/478 The Italian Novelistic Tradition (3)
ITAL 582/482 The Building of the Italian Nation (3)
ITAL 590/490 Special Topics in Italian (3)
ITAL 599/499 Directed Studies (1-3) May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units
ITAL 600 Italy and the Idea of Europe: 1861-Present (3)
ITAL 650 Research Methods and Critical Theory (3)
ITAL 688 Seminar in Italian Literature or Culture (3) May be repeated to a maximum of 6 units
ITAL 697 Directed Research (1-3)
ITAL 698 Thesis (3-6)
RGRLL
RGR 524/424 Second Language Acquisition (3)
RGR 525/425 Romance Linguistics (3)
RGR 601 Teaching Methodology (3)
RGR 603 Theory and Practice of Literary Translation (3)
Art History
AH 598 Selected Topics in Art History (3)
History Courses
HIST 541 Mediterranean World (3)
Comparative World Literature
CWL 530/430 Dante (3)
CWL 531/431 Medieval Literature (3)
CWL 532/432 Continental Renaissance Literature (3)
Join Us on the Web!
All M.A. courses will be available to students through the web interface Collaborate. This tool allows students to enter the class remotely and in real time. They participate fully in all aspects of the class, including class discussions, presentations and exams
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The Bachelor of Arts in Italian offers two concentrations:
I. Italian Language and Culture (designed for prospective teachers.)
II. Interdisciplinary Italian Studies (with courses in Italian as well as Music, Political Science, Geography, Art History, and Comparative Literature.
Regular consultation with advisors is highly recommended to ensure the proper choice of courses in view of future professional careers or continuation of studies at the graduate level.
Students in the B.A. Program are strongly encouraged to study abroad through the CSU International Program in Florence, where they can spend either an intensive summer or an entire academic year. Additionally, the Italian B.A. program at CSULB offers internship opportunities at Italian and Italian-American Institutions in the area.
Requirements for the B.A. Program:
The student must complete a minimum of 33 upper division units as approved by Italian Studies Advisors. The lower division units indicated below may be taken elsewhere and transferred to CSULB. They represent a baseline of competence in Italian for beginning the major.
Lower Division
Competency in the Italian Language (14 units of lower division Italian):
ITAL 101A or 100A (Italian for Spanish Speakers), 101B or 100B (Italian for Spanish Speakers), 201 or 200 (Italian for Spanish Speakers).
Upper Division
A minimum of 33 upper division units selected as follows:
Basic Core (24 units):
ITAL 310, 312A, 312B, 314, 335, 336, 340, 482.
CONCENTRATION I
Italian Language and Culture
Electives (9 units): ITAL 411, 414*, 433,454, 462, 473, 476, 478, 490, 494, 499.
*Candidates who teach Italian language are required to take ITAL 414.
Students in the Italian Studies BA Program are encouraged to study 2 years of a second foreign language. One year of a second foreign language is currently required for this concentration.
CONCENTRATION II
Interdisciplinary Italian Studies
Electives (9 units): ITAL 345 (Capstone), 411, 414, 433, 440, 454, 462, 473, 476, 478, 490, 494,499; AH 423, 424; C/LA 314I, 315I; C/WL 330A**, 330B**, 422I, 430, 432, 449**, HIST 332; MUS 436**, RGR 346I.
**Accepted only when syllabi include a good amount of Italian texts.
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Minor in Italian
The Italian Studies Minor can be taken in conjunction with any other major, and allows the student to attain a working knowledge of Italian and Italian culture while meeting language requirements for graduation. It is an excellent choice for students majoring in other Romance languages as well as in Art, Art History, International Business, Comparative World Literature, Dance, English, History, Linguistics, Music, or the Social Sciences. The program offers not only courses in grammar, composition and conversation, but courses in literature, culture, cinema, and history of the language as well. The minor consists of a minimum of 18 upper division units.
Requirements for a Minor in Italian:
Core (9 units) in the following: ITAL 312A, 312B and 314,
Electives: (9 units) chosen from the following: ITAL 310, 335, 336, 340, 345 (Capstone), 411, 414, 433, 440, 454, 462, 476, 478, 482, 490, 494, 499
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Single Subject Teaching Credential, Italian:
Completion of Concentration I (Language and Culture) of the Italian major meets the subject matter competence requirement for the Single Subject Preliminary Credential in Italian. Prospective students should consult the undergraduate Italian Advisor and the Languages Other Than English (LOTE) Program Advisor early to plan their program.
In addition to meeting the subject matter competence requirement for the Preliminary Credential, prospective teachers of Italian are also required to complete 44 units of professional preparation in the Single Subject Credential Program, including student teaching. Students may begin the professional preparation courses as early as the junior year. With careful planning, it is possible to complete all of the credential program courses, except for student teaching, as an undergraduate. Courses may also be completed as a post-baccalaureate student. Refer to the Single Subject Teacher Education section of this Catalog or the Single Subject Credential Program website (www.ced.csulb.edu/single-subject) for a description of the professional preparation requirements, courses, and application procedures.
Requirements for Single Subject Credential. Italian:
Same as for the major in Concentration I (Italian Language and Culture) of the Italian Program.
