COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Italian Studies is an interdisciplinary field that covers the study of the Italian language, literature, art, history, politics, culture, and society. ITS 460 provides students with an overall understanding of the methodology, critical issues, and research techniques employed in the field, in preparation for the senior thesis. It explores various approaches to studying Italian literature, language, society, and culture, and equips students with the necessary skills to conduct independent research in the discipline. Through a combination of theoretical discussions, practical exercises, and case studies, students will learn how to formulate research questions, locate, and evaluate primary and secondary sources, analyze textual and visual materials, and present their findings effectively both orally and in writing.