Associate of Arts - Italian

Students completing the program will be able to... • Communicate verbally in the target language with accurate pronunciation in meaningful situations present in both informal and formal contexts. • Effectively apply rules of grammar and syntax in tandem with appropriate vocabulary in written and oral communication. • Demonstrate auditory comprehension of instruction, authentic content, and purposeful conversations in the target language. • Discuss, describe, and infer information from authentic texts in the target language. • Demonstrate cultural appreciation by making (comparative) connections, on both an individual and societal level, between the target cultures and students’ own cultures. • Create (write or present) narratives and/or arguments that demonstrate cohesive critical thinking in the target language.

The associate in arts degree in Italian at DVC will provide students with skills in understanding, speaking, reading and writing Italian. It also gives students a greater understanding of Italian culture and civilization and will prepare them for a broad range of international and domestic career opportunities and professions. The degree will also provide students the opportunity to transfer to UC, CSU and other four-year colleges and universities to earn a bachelor’s degree.

The DVC Italian major is intended for transfer. Students who intend to transfer must consult with a program advisor or counselor to ensure that the requirements for transfer to baccalaureate-granting institutions of their choice are met. Students who intend to transfer are advised to select General Education Option 2 (IGETC) or Option 3 (CSU GE). Option 1 (DVC General Education) is appropriate for those students who do not intend to transfer. Students may not take a pass/no pass option for major courses and each of the major requirements must be completed with a “C” grade or higher. Certain courses may satisfy both major and general education requirements; however, the units are counted only once.

To earn an associate degree in Italian, students must complete 20 units from the list of major requirements, which will provide students with the essential grammar of the language, culture and basic literature of Italy. Students with no previous knowledge of Italian when entering DVC will take the first four courses in the list for a total of 20 units. If students enter the program with previous knowledge of Italian, they may start at the second term level and take fifth and sixth terms to achieve a total of 21 units.