Italian
Italian is a Romance language that is the most direct descendent to Latin. It is a language of global communication, business, technology, and the arts.
Global Communication
In addition to being the language of Italy, San Marino, Vatican City and southern Switzerland, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Italian is widely spoken in the United Kingdom, along the Eastern Adriatic coast and in North Africa. It is spoken by millions of people in the United States, Canada, Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil, and Chile.
Business & Technology
With over 1,000 Italian companies operating in the U.S. and 7,000+ American companies in Italy, knowing Italian can open the door to careers in business, finance, marketing, public relations, computer technology, and robotics.
The Arts
In literature, painting, architecture, music, and cinema, countless masterpieces have been produced by Italians, from Dante and Giotto to Verdi and Fellini. Understanding Italian culture and language is a key to a career in the arts and entertainment.
Studying a second language has been demonstrated to improve a person’s overall reading and listening abilities, critical thinking skills, reasoning and logic which are important and skills across fields of study and careers.
At UWM, different language programs are offered through different departments. Through the Department of Global Studies, we offer Italian and French. Other available languages can be browsed via our World Languages web page. And, we offer retroactive credits to students who are able to begin their college study of Italian in second-semester Italian or higher based on the results of a placement test. Up to 14 retroactive credits are available if a student takes a higher level class and completes it with a grade of B or better.
Non-degree and auditors are also welcome!
Prospective Students (not yet enrolled at UWM)
Prospective students, contact our admissions counselor at let-sci@uwm.edu or 414-229-7711.
Current Students
General questions such as how to declare, how to change a major, general education requirements, etc. should be directed to the College advising office at ls-advising@uwm.edu or 414-229-4654.
Specific questions about Italian, such as research opportunities, internship opportunities, major requirements, etc., should be directed to Simonetta Milli Konewko.
Major or Minor in Italian
Ready to Declare?
Select the declaration that’s right for you, and you will find more instructions on how to declare and what to expect.
Recommended Student Resources for Italian Majors and Minors
It pays to know Italian. And study it at UWM.
The Italian major or minor pair well with almost any other area of study — from computer science to theater to history and everything in between. Double majors are common! Non-degree and auditors are welcome!
Job Opportunities
Italian affiliated companies are found in the environmental protection, air and water quality control, transportation, culinary arts, fashion, interior design and graphic design industries. Italy holds a strategic position geographically in the Mediterranean and in the political world. A degree in Italian is excellent preparation for a career in international affairs, international trade, or foreign service.
Small Class Size
The average student to teacher ratio in UWM’s Italian courses is 9:1. Students receive personalized attention and form tight bonds with their fellow students and the instructors and faculty.
Student Organization
Circolo Italiano is the Italian Student Association that works to increase Italian cultural awareness on campus through different activities. They host presentations and events, watch and discuss Italian movies, and take field trips.
Study Abroad
Traveling to Rome is a dream for many and UWM’s exchange program is popular. While in country, students often travel to Florence, Venice, Palermo, and the Mediterranean Islands to further explore. Some scholarships are available for study abroad.
Italian News
- Pickering-Iazzi in Netflix’s How to Become a Mob BossCongratulations to Prof. Robin Pickering-Iazzi (Italian and Comparative Literature), who was interviewed as part of the Netflix docuseries How to Become a Mob Boss, which was released November 14, 2023. Look for her multiple appearances in episode 3, "Dominate Through Terror," … Read more
- Dante’s Inferno at the FountainStudents in ITALIAN 333: Dante’s Divine Comedy in Translation acted out a circle of Dante’s Inferno on Monday, September 18. Dante students acted the roles of the Inferno’s hoarders and squanderers, pushing boulders (aka yoga balls) around the Curtin Hall fountain and demanding, … Read more
- Pickering-Iazzi in conversation on her latest translationOn September 20, Prof. Robin Pickering-Iazzi had the opportunity to engage in a lively online conversation of her translation of Maria Rosa Cutrufelli's Tina, Mafia Soldier with Chiara Durrazini (Boston Italian Theater Company), Juliet Grames (Soho Press), and Cutrufelli through I Am … Read more
- Join the Global Student Alliance!The Global Student Alliance is a student organization of both undergraduate and graduate students with a mission to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive community of students dedicated to fostering global awareness, cross-cultural understanding, and sustainable change within our college campus … Read more
- Robin Pickering-Iazzi on the Italian Radio HourOn May 4, Prof. Robin Pickering-Iazzi participated in a video interview about her published translation of the non-fiction novel Tina, Mafia Soldier on The Italian Radio Hour of the Istituto Mondo Italiano, now available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms.
Campus Resources
UWM offers a wide range of on-campus resources, such as academic support and mental health resources. Students also find community within our student centers.
