In the Master's degree program in Italian Studies, you will differentiate and deepen your knowledge of the Italian language, literature and culture. You will acquire methodical and analytical skills that will enable you to speak and write about the Italian language and Italian texts and media in a reflective manner. Historical, political and social contexts are always taken into account, making you an expert on Italy – a country that not only has an exceptionally rich cultural tradition but is also an important economic partner for Germany.

The subject can be studied in the Interdisciplinary Master’s degree program as a major or minor subject in the Aisthesis. cultural and media studies variant or in the flexible variant in the amount of up to 55 ECTS credits, in combination with at least one other subject and/or the Studium Individuale.

Contents

In the part of the program devoted to literary and cultural studies, you will become familiar with Italian literature and culture from the Middle Ages to the present, including the works of authors from Dante Alighieri to Roberto Savino; but also with Italian-language literature from other cultures. In the linguistic part of the program, you will systematically deal with the structure and history of the Italian language.

All participating disciplines and sub-disciplines offer a wide range of topics from which you can choose according to your interests and preferences. In contrast to the Bachelor's degree program, the Master's degree program allows for a stronger disciplinary and thematic focus and promotes a study development according to individual knowledge and research interests.

A further essential component of the program is the deepening and broadening of your own Italian proficiency. You will choose from a wide range of practical language and cultural courses conducted by Italian native speakers.

Facilities

For optimal acquisition and consolidation of foreign language skills, the KU Language Center has set up a multimedia center for students. Regular guest lectures, guided visits to cultural events and organized field trips to Italy and other regions of the world with a connection to Italy or the Italian language offer additional opportunities to broaden your linguistic, historical and philological horizons while studying.

Partner universities

We maintain Erasmus partnerships with the following universities in Italy:

Bari                      Università degli Studi di Bari

Bologna              Università di Bologna

Bolzano              Libera Università di Bolzano – Freie Universität Bozen  

Catania               Università degli Studi di Catania 

Lecce                  Università del Salento

Milano                 Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

Modena / Reggio Emilia        Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia 

Roma                   Libera Università Maria Ss. Assunta

                              Università degli Studi di Roma ‘La Sapienza’

Torino                  Università degli Studi di Torino   

Udine                  Università degli Studi di Udine

Urbino                Università degli Studi di Urbino „Carlo Bo“

Further information on the application process and organization of an ERASMUS semester can be found on the website of the  International Office of the KU Eichstätt-Ingolstadt.

The Interdisciplinary Master’s degree program provides for an internship at a private or public institution, which brings students into contact with possible professional fields at an early stage. Students also have the possibility to complete their internship abroad; for individual advice and support in finding an internship and financing possibilities, the KU Career Service and the International Internship Service are happy to help.

Career prospects

The Master’s degree program in Italian Studies provides students with practical knowledge and skills for a wide range of professions. The main aim with regard to professional skills is for students to develop critical and structured thinking skills that enable them to deal with texts, traditions and contextual connections of cultural regions with a relation to Italy or the Italian language in the globalized world.

After completing your program in Italian Studies you will have access to a broad range of professional fields. In addition to an academic career, your acquired knowledge will also qualify you for work in the media and journalism. Possible professional fields include political organizations, press and public relations, cultural institutions, the library and publishing industry, and language teaching and adult education.

The University's Career Center supports you in individually designing your career perspectives, for example in finding internships in Germany and abroad.