Italian is one of the major European cultural languages. Throughout the centuries Italians have made a fundamental contribution to the development of Western civilization in such fields as literature, architecture, painting, sculpture, music, philosophy and the sciences. A student intending to devote his or her career to the study of these disciplines will find Italian very important. Since Italy is the cradle of Roman civilization and also heir to part of Greek civilization (in Magna Graecia), Italian is also indispensable for the study of Greco-Roman history, art and archeology.

The major allows students to pursue a traditional concentration in Italian literary studies or a concentration in Italian cultural studies. Students who concentrate in Italian literary studies may take courses in Italian cultural studies in addition to their language and literature requirements. Those who concentrate in Italian cultural studies may also pursue relevant Italian literary studies.