1. Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures
  2. School of Languages, Cultures and Societies
  3. Undergraduate
  4. Modern Languages and History (Italian)

Modern Languages and History (Italian)

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied on your chosen language pathway.

For information on typical modules for History, please check the course page.

These modules may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

  • World Histories (20 credits) - This module sets out to introduce students to the complexity and diversity of human perspectives on and attitudes to history. Drawing on theories and case studies from around the world, it aims to raise critical awareness of the culturally-inflected assumptions we all bring to our study of the past, and that shape the ways history is written and interpreted in different contexts. The precise syllabus will vary from year to year, but will include opportunities to compare the writing of history in “Western” and “non-Western” cultures, and to look at a series of historical questions from diverse cultural, national and/or regional perspectives. Typical themes might include Diasporas, Time, Conflict, and Nationalism. Students will develop collaborative research skills by applying the concepts and themes introduced in lectures to contexts in which they are particularly interested.

Students with prior knowledge of Italian (B1 CEFR) will be required to study the following modules:

  • Italian Language A (20 credits) - This module is offered as a discovery module to students who have a good pass in Italian at A2 or AS level. This module consolidates knowledge of intermediate Italian and explores more difficult structures and vocabulary. As these modules are compulsory for Italian degree students, the number of discovery places may be limited. Students wishing to take discovery Italian from scratch are directed to modules offered by the Language Centre, with the code FLTU.The textbook Affresco italiano B1 (see reading list for details) is linked to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). The CEFR describes language ability on a scale of levels from A1 for beginners up to C2.The incorporation of the CEFR demonstrates:- the validity of our language programme- facilitates students' understanding of the level they achieve- logical progression through levelsKnowledge of the CEFR enhances:- students' engagement with the language learning experience- students' motivation and progress during their experience abroad;- educational and occupational mobility thanks to the transferability of the CEFR system.

  • Exploring Italy: Introduction to Italian Culture and Society (Advanced) (20 credits) - Few countries can boast as rich and diversified a history, culture and society as Italy. Its heritage was built and consolidated over centuries of national fragmentation, which came to a close only with the Unification in the 19th century. Still today Italy is characterised by linguistic diversity, different artistic and cultural traditions, and by loyalties to regional languages and cultures. By attending this module, you will enter a journey of discovery of Italian culture and society from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, and from modern to contemporary times. You will learn to analyse masterpieces of Italian art and literature, as well as popular texts. Thanks to a selective overview of key moments and texts, this module represents the essential foundation stage of your studies in Italian at Leeds: it allows you to have a broad understanding of the nation’s socio-historical and cultural dynamics, on the basis of which you will be able to build your independent studies in future years.

Students with no prior knowledge of Italian will be required to study the following modules:

  • Exploring Italy: Introduction to Italian Culture and Society (Beginners) (20 credits) - Few countries can boast as rich and diversified a history, culture and society as Italy. Its heritage was built and consolidated over centuries of national fragmentation, which came to a close only with the Unification in the 19th century. Still today Italy is characterised by linguistic diversity, different artistic and cultural traditions, and by loyalties to regional languages and cultures. By attending this module, you will enter a journey of discovery of Italian culture and society from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, and from modern to contemporary times. You will learn to analyse masterpieces of Italian art and literature, as well as popular texts. Thanks to a selective overview of key moments and texts, this module represents the essential foundation stage of your studies in Italian at Leeds: it allows you to have a broad understanding of the nation’s socio-historical and cultural dynamics, on the basis of which you will be able to build your independent studies in future years.

  • Beginners Italian (A1 of the CEFR) (20 credits) - This module is for ab initio students who have no or little previous knowledge of Italian. The module aims to take students rapidly to about A1-level standard of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), in the understanding and use of written and spoken Italian. Teaching is by four one-hour language classes each week, whose aim is to develop a degree of accuracy, general and communicative language competences in Italian, at CEFR Level A1. The textbook in use (see reading list for details) is linked to the CEFR and will support in-class activities which intend to help students practise receptive, productive, and interactive skills in Italian. Dedicated drop-in sessions provide students with opportunities to network with peers, explore areas of interest, and ask specific questions on module content and coursework while helping consolidate key skills and knowledge throughout the module.This is an intensive language degree module, designed more specifically for Single and Joint Honour students for whom it is compulsory. Discovery and skills discovery places are available. However, students wishing to take a more communicative and less intensive approach to learning Italian language from scratch are advised to consider the modules offered by Languages for All (LfA).

  • Lower Intermediate Italian (A2+ of the CEFR) (20 credits) - This module aims to take students rapidly from about A1-level to about A2+ level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), in the understanding and use of written and spoken Italian. Teaching is by four one-hour language classes each week, whose aim is to develop accuracy, general and communicative language competences in Italian, at CEFR Level A2+. The textbook in use (see reading list for details) is linked to the CEFR, and will support in-class activities. These intend to help students practise receptive, productive, and interactive skills in Italian, while assisting students developing key competences in a variety of contexts, up to CEFR Level A2+ in Italian.Dedicated drop-in sessions provide students with opportunities to network with peers, explore areas of interest, and ask specific questions on module content and coursework while helping consolidate key skills and knowledge throughout the module.As this module is compulsory for Italian degree students, the number of discovery module places may be limited; those students wishing to take a more communicative and less intensive approach to learning Italian language are advised to consider modules offered by Languages for All (LfA).

Optional modules

  • Art and Literature in Medieval and Renaissance Italy: An Introduction (20 credits)

  • Italy from Fascism to the Present (20 credits)

Year 2

Compulsory modules

  • Italian Language B (20 credits) - This module consolidates linguistic competence (written and oral) in Italian grammar, vocabulary and style, at a level appropriate for intending Honours students in their second year of Italian.Students develop an accurate, basic language ability in a variety of cultural and social contexts.The textbook Affresco italiano (see reading list for details) is linked to Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). The CEFR describes language ability on a scale of levels from A1 for beginners up to C2. The incorporation of the CEFR demonstrates:- the validity of our language programme - facilitates students' understanding of the level they achieve- logical progression through levels.Knowledge of the CEFR enhances:- students' engagement with the language learning experience;- students' motivation and progress during their experience abroad;- educational and occupational mobility thanks to the transferability of the CEFR system.

Optional modules

  • Introduction to Dante's Comedy (20 credits)

  • Linguistic Variety in Modern Italy (20 credits)

  • Modern Italian Identities Across Cultures (20 credits)

  • Linguists into Schools (20 credits)

  • Black Europe (20 credits)

  • Global Environmental Humanities (20 credits)

  • Screening Italy: Neorealist cinema to Netflix (20 credits)

Year 3

Compulsory modules

  • Year Abroad in Italy (120 credits)

Year 4

Compulsory modules

  • Italian Language 3 (20 credits) - This module aims to further develop language skills, building upon the enhancement of the command of Italian achieved during level 2 and residence in Italy.The aim is to approach the ability to speak, write and understand Italian that is possessed by an educated native speaker. This involves achieving communicative competence with sensitivity to appropriate register, orally and in writing. This corresponds to the C1-C2 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFRL).Students who wish to enrol on this module as a discovery module are asked to contact the module manager.

  • Final Year Project - Dissertation, Extended Translation, or Digital Documentary (e.g. Podcast) (40 credits) - This may be produced in either English or, subject to the approval of the Module Leader and project supervisor, the Target Language. Lectures and workshops provide the skills training necessary, whereas more specific guidance is provided through one to one supervision with a member of staff.

Optional modules

  • 'Giocare al Romanzo': Italo Calvino and the Novel, from Neorealism to Postmodern (20 credits)

  • Dark Italy: Italian Crime Fiction (20 credits)

  • Made in Italy. Italian for Business (20 credits)

  • Contemporary World Literature (20 credits)

  • Material Cultures and Cultures of Consumption (20 credits)

  • Adventures of the Imagination: Crime and the Fantastic Across Continents (20 credits)

  • Decolonial Approaches (20 credits)

  • Social Movements across Cultures (20 credits)

  • Minoritised Languages, Dialects and Cultures from Past to Present (20 credits)