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Italian Graduate Studies

The Department of Italian provides two streams in its Master's program, theÌýthesis option, and theÌýnon-thesis option. The course work, the thesis and/or research papers must demonstrate that the student possesses a sound knowledge of the language, is familiar with all periods of Italian literature and has developed the background and skills necessary to carry out scholarly research. The regulations concerning the M.A. degree, as stated in the General Information section of theÌýÌý²¹±è±è±ô²â.

Program Information

Master of Arts - Italian Studies (Thesis)

Italian (Thesis) (M.A.) (45 credits)

Offered by: Languages,Literatures,Cultures (Faculty of Arts)ÌýÌýÌý
Degree: Master of Arts
Program credit weight:Ìý45

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Italian is a 45-credit program focusing on Italian literature, film, culture, literary theory, a thesis proposal, and a thesis. Areas of interest include film studies, nineteenth-century studies, transnational studies, gender studies, Calvino, Bertolucci, Early Renaissance Naples and Venice, vernacular and Neo-Latin poetry, among others.

Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

Thesis Courses (24 credits)

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Course Title Credits
ITAL 698Thesis Proposal.6

Thesis Proposal.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

A written presentation which will include: (a) a review of the literature pertinent to the thesis, (b) the definition of the thesis research project within the parameters of the critical literature, and (c) an indication of how the research project will be carried out.

ITAL 699Thesis.18

Thesis.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Completion of the thesis.

Required Courses (12 credits)

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Course Title Credits
ITAL 602The Literary Tradition.3

The Literary Tradition.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

The course highlights the importance of tradition in literature and focuses on different aspects of Italian literary history.

ITAL 610Bibliography of Italian Literature.3

Bibliography of Italian Literature.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Tools for literary research: encyclopedias, dictionaries, bibliographies, journals, Internet sites, library catalogues. Tools for linguistic research: historical, specialized, Italian-dialect, etymological vocabularies. History of the book: manuscript, early printing, catalogues of incunabula and of early books.

ITAL 619Topics in Literary Theory.3

Topics in Literary Theory.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

An introduction to some of the main subjects and authors of modern literary theory. Topics may include reception theory, deconstruction, postmodernism, cultural studies, formalism and structuralism, semiotics, gender studies, psychoanalysis, Marxism, translation and subjectivity.

ITAL 680Research Seminar.3

Research Seminar.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Presentation and discussion of research work.

Complementary Courses (9 credits)

9 additional course credits, chosen in consultation with an adviser from among the graduate courses offered by the Department. The three courses should cover three distinct chronological periods in Italian literature.

A maximum of 6 credits of graduate courses may be taken outside the Italian Studies Department, upon the advice of the Supervisor and with the permission of the Graduate Studies Director.

In exceptional cases, when program requirements cannot be fulfilled otherwise, students may take ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý606 Individual Reading Course 1. and ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý607 Individual Reading Course 2.Ìý offered as tutorials.

Typically, the first year of the program will consist of: Literary Theory course, ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý610 Bibliography of Italian Literature., the three complementary courses and ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý698 Thesis Proposal.. The second year will include ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý602 The Literary Tradition., ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý680 Research Seminar. and the thesis.


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Master of Arts - Italian Studies (Non-Thesis)

Italian (Non-Thesis) (M.A.) (45 credits)

Offered by: Languages,Literatures,CulturesÌý(Faculty of Arts) Ìý Ìý
Degree: Master of Arts
Program credit weight:Ìý45

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Italian; Non-Thesis is a 45- credit program focusing on Italian literature, film, culture, literary theory, and two research projects. Areas of interest include film studies, nineteenth-century studies, transnational studies, gender studies, film studies, Calvino, Bertolucci, Early Renaissance Naples and Venice, vernacular and Neo-Latin poetry, among others.

Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.

Research Project (18 credits)

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Course Title Credits
ITAL 690Research Paper 1.9

Research Paper 1.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

For students in non-thesis option only.

ITAL 691Research Paper 2.9

Research Paper 2.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

For students in non-thesis option only.

Required Courses (12 credits)

Expand allContract all Course List
Course Title Credits
ITAL 602The Literary Tradition.3

The Literary Tradition.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

The course highlights the importance of tradition in literature and focuses on different aspects of Italian literary history.

ITAL 610Bibliography of Italian Literature.3

Bibliography of Italian Literature.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Tools for literary research: encyclopedias, dictionaries, bibliographies, journals, Internet sites, library catalogues. Tools for linguistic research: historical, specialized, Italian-dialect, etymological vocabularies. History of the book: manuscript, early printing, catalogues of incunabula and of early books.

ITAL 619Topics in Literary Theory.3

Topics in Literary Theory.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

An introduction to some of the main subjects and authors of modern literary theory. Topics may include reception theory, deconstruction, postmodernism, cultural studies, formalism and structuralism, semiotics, gender studies, psychoanalysis, Marxism, translation and subjectivity.

ITAL 680Research Seminar.3

Research Seminar.

Terms offered: this course is not currently offered.

Presentation and discussion of research work.

Complementary Courses (15 credits)

15 additional course credits, chosen in consultation with an adviser from among the graduate courses offered by the Department. The courses should cover at least three distinct chronological periods in Italian literature.

A maximum of 6 credits of graduate courses may be taken outside the Italian Studies Department, upon the advice of the Supervisor and with the permission of the Graduate Studies Director.

In exceptional cases, when program requirements cannot be fulfilled otherwise, students may take ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý606 Individual Reading Course 1.Ìýand ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý607 Individual Reading Course 2. offered as tutorials.

Typically, the first year of the program will consist of: Literary Theory course, ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý610 Bibliography of Italian Literature., three complementary courses, and ITALÌý690 Research Paper 1.. The second year will include:Ìý ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý602 The Literary Tradition., ±õ°Õ´¡³¢Ìý680 Research Seminar., two complementary courses, and ITALÌý691 Research Paper 2..

Description and Requirements

Students wishing to pursue doctoral studies may apply for admission to the ad hoc program, provided that they have a clear research agenda which fits into one of the areas of strength of the Department. TheÌýad hocÌýPhD offers the flexibility of a personalized program, with course work designed to address the specific needs of the student and to provide the background necessary for the successful completion of the research project. Only a select number of outstanding students are admitted to theÌýad hocÌýPhD. They are followed closely throughout their studies, to help them develop the skills and competencies necessary to enter the North American or international job market. A mentorship culture facilitates a smooth and natural transition from student to scholar. Where appropriate, students are encouraged and helped to participate in conferences and to publish the results of their ongoing research. Teaching opportunities are also available when candidates are deemed to have acquired the necessary levels of maturity and preparation.

Typically, the doctoral program comprises a minimum of fifteen course credits, including individual tutorials and and/or courses from other departments or with associate members of the department, as determined by the research project; participation in a one-term Student-Staff Seminar (ITAL 780, 3 credits); Comprehensive Examinations in two distinct areas of specialization; and a publishable dissertation (average length: 200 pages). Reading knowledge of a third language (other than English and Italian) is also required.

Areas of Concentration

The Department's current areas of expertise and methodological orientations are broadly indicated below. Prospective applicants should also consult individual faculty members' research profiles on the departmental website for more detailed information. They are also invited to send research inquiries to individual professors.

A) Nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first century narrative;

B) Medieval and Renaissance literature and culture; and

C) Italian cinema from post-World War 2 neorealism to the present.

These areas are approached from the perspective of:

  1. relations with the historical, social and political contexts;
  2. intertextual relations with contemporary and antecedent works and movements in other European literatures and cultures, with a special attention to questions of identity construction
  3. gender issues; and
  4. cultural studies.

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Application Information

Preparing to ApplyÌý

The graduate program in Italian StudiesÌýwelcomes Canadian and internationalÌýapplicantsÌýwith a specialization in Italian literature as well asÌýfrom disciplines other than Italian Studies. To be admitted to a graduate program in Italian Studies, applicants should have completed at least a B.A. degree.

Students without a concentration in Italian Studies mustÌýhaveÌýa strong background in Italian history, literature, and culture, as well as advanced knowledge of the Italian language.

Students who have completed a B.A. degree without Honours or Joint Honours are encouraged to apply to the M.A. Program in Italian Studies.

Students who have completed a B.A. degree with Honours or Joint Honours in Italian Studies may apply either to the M.A.ÌýProgramÌýor to the Ad Hoc Doctoral Program in Italian Studies (entering at the PhD 1 level).

Students holding a M.A. degree in Italian Studies should apply to the Ad Hoc Doctoral Program (PhD 2 level).

Students holding a M.A. degree in a discipline other than Italian Studies but closely related to this field are encouraged to apply to the Ad Hoc Doctoral Program (PhD 1 level).

Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in Italian plus a working knowledge of either French or English.

Applicants should submit samples of research papers that they have completed during the course of their previous studies. Submission of the results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is recommended, but not required.

For detailed instructions on how to apply andÌýupload theÌýrequired documents, please see:

/gradapplicants/how-apply

/gradapplicants/apply/prepare/checklist/documents

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Deadlines for Receipt of Completed Applications:

Please note that incomplete applications (including letters of recommendation, testing scores (TOEFL, IELTS), transcripts, sample(s) of written work) by the application deadline will not be considered.

Note: Ph.D. students are only considered for Fall admission

For Fall Admission:Ìý January 6 (Canadian/Permanent Resident/International).

For Winter Admission:Ìý September 15 (Canadian/Permanent Resident);

For Winter Admission:Ìý August 1 (International).Ìý

Special/Exchange/Visiting: ÌýAs above.

Application and Required Documents

Should you decide to formally apply, all supplemental application materials and supporting documents must be uploaded directly to the ºÚÁÏÉç admissions processing system.

Complete instructions :.

  • Online application form.

  • Application fee.Ìý You must pay aÌýnon-refundable fee or your application will not be processed.

  • All university transcripts. Those transcripts not in English or French must be accompanied by a certified English or French translation (prepared by a licensed translator).

  • Research proposal. Applicants are requested to send a brief statement of their interests and the areas they wish to study within the Department (1 to 3 pages).

  • Two letters of recommendation. Those letters not in English or French must be accompanied by a certified English or French translation (prepared by a licensed translator). On the application form you must provide the names and email addresses of at least two professors who are familiar with your academic work. ºÚÁÏÉç will contact these referees and invite them to upload references on your behalf. Please note that although you can list public domain addresses such as Hotmail, Gmail, or Yahoo Mail on the application form, references uploaded from these addresses will not be accepted by the Department. Therefore you must list a valid institutional or corporate e-mail address for your referees.

  • One or two samples of written work (in PDF format). This can be in the form of a graded paper, a chapter from a thesis, or an academic article.

  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores for non-native English applicants. This is a requirement of all students applying whose native language is other than English. Results must be on file by application deadline – Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies no longer process applications without official results. Minimum score of 575 or 231 computer based scale. Please note that permanent residents may be required to submit a TOEFL score. IELTS scores are also acceptable: a band score of 6.5 or greater (Academic module).

  • For those applying for the Ad Hoc Ph.D.: Ìýa one to two page research proposal in English.

Contact Information

Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
ºÚÁÏÉç
680ÌýSherbrooke Street West
Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 2M7

info.llcu [at] mcgill.ca (Email)
PhoneÌý: (514) 398-3650

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