Course summary

By studying Italian and Theatre Studies at Warwick you'll develop an in-depth knowledge of Italian language and culture while also exploring theatre and performance studies through both practice and theory. Italian may be studied ab initio. You will graduate as a highly qualified linguist, with advanced intercultural skills and a sophisticated understanding of key concepts and debates in two Arts disciplines. The specialist communication, research, critical and evaluative skills you will gain are all highly sought after by employers. Italian and Theatre Studies is a joint degree, equally weighted between both disciplines and studied in both departments. This degree allows you to develop an in-depth knowledge of Italian language and culture while also exploring theatre and performance studies through both practice and theory. You will graduate from the course with specialist knowledge and skills in the theatre, and as a highly qualified linguist with advanced intercultural skills. An Italian and Theatre Studies degree will allow you to combine two specialisms. Firstly, you will be able to develop and refine your skills as a linguist through a programme of modules exploring the Italian language and the culture, history and politics of Italy. Alongside this, you will pursue your interests in theatre, with core and optional modules on topics including historiography, theatre in European and African contexts, applied theatre, and playwriting. You benefit from the full range of expertise on offer in both departments and will be able to explore the synergies between the two subject areas. Italian at Warwick enables you to collaborate with academic specialists to develop your language skills and intercultural competence. Together, we will examine the historical, cultural, geographical, and political contexts in which Italian is spoken, from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance to today’s multicultural Italy. The flexible course covers cultural topics such as philosophy, literature, politics, history, linguistics, media and film. Core language modules develop an in-depth understanding of the Italian language and its links to the cultural contexts where it is spoken, and you can then choose optional modules to develop your academic interests. Theatre and Performance Studies at Warwick takes pride in its national and international reputation for research and teaching excellence. As a student, you will be taught by world-leading scholars, industry professionals and artists who are as passionate about the power of theatre and performance as you are. You will explore how drama, theatre and performance are used to share stories, to laugh, to feel, to understand more deeply, and to change things. Beyond the course, you will be encouraged to see work and get involved at Warwick Arts Centre, one of the largest multi-artform venues in the UK, and join one of the many award-winning performance-based student societies. Your second or third year is normally spent abroad, either as a language assistant, working, or studying at one of our partner universities. This is an invaluable opportunity to immerse yourself in the linguistic and cultural contexts where Italy is spoken, enhance your language skills and build international connections. You will have access to outstanding facilities and resources. This includes flexible collaborative and individual learning spaces, as well as a vast selection of print, digital and multimedia learning materials. You will finish your degree as a proficient, internationally mobile linguist with a deep understanding of Italian-speaking cultures, and an advanced knowledge of theatre and performance.