Italy's cultural prominence extends from Roman times through the Renaissance and right to the present. According to UNESCO, more than 60% of the world's art treasures are found in Italy. Some of the most famous Western artists, writers and thinkers were Italian. That's why a knowledge of Italian is vital for understanding the contexts of European art. Indeed, the breadth of Italy's culture, landscapes and history could fill a lifetime of investigation.

Italy also boasts one of the top five economies in the world, and many employers seek people who speak Italian. An estimated 7,500 North-American companies do business with Italy, and more than 1,000 firms have offices there. Italy is also a trend-setter in fashion and design, such as graphics, interior decoration and furniture. It's a leader in robotics, electromechanical machinery, shipbuilding and space engineering.

The Italian Section offers students the opportunity to study Italian from the elementary level through to advanced composition and grammar. Other courses are designed to give students an understanding of Italian literature and culture.