Come sta l’italiano?

The Present and Future of Italian Language and Culture Studies

Tuesday Nov. 15 6.30-8.30pm
Lecture Hall, Room 101 School of Business

RSVP required here by Fri. Nov. 11

Interest in Italy and its culture is only growing. The official data tell us that Italy is the second most popular study abroad destination for the U.S. after same-language UK, and the fifth most popular travel destination, as the country with the highest concentration of UNESCO sites in the world. “Made in Italy” continues to be a recognizable, respected, and sought-after brand globally, and an Italian lifestyle is a much coveted model for foreigners.

When it comes to a study of the Italian language, statistics seem to indicate that Italian is the fourth most studied language in the world. At the same time, Italian like most other foreign languages and the humanities in general, is not as attractive a subject for a university degree as it used to be in past, despite the fact that introductory and higher-level courses for adults and children appear to be expanding, both within and outside academia.

By bringing together a diverse group of experts ranging from professors to representatives of academic organizations and government institutions, the round table will offer an overview of the current situation and identify points of traditional strength that the field of Italian Studies can still leverage. Mostly, it will illustrate the new directions that this field has taken and continues to take in order to foster interest in the Italian language and culture in a structured and sustainable way, especially for areas like the metropolitan area of New York and the Tri-State that are so quintessentially Italian due to immigration flows, importation of goods (read the article), and cultural and artistic relations.

We are particularly pleased to present this program under the auspices of the Consulate General of Italy in New York at a time in which the further promotion of the Italian language and culture is at the core of its diplomatic mission, and represents a central issue of the national agenda in Italy as well.

Program

• Introduction: Teresa Fiore (Inserra Chair, Montclair State University)
• Opening remarks: Francesco Genuardi (Consul General of Italy, New York)
• Speakers:
  Dennis Looney (Modern Language Association, Programs and ADFL Department): "The MLA Language Enrollment Survey: Where Does Italian Stand and Where Could it Go?"
  David Ward (Wellesley College): “News from New England: The October 1 State of the Discipline Event, a Report”
  Lucia Pasqualini (MAECI, Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation): Title TBA