University of Silesia in Katowice

Graduates in Italian Studies are proficient in Italian and either another Romance language or English and have comprehensive knowledge about the Italian-speaking countries, in terms of such aspects as literature, culture, and history. All of this helps them to better understand and interpret the observed language and culture phenomena and their sources. Additionally, the awareness of cultural differences and risks stemming from their improper interpretation allows them to properly identify communication risks and the interlocutor’s pragmatic and cultural disparity.

The theoretical knowledge of linguistics acquired during the course of study, including the structure and functioning of language, pragmatic mechanisms of communication and discourse, provides the graduates of Italian Studies with a practical basis for independent development of linguistic, translation and communication competencies not only in the studied language but also in other foreign languages, as well as – in the future – for teaching the target language at the elementary and intermediate levels.

The knowledge of literary studies makes the students sensitive to the diversity of human experience and the discourses that describe it; it allows them to actively participate in initiatives to promote and disseminate the culture of the Italian-speaking countries.