Italian and French Studies

An Italian cathedral against a blue sky
Italian and French Studies

Photo Credit: Nicola Morello

Benvenute e benvenuti! Bienvenue!

Our Italian and French Studies department offers award-winning teaching and one-on-one mentoring. We are dedicated to helping our students learn a second (or third!) language, and to introducing them to the richness of Italian and Francophone cultures.

Our Italian courses, which include beginner and intermediate level language courses and an appealing array of literature and culture courses taught in English, may be taken either as electives or towards earning an Italian Studies Minor.

Our French students may pursue any of the major or minor programs offered by the University of Waterloo, and may be eligible for opportunities to study in Quebec (Chicoutimi) or France.

Students who have earned, or plan to earn, two consecutive language credits --  for example ITAL101 and 102, or FR192A and 192B -- may consider pursuing the Global Experience program.
 

Course sequencing

Language students must be careful to take courses in order. It is not permitted to ‘backtrack’ and take courses out of sequence. For example, ITAL 101 may NOT be taken after ITAL102, and FR192B may NOT be taken after FR251.
 
If you are unsure what level of course is appropriate for you, please contact us for more information. Grazie & Merci!

Italian and French Studies undergraduate studies

Italian studies

The following is a list of the programs and academic plans offered through the St. Jerome's University Italian department: Italian Studies Minor and Diploma in Italian Language.

The courses offered by the St. Jerome's Italian Studies department are listed below.

For additional program information, please visit Italian and Italian Studies on the Programs and Plans section of the Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar.

French studies

The following is a list of the programs and academic plans offered through the French Studies department, including Three-Year General, Four-Year General, Honours, Honours French - Professional French Specialization, Honours French (Arts and Business Co-op and Regular), Honours Double Major French, French Minor, Third Year in France and Quebec, and Certificates in French. 

The courses offered by the St. Jerome's French Studies department are listed below.

For additional program information, please visit French on the Programs and Plans section of the Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar.

Features

Celebrating our students!

Nadia Formisano, a recent grad of the Italian Studies Minor, has been accepted to the M.A. program in Italian Studies at the University of Toronto. Nadia shared these thoughts about her experience at St. Jerome's:

"The Italian Studies Minor at SJU is a well-rounded program, featuring languages courses as well as those discussing literature, culture, and history. The minor provided a solid foundation for my education in the field, helping me to earn a place in a prestigious Italian Studies Graduate Program where I’ll be able to continue my education."

Congratulations on this next step in your education Nadia!

Oral history interview

Visit the Waterloo Italian Heritage Project to read oral history interviews showcasing experiential learning in Italian Studies at St. Jerome's University.

Professor Emeritus receives the Order of the Star of Italy

Gabe Niccoli recieves the Order of the Star of Italy from the Italian ambassador to Canada

St. Jerome's is proud to celebrate Professor Emeritus of Italian and French Studies, Dr. Gabe Niccoli, who has received the Order of the Star of Italy from the Italian Ambassador to Canada for accomplishments across his career in promoting deeper understanding of Italian culture. This prestigious award is the highest civilian honour given to citizens outside of Italy. Dr. Niccoli is an award-winning teacher, accomplished scholar, and his legacy at the university continues with The Gabriel Niccoli Italian Culture Award which recognizes a graduating student for their academic excellence in the study of Italian culture. 

Visit the Italian Embassy's website to to read the whole story.

Departmental Awards

The following students were recipients of the Italian Studies departmental awards:

Departmental Award for Academic Achievement at St. Jerome's

Daniela Pinelli

Gabriel Niccoli Italian Culture Award

Daniela Pinelli


The following student was the recipient of the French Studies departmental award:

Departmental Award for Highest Average in the Major

Mandie Mallott

Faculty

Yuri Sangalli, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream (Definite Term)

Courses

The following courses are offered at St. Jerome's University in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Fall 2025

Course Course title Campus Instructor
FR 192A French Language 1: Module 1 STJ Petrescu
ITAL 101 Introduction to Italian Language 1 BLNDJ Cauchi-Santoro
ITAL 101 Introduction to Italian Language 1 ONLNJ Cauchi-Santoro
ITAL 201 Intermediate Italian 1 BLNDJ Bocchi
ITALST 100 Understanding Modern Italy ONLNJ Bocchi
ITALST 263/HHUM 263 Contagion, Disease, and Illness in Italian Literature and Film ONLNJ Sangalli
ITALST 265 The Mafia STJ Sangalli
ITALST 291 Italian Culture and Civilization ONLNJ Cauchi-Santoro

Winter 2026

Course Course title Campus Instructor
FR 192B French Language 1: Module 2 ONLNJ Petrescu
ITAL 101 Introduction to Italian Language 1 ONLNJ Bocchi
ITAL 102 Introduction to Italian Language 2 BLNDJ Cauchi-Santoro
ITAL 102 Introduction to Italian Language 2 ONLNJ Cauchi-Santoro
ITAL 202 Intermediate Italian 2 BLNDJ Offered through UofG
ITALST 100 Understanding Modern Italy ONLNJ Sangalli
ITALST 112/SRF 112 Women, Sexual Identities, and Relationships in Italy BLNDJ Cauchi-Santoro
ITALST 112/SRF 112 Women, Sexual Identities, and Relationships in Italy ONLNJ Cauchi-Santoro
ITALST 265 The Mafia STJ Sangalli
ITALST 292 Italian Culture and Civilization 2 ONLNJ Sangalli

Fall 2024

Course Course title Campus Instructor
FR 250 Intermediate Spoken French ONLNJ Petrescu
FR 251 French Language 2: Module 1 STJ Petrescu
ITAL 101 Introduction to Italian Language 1 BLNDJ Cauchi-Santoro
ITAL 101 Introduction to Italian Language 1 ONLNJ Cauchi-Santoro
ITAL 102 Introduction to Italian Language 2 ONLNJ Sangalli
ITAL 201 Intermediate Italian 1 BLNDJ Bocchi
ITALST 100 Understanding Modern Italy ONLNJ Aletta
ITALST 265 The Mafia STJ Sangalli
ITALST 291 Italian Culture and Civilization 1 ONLNJ Cauchi-Santoro

Winter 2025

Winter

Course Course title Campus Instructor
FR 152 Basic French 2 STJ Petrescu
ITAL 101 Introduction to Italian Language 1 ONLNJ Bocchi
ITAL 102 Introduction to Italian Language 2 BLNDJ Cauchi-Santoro
ITAL 102 Introduction to Italian Language 2 ONLNJ Cauchi-Santoro
ITAL 202 Intermediate Italian 2 BLNDJ Offered through UofG
ITALST 111/SMF 111 Sex, Marriage, and Family Traditions in Italy ONLNJ Cauchi-Santoro
ITALST 263/HHUM 263 Contagion, Disease, and Illness in Italian Literature and Film ONLNJ Sangalli
ITALST 281 Italian Cinema and the Novel STJ Sangalli
ITALST 292 Italian Culture and Civilization 2 ONLNJ Sangalli

Spring 2025

Course Course title Campus Instructor
FR 296 French Culture and Literature: Origins to 1715 ONLNJ Petrescu
ITAL 101 Introduction to Italian Language 1 ONLNJ Bocchi
ITAL 102 Introduction to Italian Language 2 ONLNJ Sangalli
ITALST 100 Understanding Modern Italy ONLNJ Aletta
ITALST 265 The Mafia STJ Ursella

View the complete listing of FR and ITAL/ITALST courses in the Undergraduate Studies Academic Calendar