Italian language, literature, and culture lies at the very heart of Western civilization. From Greco-Roman antiquity to the rise of Christianity in the Middle Ages and the towering achievements of the Renaissance, Italy, its peoples have been center stage. Italy's influence on the world extends to all areas of human endeavor-- art, music, language, literature, film, business, technology, fashion and, of course, cuisine. Contemporary Italy is a proud member of the European Union among the prosperous of industrialized nations. Chicago boasts a particularly vibrant Italian and Italian-American community. America was, after all, named for an Italian, and the Italian experience in America has produced a rich and vital culture all its own. To study Italian is to discover the world past, present, and future. The Italian program at DePaul gives students the opportunity to begin and develop their language skills using some of the very latest materials and learning strategies. Our instructors are passionate about Italian and sharing that passion with students.