Introduction

Programs in Italian were announced in the calendar of Upper Canada Academy (the forerunner of Victoria College, University of Toronto) in 1840 and were then formally introduced at the University of Toronto in 1853.  In 1929 the first M.A. in Italian Studies was awarded and in 1932 the first Ph.D. for a thesis on the Italian Theatre of the Renaissance.  The first person to earn both graduate degrees was Beatrice M. Corrigan, who became a renowned scholar and a professor in the Department. The FRANK IACOBUCCI CENTRE IN ITALIAN CANADIAN STUDIES, as well as the scholarly journal, ITALIAN CANADIANA, are based in the Department. The University of Toronto Press publishes the Italian Series and also the Goggio Publication Series.  During each academic year an Emilio Goggio Visiting Professor teaches in the Department.

* The Master of Philosophy is no longer being offered.

** See M. Kuitunen & J. A. Molinaro, Italian Studies at the University of Toronto (1840-1990), Department of Italian Studies (1991) for a complete overview in English and Italian of the development of these studies up to 1990.