The M.A. program deals with all aspects of Italian literature and literary criticism. It is open to candidates with academic records of distinction and other evidence of scholarly accomplishments. The candidates must satisfactorily complete 10 term courses (30 credits) and take a comprehensive examination based on a reading list. The Italian Department at Rutgers University is committed to the research and teaching of Italian language, literature, and culture from all periods?from classical antiquity and Dante to opera, theater, and contemporary film and visual culture. Members of our graduate faculty approach Italian culture from a range of disciplinary and theoretical perspectives, such as philology, theology, political philosophy, cultural theory, film theory, postcolonial studies, and cultural studies of food, gender and sexuality.