Torino Courses – 2026 Fall

USAC Course Descriptions

Click the course title to view course details, description and availability. To request a course syllabus: syllabus@usac.edu

• Business Ethics and Fair Trade

  Fall

  General Business Law 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Globalization offers our world new opportunities but challenges business, international trade, and people’s welfare in developing and developed countries. New rules are gradually being shaped to direct this worldwide process toward sustainable development and increasing the well-being of people; frequently, however, their practical impact is not as strong as envisaged. This course highlights these challenges, rules, and critical aspects. Students will predominantly discuss examples of ethical dilemmas, international laws, practical experiences, and cases.

• Business Leadership, Management and Teamwork

  Fall

  General Business Management 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Spring

  General Business Management 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  The course presents leadership, management, and teamwork concepts and models that have emerged in recent years. It is conceived as a behavioral course, aiming to challenge students to apply these concepts and models through in-class exercises, simulations, role-plays, etc. in a dynamic and participative way.

  Prerequisite: one semester of college-level business, or equivalent

• Comparative Government and World Politics

  Fall

  Political Science 200-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This introductory course offers an overview of the concepts and methods that allow for the systematic comparison of political phenomena across countries, including government structures, political institutions, ideologies, parties and party systems, elections, and political behavior. Using six case studies -Mexico, Italy, UK, Iran, Russia, and Nigeria- will allow students to examine in depth the political life of each of these countries.

• Consumer Behavior

  Spring

  General Business 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  We’re excited to introduce this new course option as course details are being finalized. Please check back after 1/15 for full course details.

• Digital Marketing and AI Analytics

  Spring

  Marketing 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  We’re excited to introduce this new course option as course details are being finalized. Please check back after 1/15 for full course details.

• Economic and Political Institutions of the European Union

  Fall

  Economics History Political Science 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Spring

  Economics History Political Science 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course will analyze the past, present, and future of European integration based on historical, social, political, and economic factors. The process of European integration and its effects will be assessed at the international level considering the EU as well as examining key differences among European member states.

  The main objective of this class is to gain understanding of how the European Union works and what it means for the millions of people who live under its jurisdiction. Our goal is to provide students with an objective understanding of the concept of European market integration within the present framework of globalization, trade liberalization and regionalism.

• Elementary Italian I

  Fall

  Italian 100-level 4 credits Taught in Italian

  Spring

  Italian 100-level 4 credits Taught in Italian

  This course is designed to help students acquire basic communicative competence by providing opportunities to develop basic language skills: listening, speaking, interacting, reading, and writing.

• Elementary Italian II

  Fall

  Italian 100-level 4 credits Taught in Italian

  Spring

  Italian 100-level 4 credits Taught in Italian

  This course is designed to help students acquire basic communicative competence by providing opportunities to develop basic language skills: listening, speaking, interacting, reading, and writing.

  Prerequisite: one semester of college-level Italian, or equivalent

• Human Resource Management

  Spring

  Management 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course exposes students to the study and practice of Human Resource Management. The goal is to provide a conceptual and practical understanding of the HRM function and its importance to the effectiveness on an organization. Theoretical concepts and practical approaches relevant to the management systems and processes; recruitment, training, appraisal, compensation and labor relations will be analyzed as well as emphasis on legal constraints and international management.

• Intercultural Communication

  Fall

  Speech Communications 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Spring

  Speech Communications 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course focuses on developing the skills necessary to build and maintain positive communication and relationships across cultures. Students will explore the definitions, nature and manifestation of culture while examining their own values, traditions and beliefs.

• Intermediate Italian I

  Fall

  Italian 200-level 3 credits Taught in Italian

  Spring

  Italian 200-level 3 credits Taught in Italian

  This course offers an intensive study and practice of productive and receptive language skills in the oral and written modes. The course will allow students to improve their knowledge of grammar, increase their vocabulary, and their understanding of cultural and social aspects of Italian life.

  Prerequisite: two semesters of college-level Italian, or equivalent

• Intermediate Italian II

  Fall

  Italian 200-level 3 credits Taught in Italian

  Spring

  Italian 200-level 3 credits Taught in Italian

  This course offers an intensive study and practice of productive and receptive language skills in the oral and written modes. The course will allow students to improve their knowledge of grammar, increase their vocabulary, and their understanding of cultural and social aspects of Italian life.

  Prerequisite: three semesters of college-level Italian, or equivalent

• International Human Rights: International Law and Politics Topics

  Fall

  Political Science 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Spring

  Political Science 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  The concept of human rights, since the end of World War II, has become an integral part of modern consciousness and dominates the narrative in both foreign and national policymaking. Human rights norms and institutions deeply inform the practice as well as the rhetoric of international law and politics. This course will cover topics in international law, and encourage students analyse the architecture, powers, functions, and processes of international human rights organizations. Students are encouraged to discuss topics such as free speech, right to education, discrimination against ethnic minorities, and right to healthcare.

• International Marketing

  Fall

  International Business Marketing 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Spring

  International Business Marketing 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  The course is designed to enable students to develop marketing strategies and plans in and across a range of different international market environments. While extending students' marketing and strategic skills obtained in earlier courses into a global context, students also develop knowledge and skills in international marketing processes.

  Prerequisite: one semester of college-level marketing or business administration

• International Sports Business

  Fall

  General Business 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Spring

  General Business 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  The course focuses on the new challenges and possibilities globalization brought into the world of sport and sport business. Special attention will be paid the commercial management of sport events and organizations. The course will also discuss, as essential aspects of international sports management: sponsorship, broadcasting revenues, marketing, economics and finance of international sports, human resource management, leadership strategy in a global market, governance of sports organization, branding and retail, social media in international sport business, tourism, facilities, governing bodies and legal aspects. The course will also incorporate the role differing cultures plays in sport.

• Internship

  Fall

  Internships 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Spring

  Internships 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  USAC skills-based internships abroad are designed to complement a student’s program of study while providing a structured work or field experience under the direction of a professional supervisor and with the oversight and support of an on-site USAC internship coordinator.

  USAC internships facilitate the academic and professional development of students through:

  1) the practical application of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to a professional work environment.

  2) the further development of practical competencies essential to the ongoing work of the placement site.

  3) the cultivation of a network of professional contacts.

  USAC internships will expose students to the workplace culture, norms, and expectations of their respective placement site and host country, deepening cross-cultural understanding and helping students develop intercultural communication and language skills in an internationally focused organization or other professional work setting.

  Through the consistent participation in the processes and practices of a professional field, students will acquire a working knowledge of that field and will apply that learning to their own career and academic choices and goals.

  This course has an additional fee

• Italian Cinema in English Translation: Twentieth-Century Italy Through the Lens of the Cinema

  Fall

  Art Film Italian 200-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Spring

  Art Film Italian 200-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This film course serves as a key to understanding Italian society through a wide-ranging historical look at Italian cinema. The course introduces the history of Italian film and its major genres, studies the relationship of film to literature and the performing arts, and examines films currently released in the commercial and the film festival circuits. Torino, birthplace of Italian cinema, is the ideal site for the course – also for the National Cinema Museum.

• Italian Cuisine

  Fall

  Spring

  Each session will start with a brief intro to the day's recipes and ingredients, followed by plenty of time to dive into cooking and food preparation. Together, we’ll learn to create classic and modern Italian dishes, including antipasti, pasta, pizza, main courses with veggie sides, and desserts. You’ll also get tips on pairing each course with the right wine and/or beer. Our focus will be on enjoying the experience, with attention to traditional Italian dining customs. Sharing meals together will be one of the best parts of the workshop!

  Please note: This workshop is not suitable for students on a gluten-free or vegan diet, as many recipes will feature traditional dishes from southern Italy or the Piedmont region.

  This workshop has an additional fee.

  This workshop has a minimum enrollment of 12 students to run.

• Italian Culture

  Fall

  Anthropology Italian 200-level 3 credits Taught in English

  Spring

  Anthropology Italian 200-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course analyzes various aspects of Italian culture through lectures, readings, discussions, and observation research projects. Students will develop an understanding of contemporary Italy, encompassing its recent history, regional differences, social institutions, and contemporary issues. Students will also reflect on their cultural upbringings and beliefs, and to share their Italian culture experiences in class. Students are encouraged to break down commonly held stereotypes and experience the realities of contemporary Italian life.

• Marketing Principles

  Fall

  Marketing 200-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental concepts and issues of marketing products and services. Students will focus on understanding the marketing environment through a market analysis, and then will learn how to implement successful marketing strategies in such an environment.

• Modern Architecture and the City: Movements, Masters, and Meanings

  Fall

  Architecture Art 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  This course provides students with an introduction to contemporary architecture, with special interest in the contemporary city. It will focus on the major trends, events, key figures and works in architectural and urban history. Major architectural and urban trends and perspectives will be discussed on an international scale, from the late 19th century to the present. Lectures and class discussions will provide the framework of the course. Walking tours and visits to selected parts of the city will be scheduled.

• Operations Management

  Fall

  Management 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  In this course, students will learn the concepts and techniques of operations management across all activities of an organization. This course covers topics related to methods of analyses that support organizational decision-making. Students will evaluate and apply the appropriate analytical technique for a variety of scenarios, perform quantitative analyses utilizing primary sources, and develop conclusions regarding effective management of operations in manufacturing and service environments.

  Prerequisite: One semester of college-level business management

• Supply Chain Management

  Spring

  Management Supply Chain Management 300-level 3 credits Taught in English

  In this course, students will learn the concepts and techniques of supply chain management across all activities of an organization. This course covers topics related to methods of analysis that support the organizational decision-making around supply chain decisions and strategies. Students will evaluate and apply the appropriate analytical technique for a variety of scenarios, perform quantitative analyses, and develop conclusions regarding effective management of supply chains in manufacturing and service environments.

  Prerequisite: Introductory coursework in business management

• Urban History: The Making of Cities through Time

  Spring

  History 400-level 3 credits Taught in English

  The course focuses on the most relevant moments that marked European and North American urban history over the centuries (from the ancient city to the most recent transformations), addressing a number of case studies that mirror different models of urban growth, development, design and planning from the Greek city to the contemporary city (i.e. the industrial city, the garden city, the City Beautiful movement, the vertical city, the suburban development, the orthogonal grid, the linear city…). An urban vision per period will be selected and analyzed in class, not only from the standpoint of the spatial transformation but also observed within the frame of the political, economic, and social changes that generated the urban models.

  While lectures will provide the framework of the course, a series of visits allow students to observe the implementation of some of the urban experiences addressed in class at the local level. In fact, the city of Torino will provide an interesting laboratory to investigate the application of the studied urban visions: through the guided visits the students will be able to analyze the most relevant phases of the local urban history and of the planning, development and transformation of the city: from the Roman city to the medieval city, from the Baroque city to the industrial city, from to the city of the economic miracle to the Olympic city.

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