Torino Courses – 2026 Summer Session II
Academics
Torino is an exceptional location for business and international studies. It's a major economic hub with deep-rooted connections to international corporations, providing a globally-oriented education. This thriving business environment, combined with its location at a crossroads of Europe, creates unique opportunities for students to gain firsthand exposure to companies at the forefront of innovation and experience how business is conducted in Italy.
You may enroll in three to seven credits during Session I and/or Session II. At least one 3-credit course is required each session you are enrolled. No prior knowledge of Italian is required for the program, though language study is strongly encouraged for those seeking a richer cross-cultural experience.
Courses Offered
Course availability is contingent upon scheduling constraints, meeting enrollment minimums, and is subject to change. View course details and descriptions.
Courses marked with an asterisk* are taught in Italian
Summer Session I
Italian Language, Culture, and Society
- Introduction to Italian Language
- Elementary Italian I*
- Elementary Italian II*
- Sport in Italian Society
- Urban History : The Making of Cities through Time
Non-Credit Workshop
- Italian Cuisine
International Studies and Business
- Consumer Behavior
- Economic and Political Institutions of the European Union
- Intercultural Communication
- International Strategic Management
- Operations Management
Internships
Summer Session II
Italian Language, Culture, and Society
- Introduction to Italian Language
- Elementary Italian I*
- Elementary Italian II*
- Modern Architecture and the City: Movements, Masters, and Meanings
Non-Credit Workshop
- Italian Cuisine
International Studies and Business
- International Marketing
- International Sports Business
- International Strategic Management
- Supply Chain Management
Internships
U.S. Visiting Professors
While most USAC courses are taught by local faculty, the following U.S. professors will also teach in this program:
Summer Session I, 2026
Course: International Strategic Management
Igor Makienko, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Reno
Dr. Igor Makienko is an Associate Professor of Marketing at the University of Nevada, Reno. His other degrees are mechanical engineering, journalism, international economics, and mass communication. He has worked as an engineer, journalist, and marketing manager for two international companies. He teaches marketing management, marketing research, and IMC campaigns.
Summer Session II, 2026
Course: International Sports Business
Nicholas Watanabe, Ph.D., University of South Carolina
Dr. Watanabe is an Associate Professor of Big Data and Analytics in the Department of Sport and Entertainment Management at the University of South Carolina. He earned his PhD from the University of Illinois and has received awards such as the Breakthrough Star Research award as well as been named a Research Fellow of the North American Society of Sport Management. Dr. Watanabe has taught Sport Business in the United States, Japan, China, Qatar, and South Africa. He has a passion for teaching students in international education.
USAC Course Descriptions
Click the course title to view course details, description and availability. To request a course syllabus: syllabus@usac.edu
- Summer Session IGeneral 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.
- Summer Session IEconomics 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.
- Summer Session IItalian 100-level 4 credits Taught in ItalianSummer Session IIItalian 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.
- Summer Session IItalian 100-level 4 credits Taught in ItalianSummer Session IIItalian 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
- Summer Session ISpeech 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.
- Summer Session IIInternational 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
- Summer Session IIGeneral 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.
- Summer Session IInternational Business Management 400-level 3 credits Taught in EnglishSummer Session IIInternational Business Management 400-level 3 credits Taught in English
International strategic management addresses the questions of how and why some companies are able to develop and maintain competitive advantage in a global environment. Why do some companies in a given industry do better than others? We will examine how the international environment influences the choices that senior-level executives make regarding which products and services to offer, how and where to get them built and delivered, and how to organize and finance their company. We will learn that effective competitive intelligence at the level of the company, industry, and broader environment drives decisions that lead to competitive advantage.
- Summer Sessions I & IIInternships 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
- Summer Session IItalian 100-level 1 credit Taught in English and ItalianSummer Session IIItalian 100-level 1 credit Taught in English and Italian
This course will introduce students to Italian language topics, including a general introduction to everyday vocabulary, grammar, and syntax. Students will learn and practice speaking and pronunciation in groups and with guidance from the instructor.
- Summer Session ISummer Session II
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.
- Summer Session IIArchitecture 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.
- Summer Session IManagement 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: introductory coursework in business management
- Summer Session ISociology 300-level 3 credits Taught in English
Starting from a comprehensive historical view beginning in the late 19th century, this course will examine the development of sports in Italian society. We will analyze team and individual sports, both as actually practiced by amateurs and by professional athletes, focusing on the role of private and public institutions and on the politicization of sport. A section of the course will be devoted to the Italian national teams (“Azzurri”) participating in world competitions, such as the Olympic Games or the soccer World Cup. Another part of the course will be dedicated to sport as a popular spectacle, its business and management aspects, as well as marketing communication strategies. Since Torino is home to two major soccer teams (Juventus and Torino) the course will also include a guided tour to the Juventus Museum or the Grande Torino Museum.
- Summer Session IIManagement 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
- Summer Session IHistory 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.