Dr. Francesca Leardini

Associate Professor

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Biography

Francesca Leardini is an Associate Professor (Teaching) specializing in Modern Contemporary Italian Literature and Medieval Early Renaissance Italian Literature. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles, where she focused on Modern Contemporary Italian Literature. In addition to her research in these areas, she has a strong interest in foreign language pedagogy, Romance Italian philology, linguistics, and textual analysis. Her teaching portfolio includes courses such as Ital. 320 on Love Italian Literature, Ital. 461 focusing on Theatre, Spectacle, and Drama Performance in Italy, as well as Ital. 402 which explores Places, Memory, and Imagination within Italian Literature. With experience in cultural intersections, her classes delve into Italian music, literature, movies, and food. Francesca's contributions to academia span various aspects of Italian studies, aiming to enhance the understanding of Italian culture through literary works across different historical periods.

Research Interests

Medieval Early Renaissance Italian Literature Modern Contemporary Italian Literature Foreign Language Pedagogy Romance Italian Philology Linguistics Textual Analysis

Courses

Ital. 320 - Love Italian Literature Ital. 461 - Theatre, Spectacle, Comedy in Twentieth-Century Italian Theatre Ital. 402 - Places, Memory, Imagination GESM 120 - Trauma, Death, Love in Italian Storytelling Ital. 224 - Cultural Intersections: Exploration of Italian Music, Literature, Movies, Food Ital. 402 - Changing Notions of Reality in 19th and 20th Century Italian Literature Ital. 470 - Italian Literature in the Modern and Postmodern Era

Requirements for University of Southern California

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Listening
Required:20
Reading
Required:20
Writing
Required:20
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
GRE General
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Math, or Hard Science
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Official transcripts
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume/CV
  • Letters of Recommendation (not required for MS CS, but allowed)
Specialization Notes

GRE is NOT required for Master's applicants for 2025-2026.