The University of Rhode Island's business Italian course is an advanced language course whose focus is the Italian business world and its reflection of values, customs, and traditions. The course begins with presentations on salient features of contemporary Italian, such as syntactical simplification and nominalization, and how the social, economic, and political situation influences Italian business. The remainder of the course consists of classroom lessons with assignments and activities, and visits to Italian-owned companies, the university library, and a state briefing center for prospective foreign investors. A typical class lesson includes brief thematic oral reports, lexical review, discussion of assigned readings, analysis of forms of business communication, background on the next topic, an assignment, and role-playing, listening comprehension exercises, a small group activity, and/or discussion of a relevant Italian short story, poem, or film. Readings are from current newspapers and magazines. Written work consists of preparation of summaries and comments on readings, invoices, budgets, evaluation forms, business letters, and a curriculum vitae. Guest speakers also visit. Students prepare final projects, and an overseas internship program has been established. Curriculum development plans include expansion of critical thinking exercises, more attention to the European Economic Community, and three related new courses. Contains 2 references. (MSE)