Intermediate Italian 1 (ITAL 0003)
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
Course website: http://courseweb.pitt.edu/
E-mail: @pitt.edu
M-W-F 00:00-00:50 (CL )
Office Hours:
and by appointment
Bentornati!
We are pleased that you have chosen to continue your study of Italian in the Department of
French and Italian. Please refer to this syllabus for explanations of our department’s policies and
resources.
Language-Learning Goals:
Our goal in the Italian language program is to guide you in the development of literacy skills in
Italian through the communicative acts of reading, writing, and creating discourse around
texts of all types. We want you to develop to the greatest possible extent a competency in
comprehending and producing both spoken and written Italian, as well as socio-cultural
competency in communicating with people who speak it. The main focus of classes is on
communication, and we strive for maximum use of the foreign language in the classroom.
Because you might have limited opportunities to speak or hear Italian outside of class, classroom
time is devoted to help develop your competency in these areas. This means that your instructor
will speak only Italian to you during class, and you will be expected to do the same with
your instructor and classmates. Should you need additional explanations or wish to discuss
matters not directly related to course content, your instructor will be happy to speak to you in
English before or after class and during office hours.
Course Objectives for Intermediate Italian 1:
Speak Italian well enough to ask and answer questions on a variety of topics important in Italian
culture that go beyond those you would need to “survive” in the foreign culture. You should be
finding it easier to add more information to your narratives and descriptions and to link your
ideas together into more complete sentences. You should see an increased ability to discuss past
or future events with less hesitation and more accuracy. You should be able to share abstract
ideas and opinions.
Comprehend Italian with sufficient ability to grasp the main idea and some supporting details in
short conversations (spontaneous or recorded) that pertain to the topics mentioned above.
Read and understand the main idea and most details of materials (both literary and non-literary)
about a variety of topics.
Write longer paragraphs that show more cohesion than a simple stringing together of sentences
typical of writing at the elementary level.
Have a greater appreciation of Italian culture, and a better understanding of the cultural
implications of written and visual texts.
Have mastered the most basic grammar structures and have a better understanding of how Italian
functions as a language.
Our approach to teaching and learning:
The approach used in our courses can be characterized as communicative and integrated.
Communicative means that the focus of the course is on language use in realistic settings, not
on performing exercises, which have no immediate justification other than the practice of a
particular procedure. Integrated means that the various aspects that make up the languagelearning experience are not separated or isolated but will be treated as complementary to one
another. In one single activity, you may learn some facts, practice certain grammatical structures,
and communicative strategies. Our approach is also integrated in the sense that language and
culture are not treated as separate but inter-related: You are learning about Italian culture not
only when you listen to a song or analyze a cultural document but also when you and your
instructor use the language itself which is a social and cultural tool.
Your role:
Much of the responsibility for learning a language falls on you, the student. A large part of your
grade is based on attendance and participation. Because it is not realistic to expect to
communicate in a whole new language if you are not physically present to practice it, it is
essential that you attend class regularly, even if you feel less-than-prepared for that day’s
activities. A few other suggestions that will ensure optimal benefits from your Italian class:
Observe: Try to develop comprehension strategies to deal with the language-learning
environment and to understand what is expected of you in class. Study the gestures people make
when they talk, watch others who may know more than you do, and use them as models. Ask for
clarifications or explanations- in Italian!
Listen: Realize that you need to understand the general meaning of messages, but you should
resist the urge to identify each word separately or translate things into English. Try to associate
meaning directly to what you see and hear so you may develop an understanding of Italian “from
the inside.”
Speak: Even if you feel you will make mistakes, speak as much as you can. We consider making
mistakes a necessary part of the learning process. Do pay attention to correct usage, and you will
learn from your errors. Always remember that the superior language learner is a risk-taker.
Required textbook:
Parliamo Italiano: A Communicative Approach (text, workbook/lab manual, CD series)
Branciforte/O’Connor (Houghton-Mifflin, 3rd edition)
We cover 3 units (10-12). Each of the three regular units is divided into four major parts, lettered
A-D, each of which covers the following content areas:
Unit opener: Setting of theme and geographical focus. Statement of communicative goals.
Si dice così: Thematic presentation of vocabulary. Directed communicative activities.
Incontro: Conversation with contextualized vocabulary and current language usage.
In altre parole: Up-to-date idioms and expressions. Directed communicative activities.
Punti grammaticali: Presentation of grammar points. Directed communicative activities.
Lo sapevi che? Cultural notes that appear as needed to supply information on concepts
mentioned in the content.
The textbook is available at all campus bookstores. While we do encourage students to purchase
used books in bookstores or online, we want to remind students that the workbook often does not
come with used textbooks. The workbook is required for ITAL 0001, 0002, and 0003.
Resources in Italian:
Language Media Center: Your instructors will be introducing you, over the course of the term,
to the multi-media materials, such as CDs, videos, and CD-ROM, associated with your textbook.
Also you will be using the Web to access authentic information about Italy in audio, video, and
written formats. You will often be free to do this at home, but you will sometimes also be
required to use the Language Media Center on the Ground Floor of the Cathedral of Learning
(G17). You can also have the audios CDs that accompany the textbook. These CDs are
necessary to complete the Lab section of the workbook. CDs can be burned in the LMC for the
price of $1.
Tavola italiana: One of the program’s most successful—and most fun!—activities is the
“Tavola Italiana” held every Thursday afternoon (5:00-6:00). Here, Italian students of all levels
have the opportunity to speak Italian in a relaxed, authentic atmosphere. More advanced and
native speakers are always available for conversation and coffee, but all levels are welcome and
encouraged to come.
Study Abroad: If Thursdays at La Tavola Italiana are not enough for you, you might want to
consider our summer study program in Syracuse, Italy, or one of the many semester- and yearlong programs offered through various institutions across the country. For information, you can
contact the Study Abroad Office or me. And of course there are courses in Italian literature (in
Italian)—if you plan to continue your language study—as well as courses in Italian and ItalianAmerican culture, history, politics, and film. Please consult with the department’s homepage
(www.frenchanditalian.pitt.edu) for information about the Italian program’s events, faculty, and
course offerings.
Once again, welcome and buon lavoro!
Lorraine Denman
Coordinator, Italian Language Program
1317 F Cathedral of Learning
412-624-6268
denman@pitt.edu
programma delle lezioni:
**These dates are subject to change.
25 agosto
ripasso
1 settembre
Labor Day – non c’e’ lezione
3 settembre
unità 10
19 settembre
primo progetto (orale)
24, 26 settembre
film
1 ottobre
esame orale
3 ottobre
unità 11
13 ottobre
Fall Break – non c’e’ lezione
27 ottobre
progetto 2 (scritto)
31 ottobre
esame scritto
3 novembre
unità 12
14 novembre
progetto 3 (scritto)
24 novembre
esame orale
26-30 novembre
Thanksgiving Break – non c’e’ lezione
1, 3 dicembre
ripasso
5 dicembre
l’ultimo giorno e l’ascolto per l’esame finale
esame finale: lunedì 8 dicembre 2.00-3.50
Sistema di votazione:
Partecipazione
Esame scritto 1
Esami orali 2
Compiti
Progetti
Esame finale
Voti:
A+ 98%
A 93%
A- 90%
B+ 88%
B 83%
B- 80%
25%
10%
15%
20%
20%
10%
C+ 78%
C 73%
C- 70%
D+ 68%
D 63%
D- 60%
Course policies:
Cell phones: Your cell phone should be switched off at the beginning of class.
Participation: Since participation is a large component of your final grade in this course (20%),
your daily efforts to arrive punctually, come to class prepared, and participate in all class
activities are essential. Outstanding participation is defined as habitually arriving for class on
time, listening attentively when others speak, asking pertinent questions, participating in all
activities with enthusiasm, and responding to questions from others. Average participation is
defined as occasionally arriving late to class, sometimes listening to others when they speak,
sometimes asking questions, participating in all activities, occasionally contributing to group
activities, and occasionally responding to questions. Unacceptable participation is defined as
often arriving late to class, not listening when others speak, seldom asking questions, not
contributing much to group work, and seldom responding to questions. Your instructor will keep
track of your participation and will keep you informed of your progress in this area by using
Courseweb’s gradebook feature to post these grades. The grading rubric appears at the end of
this syllabus. In ITAL 0003 you receive a participation grade every two weeks.
You may earn extra credit toward your participation grade by going to the conversation hour of
the La Tavola Italiana, which meets on Thursday from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. In addition, there will
be several announced extra credit events during the semester such as Italian movie nights and
lectures.
Assignments/Compiti: You are responsible for doing the exercises in the workbook on your
own and for self-correcting them by using the answer key in the back of your workbook. Your
instructor will periodically check your work as a homework grade. In addition to workbook
assignments, you will be given other written assignments as well as web-based activities that are
to be turned in to your instructor or posted to Courseweb for grading. Quizzes may be given in
class on a regular basis to check your progress. Homework assignments and written tasks must
be handed in on time—your instructor will not accept late work unless there are extenuating,
documented circumstances. Always communicate such circumstances as soon as possible to your
instructor.
Attendance: Because of the communicative nature of this course, it is essential to come to class
regularly. You are allowed up to two absences during the semester. There are no excused or
unexcused absences for these two absences. On your third absence you will lose 5 points from
your final grade and each subsequent absence will result in one additional point off the
final grade for any classes missed. For example, if at the end of the semester you have a final
grade of 85% (B), upon the fifth absence the final grade is automatically penalized for a total of
80% (B-). A documented medical condition or family / personal emergency will constitute the
sole exception to this rule.
Tests: Students who are unable to take a scheduled test or oral exam must notify their
instructor prior to the test. Students who miss a test without notifying their instructor will not
be allowed to make up the test or oral exam. Students who have conflicts with the final exam
time must notify their instructor at least two weeks prior to the final exam. The department
will then provide for an alternate testing time. All students must take the exam during these two
departmental sanctioned times.
Plagiarism: "To present, as one's own work, the ideas, representation, or words of another" is to
plagiarize no matter the source: books, magazines, the Internet as well as seeking help from
someone else. As everyone knows, plagiarism is a form of cheating. At the University of
Pittsburgh, such cheating may be punished by failure in a course as well as by suspension or
dismissal from the University. In your take-home compositions, plagiarism will always result in
an automatic F for that paper. To allow someone else to pass off your written work as their own
is another form of the same crime, punishable in the same way. Because the charge of plagiarism
is so serious, it is important you learn how to work with the ideas of other people responsibly.
We wish to stress, however, that plagiarism is not to be confused with the sharing of ideas. We
strongly encourage you to talk to your friends or classmates about what you are doing and to ask
them to read and comment on your work. In most cases, we encourage you also to exchange
papers with another student and copy-edit each other's work for errors. This does not mean
however, that you may ask native speakers or other students who are studying Italian to translate
your work into Italian for you. The use of artificial or human translators is strictly
prohibited. Those students using either computer translators or human translators for their
compositions or homework will always result in an automatic F.
Please see our department’s homepage for complete explanations of our policies at:
http://www.frenchanditalian.pitt.edu/undergraduate/policies.php
Students with disabilities
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are
encouraged to contact both your instructor and the Office of Disability Resources and Services,
216 William Pitt Union, (412) 648-7890/(412)383-7355 (TTY) AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE IN
THE TERM. DRS will verify your disability and determine reasonable accommodations for this
course.
dip.to di francese e italiano
voto di partecipazione
nome: ____________________________
mese: _________________
criteria*
punti
active and relevant contributions to the class
3
2
1
0
punctuality/ classroom behavior
3
2
1
0
asking and answering questions voluntarily
3
2
1
0
consistent use of Italian in class
3
2
1
0
alertness and ability to focus on tasks
3
2
1
0
progress in communicative skills
3
2
1
0
totale:
/18
*see the syllabus for a full explanation of our participation policies.
3= outstanding participation
2= average participation
1= below average participation
0= unacceptable participation