ITL 328 - Composition and Conversation
Spring 2010
37045 – MWF 2:00-3:00 – BEN 1.106
Instructor: Antonella Del Fattore-Olson Office: HRH # 2.106 B Ph: 471-5706/5531
E-mail: ad.olson@mail.utexas.edu
Office hours: M & W 3-4, F 1-2 or by appt.
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ITL 328-Composition and Conversation
Primavera 2010
Textbooks
Patota, Giuseppe. 2003. Grammatica di riferimento della lingua italiana per stranieri. Firenze: Le
Monnier.
Folder of Xerox-copied material available at Jenn’s, 2200 Guadalupe
Baricco, Alessandro, Novecento. To be ordered online
(Barnes&Noble.com, or la_Feltrinelli.it, or Amazon.com)
Dizionario Harper Collins Sansoni, standard edition or equivalent
Useful websites
Garzanti Linguistica http://www.garzantilinguistica.it
De Mauro, Grande Dizionario
http://old.demauroparavia.it
De Mauro, Dizionario dei sinonimi e contrari
http://www.demauroparavia.it
Eulogos
http://www.eulogos.it
Coniugatore di verbi http://www.univ.trieste.it/~nirital/texel/coni/conihome.htm
Course description
Obiettivi - The goals of this course are to improve students’ skills in writing and speaking in
Italian, as well as to increase their level of comprehension (both reading and listening).
Furthermore, we aim at expanding the students’ knowledge of Italian culture. We will reach
these goals by:
a. Reading short stories and one monologue
b. Reviewing grammar and the grammatical structures the reading material exhibits
c. Listening to a variety of audio material and watching videos and two movies
Grading:
Quizzes (3)
Exam I
Exam II
15%
10%
15%
Compositions
Oral Reports and General Oral Performance
Class Participation
25%
25%
10%
Compositions/Compiti scritti-Tema~ Five compiti (short compositions) and one tema. (long
composition). Students will write at home three compiti which are due on the days indicated
on the syllabus and whose topic is given on the syllabus. Two compiti will be written in class.
At the end of the semester, a longer paper is due, tema; students will have the chance to rewrite it and its final grade will be the average between the first and second version. More
specific instructions for each composition will be given as the course progresses.
Compiti and tema will be typed and double-spaced (except for the ones written in class).
Proper use of grammar as well as content will both greatly affect the composition grade. Please
no e-mail submissions.
Oral Reports and General Oral Performance/Presentazioni orali e componente orale
generale~ Students’ grade for this component will be based upon 1. the quality of their
contribution to class discussion, their pronunciation, their ability in communicate and
understanding, and 2. Two oral presentations: one presented individually, one in groups.
a. Individual presentation: Each student will present in class a 5-10 min. oral report on a current
event; no reading will be allowed, but visual aids is encouraged.
***Evaluation criteria: pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary.
Interesting/useful sites for the individual presentation:
http://www.mtv.it/tv/programmi/serie/lista_video.asp?id_prog=509
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/indexes/titles.php?id=512
Log on to Library PressDisplay with your EID here:
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/indexes/titles.php?id=512
b. Group presentation: Each student is expected to speak for about 10 minutes. Therefore, a
group of 2 students will give a 20 minute-long presentation, whereas a group of 5 will give
a 50 minute-long presentation. No reading allowed! Students may use index cards if
extremely necessary, but they must be prepared to act out their “role” as much as possible
without reading.
Students are free to choose the “genre” of their presentation: a satire, a comedy, a drama, an
interview, a movie, etc. (if you choose to videotape your presentation, remember that you
must have at least a “live” introduction in class). The subject should be based upon the
material we have studied in the course; students can focus on one reading/author/film or
two, or combine all of them together since the subject must be related to Italian culture.
***Evaluation criteria: pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, creativity, fluency of
expression.
Class Participation/Partecipazione in classe~ Regular attendance is required; more than three absences
will lower the final grade; for the fourth absence, three points will be deducted from the final grade; four
points for the fifth absence, and so on.
For each class, students should be ready to discuss the reading material and make personal
comments on it. Students are encouraged to ask questions about the Italian culture.
Use of Blackboard in Class~ In this class, I use Blackboard—a Web-based course management
system with password-protected access at http://courses.utexas.edu —to distribute course
materials, to communicate and collaborate online, and to submit assignments. You can find
support in using Blackboard at the ITS Help Desk at 475-9400, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.
to 6 p.m., so plan accordingly.
Tutors~ Please refer to the French and Italian Department’s web page or visit the French and Italian
Department’s Undergraduate Office in HRH
http://www.utexas.edu/cola/depts/frenchitalian/student-resources/Tutors--Translators.php
Be aware that tutors ARE NOT ALLOWED to do homework for you rather give you
individual attention in mastering complex grammatical structures and oral skills. Moreover, if
the professor deems--due to a discrepancy with your oral and written performance in class-that your homework has been done with the help of a computer-translation-program or a
tutor, you will receive a 'no-grade' for that paper; the 'no-grade' will neither lower nor raise
your overall grade average. Please read carefully the policy on
Scholastic Dishonesty~ Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are
subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or
dismissal from the University. Since such dishonesty harms the individual, all students and
the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. For
further information, please visit http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/scholdis.php
This site offers excellent resources on how to cite sources and paraphrase. Copying materials
from other people or from sources on the Internet, for example, or having your work edited by
somebody else, constitutes a fraudulent submission. Any work submitted by a student in this
course for academic credit will be the student’s own work and will acknowledge others’ work
as appropriate (e.g., citing sources).
IL CIRCOLO ITALIANO
Throughout the semester, the Italian Club shows six Italian movies (Adria Frizzi) and offers
the Tavola Italiana, weekly meetings where students can practice Italian in an informal setting
(Antonella Olson). The Tavola meets every Friday, 3:30-4:30, at the Cactus Café (Texas Union).
Additional events sponsored by the Italian Club will be announced in class.
ROME STUDY PROGRAM - DEPARTMENT OF FRENCH AND ITALIAN
The Rome Study Program gives students of all majors the opportunity to spend six weeks in
Rome, Italy during the first summer session, earn three or six credit hours and visit some of
the most beautiful Italian sites on weekends. Italian families host students providing an indepth experience of Italian life-style and language. Please visit our website:
http://sites.google.com/site/romestudyprogram/Home
and/or contact Program Director: Antonella D. Olson, HRH # 2.106 B, # 471-5706/5531,
ad.olson@mail.utexas.edu
SYLLABUS –PROGRAMMA
Nota bene!~ L’analisi delle regole della grammatica e della sintassi che si farà in questo corso è
un ripasso di ciò che si è studiato nei primi due anni o nell’anno intensivo di italiano. Il
materiale presentato dalle letture deve essere utilizzato sia come mezzo di discussione di tutte
le regole grammaticali che come fonte di conversazione. La partecipazione costante alle lezioni
è un fattore determinante per il successo individuale e collettivo.
Gr.: = grammatica
L.: = letture
m. = metà della pagina
GENNAIO
mercoledì 20
N.: = Novecento
in. = inizio della pagina
Introduzione al corso. Conversazione
Gr.: Cap. 1, parte 1, Suoni e lettere dell’italiano, pp. 1-14. L.: Viva l’Italia
* last day add/drop
________________________________________________________________________________
venerdì 22 *
lunedì 25
Gr.: Cap. 1, parte 1, Suoni e lettere dell’italiano, pp. 21-39. L.: Viva l’Italia
mercoledì 27
Gr.: Cap. 1, parte 2, Il nome, pp. 42-61 (m.). L.: Viva l’Italia
Gr.: Cap. 2, parte 2, L’articolo e la preposizione, pp. 70-75 (m.).
COMPITO SCRITTO # 1:
L’artista che preferisci (no biografie, solo commenti personali;
1 1/2 page, typed, double spaced)
________________________________________________________________________________
venerdì 29
FEBBRAIO
lunedì 1
mercoledì 3 *
Gr.: Cap. 2, parte 2, L’articolo e la preposizione, pp. 75-81. L.: Tutto merito
delle donne se siamo diventati pacifisti
Gr.: Cap. 2, parte 2, L’articolo e la preposizione, pp. 81-90. L.: Tutto merito
delle donne se siamo diventati pacifisti
* last day to drop for possible refund
venerdì 5
Gr.: Cap. 3, parte 2, L’aggettivo, pp. 91-98
__________________________________________________________________________________
lunedì 8
Gr.: Cap. 3, parte 2, L’aggettivo, pp. 91-98.
L.: Introduzione a Donna di Porto Pim e ascolto
mercoledì 10
Gr.: Cap. 3, parte 2, L’aggettivo, pp. 98-105 (m.)
L.: Donna di Porto Pim: lingua e grammatica
venerdì 12
Gr.: Cap. 3, parte 2, L’aggettivo, pp. 105-114. QUIZ 1
________________________________________________________________________________
lunedì 15 *
L.: finire di leggere Donna di Porto Pim: commento orale
L.: “Post Scriptum”: ascolto e commento orale
* last day to drop without possible academic penalty
mercoledì 17
IN CLASSE: COMPITO SCRITTO # 2
Cap. 4, parte 2, Il verbo e i suoi usi, pp. 115-124 (m.).
Introduzione a Novecento. L.: N.: leggere p. 11-21 (m.)
__________________________________________________________________________________
venerdì 19
lunedì 22
Cap. 4, parte 2, Il verbo e i suoi usi, pp. 124-131. L.: N.: leggere p. 21-33
mercoledì 24
Cap. 4, parte 2, Il verbo e i suoi usi, pp. 132-133. RIPASSO.
L.: N.: leggere p. 34-44 (in.)
venerdì 26
ESAME 1
__________________________________________________________________________________
MARZO
March 1-Application deadline for IEFS for summer and fall study abroad programs
*Film~ La leggenda del pianista sull’oceano (G. Tornatore): da vedere entro martedì 9 marzo
lunedì 1
Gr.: Cap. 4, parte 2, Il verbo e i suoi usi, pp. 133-139.
L.: Commento alla prima parte di Novecento.
COMPITO SCRITTO # 3:
Il tuo nome: qual è la sua storia? (1 ½ page, typed, double spaced)
mercoledì 3
Gr.: Cap. 4, parte 2, Il verbo e i suoi usi, pp. 139-145.
L.: N.: leggere pp. 44-51 (m.)
venerdì 5
Gr.: Cap. 4, parte 2, Il verbo e i suoi usi, pp. 145-148. QUIZ 2
lunedì 8
L.: N.: leggere pp. 51- 62
mercoledì 10
Gr.: L.: Cap. 4, parte 2, Il verbo e i suoi usi, pp. 149-154 (in.).
L.: Commento orale a Novecento e al film La leggenda del pianista sull’oceano
venerdì 12
Ripasso. Conversazione
__________________________________________________________________________________
15 - 20
SPRING BREAK
__________________________________________________________________________________
lunedì 22
Gr.: Cap. 4, parte 2, Il verbo e i suoi usi, pp. 154-157.
L.: Attività di gruppo su Novecento
mercoledì 24
Gr.: Cap. 4, parte 2, Il verbo e i suoi usi, pp. 163-173.
COMPITO SCRITTO # 4: Inventa una tua fine personale a Novecento. e
fa un commento critico al monologo (2 pages, typed, double-spaced)
venerdì 26
Gr.: Cap. 4, parte 2, Il verbo e i suoi usi, pp. 174-182 (in.). Ripasso
__________________________________________________________________________________
lunedì 29 *
Ripasso. QUIZ 3
 last day undergraduates may with dean's approval drop and change
to or from pass/fail
mercoledì 31
PRESENTAZIONI ORALI 1
APRILE
venerdì 2
PRESENTAZIONI ORALI 1
________________________________________________________________________________
*Film~ Mio fratello è figlio unico (D. Lucchetti): da vedere entro lunedì 19 aprile
lunedì 5
PRESENTAZIONI ORALI 1
mercoledì 7
Descrizione del film Mio fratello è figlio unico e della sua musica
venerdì 9
Ripasso. Domande degli studenti sulla grammatica
April 14-16, 19-23: Academic advising for the summer session and the fall semester
lunedì 12
ESAME 2
mercoledì 14
L.: La latteria
venerdì 16
L.: La latteria
________________________________________________________________________________
April 19-30: Registration for the summer session and the fall semester
lunedì 19
IN CLASSE: COMPITO SCRITTO # 5
mercoledì 21
Commento al film. Domande degli studenti sulla grammatica
venerdì 23
Commento al film. Domande degli studenti sulla grammatica
__________________________________________________________________________________
lunedì 26
TEMA – Versione A. Attività culturali
mercoledì 28
Attività culturali
venerdì 30
Preparazione per la presentazione. Conversazione
__________________________________________________________________________________
MAGGIO
lunedì 3
PRESENTAZIONE DI GRUPPO
mercoledì 5
PRESENTAZIONE DI GRUPPO
venerdì 7
TEMA - Versione B. PRESENTAZIONE DI GRUPPO
__________________________________________________________________________________
ITL 328 - Composition and Conversation
Spring 2010
Indice delle Letture
“Viva l’Italia” Francesco De Gregori (In giro per la letteratura)
“Tutto merito delle donne se siamo diventati pacifisti” Francesco Alberoni
(In giro per la letteratura)
“Donna di Porto Pim”, “Post Scriptum” Antonio Tabucchi
Novecento Alessandro Baricco
“La latteria” Paolo Rossi (In giro per la letteratura)
Movies
These movies will be watched outside of class:
--La leggenda del pianista sull’oceano (Giuseppe Tornatore)
--Mio fratello è figlio unico (Daniele Luchetti)
--Uno dei film presentati da IL CIRCOLO ITALIANO