Wayne State University, College of Liberal Arts and Science
Classical and Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
487 Manoogian Hall
Detroit, MI 48202
Tel: (313) 577-3002
________________________________________________________________________
Italian 2010 Syllabus
Instructor:
Tel:
Office Hours
Course schedule:
Section #:
Office:
E-mail:
Location:
The General Education Foreign Culture Requirement: The course described in this
syllabus is part of the WSU General Education Program and it may satisfy the Foreign
Culture requirement (ITA 2010) or it may lead to fulfilling that requirement (ITA 1010
and ITA 1020). The University Bulletin states that the Foreign Culture requirement can
be met by "completion of any foreign language sequence through 2010 or 2110
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Aski, Janice M., and Musumeci, Diana, Avanti! (McGraw-Hill, 3rd edition, 2014).
Aski, Janice M., and Musumeci, Diana, Avanti! Workbook/Laboratory Manual.
(McGraw-Hill, 3rd edition, 2014) WITH DIGITAL WORKBOOK ACCESS CODE.
Please note: at the bookstore the two books above are packaged as a COMBO. With
the combo, you will receive the textbook, a print workbook, and an access code to
the digital workbook online. You need the access code to the digital workbook to
complete your class work. Please be aware that we obtained a specially discounted
price from the publisher for this combo and items sold individually may cost you
more.
REQUIRED MATERIAL:
An Italian/English pocket dictionary.
RECOMMENDED TEXT:
Adorni, Sergio and Primorac, Karen, English Grammar for Students of Italian. (Hodder
Arnold, 2000)
COURSE WEBSITE: http://blackboard.wayne.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION: ITA 2010 is the last semester of the Italian Basic Sequence. It is
designed to provide students with a basis to communicate effectively in Italian in
everyday, realistic situations. This course is task and content-based and incorporates
grammar in a functional use of language through listening, speaking, reading, and
writing. The course develops students’ awareness and appreciation of cultural products,
practices and products. A communicative approach to language teaching informs the
curriculum; class will be conducted primarily in Italian! In addition, our program
subscribes to the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st century
(Communication, Culture, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities).
CONTENT OVERVIEW, CULTURAL TOPICS & LEARNING OUTCOMES of ITA 2010
CONTENT OVERVIEW
Describing Italian houses and furniture
Talking about Italian cities and towns
Talking about vacations
Analyze Italian society today
Identify and compare the languages of
Italy
CULTURAL TOPICS
Houses in ancient Pompeii
Italian cities through the centuries
Italians and vacations
New Italian demography
A brief history of the Italian language
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students will expand their ability to listen to and comprehend a variety of topics.
Students will increase their use of advanced vocabulary and begin to construct complex
structures. They will deepen their awareness and appreciation of cultural products,
practices and perspectives in both historical and contemporary contexts.
Listening:
 Identify main ideas and relevant and irrelevant details of listening passages
 Recognize regional varieties of Italian; examine the history of the Italian
language and its dialects
 Demonstrate understanding of daily conversation, small talk, and brief
interaction
 Differentiate between formal and informal speech
Speaking
 Engage in conversations
 Describe Italian houses and furniture
 Identify and communicate location of people and objects
 Refer to people and things already mentioned, specific and nonspecific
 Express more complex ideas, including opinions, doubt, desire, necessity,
emotions, and use the subjunctive where appropriate
 Recognize events that took place in the distant past
 Compare people and things using better or worse
 Compare Italian cities, past and present
 Choose expressions to give suggestions and advice
 Use the present conditional to make requests
 Express commands and instructions using the formal and informal imperative
 Examine vacations and tourism in Italy
 Explain how things are done



Examine Italian demographics and social issues
Express opinions, doubts and desires in the past tense
Analyze the differences between expressions of fact and statements of opinion,
doubt, and desire
Writing:
Active writing.
 Use prewriting/brainstorming to generate and expand ideas and plan a
paragraph
 Use signal and transition words and phrases
 Use correct sentence transitions
Reading:
 Increase reading speed and vocabulary
 Compare and contrast information in two readings on the same topic
 Identify parts of speech in the context of a reading passage
 Identify transition words and changes in text for meaning/intent
ASSESSMENT:
Students will engage in daily classroom practices, which include active learning activities
and exercises to develop the four skills abilities (listening, reading, writing and
speaking). During the semester there will be 4 quizzes, a midterm and a final exam.
These quizzes/exams are used to evaluate students’ acquisition and mastery of specified
course content.
Quizzes: Each quiz tests the four abilities (listening, reading, writing and speaking). The
quizzes will be administered at the end of each chapter to verify
achievements/obstacles in the covered content.
Midterm: The exam is cumulative. It tests the four abilities (listening, reading, writing
and speaking) related to the content and cultural material presented in all chapters
studied up to that point. For ITA 2010: chapter 11, chapter 12, and chapter 13.
Final exam: The final is a written cumulative exam in which the student will be assessed
on his/her listening, writing and reading skills. It will contain content and cultural
material studied in chapter 11-15 for ITA 2010.
Final Oral Exam: This exam is a paired interview/conversation aimed at testing the level
of speaking proficiency achieved at the end of the semester. This exam will be
recorded.
See ASSESSMENT POLICY section for detailed information regarding the scheduling
and procedures.
COURSE MATERIAL: The materials for this course are:
- The textbook Avanti! 3
-
The McGraw-Hill website:
http://www.mhhe.com/avanti3
The McGraw-Hill website contains for each chapter:
 Online quizzes on “Lessico” and “Strutture.” Feedback is provided and you
can print out the feedback page to show your instructor you completed the
assignment.
 The entire audio-program for the textbook (Avanti! ).
 Audio-files with pronunciation of vocabulary presented in the chapter.
-
The print workbook (for emergencies only)
The digital workbook that you can access through your BlackBoard course The
digital workbook contains:
 The workbook/Lab Manual exercises which you can find in each week’s
folder. Here, you can complete all your workbook exercises directly online
and receive immediate feedback on your performance. The lab component
allows you to click on an audio-file associated with the workbook, listen to
the audio, and answer directly online. Feedback is provided.
 eBook (located in the Library tab). This is an electronic version of the
textbook. You can view video and audio clips within the eBook.
 Student resources (located in the Library tab). This is a link to the textbook
website.
 LearnSmart (assignments in weekly folders and icon on the right side of the
home page). This adaptive learning program will help you understand where
you need to focus most of your study time.
Requirements for using the digital workbook:
Operating System:


Windows XP HE 2002 SP2, MS XP Pro 2002, MS Vista Home Premium edition,
Windows 7
Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6, Mac OS Lion 10.7
CPU: 233MHz
RAM: 128MB
Screen resolution: 1024 x 768 or higher
Browser: PC: Internet Explorer 8 or higher, or Firefox version 12 or higher. Google
Chrome 18 or higher Mac:. Firefox 12 or higher, Google Chrome 18 or Safari 5.x
Network Connection: A high-speed connection with throughput of 256 Kbps or more is
recommended to use audio and video components.
Equipment: You will need speakers or a headset to listen to audio and video
components, and a microphone is necessary for recording activities. For best
performance, we recommend you use a USB microphone for partner recording
activities.
Plug-ins: If you do not have the latest Flash Player already installed, you may download
it at the Flash Player download site.
Make sure that you are using a Java-enabled browser. Connect supports Internet
Explorer 8.0 and higher, Firefox 12 and higher, and Safari 2.0 and higher. To enable Java
in your browser do one of the following:
In Internet Explorer, select View -> Internet Options from the menu. Click the Advanced
tab and select the appropriate check boxes.
In Firefox, select Tools -> Options from the menu. Click the Content tab and select the
Enable Java and Enable Java Script check boxes.
In Safari, select Safari -> Preferences from the menu. Click the Security tab and select
the Enable Java and Enable Java Script check boxes.
If you are having trouble using the digital workbook, you can contact the Connect help
by phone or online. The website URL for help is: http://mpss.mhhe.com/ or call 1-800331-5094. They are open on Sundays from 7pm to 12am (midnight), Monday through
Thursdays from 9am to 12am (midnight) and on Fridays from 9am to 7pm.
GRADING:
Grading for this class will be determined according to the following percentages:
Class participation
Attendance
Homework
Quizzes
Midterm
Final exam
Final Oral Exam
15% of the final grade
5% of the final grade
15% of the final grade
15% of the final grade
15% of the final grade
25% of the final grade
10% of the final grade
Class participation: This grade evaluates your use of Italian, your preparation before
class, your active participation during class time, and any extra credit activities you
might complete. In addition, it evaluates your effort during group work, and your
attitude and respect toward the class, your instructor and your peers. In fact, students
will be working in small groups or with a partner most of the time actively sharing their
knowledge and opinions. Maintaining a positive relation with your classmates is
conducive to a constructive learning environment. You will receive a weekly grade (10
points per week, max. 140 points.) Instructors will use the following matrix to assign
participation points each week:
Cooperation
/ respect
0-2 points
Preparation
for
class (homework,
reviewing material
prior to class)
0-2 points
Small group work: Responding when
engagement,
called
upon
/
participation
volunteering
answers
0-2 points
0-2 points
Use of target
language in class
(Italian)
0-2 points
Attendance: You will receive 1 point for each hour of attendance for a total of 56 points.
Classes meeting two days a week will receive two points per day. If you arrive late or
leave early, you will not receive full attendance credit. For tardiness of 30 minutes or
less, your instructor will decrease your participation grade of 0.5 points. If you leave
early, the penalty will be in increments of 0.5 points (for every 30 minutes or less). If
you are absent it is your responsibility and a form of professional courtesy to contact
your instructor via e-mail prior to returning to class. Please allow 48 hours for your
instructor to respond to your message, weekend and holidays excluded.
Attendance policy: You must hear and use Italian communicatively in order to learn the
language. Completing group work and class activities cannot be done on your own.
Consequently, attendance is required. Nevertheless, it is understood that periodically
things will happen to prevent your attendance. You will be allowed to be absent from
class for a maximum of 4 hours of instruction throughout the semester but you’ll lose
the “participation” grade (55 minutes = 1 instructional hour; absences are tallied in
half-hour increments.) Beginning with the fifth hour of absence, you will need to
submit a DOCUMENTED excuse for teacher’s evaluation. It will be the teacher’s
discretion to excuse your absence. If the teacher agrees in accepting your excused
absence you will receive ONLY ATTENDANCE, NOT PARTICIPATION points (5 points
available per class). Remember that Participation Grade is 15% of your final grade,
Attendance is 5%.
Homework: This grade includes: all chapters in the digital workbook and any graded
compositions. In addition, your instructor may choose to collect additional assignments.
These assignments may be from the textbook, the workbook manual, handouts,
Internet assignments, etc. Homework assignments that are corrected in class instead of
being collected will count towards your participation grade. Late homework is not
accepted without a documented excuse. Late homework with documented excuse
must be turned in within 3 days from the day you return to class. Late homework with
documented excuse submitted after 3 days from your return to class will receive a grade
of zero. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to check online for posted homework
or contact a classmate or the instructor to get the assignment for that day. If your
instructor is unable to return your email prior to class time, this should not be
misconstrued as your being exempt from your homework. Since students graduating
from WSU are expected to demonstrate a good use of technology, you are required to
complete the digital workbook/lab manual and use technology as part of your Italian
homework.
ASSESSMENT POLICY
A make-up quiz will not be given during class time, but only during your instructor’s
office hours. No make-up quiz will be administered without a documented excuse. A
documented excuse is documentation confirming a death in the family or an illness
requiring a physician attention (written on the physician’s letterhead and containing the
phone number and address of the physician). The lowest quiz grade will be omitted
from the calculation of the final grade. All material in the textbook and workbook as
well as activities presented by your instructor in class or on the Bb website can be
tested.
PLEASE NOTE: All quizzes and the Midterm Exam are online, but to be taken in a
proctored setting in the computer lab and using a LockDown Browser. Details and lab
locations will be given in class by your instructor.
Midterm: The exam is cumulative. It tests the material presented in all chapters up to
that point. For ITA 2010: chapter 11, chapter 12, and chapter 13. There will be also a
short oral part to this exam. Instructions will be given in class.
Final exam: The final is cumulative. It will contain material studied in chapter 12-15 for
ITA 2010. If you have a conflict that requires rescheduling of the exam (for Principles
Governing Final Exams, see: http://sdcl.wayne.edu/RegistrarWeb/Caledars/finals), you
must notify your instructor at least ten (10) days prior to the exam date. Your
instructor will then consult with the course coordinator for permission to reschedule. If
you miss the final exam, you will receive a zero unless you present documentation
confirming a death in the family or an illness requiring physician’s attention. In this
case, you must contact your instructor within 24 hours from the final exams’ time.
Final Project Information:
For ITA 2010 the title of the project is “IL NOTIZIARIO” (The Daily News). It is a group
project that can be filmed and/or rehearsed in class the last days of class. Detailed
instructions and deadlines are posted on Bb link “FINAL PROJECT”. This project will
assess your writing and speaking presentational skills. . Each student will have a role
and each student is responsible for his/her written portion of the assumed role. You
must provide a bibliography of citations if you choose to use from internet sources
during your news report.
GRADING POLICY:
A = 93 - 100%
A- = 90 - 92%
B+ = 88 - 89%
B - = 80 – 82%
C+ = 78 – 79%
C = 73 – 77%
D+ = 68-69%
D = 63% - 67%
D- = 60 – 62%
B = 83 – 87%
C- = 70 – 72%
F = 59% and below.
SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION:
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a FREE series of group study sessions led by an SI leader.
These sessions supplement the course lecture and give you a chance to learn material in
different ways. SI Sessions are group study sessions, where you will work with your
classmates to go over lecture material in a relaxed environment. In SI, you will find
answers to your questions, and learn techniques to master difficult material. For more
information, please visit: http://success.wayne.edu/supplemental/suppinstruction.php.
EXTRA CREDIT:
Extra credit will be assigned for the following:
1 point to be added to the final grade for the class (max. 4 points):
Attending a film screening, and/or attending an Italian cultural event in the community
and submitting a written report, one page.
Attending at least five (5) meetings of “Il Circolo italiano”, with signatures by the tutors.
Activities agreed upon with your instructor and turned in by the deadline decided by
your instructor.
All extra-credit activities must be turned in by last week of class for credits to be
included in the final grade. No extra credit activity will be accepted after those dates.
ATTENTION STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
Wayne State University is committed to providing students with disabilities an equal
opportunity to benefit from its programs, services, and activities. All printed materials are
available in alternative formats. Please request alternative format materials from the instructor
of the course. If the limitations imposed by your disability interfere with your ability to fulfill the
requirements for the successful completion of this course, you are strongly encouraged to
contact Student Disability Services (SDS) (313) 577-1851 (Location: 5155 Gullen Mall 1600
Undergraduate Library) to request an accommodation. Additionally, students have to inform
the instructor of their disability within the first week of class. Failure to follow the
aforementioned steps will prevent students from obtaining any accommodation.
SERVICES AVAILABLE AT WSU:
Foreign Language and Technology Center
http://www.langlab.wayne.edu/index.htm
Academic Success Center
http://www.success.wayne.edu/LFP.php
Student Disability Services
http://studentdisability.wayne.edu
Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)
http://www.caps.wayne.edu
Please note all registered students are eligible to receive up to 16 free, confidential and
accessible personal counseling sessions at CAPS per academic year.
Foreign Language Tutoring
Tutoring in Italian is available at WSU for free thanks to our graduate students. Your instructor
will provide more details as to time and location.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
According to the Wayne State University pamphlet on Academic Integrity, academic dishonesty
means any activity that tends to compromise the academic integrity of the institution or subvert
the educational process. Cheating, plagiarism and fabrication all fall under the rubric of
academic dishonesty. The Department of Classical and Modern Languages, Literatures, and
Culture presumes the existence of an Honor System at all times. Your signature on exams and
work assignments implies that the work is your and yours alone. Academic work submitted by a
student for credit is assumed to be of his/her own creation, and if found not to be, will
constitute cause for the student's dismissal.
OBLIGATION OF FACULTY AND STUDENTS TO THE INSTRUCTIONAL PROCESS:
All faculty and students are expected to be familiar with the University statement of
responsibilities found in the University Bulletin and the Student Handbook.
See:
http://www.bulletins.wayne.edu/ubk-output/ubk-index.html. Any problem that may arise
should immediately be discussed with your instructor first. In basic courses, failing resolution,
the problem may be referred to the course coordinator.
Any official University or College policy, date or other important information over which the
Department of Classical and Modern Languages, Literatures, and Culture has no control is cited
for the convenience of the student only. Please refer to the University Bulletin, the Student
Handbook or other appropriate University publication for confirmation of the same.