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 3100 Syllabus
ITALIAN CONVERSATION
Summer Semester 2013
Instructor: Silvia Giorgini-Althoen
E-mail: sgiorgini@wayne.edu
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Coursepack with necessary readings for conversation will be distributed on the first day of class
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 3100 is designed to develop fluency and accuracy in the use of the
spoken language through intensive practice, class discussion, and presentations on current topics.
Themes for discussion are both extemporaneous and planned. Students are expected to prepare for
the assigned themes in advance. In addition, students will be able to develop vocabulary and improve
their oral comprehension through work with media and intensive reading. Students will examine,
identify and reproduce complex grammar structures and cultural materials across the three
communicative modes: interpersonal, interpretive and presentational. Each lesson focuses on
student-centered and interactive activities that include pair or group work, role plays, debates and
class presentations. Since this course is conducted in Italy, we will additionally attempt to connect
our readings and discussions to the experience of the culture we are studying. During this semester
we’ll cooperate with the Italian Cinema class to illustrate, analyze and present key elements of the
movies shown.
Interpersonal and Presentational Speaking/Writing
Oral presentation (OP): Every other day the students will give an oral presentation on the movie to
be shown: this presentation will cover: director, cast, summary and main idea of the movie.
Daily Debates and Discussions (DD): Students will participate in weekly debates and/or
discussions on cultural topics, readings, films, songs.
There might be additional assignments in addition to the above that will be announced in class.
They will be graded as “homework”.
Italiano 3100 S2013
Journalist for a day: Each student will prepare and conduct an interview of their Italian friends on one
of the topics discussed in class.
Print Interpretive Communication
Reading (R): you will be asked to read material from the course-pack or other reading material
ahead of class time. During class time we will concentrate on rereading and discussing the topics
presented in the assigned chapter. If you do not read the assigned material on time, you will be
unable to participate in class discussions. This will be graded as HOMEWORK assignment. To help
you with your reading assignments, your instructor is available.
Each week students will take turns reading an article from an Italian magazine or newspaper, or
Internet source. This task involves textual analysis and synthesis, as well as a compilation of relevant
vocabulary useful for class discussion. The final activity is to summarize the article and present it to
the class. Students must identify the author’s point of view as well as the target audience.
FINAL EXAM: Instead of a written exam, in a group of max. 3 students you will create a dialogue.
The play/sketch/dialogue will be approximately 20 minutes in length. All the students must do the
following to receive credits:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Write the text/script and proofread it.
SEND A ROUGH DRAFT TO INSTRUCTOR BEFORE PRESENTATION
Perform in front of the class the day of the final exam.
DO NOT READ the script.
Italiano 3100 S2013
GRADING:
Grading for this class will be determined according to the following percentages:
Class
participation
Attendance
OP
DD
TD
HW
Final Exam
TOTAL
25% of the final grade
5% of the final grade
20% of the final grade
15% of the final grade
5 % of the final grade
20% of the final grade
10% of the final grade
100%
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. Maintaining a positive relation with your classmates is conducive to a
constructive learning environment. You will receive a weekly grade (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:
engagement,
participation
Responding when
called upon /
volunteering
answers
Use of target
language in
class (Italian)
0-2 points
0-2 points
0-2 points
NOTE: The use of tablets, laptops and smartphones is prohibited during class. If you use any of
these devices during class time you will receive a ZERO for that day’s participation.
Attendance: I expect to see ALL of you in class every day. We will have a small class and we’ll be
working together frequently. This is why it is essential for you to come to class with all your assigned
homework completed.
Homework: Readings, viewings, songs are part of your homework assignments.
GRADING POLICY:
A = 93 - 100%
A- = 90 - 92%
B+ = 88 - 89%
B = 83 – 87%
B - = 80 – 82%
C+ = 78 – 79%
C = 73 – 77%
C- = 70 – 72%
D+ = 68-69%
D = 63% - 67%
D- = 60 – 62%
F = 59% and
below.
Italiano 3100 S2013
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 Universit y
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: Silvia Giorgini 475 Manoogian 313-577-3008 sgiorgini@wayne.edu
Italiano 3100 S2013
CALENDARIO DELLE LEZIONI
PRIMA SETTIMANA: Le relazioni di coppia



Meglio single che mal accompagnati? 1-p. 41
L’istituto del matrimonio è destinato a scomparire? 2- p. 67
La gelosia fa bene all’amore 2- p. 35
SECONDA SETTIMANA: Femminilità e femminismo


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La donna di oggi si realizza solo nella carriera? 1- p. 25
Il femminismo è un movimento che ha più ragione di esistere. 1- p. 53
Le donne sono più intelligenti degli uomini? 2- p. 51
Anche le donne devono fare il servizio militare? 1 – p. 69
TERZA SETTIMANA: Il nuovo millennio, nuovi modelli e stili di vita


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È immorale dire bugie? 2 – p. 27
È ammissibile il tradimento all’interno della coppia? 1- p. 33
Anche le coppie omosessuali hanno diritto di sposarsi e avere figli 2 – p. 59
QUARTA SETTIMANA: Politica, ideologia e consumismo



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I soldi fanno la felicità? 1- p. 17
Le buone maniere fanno parte di costume ormai sorpassati? 1- p.37
Gli ingaggi delle star dello sport e dello spettacolo sono eccessivi? 1 – p. 45
Bisogna chiudere l’ingresso agli extracomunitari? 1- p. 77
È giustificabile il crescent atteggiamento razzista? 2 – p. 63
P. Barki and P. Diadori, Pro e Contro 1. Conversare e argomentare in italiano- Livello
intermedio. (Bonacci Editore, 1997)
P. Barki and P. Diadori, Pro e Contro 2. Conversare e argomentare in italiano – Livello
intermedio-avanzato (Bonacci Editore, 1999).