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Wayne State University, College of Liberal Arts and Science
Classical and Modern Languages, Literatures, and Culture
487 Manoogian Hall
Detroit, MI 48202
Tel: (313) 577-3002
________________________________________________________________________
Italian 3200 Syllabus
WINTER 2014
Instructor: Silvia Giorgini-Althoen
Tel: 313-577-3002
Office Hours: M/W 11:10-12:40 pm and by apt.
Course schedule: M/W 9:35-11:00 am
Section #: 001
Office: Manoogian 475
E-mail: sgiorgini@wayne.edu
Location: Mano 205
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Buonanno E (2007) La meglio gioventù (The Best of Youth)- Edizioni Farinelli
Additional Readings posted on Bb
Cavatorta G – Tognozzi E (2012) Ponti: Italiano terzo millennio – Third Edition, Heinle,
Cengage Learning
(Ebook, Rental or Single Chapters purchase options are available online). Instructions
will be communicated on the first day of class and posted on Bb.
REQUIRED MATERIAL:
An Italian/English pocket dictionary
Notebook to use as Glossary of difficult words or phrases
RECOMMENDED TEXTS:
Melzi R– The New International Webster’s Italian and English Dictionary
COURSE WEBSITE: http://blackboard.wayne.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION: ITA 3200 is an Advanced study of Italian grammar, phonetics,
and syntax in the context of an examination of Italian society. The course will be task
and content-based and incorporates grammar in a functional use of language through a
detailed study of contemporary movies and readings.
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
This course takes a holistic approach to language proficiency and recognizes the
complex interrelatedness of comprehension and comprehensibility, vocabulary usage,
language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. Students will
explore culture in both contemporary and historical contexts.
Spoken and Written Interpersonal Communication
Audio, Visual, Audiovisual and Written Interpretive Communication
Spoken and Written Presentational Communication
LEARNING OUTCOMES
This course is designed to expose students to 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.
Throughout this course students continue to develop their listening, speaking, reading
and writing skills in Italian through cultural and literary readings, music, films, media and
classroom activities.
Listening
Determine main idea, details, and format/outline of a listening passage
Identify specific information
Distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information
Speaking
Give presentations on personal opinions, experiences, articles and or news for
five or seven minutes alone, in pairs or in small groups
Give examples and explanations of various topics with appropriate, topic-specific
vocabulary
Reading
Increase reading speed and vocabulary
Identify main idea(s) in a reading passage
Skim and scan texts efficiently for details
Make inferences, draw conclusions, and predict; distinguish fact from opinion
Writing
Brainstorm, narrow a topic, outline an essay
Organize a short essay (narration, exposition, comparison-contrast)
Use new vocabulary
Use correct subject-verb agreement
Combine sentences by punctuation
Recognize and use all verb tenses accurately most of the time
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ASSESSMENT POLICY
Students are evaluated frequently through active learning activities and exercises during
class time. There are formal and informal writing assignments, formal and informal
speaking evaluations, class presentations, observed group activities, essays, and a group
final project. Prior to assigning an assessment task, students are given rubrics with
which they see the performance criteria used to evaluate their work.
GRADING:
Grading for this class will be determined according to the following percentages:
Class participation
Homework
Presentations
Final project
20% of the final grade
25% of the final grade (it includes film viewing,
projects, readings and related exercises)
25% of the final grade
30% of the final grade
Class participation 20%
It is essential that you come to each class meeting on time having prepared and reflected upon
the assigned material; the success of the course depends on your inquisitiveness, preparedness,
and critical relationship with the material and your classmates.
This part of your grade will be based on attendance (after two absences, each additional
absence will lower your participation grade by one full letter grade); on your active participation
in discussions, both in class and online; on homework assignments; and on your preparedness.
Please note: cell phones and laptops are generally not permitted in class; you should not write
text messages or emails during class!
The "A" student (9-10 points): initiates and maintains interaction with fellow students and the
instructor, shows leadership in group activities, almost never uses English, asks questions in Italian
whenever possible, communicates clearly and accurately, is always prepared.
The "B" student (8-9 points): shows willingness to participate, cooperates fully, answers readily when
called upon, elaborates somewhat on answers, occasionally resorts to English, usually communicates
clearly but less accurately, is almost always prepared.
The "C" student (7 points): passively participates, tends to use English, especially in small groups, gives
minimal answers, makes strong efforts to communicate but frequently lacks accuracy, is sometimes
unprepared.
The "D" student (6 points): participates grudgingly, requires frequent reminders to participate in Italian,
speaks mostly English, has difficulty communicating clearly and accurately, generally does not contribute
to group activities, may frequently be unprepared.
The "F" student (0-5 points): is frequently unprepared, may be disruptive or disrespectful, does not
participate in activities, rarely uses Italian.
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Homework 25%
Video Viewing (HW): You ARE REQUIRED to watch the sequences AHEAD OF CLASS TIME.
During class time we’ll go over the homework, and discuss grammar and cultural aspects
ensuing from the movie. “The best of youth” will be online at the FLTC. Go to
http://www.media.langlab.wayne.edu/; Type:
User Name: sylvia
Password: GoRg1n
(It is alphabet ‘o’ and not Zero)
Film Viewings (with related exercises), and readings are part of your homework
assignments. Late homework is not accepted without a documented excuse. Late
homework with documented excuse must be turned in within 2 days from the day you
return to class for full grading. 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. PRINT/AUDIOVISUAL
INTERPRETIVE AND SPOKEN PRESENTATIONAL MODES
Presentations 25%
“I migliori anni della nostra vita”: The movie La meglio gioventù covers the recent
history of Italy from the 60’s through the year 2000. So there will be a total of 4
presentations, one per each historical period. For these presentations/projects you will
either:
1) Write a short paper/script (1-2 pages) highlighting the main
historical/cultural/political events and people of the period;
2) Make a short video with the cultural/political information you collected (max 10
minutes);
3) Find a song, a person, a book that “identifies” the spirit of the period and explain
to the class the reason why you think it does.
You can work alone or in a group of maximum 3 people, if working in groups, discuss
with the instructors the roles each one of the participant should be responsible for.
PRINT/AUDIOVISUAL INTERPRETIVE AND SPOKEN PRESENTATIONAL MODES
FINAL PROJECT 30%
It is a talk show similar to “Che tempo che fa”
(http://www.chetempochefa.rai.it/dl/portali/site/page/Page-72d4d3e5-a5e7-4f5db4ce-da70ead94dac.html) in which you research a topic of your choice related to Italy
or Italian culture from our class material. You will prepare/write/and conduct an
interview with a relevant character/or a historical event related to what we did in class.
The interview’s roles and topics are due immediately after the break (March 17th). You
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must work in pair or in a group of max 3 people. Each one of you will have definite roles:
Researcher/Interviewer/Interviewee. Each student will write a research paper in Italian
on the topic to submit for correction THREE WEEKS BEFORE THE FINAL PRESENTATION.
You will create an interview based on your research paper and then perform it live (OR
you can record a video in the studio in FLTC) for 10-15 minutes on the day of the final.
Your performance will be video-taped. A draft of the script should be sent to the
instructor TWO WEEKS BEFORE the final presentation, for editing and suggestions. If I
don’t receive a draft before the deadline, a 5-point deduction will be applied to the final
grade. PRINT/AUDIOVISUAL INTERPRETIVE, WRITTEN AND SPOKEN PRESENTATIONAL
MODES
For the PRESENTATIONS and FINAL PROJECT you will be graded on the accuracy and
fluency of the written and spoken production. Therefore, 40% of the grade of the Oral
and the Final Project will be on the written work and 60% on the oral presentation.
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.
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):
Attendance to 5 meetings organized by the Circolo italiano
Attendance to the Italian film screenings with written report
1 point to be added to the participation column or homework column (as per
agreement with your instructor, max.10 points):
Activities agreed upon with your instructor and turned in by the deadline decided by
your instructor.
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
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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.
Italian Conversation Group
The Circolo Italiano will meet on Wednesdays from 3:30 until 4:30 in the General Lecture
Building (Italian room) starting with the second week of class. For more information contact
your instructor.
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 coordinators: Irma Booker (ap3023@wayne.edu)
and Raffaella Medoro (ap0717@wayne.edu).
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Cultura e Politica nell’Italia Contemporanea
W 2104
ITA 3200
Sett. Giorno
1
Attività
1/6
Leggiamo e commentiamo il sillabo
L’Italia – Cosa sappiamo dell’Italia? Verità e stereotipi
Leggiamo “Giuro”
1/8
Guardiamo il monologo relativo all’articolo di Saviano
http://youtu.be/oLHZCFDqTx4 - 9 minuti
Lavoriamo sul testo dell’articolo/monologo di Saviano
Riguardiamo adesso il monologo: quale differenza tra il testo
scritto e quello parlato?
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1/13
Consegnare il testo argomentativo su “Giuro”.
La trama del film “La meglio gioventù”
La prima sequenza insieme
1/15
Osserviamo singolarmente le tre sequenze e completiamo gli
esercizi di comprensione. Ripasso dei pronomi.
LAST DAY TO DROP 1/17
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1/20
1/22
UNIVERSITY CLOSED
Consegnare il testo informativo e commentiamo le letture fatte.
Lavoriamo sulla quarta sequenza
Per Casa
Finire di leggere/rileggere
“Giuro”
Durante la lettura:
identificare le parole e/o
idee chiave dei paragrafi
Cosa ho imparato da
questo articolo/monologo?
Scrivete un breve testo
argomentativo* di almeno
100 parole
Portare il libro “La meglio
gioventù”
Guardare le prime tre
sequenze fatte in classe
Fare gli es. C a pag.12-13; a
pag. 21-22 e a pag. 28-29
PONTI: I pronomi-Cap. 4;
pag. 101-105
Leggere le letture D a
pagina 13,23 e 29.
Scegliere uno degli
argomenti delle letture e
scrivere un breve testo
informativo*
Cominciare la ricerca per la
prima presentazione sugli
Anni 60.
Riguardare la quarta
sequenza facendo gli
esercizi B e C pagina 33-35
PONTI: Il passato
prossimo- Cap. 2 pag.39-44
Preparare la PRIMA
PRESENTAZIONE SUGLI
ANNI 60
8
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PRIMA PRESENTAZIONE: GLI ANNI SESSANTA
Leggere la lettura a pagina 37
rispondendo alle domande
Attività
Riguardiamo la quarta sequenza completando gli esercizi di
comprensione e ripassando il passato prossimo.
Commentiamo la lettura di pagina 37
Guardiamo la quinta sequenza e commentiamo
Per Casa
Riguardare la quinta
sequenza e fare gli es. C
Pag.42-44
PONTI: l’imperfetto – Cap.
2 pag.46-48
2/3
Riguardiamo la quinta sequenza completando gli esercizi di
comprensione e ripassando l’imperfetto
Leggere la lettura a pagina
44 rispondendo alle
domande.
2/5
Commentiamo la lettura.
Guardiamo la sesta e settima sequenza facendo gli esercizi di
comprensione
Riguardare la sesta e
settima sequenza e fare gli
esercizi
Esercizi C pag. 49-51;
pag56-58
PONTI: Il
comparativo/superlativoCap. 1 pag. 9-20
Le preposizioni: Cap. 3
pag.72-80
COMINCIARE A
PREPARARSI PER LA
PRESENTAZIONE SUGLI
ANNI 70
2/10
Riguardiamo la sesta e settima sequenza finendo gli esercizi e
ripassando I comparativi/superlativi e le preposizioni
Lettura a pagina 51 e 57
2/12
Commentiamo le letture
Guardiamo la ottava e nona sequenza facendo gli esercizi di
comprensione.
Riguardiamo la ottava e nona sequenza, finiamo gli esercizi e
ripassiamo il futuro e il condizionale.
Riguardare la ottava e nona
sequenza
E fare gli esercizi C pag. 6263 e pag.67-68
PONTI: il futuro e il
condizionale- Cap. 7 pag.
186-190 e pag. 192-195
PREPARARSI PER LA
SECONDA PRESENTAZIONE
2/17
2/19
SECONDA PRESENTAZIONE: GLI ANNI 70
Guardiamo la decima e undicesima sequenza facendo gli esercizi
di comprensione. Lettura: pag. 76 & pag. 83
1/27
Sett.
1/29
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6
7
Letture a pagina 63 e 69
Riguardare la decima ed undicesima
sequenza.
Esercizi C pag. 75-76 & 82-83
PONTI: L’imperativo – Cap. 4 pag.
107-110
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Sett.
8
2/24
9
10
Attività
Riguardiamo le due sequenze e ripassiamo l’imperativo, I pronomi
e gli aggettivi possessivi.
Per Casa
PONTI: Scrittura di lettere
informali e formali p. 116 e
144
COMINCIARE A
PREPARARSI PER LA TERZA
PRESENTAZIONE ANNI 80
Riguardare la dodicesima e
tredicesima sequenza.
Esercizi C pag. 89-90 & 9697
PONTI: rip Il congiuntivo:
Cap. 8, il congiuntivo pag.
215-225 (senza esercizi,
solo la spiegazione)
PREPARARSI PER LA TERZA
PRESENTAZIONE
2/26
Commentiamo e scriviamo in classe una lettera formale ed una
informale.
Guardiamo la sequenza dodicesima e tredicesima facendo gli
esercizi di comprensione
3/3
TERZA PRESENTAZIONE – ANNI 80
Leggere le lettura a pagina
91 e pag. 97. Rispondere
alle domande
3/5
Riguardiamo le sequenze in classe e ripassiamo gli usi del
congiuntivo. Guardiamo le sequenze quattordicesima e
quindicesima e facciamo gli esercizi di comprensione
E ripassiamo la concordanza dei tempi del congiuntivo.
Riguardare le due sequenze
e fare gli esercizi C pag.
102-104 & pag-110-112
PONTI: La concordanza dei
tempi nel congiuntivo
Cap. 9 pag, 249-250
3/103/15
SPRING BREAK– UNIVERSITY CLOSED
3/17
Riguardiamo insieme le ultime tre sequenze del film, facendo gli
esercizi di comprensione e commentiamo il film
PONTI: Cap. 7= pronomi relativi
Cap. 10 = il passivo e l’impersonale
Prepare and send title of
Final Project
Finire di guardare il film e
fare le letture a
Leggere almeno 2
recensioni in italiano su
questo film
3/19
PONTI: Cap. 11 il discorso diretto e indiretto pag. 304-311
Pag. 318: come scrivere una recensione, preparazione in classe.
Osserviamo e commentiamo le varie recensioni lette
Jesica?
COMINCIARE A
PREPARARSI PER L’ULTIMA
PRESENTAZIONE ANNI 90
Scrivere un breve dialogo e
trascriverlo passando dal
discorso diretto a quello
indiretto
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Sett.
11
3/24
3/26
12
13
14
3/31
Attività
Visita di Jesica
Correggiamo i dialoghi e parliamo ancora del discorso diretto e
indiretto. Vediamo esempi da libri e trasformiamo insieme
ULTIMA PRESENTAZIONE – GLI ANNI 90
Cosa pensano del programma “Che tempo che fa?”
“Piero e Mina” p. 79. Cominciamo a leggere insieme.
4/2
Discussione sull’articolo letto e dibattito sull’eutanasia
4/7
Leggiamo e commentiamo alcuni dei testi scritti.
Cominciamo a leggere “La meravigliosa abilità del Sud” p. 111
4/9
Discussione sull’articolo e dibattito sul conflitto Nord e Sud
4/14
Leggiamo “La bustina di Minerva” di Umberto Eco
http://espresso.repubblica.it/dettaglio/a-che-serve-ilprofessore/1576007
Parliamo dei “professori”
FINAL PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
LAST DAY OF CLASS – FINAL PROJECT PRESENTATIONS
4/16
4/21
Per Casa
PREPARARSI PER L’ULTIMA
PRESENTAZIONE
Guardare alcuni spezzoni di
“Che tempo che fa” su Rai 3
COMINCIARE A
PREPARARSI PER IL
PROGETTO FINALE
Finire di leggere “Piero e
Mina”
Scrivere un breve testo
argomentativo
sull’eutanasia (almeno 100
parole)
Finire di leggere “ La
meravigliosa abilità del
Sud”
Send Research Paper
for correction