Department of Foreign Languages
http://foreignlanguages.hss.kennesaw.edu/
ITALIAN 1001
Introduction to Italian Language and Culture I
SPRING 2013
INSTRUCTOR & COURSE INFORMATION:
Course/Section
ITAL 1001-01
ITAL 1001-02
ITAL 1001-03
ITAL 1001-04
ITAL 1001-05
ITAL 1001-06
ITAL 1001-07
Day/Time
MW
9:30-10:45
MW
11:00-12:15
MW
12:30-1:45
TR
9:30-10:45
TR
11:00-12:15
TR
12:30-1:45
MW
3:30-4:45
Classroom Instructor
WH 129
R. Creekmur
WH 129
R. Creekmur
SO 1020
M. Muddei
WH 129
M. Muddei
WH 129
M. Muddei
WH 217
A. Gasparini
UC 202
V. Di Pietro
Office
PS
247
PS
247
PS
221
PS
221
PS
221
PS
209
PS
209
E-mail
rcreekmu@kennesaw.edu
rcreekmu@kennesaw.edu
mmuddei@kennesaw.edu
mmuddei@kennesaw.edu
mmuddei@kennesaw.edu
agaspari@kennesaw.edu
vdipietr@kennesaw.edu
Italian Program Coordinator: Dr. Santini, fsantini@kennesaw.edu
Please ask your instructor for day/times for office hours.
An Italian Tutor will be available in the FLRC; hours will be announced in class.
The CHSS Undergraduate Advising Center is open for advising:
http://www.kennesaw.edu/hssadvising
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
Introductory Italian I. Prerequisite: ENG 0099 and READ 0099; no prior study of Italian or
less than one year of high school Italian. Major emphasis is on the development of aural-oral
skills; reading and writing skills are developed through the use of dictation, lab exercises and
compositions. Not open to native speakers of Italian.
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GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the fundamentals of spoken and
written Italian. All four skills (listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing) will
be stressed. Since Italian 1001 is a basic course, vocabulary acquisition is particularly
important. Students will also be exposed to the geography and cultural aspects of Italian
culture.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
1. Avanti! Beginning Italian, Aski-Musumeci, 2nd edition.
2. Quia Online workbook (the pass-code is included with the textbook package if you
purchase your book new at the KSU bookstore, otherwise it can be bought separately
through the “Avanti!” website at www.mhcentro.com An introduction to Quia and
instructions on how to register will be offered during the FLRC orientation on the
first week of class.)
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
This course will contribute to the attainment of the following general (GSLO) and specific
(SSLO) student learning outcomes of the B.A. in Modern Language & Culture (ML&C):
ML&C GSLO 1: LANGUAGE, LINGUISTICS, & COMPARISONS
Learners are proficient in using the target language, are familiar with the target language
system, and seek opportunities to further develop their skills and knowledge. (Knowledge,
Skills, Attitudes)
ML&C SSLO 1a: Demonstrating Language Proficiency
Learners demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the target language, and they seek
opportunities to strengthen their proficiency. (Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes)
To address this outcome, learners will:
- develop speaking skills by communicating in the target language, narrating and
describing current events. Upon completion of ITAL 1001, learners are expected to
be at the Novice-Mid level on the ACTFL scale.
Assessment:
 in-class pair and group activities
 classroom presentation(s)
 oral exam
- develop listening skills (such as listening for the gist and/or for specific information)
by listening to their instructor and classmates and to recordings and videos.
Assessment:
 in-class listening activities
 listening activities in QUIA
 listening section of tests
 listening components the final exam
- develop writing skills by writing narratives of present events and dialogues related
to everyday situations. Upon completion of ITAL 1001, learners are expected to be at
the Novice-Mid level on the ACTFL scale.
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Assessment:
 In-class and at home writing assignments
 writing section of tests
 writing section of the final exam
- develop reading skills by reading brief texts of all kinds, including excerpts form
newspaper and magazine articles, brief excerpts from literary works, web pages, and
realia.
Assessment:
 in class reading activities
 in-class and at home reading assignments
 reading section of tests
 reading components in the final project
ML&C SSLO 1b: Understanding Linguistics
Learners know the linguistic elements of the target-language system, recognize the
changing nature of language, and accommodate for gaps in their own knowledge of
the target-language system by learning on their own. (Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes)
To address this outcome, learners will:
Discuss and reflect upon the rules that govern the formation of words and sentences
in the target language. Study the grammar, pronunciation and syntax of target
language, applying them when communicating in the target language.
Assessment:
 accurate use of target forms in classroom activities, homework
assignments, grammar and writing sections of tests and of the final
project
ML&C SSLO 1c: Identifying Language Comparisons
Learners know the similarities and differences between the target language and other
languages, identify the key differences in varieties of the target language, and seek
opportunities to learn about varieties of the target language on their own.
(Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes)
To address this outcome, learners will:
Contrast and compare target language with native language.
Assessment:
 accurate use of target forms in speaking and writing classroom
activities, tests and in the final project
ML&C GSLO 2: CULTURES & LITERATURES
Learners know the literature and culture of the target language countries. They use this
knowledge to interpret and reflect upon the perspectives of the target culture in relation to its
practices and products. (Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes)
ML&C SSLO 2a: Demonstrating Cultural Understandings.
Learners demonstrate that they understand the connections among the perspectives of
a culture and its practices and products. (Knowledge, Skills)
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To address this outcome, learners will:
Reflect upon the practices and products of the target culture by discussing, reading
and investigating issues related to the target culture. Work with realia that are
representative of different cultural aspects of the target culture.
Assessment:
 Cultural components in homework assignments, classroom activities,
classroom presentations; active participation in class discussions;
culture section of tests and of the final project
ML&C SSLO 2b: Demonstrating Understanding of Literary and Cultural Texts
and Traditions.
Learners recognize the value and role of literary and cultural texts and use them to
interpret and reflect upon the perspectives of the target cultures over time.
(Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes)
To address this outcome, learners will:
Read and discuss brief excerpts from literary and cultural texts of all genres in the
target language.
Assessment:
 Cultural components in homework assignments, classroom activities,
classroom presentation(s); active participation in class discussions;
culture section of tests and of the final project
TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE (Subject to change as necessary):
WEEK
TOPICS TO BE COVERED
Week 1
DATES
(by week,
Mon.-Sun.)
Jan. 9-13
OTHER INFORMATION
Week 2
Jan. 14-20
Ch. 1
Week 3
Jan. 21-27
Ch. 1
Week 4
Jan. 28-Feb. 3
Ch. 1
Week 5
Feb. 4-10
TEST 1, CH. 1
Ch. 2
Quia Ch. 1 due
Week 6
Feb. 11-17
Ch. 2
Composition 1 assigned
Week 7
Feb. 18-24
Ch. 2
Week 8
Feb. 25-Mar. 3
Week 9
Mar. 4-10
TEST 2, CH. 2
Ch. 3
SPRING BREAK, NO CLASSES
Introductions, communicative activities
Monday Jan. 21: Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day, No
Class
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Quia Ch. 2 due
Week 10 Mar. 11-17
Ch. 3
Mar. 13:
Last Day to Withdraw
Without Academic
Penalty
Week 11 Mar. 18-24
Ch. 3
TEST 3, CH. 3
Quia Ch. 3 due
Week 12 Mar. 25-31
Ch. 4
Composition 2 assigned
Week 13 Apr. 1-7
Ch. 4
Week 14 Apr. 8-14
Ch. 4
Oral test on Ch. 4 (skits)
Ch. 5
Week 15 Apr. 15-21
Ch. 5
Week 16 Apr. 22- 28
Ch. 5
Week 17 Apr. 29-May 1
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Quia Ch. 4 due
Quia Ch. 5 due
Wednesday, May 1st:
Last Day of Classes
FINAL PROJECTS:
The final project will be a comprehensive, creative project targeted to assess linguistic,
cultural and cultural skills. Guidelines will be posted and discussed two weeks prior to the
end of the semester. Please check the Registrar’s Website for scheduled dates of finals. Your
instructor will confirm the deadline for the final project in class. Failure to turn in the final
project at the time scheduled will result in a final grade of “F”. Exceptions to this policy must
be requested in writing by the student, endorsed in writing by the instructor, and approved, in
writing, by Department Chair. Requests must be submitted two weeks prior to the end of
the current semester.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student Code of
Conduct as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. Section II of the Student
Code of Conduct addresses the University’s policy in academic honesty, including provisions
regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to University materials,
misrepresentation/falsification of University records or academic work, malicious removal,
retention, or destruction of library materials, malicious/intentional misuse of computer
facilities and/or services, and misuse of student identification cards. Incidents of alleged
academic misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the University
Judiciary Program, which include either an “informal” resolution by a faculty member,
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resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a student
to the Code of Conduct’s minimum one-semester suspension requirement.
DISABILITY POLICY:
Kennesaw State University provides program accessibility and reasonable accommodations
for persons identified as disabled under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. A number of services are available to help the
disabled. Students must visit the office of Disabled Student Support Services (770-423-6443)
and arrange an individual assistance plan. In some cases, certification of disability is
required.
FINAL COURSE GRADE:
The course grade for Italian 1001 will be determined as follows:
Three (3) Tests @ 15% each
Two (2) Compositions @ 5% each
One (1) Oral Ch. Test
One (1) Oral Presentation
Homework and Assignments
One (1) Final Project
Total
45 %
10 %
5%
10 %
10 %
20 %
100 %
Grading Scale: 100-90% = A; 89-80% = B; 79-70% = C; 69-60% = D; 59 and below = F
Reminders:
All tests are cumulative, i.e. they cover all material discussed to date.
Students are responsible for all announcements and assignments made in class, even if not
listed on the syllabus. Students must find out if any announcements or assignments were
made in class during their absence.
GENERAL EXPECTATIONS:
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Students are expected to attend all classes, to arrive on time and to remain in class for
the entire one hour and fifteen minutes. There are no “excused” absences; for each
absence in excess of two, one point will be deducted from the student’s final grade
average. In other words, a student may miss two class meetings without penalty.
Classes will start on time. If a student is habitually late, the instructor reserves the
right to determine if a tardy constitutes an absence.
Class time will be used to develop all four basic skills (listening comprehension,
speaking, reading comprehension, and writing) and culture. However, a special
emphasis will be put on speaking. Students are expected to study and practice at
home as part of their daily preparation.
All assignments, whether written or oral, are to be finished by the time class begins.
No late homework will be accepted. Emergencies will be handled on an individual
basis.
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



No make-up tests or assignments will be given. A grade of “0” will be assigned for all
work not turned in or any tests not taken. Emergencies will be handled on an
individual basis.
All compositions must be one page, double-spaced. They may be hand written (if
legible) or typed. Students may not use a translator program in writing compositions.
Furthermore, no compositions or other work should be written or edited for a student
by a native speaker of the target language, by a tutor or student assistant in the
Foreign Language Resource Center, or by any other individual.
Before each test, students are required to spend at least 1 hour working by
themselves or with a tutor in the FLRC (hours should be recorded on the FLRC
form. See the last page of this syllabus for further instructions).
Oral presentation grades will be given based on group role-play. Groups will consist
of 2-3 students with an assigned scenario. Each student will say a minimum of 15
lines. Lines may not be read. Props are encouraged. Groups have the option to film
themselves and show the video to the class or to perform the skit in class.
Please silence all cell phones and any other potentially disruptive noise makers when
you arrive in class.
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF SPEAKING:
The objective is for the student to communicate a comprehensible spoken message. The
question the instructor must answer is: does the message the student is attempting to
communicate make sense? These criteria are designed to help determine the
comprehensibility of the student's message.
• Vocabulary (is it appropriate for this level and is the student able to use it in context?)
• Fluency (is the delivery so slow and halting that it interferes with comprehension, or is it
beginning to be smoother and more like normal speech even though utterances may be quite
brief?)
• Accuracy (although speech may not be error free, is it correct enough to make sense, to be
understood by individuals accustomed to dealing with non-native speakers of the target
language?) Elements to be considered under the category "accuracy" are control of verb
tenses appropriate to this level and comprehensibility. Speech that interferes with
comprehensibility of the message should be penalized.
• Pronunciation (is pronunciation accurate enough so as not to interfere with comprehension
by an individual accustomed to dealing with non-native speakers of the target language?)
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF WRITING:
The objective is for the student to communicate a comprehensible written message. The
question the instructor must answer is: does the message the student is attempting to
communicate make sense? These criteria are designed to help determine the overall
comprehensibility of the student's message:
• Content (is the argument, or content, clearly defined? Are ideas connected, clearly
presented in a logical, straightforward manner and supported by examples where
appropriate?)
• Vocabulary (does the student demonstrate appropriate use of vocabulary in context for this
level of language learning?)
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• Organization (does the writing sample present ideas and a conclusion in a logical sequence
that clearly indicates how one idea leads to the next? Are transitional devices used
appropriately for this level of study? In other words, does the writing sample have a clearly
stated theme, perhaps even a thesis statement, as well as a beginning, middle and end?)
• Accuracy (does the student demonstrate an appropriate use of grammar at this level of
language learning?)
BONUS POINTS:
Students can earn extra bonus points by completing cultural activities and/or lab
activities.
A. Cultural activities:
Earn 1 bonus point by attending three different cultural events related to Italian culture and
writing a brief account of the experience (200 words minimum per event). Suggestions for
cultural events include:
At Kennesaw:
FLRC Italian movies
Participation in the weekly Italian Table
Activities organized by the KSU Italian Club, such as general meetings, film nights,
bake sales, etc.
In the community:
Attending Italian events held at other universities or at venues such as museums,
restaurants, etc. in the Atlanta area.
Exploring the Web to learn more about the Italian-speaking world. Ask your
instructor for suggestions.
Watching Italian movies.
B. Participation in the weekly Italian Table (for each 3 scheduled meetings to which you
participate actively, you will receive 1 point; make sure to sign in with the table host, Prof.
Creekmur).
C. FLRC activities:
Earn 2 bonus points by spending 10 hours for point in the Foreign Language Resource
Center. YOU ARE REQUIRED TO SPEND ONE HOUR IN THE FLRC BEFORE
EACH SCHEDULED TEST. THESE HOURS CAN BE COUNTED TOWARDS
EXTRA-CREDIT.
Suggestions for lab activities include:
Working with a tutor
Reading an Italian magazine
Working on the Avanti! website
Working on Quia
Exploring Italian culture online
Note: Tell Me More language learning software in Italian is now available in the FLRC lab.
Ask one of the student tutors or the lab coordinator to check it out for use at one of the
computers in the lab.
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Each time you visit the lab, record on the FLRC form how long you have been working. A
FLRC tutor, the coordinator or the director must sign the form each time. That form will be
due on the day of the final if you want to receive the bonus point(s).
You will receive 1 point (1% added to the final grade) for every 10 hours logged in the
Multimedia Center or for every 3 cultural activities (please present documentation
and/or narratives to your instructor) at the END of the semester, for a maximum of 3
points (3% added to the final grade).
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