Courses

Spring 2008 - Italian Course Descriptions

Italian 001 - Elementary Italian I

A - Block D - Silvia Monteleone Wasson
B - Block E - Giulia Po
C - Block F - Isabella Perricone

Development of basic language skills. Introduction to fundamental grammatical structures with emphasis on speaking, listening comprehension, and elementary writing assignments. Conducted in Italian. No prerequisites.

Italian 002 - Elementary Italian II

A - Block A - Elena Paolini
B - Block C - Elena Paolini
C - Block G - Constance Toth-Berindei
D - Block I - Constance Toth-Berindei
E - Block N - Paola Servino

A continuation of Italian 001. This course advances the study of basic grammar and vocabulary. Readings and films will provide the cultural context for class activities, oral presentations, and compositions. Conducted in Italian. Prerequisite: Italian 001 or equivalent.

Italian 003 - Intermediate Italian I

A - Block C - Giulia Po
B - Block H - Elena Paolini

Continued study of grammar and syntax with emphasis on more advanced structural principles. More extensive readings on cultural, social, and literary topics and viewing of films and videos will form the basis for class discussions and written work. Students are required to register for a recitation section that consists of a weekly 40-minute conversation group. Conducted in Italian. Prerequisite: Italian 002 or equivalent.

Italian 004 - Intermediate Italian II

A - Block F+(tr) - Silvia Monteleone Wasson
B - Block G+ - Daniela Bartalesi-Graf

Through the study of authentic readings and films, the curriculum for Italian 004 focuses on post-World War II Italian history and society from the Fascist era through the 1970’s. The course is designed to improve writing and conversational skills and to reinforce the basic linguistic knowledge acquired in Italian 001-003. Class discussions, oral presentations and debates, written assignments and tests, and a final exam. Conducted in Italian. Prerequisite: Italian 003 or equivalent.

Italian 004-WW - Intermediate Italian II Writing Workshop

Wednesday 12:00-12:50 - Daniela Bartalesi-Graf

Students will use writing as a means to become more deeply engaged in the readings and films, develop critical thinking, and improve their writing and discussion skills in Italian. No extra graded work will be assigned. The workshop will provide the opportunity to map ideas for compositions, engage in peer discussion of drafts, and have individual conferences with the instructor. The writing workshop requires an extra 50 minutes of class time each week, and in recognition of the extra time commitment, a record of participation will appear on the student's transcript. This course may be taken only in conjunction with Italian 004 A or B.

Italian 022-A - Composition and Conversation II

A - Block E+mw - Daniela Bartalesi-Graf
B - Block J+ - Patricia DiSilvio

Focus on aspects of Italian culture, history, and social issues through the reading of a contemporary novel, short stories, and selected articles. Emphasis on expanding vocabulary, reviewing advanced grammatical structures, and improving analytical skills. Course work includes oral and written assignments, films, and exams. Conducted in Italian. Prerequisite: Italian 004 or 021, or consent.

Italian 022-WW - Composition and Conversation II Writing Workshop

Block Jm - Patricia Di Silvio

This workshop will pay special attention to students' analytical skills in Italian by emphasizing the planning and revision stages of writing. Students will use writing as a means to deepen their understanding of the course materials in an informal, interactive, and small group setting. No extra graded work will be assigned. The writing workshop requires an extra 50 minutes of class time each week, and in recognition of the extra time commitment, a record of participation will appear on the student's transcript. This course may be taken only in conjunction with Italian 022 A or B.

Italian 32 - Readings in Italian Literature II

Block K+ - Laura Baffoni Licata

An introduction to Italian literature from the 18th to the 20th centuries, with emphasis on significant literary currents and genres. Authors include Goldoni, Leopardi, Manzoni, Verga, Pirandello, Ungaretti, and Calvino. Three short papers, two exams, and one final research paper. Conducted in Italian. Prerequisite: Italian 21 or equivalent.

Italian 52 - Dante's Purgatorio and Paradiso (*in English)

Block D+ - Vincent Pollina

Reading in prose translation (with facing Italian text), we shall follow Dante's journey up the mountain of Purgatory and then through Heaven's spheres. Hope is the guiding force within the Purgatorio; the Paradiso strives to depict a realm that lies beyond the reach of human words. Class discussions, one 6-to-7-page paper, and two exams. Occasional outside readings, as assigned. No prerequisites. (N.B.: No prior course on the Inferno is required.) Counts toward the Major in Italian Studies, the Minor in Italian, the Italian Culture Option, and the Interdisciplinary Minor in Medieval Studies; satisfies the Related Field requirement for French and Spanish majors and the Humanities or the Social Science requirement for Engineers.

Italian 75 - Italian Film (*in English)

Block 6 (T 1:30-4:00) - Isabella Perricone

An excursion through the works of the masters of Italian cinema from World War II to the 1980’s. The importance of Neorealism in Italian culture as depicted in films by Roberto Rossellini and Vittorio De Sica and the Italian reality of the 1960's as seen through films by Federico Fellini and Michelangelo Antonioni. Lectures, readings, and class discussions will enable students to spot different directorial and acting styles. Examination of Italian studios and producers as well as of Italian screenwriters and their work methods. Oral presentations, two short papers (3-4 pages), one exam, and one final paper (8-10 pages). Films shown with English subtitles. No prerequisites.

Italian 94 - Independent Study (*in English)

ARR - Members of the Department

Guided individual study of an approved topic in Italian literature or civilization. Variable credit. No more than one credit in an Independent Study may be counted toward the Major in Italian Studies or the Minor in Italian. Prerequisite: consent. To register for an Independent Study, see the Department Administrator.

Italian 121 - Advanced Italian Language: Italian Women's Images and Voices

Block E+mw - Laura Baffoni Licata

Through an in-depth analysis of written and spoken Italian, the course will focus on the study of the contemporary language with emphasis on idiomatic usage and styles of expression. Readings in both critical and fictional prose will explore women's images and voices in Italian culture, society, and literature. Review of grammatical difficulties through translation exercises. Intensive exercises aimed at building vocabulary. Three short papers, two exams, and a final project. Active class participation is essential. Prerequisites: Italian 21 and 22, or consent.

Italian 121-WW - Writing Workshop

Wednesday 12:00-12:50 - Laura Baffoni Licata

Students choosing the writing workshop option should register for Italian 121WW. The writing workshop component, which students can elect to take as a small section in addition to regular class meetings, will be devoted to learning through writing. The workshop will use writing as a means to become more deeply engaged with the texts and to develop analytical and critical thinking skills. Students in this section will not have extra graded work but will use in-class informal writing to help in thinking out questions related to the course material, while engaging in peer discussions of drafts, revisions, and individual conferences with the instructor. For formal research papers, the workshop will pay attention to the early stages of finding a topic and working on drafts and revisions. This course may be taken only in conjunction with Italian 121.

Italian 194 - Independent Study (in Italian)

ARR - Members of the Department

Guided individual study of an approved topic in Italian literature or civilization. Variable credit. No more than one credit in an Independent Study may be counted toward the Major in Italian Studies or the Minor in Italian. Prerequisites: two courses above Italian 22 and consent. To register for an Independent Study, see the Department Administrator.

Italian 199-BT - Honors Thesis (Spring Semester)

ARR - Members of the Department

Open to qualified students. Variable credit. Prerequisites: Italian 31 and 32 and consent. To register for an Honors Thesis, see the Department Administrator. Once the topic has been approved by the Chair, the thesis must be registered in the Office of the Dean of the Colleges.

Back to top.