Courses

Fall 2009 - Italian Course Descriptions

Italian 001 — Elementary Italian I

A - Block A - Elena Paolini
B - Block F - Isabella Perricone
C - Block H - Isabella Perricone
D - Block I - Constance Toth-Berindei
E - Block J - Patricia Di Silvio (incoming first-years only)

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.

Text: Federici and Riga, Ciao!: Textbook and Workbook/Laboratory Manual (Heinle).

Italian 002 — Elementary Italian II

A - Block D - Elena Paolini
B - Block G - Constance Toth-Berindei

A continuation of Italian 001. This course advances the study of basic grammar and vocabulary. Supplementary readings and films provide the cultural context for class activities and assignments. Conducted in Italian. Prerequisite: Italian 001 or consent.

Text: Federici and Riga, Ciao!: Textbook and Workbook/Laboratory Manual (Heinle).

Italian 003 — Intermediate Italian I

A - Block C - Giulia Po
B - Block D - Daniela Bartalesi-Graf
C - Block N - Paola Servino

Continued study of grammar and syntax with emphasis on more advanced structural principles. More extensive readings on cultural and literary topics and the viewing of an epic film in episodes will form the basis for class discussions and activities. 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 consent.

Texts: Moneti and Lazzarino, Da capo: Textbook and Laboratory Manual (Heinle); Dizionario inglese (Garzanti, coll. "I Garzantini").

Italian 004 — Intermediate Italian II

A - Block E+mw - Silvia Monteleone-Wasson

Through the study of authentic readings and films, the curriculum for Italian 004 focuses on Italian history and society from the Fascist era through the 1970's and continues the study of advanced grammatical structures. 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 consent.

Texts: Bartalesi-Graf, L'Italia dal fascismo ad oggi: Percorsi paralleli nella storia, nella letteratura e nel cinema (Guerra); Moneti and Lazzarino, Da capo: Textbook only (Heinle); Dizionario inglese (Garzanti, coll. "I Garzantini").

Italian 021 — Composition and Conversation I

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

This course aims to improve written and oral expression in Italian through the study of Italian history and society from the early eighties until today. Specific topics of current interest will also be studied, such as the phenomenon of the recent immigration and the Southern question. Emphasis on expanding vocabulary, reviewing advanced grammatical structures, learning to express and support opinions and improving analytical skills. Class discussions, oral presentations and debates, writing assignments and tests, and a final exam. Conducted in Italian. Prerequisite: Italian 004 or consent.

Texts: Bartalesi-Graf, L'italia dal fascismo ad oggi: Percorsi paralleli nella storia, nella letteratura e nel cinema (Guerra); Bailini and Consonno, I verbi italiani (Alma); Dizionario inglese (Garzanti, coll. "I Garzantini").

Italian 031 — Readings in Italian Literature I

Block E+mw - Laura Baffoni Licata

An introduction to Italian Literature from the Middle Ages to the seventeenth century, with emphasis on significant literary currents including the "Scuola siciliana," the "Dolce stil novo," Humanism, the Renaissance, and the Counter-Reformation. The course is intended to improve analytical skills and strengthen oral and written critical expression. Requirements include oral presentations, two exams, three short papers, and a final essay. Prerequisite: Italian 21 or 22, or consent of instructor.

Texts: Available at Schoenhof's: Pazzaglia, Letteratura italiana: dal Medioevo all'Umanesimo – Vol. I (Zanichelli); Alighieri, Vita nuova (Garzanti); Machiavelli, La mandragola (Einaudi); Available at Gnomon Copy: Reading Packet.

Italian 051 — Dante's Inferno (in English)

Block D+ - Vincent Pollina

Reading in prose translation (with facing Italian text), we shall follow Dante's voyage through the eternal kingdom of the damned. Major themes include the interplay of human time and cosmic time; of freedom and character; of history, ethics, and politics. We shall also see how such artists as Giovanni di Paolo, Botticelli, Blake, Flaxman, and Doré have rendered Dante's experiences visually. Class discussions; three exams. Occasional outside readings, including Dante's Vita Nuova, the tale of his new life in love. No prerequisites. Counts toward the Major in Italian Studies, the Minor in Italian, the Italian Culture Option, and the Interdisciplinary Minor in Medieval Studies; satisfies the Humanities or the Social Science requirement for Engineers.

Texts: Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy 1, Inferno: Italian Text with Translation by John D. Sinclair (Oxford). Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy, vol. 1, Inferno, Translated with a Commentary by Charles S. Singleton, pt. 1, Italian Text & Translation; pt. 2, Commentary (Princeton); 1 volume in 2 parts. Dante Alighieri, Vita Nuova: Italian Text with Facing English Translation by Dino S. Cervigni & Edward Vasta (Notre Dame).

Italian 191 — Political Ideology in the Italian Literary Tradition

Block K+ - Laura Baffoni Licata

Political ideology and patriotism emerge through the centuries as two of the most recurring and heart-felt themes in Italian literature. Although Italy was one of the last European countries to be politically unified in modern times, all through its history, some of its greatest writers have expressed deep political convictions, love of country over regional interests, and a desire to influence their compatriots toward a higher goal of a nation free of the dominations of foreign powers. The course will examine, through an in-depth analysis of the texts, the power of literary and political thoughts of several masters such as Dante, Machiavelli, Alfieri, Beccaria, Manzoni, Gramsci, amongst others, as it motivated the Italian people towards a national identity. Requirements include oral presentations, two exams, one paper, and one final research project. Class participation is essential. Prerequisites: Italian 31 and 32, or consent. Counts toward the Major in Italian Studies, the Italian Culture Option and the Minor in Italian. Counts also for the following IR requirements: Core Requirement 7b, Thematic Cluster 2a, Thematic Cluster 5.

Texts: Alighieri, Monarchia (Garzanti); Machiavelli, Il principe (Mursia); Beccaria, Dei delitti e delle pene (B.U.R.); Gramsci, Letteratura e vita nazionale (Einaudi); Available at Gnomon Copy: Reading Packet

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