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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 201-2"
COURSE NAME: "Intermediate Italian I"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2018
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Federica Capoferri
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 6:00-7:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Placement, IT 102, or IT 103 (As of Fall 2022: Placement or IT 102 with a grade of C or above)
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A continuation of IT 102. This course focuses on consolidating the student’s ability to use Italian effectively. Emphasis is given to grammar review and vocabulary expansion. Selected readings and films acquaint students with contemporary Italy.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Italian 201, which is conducted solely in Italian, is designed to review and study in-depth the following grammar points:

·         Review: Present Perfect and Present Perfect with Modal Verbs

·         Review: Imperfect Tense 

·         Present Perfect Vs. Imperfect 

·        Past Perfect Tense

·         Conditional Tense

·        Review: Future and Futuro di Probabilità (Simple and  Perfect)

·         Review: Direct, Indirect, and Reflexive Pronouns

·         Pronouns Ci and Ne

·         Combined Pronouns

·         Informal Imperative with Pronouns

·         Pronominal Verbs

·         Impersonal Tense with "SI"

·         Relative Pronuns (che, cui, chi)

·         Comparative and Superlative Forms 

·         Indefinite Adjectives and Pronouns 

·         Introduction to Subjective  Verbs. Present Subjective.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completing this course, students will possess the ability to:
  • Understand written and spoken Italian at the intermediate level
  • Participate in conversations on a variety of topics using present, past, conditional, future and some subjunctive tenses
  • Ask for and obtain information
  • Express opinions, feelings, needs, approval and disapproval
  • Comprehend the general meaning and details of intermediate level texts.

Produce brief texts on a variety of topics using present, past, future, conditional, imperative.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Grammar.itIacovoni, Persiani, Firoentino Bonacci Editore9788875734395     
Percorso Italia, B1/B2Patota- Romanelli Garzanti 9788848040426     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
2 tests The two tests are designed to evaluate students on: grammar, vocabulary, reading and writing skills. 20%
Midterm ExamIn-class Exam composed of the following parts: 1) listening comprehension 2) grammar and vocabulary 3) reading comprehension; 4) brief composition. 25%
Final examCumulative exam divided in the following sections: 1) grammar 2) vocabulary in the context 3) listening comprehension 4) reading comprehension 4) brief composition. 25%
oral proficiencyIn-class oral activities and presentations. Students are examined singularly and in pairs or small groups. The types of tests are: conversation between the two students or the small groups, monologues, role playing. The multiplicity of situations and the request to express personal opinions increases from the elementary level to the advanced level. Conversations, monologues and role playing are elicited by visual stimuli or questions from the instructor. A short oral-exam will be held the last day of class.10%
Class Participation /AttendanceClass Participation /Attendance Because of the interactive nature of this course, and the focus on in-class learning, consistent attendance is a crucial course requirement, not an option. More than 2 absences will result in a 0 for this portion of students’ grade. Students who are advised to go to the Tutoring Center (FLRC, Tiber 2nd floor) are expected to follow the Instructor’s advise. All students are encouraged to participate to the Italian Conversation Tables. Eletronic devises are strictly prohibited in class. Please, turn off your cell phones. Students distracted by their eletronic devises will be considered absent. 10%
2 written compositionsTwo written texts of increasing length, formality and complexity on topics of every day life, personal feelings, impressions, experiences, and opinions of common and social interest. 10%10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

More than 2 absences will result in a 0 for this portion of students’ grade. Late arrivals (more than 5 minutes) will count as an absence. 

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE (Please note that the Instructor might make changes to the schedule)

Make-up Days: Sept. 21 (for Nov. 1), November 9th (for Nov. 22).

Week 1 - Sept 4,6     

Introduction to the Course.
Review: Present Perfect and Present Perfect with Modal Verbs

 Week 2 - Sept 11,13

Review: Present Perfect Vs. Imperfect
Past Perfect.
Direct, Indirect, and Reflexive Pronouns. (Pronomi diretti, indiretti, riflessivi)

 Week 3-- Sept. 18,20,21

Review: Direct, Indirect, and Reflexive Pronouns.   
Pronouns CI and NE
Pronominal Verbs.

Sept. 21: QUIZ 1- NO MAKE UP

 Week 4  -- Sept. 25,27  

Combined Pronouns
Informal Imperative (imperativo informale)

 Week 5 -- Oct. 2

Informal Imperative with Pronouns
OCT. 4: No Class

   Week 6 -- Oct 9,11

Composition 1 due.
Simple Future- Futuro di Probabilità (with Simple and Perfect Future)
Group Oral Presentations on a topic assigned but the Instructor.

 Week 7--Oct. 16, 18



Review and Practise for MIdterm
Oct. 18: Midterm Exam

  Week 8 -- Oct 23,25

Present Conditional
Impersonal verbs (verbi impersonali)

   Week 9  -- Oct. 30 

 Relative Pronouns 
Nov. 1: No class                                                            

 Week 10 -- Nov. 6,8,9

Comparative and Superlative- 
Indefinite Adjectives and Pronouns 
Italian Film with in-class activities

  Week 11 --Nov. 13,15,16

Indefinitive Adjectives and Pronouns. Continue.
Nov. 15: QUIZ 2
Nov. 16: Field Trip at Piazza Vittorio

  Week 12-- Nov. 20 

Introduction to Subjunctive (Il Congiuntivo)
Nov. 22: No Class

  Week 13 -- Nov. 27,29     

 Composition 2 Due
 Present Subjective
Nov. 29: Oral Presentations
 
 Week 14, Dec. 4,6
Review
Oral Exams