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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 302"
COURSE NAME: "Italian Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2018
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Federica Capoferri
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 11:30-12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Placement or IT 301 or permission of the instructor (As of Fall 2022: Placement or IT 301 with a grade of C or above or permission by the instructor)
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
In this course students will be guided through a variety of types of writing and styles (e.g., journalistic, business and professional, essay). Although mainly designed for advanced non-native speakers, the course may also be taken by native speakers who wish to improve their writing skills. Students will reinforce their knowledge of grammar and syntax, as well as develop vocabulary. In addition, students will learn fundamental writing techniques, such as organizing ideas, selecting examples, drawing conclusions, and using the appropriate style for the given genre or mode of discourse.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course has both theoretical and practical components in order to improve the ability of the student to analyze written texts, recognize their different typologies, summarize the topics and use the new vocabulary and the structures studied. On the basis of extensive analysis of a variety of texts, students practice advanced reading and writing skills. Studying elements of advanced grammar and syntax will improve the accuracy of the student’s writing. Working on different typologies of text will develop the student’s ability to analyze, summarize and discuss the topics in the reading texts.
The work on the readings also introduces new vocabulary and part of the course is dedicated to the practice of choosing the most appropriate words. The composition assignments will address different genres of writing, including (but not limited to): blogs, short stories, articles, and reviews.
Work in class also provides the opportunity to check and develop accuracy in critical areas such as spelling, punctuation, and the difference between written and spoken registers.
 The class is given in a workshop format, and student participation is essential to its success. In order to follow the structure of the course and reach the goals, students must follow the timetable of the readings and writings assigned as homework.
Students will work both in groups and individually. Work in class and at home will include summaries, synopses, writing and re-writing, peer reviewing, and related research.

All written assignments must be typed.
Make sure you have time to print them out before class.
Late papers will be penalized (10% each day)
Format for assignments written at home:
Typewritten on standard (A4) paper
Double-spaced to leave room for corrections
Paragraphs indented but no extra spaces between them
Name and date in the top left corner of the first page
Title centered over the essay, capitalized. 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completing this course, students will possess the ability to:
--Distinguish the different typologies of the texts, understand and summarize the topics.
--Apply the structures necessary for the production of both creative and practical texts.
--Produce different type of texts using complex syntax, appropriate expressions and precise, not vague, vocabulary.
--Use different registers of Italian, in relation to the text chosen and to their own personal and professional needs
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Affresco italiano C1.M. Trifone-A. Filippone-A.SgaglioneLe Monnier978-88-00-20850-5     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Homework Students are responsibile to turn in their homework each class (at the beginning of it). Any late submission will lower your grade of 2 pts). 20%
2 take-home written compositions Compositions on topics given by the Instructor. NO late assignments (for each day of delay, 2 points will be taken off from the grade).10%
2 in-class writing testsIn-class compositions on a given topic.10%
MidtermIn-class essay20%
Final ExamCumulative exam aimed to assess all the language skills, as well as the grammar proficency. It will include: 1)oral exam 2) reading comprehension 3) listening comprehension 4) writing 20%
Class Participation 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 cours
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 classes missed will result in a F for this portion of your grade.
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

Please note that the Instructor can make changes

Week 1:
Introduction to the course. Presentation of the textbook. "Warming-up" in-class writing exercises.
Introduction to descriptive texts. 

Week 2 :
Descriptive text. Affresco italiano: Unit 2 "Linguaggi tecnici e testi burocratici".
Grammar: Subordinate Clauses

Week 3:
Text Cohesion: In class exercises.
Affresco italiano. Unit 3: La lingua dell'arte, della medicina e dell'economia".
Take-home composition 1 (due next week): "Descrizione di un'opera d'arte italiana".

Week 4:
Affresco italiano. Unit 3.
Introduction to argumentative texts.

Week 5:
Feed-back on  home composition 1. In class re-writing.
Argumentative texts. Affresco italiano. Unit 4: "Notizie fresche di stampa"
Grammar: subordinate clauses-

Week 6:
Oral presentation and written summary of an article taken from an Italian newspaper (recent issue)-
In-class composition 1

Week 7:
Argumentative texts- continue Unit 4. Practise on handouts.
Practise for Midterm Exam

Week 8:
Midterm Exam
Introduction to narrative texts. Affresco italiano. Unit 1: "Pagine di letteratura"

Week 9:
Narrative Texts. Affresco italiano. Unit 1. Exercises on literary texts
Take-home composition 2 (due first lesson of next week): "Recensione e commento di un libro"-

Week 10:
Italian movie (TBA). Discussion and in-class exercises.

Week 11:
In-class revision of take home composition 2.
Affresco italiano: Unit 5: "Parole da palcoscenico".

Week 12:
In class composition 2.
Affresco italiano. Unit 5

Week 13:
In-class revision composition 2
Affresco italiano: "Dubbi linguistici"

Week 14:
Review and practise for the Final Exam.