Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 302"
COURSE NAME: "Italian Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2019

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Anna Mauceri Trimnell
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 10:00-11:15 AM
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: by appointment

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.
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.

There is no set textbook for this course: the professor will provide adhoc materials on a lesson by lesson basis; therefore it is important to keep an organized folder!

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:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Participation		10%
2 take-home written compositions	Compositons on topics given by the Instructor.	15%
2 in-class writing tests		20%
midterm	In-class essay	25%
final	In-class essay	30%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AExcellent command of the language consistent with the level of proficiency. Appropriate command of textual structures, variety of lexis, register and idiom.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. Very good command of the language consistent with the level of proficiency, showing facility and very few errors. Ability to handle sentence structure naturally, and to demonstrate some awareness of stylistic variation.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited. Evidence of the ability to control the language for the purpose of effective communication, consistent with the level of proficiency. Work will be comprehensible; sentence structure will be very simple and grammatical and other errors will be frequent but not as serious to impede comprehension.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material. Little evidence of the ability to control the language for the purpose of making oneself understood. Little awareness of sentence structure and numerous grammatical and other errors.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. No evidence of the ability to control the language; failure to make oneself understood.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Regular attendance is an essential component of class participation. Students are allowed three (3) absences. Additional absences will lower the final grade (2 points for each absence) Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy. Make sure your travel plans do not interfere with class schedule. Should you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what was covered in order to be prepared for the next class. Make-ups: individual arrangements for make-ups will be done only for students with medical emergencies or any other valid reason. The midterm and the final exam cannot be made up without approval from the Dean (please see “Attendance” in John Cabot University Catalogue 2008-2010, p. 67).

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

Week 1
January 21, 23

Presentation of the course.
Level test.
The students who enroll in the course after the first week have to do the level test during the professor's office hours.

Week 2
January 28, 30

The clause, the sentence and the paragraph.
Text cohesion and coherence

Week 3
February 4, 6

Main characteristics of narrative texts.
Outline, structure and organization of a narrative text.

Week 4
February 11, 13, 15

FEBRUARY 15 MAKE UP FOR APRIL 22

Narrative texts. (Cont.)

Week 5
February 18, 20

Narrative texts. (Cont.)
In-class composition 1

Week 6
February 25, 27

Argumentative texts – ways of presenting a topic and expressing opinions
The main characteristics of argumentative texts.

Week 7
March 4, 6, 8

MARCH 8 MAKE UP DAY FOR MAY 1

Argumentative texts (cont.)

11-15 MARCH SPRING BREAK

Week 8

March 18,20

Argumentative texts (cont.)
Take-home composition 1 due

Week 9
March 25, 27

Practice for Midterm Exam
Midterm Exam

Week 10
April 1, 3

Descriptive texts.
Description from a subjective or objective perspective.

Week 11
April 8, 10

Descriptive Texts (cont.) Outline, structure and organization of a descriptive text.
In-class exercises.
Take home composition 2 due

Week 12
April 15,17

How to summarize a text

Week 13
April 24
In class composition 2.

Week 14
April 29

Revision.