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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 301-1"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Italian I"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Federica Capoferri
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Placement or IT 202 or permission of the instructor (As of Fall 2022: Placement or IT 202 with a grade of C or above or permission by the Instructor)
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to move students forward toward advanced proficiency in Italian language. The course will reinforce students’ oral, writing, listening, and reading skills, while refining grammar structures studied in previous levels. Contemporary literary and journalistic texts, films and film excerpts, newspaper articles and other multimedia materials will acquaint students with central elements of Italian culture and traditions, while individual and group activities drawn from real-life contexts will give them the opportunity to integrate their knowledge and skills through experience.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Through article readings, film and video viewings and listening to contemporary songs, the course explores different aspects of Italy today. Grammatical consolidation of language structures related to C1 level is supplemented with in-depth cultural awareness of the links between language, culture and society.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completing this course, students should possess an advanced proficiency in Italian language. In particular, students should be able to:

  • Discuss a variety of topics using complex grammatical structures, correct syntax, and appropriate vocabulary;
  • Understand the main ideas of complex texts:
  • Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity with native speakers;
  • Produce clear, detailed texts on a wide range of subjects;
  • Recognize various styles and registers and distinguish between spoken and written usage.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Il nuovo utile e dilettevole- Volume B2-C2 T. Anna Pellegrino, Elettra ErcolinoLoescher9788858341612     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
   
Class Participation and HomeworkStudents are expected to come prepared to class, and participate in all activities (individual, small groups, whole class works etc.). Active participation is crucial, since the learning process requires considerable practice. Participation also includes cooperation among students, and sharing doubts or ideas about homework, class assignments or new topics that were studied. Self-study is crucial to reinforce what learned in class and to be ready to move on to different and new topics. Homework will be assigned at the end of each session, and will be visible on Moodle. More than 3 assignments missed will result in a 0 in this percentage of your grade.15%
2 Tests. No make up, no exceptionsTwo in-class tests on grammar, communicative functions, and cultural topics studied in class. NO MAKE UP. Shold you have serious and documented reasons to miss the class, the percentage of the test you missed (10% each) will be moved on your final).15%
Oral Presentation10 minutes presentation on a topic previously approved by the Instructor5%
Two in-class composition, NO MAKE UPIn-class composition of 250 words (ca) on a given topic. 30 minutes. As for the test, should you have documented reasons to not be able to be in class, the percentage of the missed composition will be moved on your final exam.10%
Final ExamIn-class cumulative exam on grammar, communicative functions, cultural topics covered in the semester. It will assess your listening and reading skills, your writing, your grammar proficiency, as well as your cultural understanding of contemporary Italy. 25%
   
Midterm ExamIn class-exam on grammar, reading, writing, and cultural knowledge.20%
AttendanceMore than 3 absences will result in a 0 for this portion of your grade. 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:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
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 to the schedule

Homework assignments and readings will be posted daily on Moodle.

Friday Make-Up: February 7

 

Week 1 (Jan. 20-22)

Introductions - Placement test/In-class writing activity: "About Me"

Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 1:  Passato e trapassato remoto

Week 2 (Jan. 27-29)

 Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 1, cont.; Unità 8: Articoli e preposizioni

Week 3 (Febr. 3-5-7)

Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 2: La concordanza dei tempi - indicativo

Febr. 5: In-class composition 1

Friday Make-Up

 Week 4 (Febr. 10-12)

 Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 3: Condizionale

Condizionale semplice e composto/usi del condizionale

Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 9: Nomi, aggettivi e avverbi

Febr 12: Test 1

Week 5 (Febr. 17-19)

Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 3, cont.

Il congiuntivo

Week 6 (Febr. 24-26)

Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 4: Congiuntivo

Ripasso forme del congiuntivo/uso del congiuntivo

 Week 7 (March 3-5)

Midterm Review

March 5: MIDTERM EXAM

 March 10-14 (Mon-Fri) Spring Break

Week 8 (March 17-19)

Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 5: La forma passiva

Week 9 (March 24-26)

Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 6: Il periodo ipotetico

Il periodo ipotetico della realtà/possibilità/irrealtà

March 16: In-class composition 2

Week 10 (March 31-April 2)

Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 7: Modi indefiniti

Week 11 (April 7-9)

Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 10: Pronomi relativi

April 9: Test 2

Week 12 (April 14-16)

Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 11: discorso diretto e indiretto

Oral Presentations

Week 13 (April 23) 

Oral Presentations

Week 14 (April 28-30)

Final review  

 

May 5-9 (Mon-Fri) Final Examinations