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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 301-2"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Italian I"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Berenice Cocciolillo
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 1:30 PM 2:45 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: MW 3:00-4:00 pm and by appointment
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:
Topics of discussion will reflect various aspects of modern Italy as well as current events. It is very important that students come well prepared to speak in class. This involves not only reading assignments carefully but also planning in advance comments or questions about the material. 
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 B2-C2T. Anna Pellegrino and Elettra ErcolinoLoescher9788858341612  Hard CopyFeltrinelli, Largo di Torre Argentina 5/A 
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, 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 is learned in class and to be ready to move on to new topics. Homework will be assigned and made available on Moodle after each class session. 10
Oral presentationOne oral presentation (with a vocabulary list)10
QuizzesThere will be three quizzes on grammar and vocabulary. Please note that there will be no make-up quizzes given. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped if you take all three. If you miss one, that will be the one to be dropped.25
Midterm Exam 20
Final Exam 25
Graded compositions (2) 5
Individual Activity in ItalianOne activity in Italian about Italian culture/society, different for each student, with a short written report in Italian. Topics will be discussed during the first part of semester.5

-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 class.
BThis is a highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference 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:

Active class participation is crucial since the learning process requires considerable practice. Regular attendance is an essential component of class participation. Students are allowed three unjustified absences. Additional absences will lower the class participation grade considerably. 


Make sure your travel plans do not interfere with the class schedule. If you should miss a class, please contact another student to find out what was covered that day so that you will be prepared for the next class.

DURING CLASS, PLEASE DO NOT:
- leave the room as it is distracting to the professor and to your classmates;
- answer your cell phone, read or send text messages;
- use your computer for anything not related to the class (e.g. Instagram)
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 SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE PROFESSOR’S DISCRETION. 

Homework assignments and readings will be posted daily on Moodle.

Please note that there is one Friday makeup day: February 7

January 20 - 22
Introductions - Placement test/In-class writing activity: "About Me"
Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 1: Passato e trapassato remoto

January 27 - 29
 Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 1, cont.; Unità 8: Articoli e preposizioni

February 3 - 5 - 7 (Friday, February 7 is a makeup day for Monday, April 21 holiday)
Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 2: La concordanza dei tempi - indicativo

February 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

Quiz 1: February 10

February 17 - 19
Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 3, cont. 

February 24 -26
Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 4: Congiuntivo
Ripasso forme del congiuntivo/uso del congiuntivo

March 3-5
Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 4, cont.

Midterm Review 

Midterm: March 5

March 10 - 14 SPRING BREAK

March 17 - 19
Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 5: La forma passiva 
Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 6: Il periodo ipotetico
Il periodo ipotetico della realtà/possibilità/irrealtà

March 24 - 26
Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 7: Modi indefiniti
Quiz 2: March 26

March 31 - April 2
Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 10: Pronomi relatvi  

April 7 - 9
Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 11: discorso diretto e indiretto 

April 14 - 16
Oral presentations
Il nuovo utile e dilettevole Unità 6: Correlazione temporale e modale

April 23
Quiz 3

April 28 - 30
Final review   

May 5 - 9 Final Exams