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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "IT 322"
COURSE NAME: "Sociolinguistics: A Changing Language In a Changing Society"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2025
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Anna Mauceri
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: IT 302
OFFICE HOURS:
by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course aims to analyze the interrelation between language and society in contemporary Italy. If we can say that Italian is the national language of Italy, it is not realistic to say that all Italians have always spoken just Italian or the same Italian. The history of the Italian language, in fact, shows how the process of it becoming the unitary language has been slow and how language still varies in time, social, situational and geographic space. The course will try to give an up to date account of linguistic diversity, social variation, special codes and language varieties in the Italian society and in the context of linguistic interaction between Italian and dialect, and between Italian and English within Italy. The course will be conducted entirely in Italian.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
If we can say that Italian is the national language of Italy, it is not realistic to say that all Italians have always spoken just Italian or the same Italian. The history of the Italian language, in fact, shows how the process of it becoming the unitary language has been slow and how language still varies in time, social, situational and geographic space. Firstly, the course will give an overview of the process of “Italianization”, which determined the diffusion of Italian throughout Italy. This overview will be from a socio linguistic perspective, examining political and historical developments. Then, emphasis will be placed on the analysis of the following:
- The distinction between written and spoken language.
- The relationship between language and dialects.
- Communicative and linguistic choices by speakers in relation to social roles and status.
- The influences of English on the Italian language and vice versa. For this section the emphasis will be placed on lexis, examining the adoption and adaptation of words, the difference in meanings from the original language and the battle against the foreign words from fascism to today.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
This course is designed for students with a good knowledge of Italian but little or no previous knowledge of linguistics. The student will learn about the function of Italian within Italian society and how diverse socio, economic, demographic and geographic groups interrelate with the language. By the end of the course the student will be able to distinguish the main differences between the most important varieties of Italian and enlarge his or her knowledge of the lexis and grammatical structure of contemporary Italian.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Le varietà dell'italiano contemporaneo | Silvia Ballarè, Ilaria Fiorentini, Emanuele Miola | Carocci editore | 9788829022397 | | | Hard Copy | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Attendance and class participation | | 15% |
| In-class quizzes | 5 Short quizzes | 25% |
| Final Exam | A cumulative in-class exam | 25% |
| Oral presentation | Oral presentation of the final project | 15% |
| Final project | | 20% |
-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 cou
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:
Students are expected to come prepared to class and participate in all activities. Regular attendance is an essential component of class participation. Students are allowed 3 absences, every unjustified absence thereafter will result in the lowering of the grade.
Please be aware that three late arrivals into class equal one absence, and that three early departures from class equal one absence.
When you miss a class, you are expected to find out what was covered that day and what assignments are due for the next class.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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Weeks 1-2
Presentation of the course.
Historic overview. The spread of spoken Italian from unification to today.
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Hand out |
Short Quiz 1
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Week 3
How do the Italians speak?Standard Italianand and Neo-standard Italian
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Ballarè, Fiorentini, Miola, Le varietà dell'italiano contemporaneo Cap. 1 e 2
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Week 4-5
Standard Italianand and Neo-standard Italian (cont.)
Italian as L2. The acquisition of the Italian language by foreigners.
The impact of English on the Italian language
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Hand-out
Ballarè, Fiorentini, Miola, Le varietà dell'italiano contemporaneo Cap. 10
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Short Quiz 2
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Week 6
The main Sociolinguistic concepts: Linguistic communities, repertoires, varieties, and registers. Communicative competence.
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Hand- out |
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Week 7-8
The main Sociolinguistic concepts: Linguistic communities, repertoires, varieties, and registers. Communicative competence (cont.)
The model of the Linguistic variation
Discussion about possible final projects
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Hand-out
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Short Quiz 3
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Week 8
Diatopic variation.
Variation according to geographic location.
Language and dialect: The regional varieties of the North, the Centre and the South.
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Hand-out
Ballarè, Fiorentini, Miola, Le varietà dell'italiano contemporaneo Cap. 3
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Weeks 9-10
Diamesic variation. Variation in a language according to the medium of communication.
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Hand-out
Ballarè, Fiorentini, Miola, Le varietà dell'italiano contemporaneo Cap. 7
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Short Quiz 4
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Week 11-12
Diastratic variation.
Variation according to social class or social group
The Italian of ‘uneducated’ people, jargon, gender specific Italian, the language of young people.
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Hand-out
Ballarè, Fiorentini, Miola, Le varietà dell'italiano contemporaneo Cap. 4, 5, 6
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Week 13
Diaphasic variation. Variation across degrees of formality (i.e. Italian during a business lunch versus Italian during a dinner with friends).The language of special uses.
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Hand-out
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Short Quiz 5
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Week 14
Review
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Oral presentations
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