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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 101-11"
COURSE NAME: "Introductory Italian I"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Elena Grillo
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 8:30 AM 9:45 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: This course carries 3 semester hours of credit.
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to give students basic communicative ability in Italian. By presenting the language in a variety of authentic contexts, the course also seeks to provide an introduction to Italian culture and society. Students work on all four language skills: speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course is designed to give students basic communicative ability in Italian. By presenting the language in a variety of authentic contexts, the course also seeks to provide an introduction to Italian culture and society. Students work on all four language skills: speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
This course is designed to give students basic communicative ability in Italian. By presenting the language in a variety of authentic contexts, the course also seeks to provide an introduction to Italian culture and society. Students work on all four language skills: speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Dieci_From novice low to novice highCiro massimo Taddeo Euridice OrlandinoAlma Edizioni9788861828094   La Feltrinelli Largo Torre Argentina 5/A 
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
TestsThe two tests are designed to evaluate the student's knowledge of the grammar, vocabulary coverd, their reading and listening comprehension and written ability.30%
Final ExamThe final exam is designed to evaluate the student's knowledge of the grammar and vocabulary covered,their reading and listening comprehension, and the written ability. 30%
Oral Exam The oral presentation will be in pairs and will take place at the end of the course. Further instructions are to be followed.20%
Class participation and HomeworkStudents are expected to come prepared to class and participate in all activities. Active participation is crucial since the learning process requires considerable practice. All homework assignments must be completed before class.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 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:

-A student may be absent from class for a maximum of two times without penalty. Each subsequent unexcused absence will result in a two-point reduction in the Final grade. Failure of the course will result from any number of unexcused absences exceeding five.

-Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused.

-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.

-Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Also, 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. 

-The Dean's Office will be responsible for excusing your absence. Please avoid sending me doctor's notes. 
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

1.

 

Unit 0

Lettere e

numeri

 

Unit 1

Primi

contatti

Alfabeto

  1. Buongiorno
  2. B. Di dove sei?
  3. Che cos’hai nella

Borsa?

  1. Può ripetere?

 

Textbook pp.19-27

 

The Alphabet

Subject Pronouns:

io,tu,lui,lei

Verbs: present tense of

Chiamarsi, essere,

avere (io,tu,lui/lei)

Singular adjectives (nationalities).

Singular nouns

Indefinite articles

Greetings

 

Introducing oneself

 

Introducing somebody

 

Ask questions in class

 

Register at the hotel

2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit 2

Persone e

Professio

ni

 

A.Studio italiano

B.Che lavoro fai?

C. Tre ragazzi di talento

D.Qual è il tuo

numero di telefono?

 

 

 

Textbook, pp. 37-45

 

Regular verbs ARE:

Singular forms

Prepositions: A, IN

Questions: Where, how many,

why, what

Fare: singular forms

Definite articles. Singular nouns/adjectives

Subject Pronouns (plural forms)

Regular verbs ARE: plural

To be, to have, to do:

Plural forms.

 

 

Saying one’s age

 

Telling the reasons why

You are studying

Italian

 

Talking about

professions and

workplaces

 

 

Making a personal

presentation

 

Enrolling in a language

course

3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit 3

 

Buon

appetito

 

  1. Al bar
  2. Che cosa

mangi?

 

 

Textbook, pp.55-63

 

Plural nouns

Regular verbs_ Ere:

present tense

 

Ordering at the bar

 

Indicating preferences

 

4.

 

Buon

Appetito_cont

 

  1. Al ristorante
  2. Vorrei prenotare un tavolo

 

Plural nouns

 

Singular adjectives

 

Anche /invece

 

Volere e potere:

present tense

 

Definite articles_plural

forms

Ordering at the

restaurant

 

Making a telephone reservation at

the restaurant

5.

 

 

 

 

Unit 4

Casa e Albergo

A. La casa

B. La casa in vacanza

C. Recensire un albergo

D: Chiedere assistenza

In albergo

 

 

Textbook pp.73-81

Regular verbs_ IRE

(I type)

Regular verbs_ IRE

(isc)

Andare e venire:

present tense

 

Nouns and adjectives_

plural forms

 

Molto/Poco_adverbs

 

Dovere: present tense

 

Describing a house

 

 

Describing

the services of a hotel

 

Reviewing a hotel

 

Asking for assistance

in a hotel

6.

 

5

Unit 5_

Spazio e

Tempo

 

 

 

A. La città

B. Lo spazio

C. La strada

D. Vorrei tre biglietti

 

Textbook pp.91-99

C’è/Ci sono (There is/

There are)

 

Molto_Adjective

 

Prepositions of spatial relations

 

Ci vuole/ci vogliono

 

Ordinal numbers from

First to tenth.

 

Combined prepositions.

 

Clock Time

 

Describing a city

 

Indicating the position

of something in space

 

Understanding and giving directions

 

Asking and telling

the time

 

Boooking a guided tour

7.

 

5

Spazio e

tempo

 

REVIEW FOR MIDTERM

EXAM

 

 

MIDTERM EXAM

 

 

 

8.

 

 

Unit 6

Parliamo

di me

 

A. Le mie abitudini

 

 

Textbook pp.109-117

At what time?

 

Riflexive verbs_

present tense

 

Irregular verbs_Uscire

 

Adverbs of Frequency

 

 

Describing daily

routines

 

Indicating

the frequencies of

events

 

Talking about free time a

activities

 

 

 

 

9.

 

6.

Parliamo

di me

 

B. Mi piace

C. Non mi piace

D. Usciamo

venerdì sera

 

The verb piacere and indirect object pronouns:

MI/TI/GLI/LE

 

The days of week +

articles

I gior

 

Express likes and

dislikes

 

Scheduling an

appointment with a

friend

10.

 

 

Unit 7

Italia da

scoprire

A. Partire

B. Un racconto

di viaggio

 

 

Textbook pp. 127-135

The locative meaning

of CI.

 

Past tense_Passato prossimo with essere and avere

 

Regular and irregular

past participles.

Describing the weather

 

Inquiring about a trip

 

Talking about a vacation

11.

 

Test II

7

Italia da

scoprire

 

 

C. Una vacanza speciale

D. Saluti e baci

 

Days and dates

Expressions of time

 

Telling past events

 

Indicating the date

 

Writing a post card

12.

 

Unit 8

Tradizioni e famiglia
  1. Facciamo festa
  2. Feste popolari

 

Textbook 145-153

The adverbs Prima di/

Dopo di +nouns

 

Mai (never) with

Passato Prossimo

Possessive adjectives

 

Talking about holidays

 

Talking about plans for holidays

13.

 

 

8

Tradizioni e famiglia

 

 

Oral Exam

 

 

C. La famiglia

D. Tanti auguri

 

 

 

Possessive adjectives with family members

 

 

Describing a family

 

Describing phisycal

aspect and personality

 

Giving greetings

14.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review for Final Exam