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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 201-4"
COURSE NAME: "Intermediate Italian I"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2026
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Angela Eliseo
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Placement into IT 201 through the JCU placement test, or IT 102 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS: M/W 2 pm
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A continuation of IT 102. This course focuses on consolidating the student’s ability to use Italian effectively. Emphasis is given to grammar review and vocabulary expansion. Selected readings and films acquaint students with contemporary Italy.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Italian 201, which is conducted solely in Italian, is designed to review and study in-depth the following grammar points:

pronomi personali diretti, indiretti e combinati, aggettivi comparativi e superlativi, indicativo imperfetto e passato prossimo; trapassato prossimo, futuro, condizionale presente e passato, imperativo, verbi impersonali, aggettivi e pronomi indefiniti.

Class discussion is an important part of the course and participation is necessary to determine the final grade.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completing this course, students will possess the ability to:

  • Understand written and spoken Italian at the intermediate level
  • Participate in conversations on a variety of topics using present, past, conditional, future and some subjunctive tenses
  • Ask for and obtain information
  • Express opinions, feelings, needs, approval and disapproval
  • Comprehend the general meaning and details of intermediate level texts.
Produce brief texts on a variety of topics using present, past, future, conditional, imperative.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Il nuovo affresco italiano B1Trifone, Sgaglione Mondadori - Le Monnier9788800807142  Hard Copy  
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Tests (2)Tests evaluate vocabulary and structures learned together in class, on Moodle, or by self-study.10 %
Midterm ExamThe Midterm Exam is designed to evaluate the student's knowledge of the grammar and vocabulary covered up to this point, their reading and listening comprehension and written ability.20 %
Oral Proficiency One Presentation (10%); one Oral Exam (10%)20%
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 on different and new topics. Homework will be assigned at the end of each session, and will be visible on current Moodle Week at the label called "Homework". Possible types of Homework: writing or recording on Moodle Forum, answering questions in the Moodle assignment activity, work on specific exercises on the online grammar book, listening practice, specific online exercises, reading, writing sentences or vocabulary lists. The activity completion and the login activity will be tracked by the platform.15 %
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%
Compositions (2) 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 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:
Students are supposed to come prepared to class and participate in all activities. Active 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. The final grade will be lowered for additional absences.

Students seeking an exemption from attendance must submit an online petition to the Academic Dean’s Office. Professors should not receive or see medical documentations from students. 

Two late entrances count as one absence.

The Midterm and Final Exam can only be made up with approval from the Dean of Academic Affairs  (Please see the John Cabot University Catalogue and Student Handbook).

FLRC
The JCU Foreign Language Resource Center offers tutoring sessions free of charge. The FLRC is located on Lungotevere Raffaello Sanzio 8 C. (Il Foglio), 1st floor. To schedule an appointment with a tutor (or a writing coach for upper-level courses), please use the online booking system.
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 19, 21)

Handouts

Introduction to the course; Hai mai…? Sei mai…?

Grammar and Structures – Review of reflexive verbs, passato prossimo, adverbs of frequency, the verb piacere, and indirect object pronouns

Week 2 (January 26, 28)

Handouts “Un viaggio in Italia”; Unit 1 “Andiamo in Italia”

Grammar and Structures – Passato prossimo with pronouns; review of direct object pronouns

Week 3 (February 2, 4, 6 – Friday is a make-up day)

Unit 2 “La famiglia di ieri e di oggi”

Writing and telling a story in the past. Reading about Italian families and traditions

Grammar and Structures – Trapassato prossimo; review of passato prossimo and imperfetto

Week 4 (February 12, 14)

Review

TEST 1 on Wednesday

Week 5 (February 16, 18)

Handouts

Grammar and Structures – Indefinite adjectives and pronouns

Week 6 (February 23, 25)

Unit 3 “Come passi il tempo libero?”

Asking for a favor, asking for permission, expressing wishes, and talking about free time

Grammar and Structures – Present conditional

Composition 1 due on Wednesday

Week 7 (March 2, 4)

Review

MIDTERM EXAM on Wednesday

Spring Break (March 9–13)

Week 8 (March 16, 18)

Unit 4 “Tutti a tavola!”

Talking about food, cooking, and regional traditions

Grammar and Structures – Double object pronouns; pronouns ci and ne

ORAL EXAM 1 on Wednesday

Week 9 (March 23, 25)

Unit 5 (part) “Attenti alle regole”

Giving directions, advice, and instructions; talking about rules and different behaviors

Grammar and Structures – Informal imperative with pronouns

Week 10 (March 30, April 1)

Unit 6 “La società italiana”

Talking about the future; making promises and plans

Grammar and Structures – Simple future tense; prepositions of time da, tra, fra

Week 11 (April 8)

Unit 7 “Senti che musica!”

Making comparisons; expressing personal tastes and preferences

Grammar and Structures – Adjectives, comparatives, and superlatives

Composition 2 due on Wednesday

Week 12 (April 13, 15)

Review

TEST 2 on Wednesday

Week 13 (April 22, 24)

Unit 11 “Visitiamo le città italiane”

Grammar and Structures – Relative pronouns

Week 14 (April 27, 29)

Review

ORAL EXAM 2