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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 301-2"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Italian I"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2026
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Berenice Cocciolillo
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Placement into IT 301 through the JCU placement test, or IT 202 with a grade of C or above
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
Bellissimo! B2-C1A. De Marco, M. Palumbo, E. PaoneELI9788853624963  Hard Copy  
Gramm.it for English-speakersIacovoni-Persiani-Fiorentino Bonacci editore9788875734305  Hard Copy  
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 20%
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
Final oral examA dialogue based on vocabulary and skills acquired during the semester5%

-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.

Week 1 (January 20 - 22)

Introduction to the course.  

Review Past Tenses Indicativo: passato prossimo,  imperfetto, trapassato prossimo

In-class Self-evaluation test

Week 2 (January 27 - 29)

Reading about history and biographies

Grammar: passato remoto

Review and practice in class

Week 3 (February 3 - 5) 

Bellissimo. Unit I: “Sotto i riflettori”

In-class practice of vocabulary on cinema and writing about films.

Grammar: Adjectives, use and position in the sentence.

Vocabulary and Cultural Contents: Cinema, Italian cantautori

Composition 1 

 Week 4 (February 10 - 12)

Quiz 1 on Tuesday, February 10

Bellissimo. Unit 2: “Italiani all’estero”

Written Comprehension: Newspaper Article

Vocabulary: How to Expose Information and Data

Grammar: Present and Past Conditional

Vocabulary and Cultural Contents: “L’emigrazione italiana”

Week 5 (February 17 - 19)

Bellissimo. Unit 3: “Scienza tra passato e futuro”

Grammar: Review Subjunctive (dependent clauses)

Vocabulary: Science

Grammar: Subjunctive tense with congiunzioni

Cultural Contents: “Scienziati italiani: Margherita Hack and Ettore Majorana”

Week 6 (February 24 - 26)

Bellissimo. Unit 5: “Comunicazione e Media”

Vocabulary on Social Media

How to Express Opinions with connettivi. In-class Practice

Grammar: Verbi di opinione

Cultural Contents: Italians and Social Media 

Week 7 (March 3 -5)

Bellissimo. Unit 6:” Viaggi da Nord a Sud”

Vocabulary: Espressioni figurate ed espressioni idiomatiche in Unit 6

Grammar: Implicit tense: Present and Past Infinitive

Cultural Contents: “Le città italiane”

Quiz 2 on Thursday, March 5

March 9 – 13 Spring Break

Week 8 (March 17 - 19)

Review for Midterm

Midtem Exam on Thursday, March 19

Week 9 (March 24 - 26)

Bellissimo. Unit 7: “Cibo e identità” “Esprimere un’opinione con indicativo, infinito, congiuntivo”

Vocabulary: Food (Idiomatic expressions)

Cultural Contents: “Parla come mangi”

Grammar: Reinforcement- Concordanza del congiuntivo

Week 10 (March 31 – April 2)

Bellissimo Unit 8: “I mestieri del futuro”

Grammar: Implicite tense: il gerundio; Si impersonale. Forma impersonale

Vocabulary: Job Interview. Espressioni idiomatiche ed espressioni per scrivere una lettera di lavoro

Graded composition 2

Week 11 (April 7 - 9) 

Bellissimo. Unit 9: “Misurare le emozioni”

Grammar: Other Uses of Subjunctive; Indirect Tags

Vocabulary: Emotions and Feelings

Reading and Oral Comprehension; How to Summarize a Narrative Text

Cultural Contents: Scrittori italiani: Elena Ferrante; Emotional Intelligence

Week 12 (April 14 – 16)

Bellissimo. Unit 10: “Star bene con sé stessi”

Grammar: Conditional Sentences

Vocabulary: Health and Well-being

Oral presentations, April 16

Week 13  (April 21 – 23)

Bellissimo. Unit 10. Continue.

Grammar: Conditional Sentences; Implicit Tense - Participio

Vocabulary: Idiomatic Expressions

Quiz 3, April 23

Individual Activity due: see assignment on Moodle

Week 14 (April 28 - 30)

Oral Exams on Tuesday, April 28

Review for Final Exam

May 4-8 (Mon-Fri) Final Examinations