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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 301-1"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Italian I"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2026
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Federica Capoferri
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 6:00 PM 7:15 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:
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:
Through article readings, film and video viewings and listening to contemporary songs, the course explores different aspects of Italy today. Grammatical consolidation of language structures related to C1 level is supplemented with in-depth cultural awareness of the links between language, culture and society.
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-C1 Livello intermedio superiore - avanzato - Quadro Comune Europeo di Riferimento B2-C1. Libro dello studente con eserciziario + CD AudioA. De Marco, M. Palumbo, E. PaoneELI9788853624963     
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 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 to different and new topics. Homework will be visible on Moodle. More than 3 assignments missed will result in a 0 in this percentage of your grade.15%
2 Tests. No make up, no exceptionsTwo in-class tests on grammar, communicative functions, and cultural topics studied in class. NO MAKE UP. Shold you have serious and documented reasons to miss the class, the percentage of the test you missed (10% each) will be moved on your final).15%
Oral Presentation10 minutes presentation on a topic previously approved by the Instructor5%
Two in-class composition, NO MAKE UPIn-class composition of 250 words (ca) on a given topic. 30 minutes. As for the test, should you have documented reasons to not be able to be in class, the percentage of the missed composition will be moved on your final exam.10%
Final ExamIn-class cumulative exam on grammar, communicative functions, cultural topics covered in the semester. It will assess your listening and reading skills, your writing, your grammar proficiency, as well as your cultural understanding of contemporary Italy. 25%
   
Midterm ExamIn class-exam on grammar, reading, writing, and cultural knowledge.20%
AttendanceMore than 3 absences will result in a 0 for this portion of your grade. 10%

-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:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
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. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. 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. The final exam period runs until ____________
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

Introduction to the course.  

Review Past Tenses Indicativo: Perfect Past, Imperfect, and Plusperfect

In-class proficiency test.

Bellissimo. Unit I: “Sotto i riflettori”

Grammar. Continue Review Past Tense Indicativo

Vocabulary and Cultural Contents: Cinema, Italian cantautori

Interview with Carmen Consoli: in-class activities.

 

WEEK 2

In-class practice of vocabulary on cinema.

Grammar: Consecutio temporum Indicativo. Practice

Bellissimo. Unit 2: “Italiani all’estero”

Written Comprehension: Newspaper Article

Vocabulary: How to Expose Information and Data

W: Class Participation Activity: Two minutes oral presentation on a newspaper article using the expression in Unit 2.

Grammar: Present and Past Conditional

Vocabulary and Cultural Contents: “L’emigrazione italiana”

 

WEEK 3

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

Grammar: Review Subjunctive (dependent clauses)

Vocabulary: Science

 Activity: In-class writing of  a brief scientific text using the new expressions learned in Unit 3

Grammar: Subjunctive tense with congiunzioni

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

 

WEEK 4

M_ In-class Composition 1- 30 minutes

Grammar: Subjunctive. In-class Practice

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 5

M_ Test 1- 30 minutes

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

Vocabulary: Espressioni figurate ed espressioni idiomatiche in Unit 6

Grammar: Implicit tense: Present and Past Infinite

Cultural Contents: “Le città italiane”

In-class activity: Writing a review of a trip (hotels, accommodations, transportations…)

 

WEEK 6

Bellissimo. Unit 7: “Cibo e identità”

Vocabulary: Food (Idiomatic expressions)

Cultural Contents: “Parla come mangi”

Grammar: Reinforcement- Concordanza del congiuntivo

Class Participation Activity: 2 minutes presentation of commercial advertising (prepared at home)

Oral and Written comprehension activity

 

WEEK 7

Unit 7. Continue:  Grammar: “Esprimere un’opinione con indicativo, infinito, congiuntivo”

Review for Midterm

WEEK 8

M: Midtem Exam

Screening: Tutto quello che vuoi (F. Bruno, 2017)

 

WEEK 9

In-class activity on Tutto quello che vuoi

W: In-class composition 2- 30 minutes

Grammar: Implicite tense: il gerundio

Bellissimo Unit 8: “I mestieri del futuro”

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

Grammar: Si impersonale. Forma impersonale

In-class Activity: Writing a Job application letter

 

WEEK 10

M: Test 2. 30 minutes

Bellissimo. Unit 8. Continue. Class Participation Activity: 5 minutes Mock Job Interview with a classmate (prepared at home).

Grammar: Idiomatic Expressions

Bellissimo. Unit 9: “ Misurare le emozioni”

Vocabulary: Emotions and Feelings

Cultural Contents: Emotional Intelligence

Reading Comprehension: Video

 

WEEK 11:

Bellissimo. Unit 9- Continue

Grammar: Other Uses of Subjunctive

Reading and Oral Comprehension; How to Summarize a Narrative Text

Grammar: Indirect Tags

Cultural Contents: Scrittori italiani: Elena Ferrante

 

WEEK 12

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

Grammar: Conditional Sentences

Vocabulary: Health and Well-being

W: Test 3. 30 minutes

Class Participation Activity: 5 rules for our Well-Being.

 

WEEK 13

Oral Presentations.

Bellissimo. Unit 10. Continue.

Grammar: Conditional Sentences

Vocabulary: Idiomatic Expressions

Grammar: Implicit Tense: Participio

 

WEEK 14

Class Participation: 3 minutes experiential learning presentation : Reflections on what you learned about Italy in class and outside of class (to be prepared at home).

Review for Final Exam