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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 301-2"
COURSE NAME: "Conversation and Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Capoferri Federica
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 8:30-9:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Placement or IT 202 or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS: TTH 10:00-11:00 or by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
 

This course is designed to develop oral communication skills, while refining the students’ ability to write correctly in Italian.

We will analyze and practice various writing and conversational types (fiction, newspaper reports, movie plots, personal opinions, the telling of stories, the presentation of places and people etc.)

The class activities and the homework will be divided into three areas:
Descrivere, Narrare, Esprimere opinioni, which correspond to the principle textual types (Descrittivo, Narrativo, Argomentativo).
Each area will present different oral and written texts (including videos, songs and web-pages), in order to familiarize students with the particular structures and language that need to be adopted in different situations.

This is not a grammar course. Although we will review the more complex grammar structures in an ad-hoc manner, students are expected to have a good grasp of the fundamentals of Italian grammar.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Contemporary texts will provide the basis for class discussions geared toward expanding vocabulary. Topics of discussion will reflect various aspects of modern Italy as well as current events. Students will be asked to express themselves in a variety of ways including writing compositions, summarizing articles, and doing oral presentations. 
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, along with the appropriate vocabulary. Students who just sit and listen passively and do not contribute anything will receive a low class participation grade. This is not a lecture course!
It is very common to find students of various levels in a course like this. Please do not compare yourself to others. In assigning a grade, the professor will take into consideration the progress that each student has made by the end of the term.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successfully completing this course, students will possess the ability to:
* Discuss a variety of topics using complex grammatical structures, correct syntax, and appropriate vocabulary;
* Comprehend the general meaning of advanced-level texts;
* Produce written texts of varying length, using complex grammatical structures, correct syntax, and sophisticated vocabulary;
* Recognize various styles and registers and distinguish between spoken and written usage.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Scontro di civiltà per un ascensore a piazza VIttorioA. LakhousE/O88-7641-716-8      
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class PARTECIPATION 15%
writing assigments (4)4 compositions (first draft and re-writing)20%
Midterm examIn-class exam based on the material presented and discussed in class25%
Oral presentation10-15 minutes presentation on a topic previously discussed with the professor10%
Final examIn-class exam with writing assigments on topics discussed in class30%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A:  Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge 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.

B:  This 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.

C:  This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D:  This 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.

F: This 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. 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. 2 points for each additional absence will lower the final grade. Make sure your travel plans do not interfere with the class schedule.

If should you 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.

Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy
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

SCHEDULE

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE PROFESSOR’S DISCRETION

 

 Week 1 

 

 Presentazione del corso. Attività del primo giorno.
Presentarsi alla classe-
Lettura: un esempio di auto-ritratto.
Compito: scrivere una pagina parlando di sé.

Conoscere Roma. Luoghi e simboli dell'Urbe
Compito: breve ricerca su un luogo di Roma.

 Week 2

 

Riportare alla classe i risultati della ricerca.
Visione primo episodio di Caro Diario

Discussione del film. At
tività sul lessico
Compito: Lettura primo capitolo Scontro di civiltà per un ascensore a Piazza Vittorio


 

 Week 3 

 

Riportare alla classe le prime impressioni di lettura.
Attività di lessico: parole da ricordare.

Estratti dal film l'Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio.
Breve ricerca sulla storia di piazza Vittorio.
Tema 1: Descrivere un luogo di Roma (2 pagine, spazio doppio).
Continuare la lettura di Scontro di civiltà

 

 Week 4 

.Descrivere le emozioni attraverso la musica.Attività introduttiva e lessicale.
La “mia” musica. Discussione sui propri gusti musicali.

 


Ascolto De Andrè, La canzone di Marinella.
Attività sul lessico e sulle strutture sintattiche
Compito. Finire capitolo secondo di Scontro di civiltà-
Riscrittura tema 1. 

 Week 5 

 

Lettura di un articolo e discussione
Attività di gruppo-
Compito: prepare in coppia il resoconto di un articolo di attualità

Riportare a coppie un articolo letto
.
Impressioni sul secondo capitolo del libro. Attività di lessico.
Compito. Tema 2: I giovani e i social net-work (im). Pro e contro

 

 

 Week 6 

 Discussione sul social network. Lessico e attività di gruppo.
Compito: intervistare uno studente italiano della Cabot sulle differenze tra l'istruzione italiana e quella americana.

Riferire alla classe i risultati dell'intervista.
Discussione e lavoro di gruppo
Compito: riscrittura tema 2.
Capitolo terzo di Scontro di civiltà.

 Week 7 

 Review per il Midterm
Midterm 

 Week 8 

Che tipo di lettore sei?
Come si scrive una recensione. Attività di scrittura guidata.
Compito. Scrivere la recensione dei primi capitoli di Scontro di civiltà.

Un fatto di cronaca. Lettura guidata di un articolo di giornale.
Attività di lessico.
Compito: continuare la lettura.
Tema 3. Il mio libro preferito.

 

 Week 9 

 Oral presentations.

Oral presentations
.

Compito. Riscrittura tema 3.
Continuare la lettura e prepare un commento orale per la classe

 Week 10 

 Discussione Scontro di civiltà e lettura di un capitolo in classe.
Attività di lessico.
Compito: breve ricerca sui luoghi più significativi di Trastevere.

Discussione: la trasformazione di Trastevere. Estratti di film.
Compito. Preparare un articolo di attualità in coppia.
Intervistare un negoziante di Trastevere sui pro e i contro di questo quartiere.

 

 Week 11 

 Riportare a coppie un articolo letto.
Compito: commento scritto sulla discussione in classe.
COntinuazione lettura di Scontro di civiltà.

 Discussione libro. In gruppi attività di correzione delle recensioni
Compito. Continuazione lettura.
Inventare un nuovo personaggio da aggiungere al libro.-
Previsioni: chi è il colpevole e perché? 

 Week 12 

 Discussione sulle previsioni e sul personaggio inventato.
Attività culturali di comprensione.
Compito: intervistare uno studente italiano alla Cabot sul tema immigrazione.

Discussione sull'Italia multietnica.
Compito: fare una ricerca sulla migrazione in Italia negli ultimi anni
Continuare la lettura

 Week 13

 Organizzare un dibattito. Pro e contro delle società multietniche.
Compito: finire il libro.

Visione film Scontro di civiltà

 Week 14

Discussione libro e film
Ripasso per il final.