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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 320"
COURSE NAME: "Survey of Italian Literature I"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Basile Maria Adelaide
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 16:30-17:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Placement or IT 301 or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS: M/W before or after class or by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this course is to introduce the students to the evolution of Italian Literature with emphasis on the major literary, philosophical and cross-cultural influences that shaped Italy’s literary corpus from the Middle Ages to the seventeenth century.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course is intended for students who wish to expand their verbal expression through exposure to literary concepts, analysis, and terminology.

Readings will include works by Francesco d’Assisi, Jacopo da Lentini, Guido Guinizelli, Guido Cavalcanti, Dante Alighieri, Francesco Petrarca, Giovanni Boccaccio, Lorenzo de’ Medici, Matteo Maria Boiardo, Ludovico Ariosto, Niccolò Machiavelli, Pietro Bembo, Gaspara Stampa, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Torquato Tasso, Giovan Battista Marino, Galileo Galilei.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completing this course students will be able:

a) To master the traditionally defined Italian literary canon.

b) To learn concepts and theories in the subject of Italian Literary Studies.

c) To understand the language, the texts and the global context.

d) To develop skills in the interpretation and analysis of Italian literature, as well as to develop the critical-thinking skills necessary to provide a creative interpretation of the text.

e) To improve reading and writing skills in Italian.

f) To master bibliographical research skills.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
LiberamenteSaviano; Angioloni; Giustolisi; Mariani; Pozzebon; PanichiPalumbo978 88 8020 811 2     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendance & Class ParticipationAs this class will combine both lecture and discussion, students are expected both to attend every session and to take an active part in class by joining in discussions and raising questions. Regular attendance is an essential component of class participation.10
HomeworkStudents are required to complete exercises from the textbook and/or questionnaires distributed in class by the professor. No late assignment will be accepted. After 2 late assignments the grade will be lowered by one third (e.g. B+ will become B).10
Oral presentationOne oral presentation on a chosen topic or author.10
Paper #1One take-home paper on the material covered in the oral presentation. (2/3 pages. Every other line. Font: Times New Roman/12). Date due: one week after the oral presentation. Rating scale include: evidence of analysis; reflection and insight; precise and correct use of Italian language; use of references indicating the degree of research; organisation and work cited list.10
Midterm ExamIn week 7 there will be an in class exam ( in Italian) with questions on the material presented and discussed in class.  20
Final ExamThe final in class-exam will be a questionnaire on the entire material presented and discussed in class as well as in the homework.20
Final PaperThe final paper will be a 7/10 pages take home essay on a topic related to the course. (Every other line. Font: Times New Roman/12). Rating scale includes: evidence of analysis; reflection, insight and synthesis; uses of references indicating the degree of research; overall organisation. A 1st draft will be discussed at least ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE for acceptance. The final paper is due the day of the final exam, no late paper will be accepted.20

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

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

A/A-

This work is expected to stand out from the work of other students and:

• Directly addresses the question or problem raised

• Provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information

• Critically evaluates concepts and theory

• Relates theory to practice

• Reflects the student’s own argument and is not just a repetition of standard lecture and reference material

• Is very accurate

• Has an element of novelty if not originality

• Provides evidence of reading beyond the required reading

• Displays an awareness of methodological concerns and displays an awareness of the limitations of current knowledge

 

B/B+

This is a highly competent level of performance and:

• Directly addresses the question or problem raised

• Provides a coherent argument drawing on relevant information

• Shows some ability to evaluate concepts and theory and to relate theory to practice

• Reflects the student’s own argument and is not just a repetition of standard lecture and reference material

• Does not suffer from any major errors or omissions

• Provides evidence of reading beyond the required reading

• Displays an awareness of other approaches to the problem area

 

B-/C+

This is an acceptable level of performance and:

• Addresses the question but provides only a basic outline of relevant arguments and evidence along the lines offered in the lectures and referenced readings

• Answers are clear but limited

• Some minor omissions and inaccuracies but no major errors

 

C/C-

This level of performance demonstrates some knowledge and an element of understanding but is weak and:

• Points made in the answer are not always well supported by argument and evidence

• Relevant points have been omitted from the answer

• There are some errors in the answer

• Parts of the question remain unanswered

• Answers may be unduly brief and possibly in note form

 

D+/D-

The best that can be said about students in this classification is that they have done just enough to persuade the instructor that they should not be failed and:

• Answers lack a coherent grasp of the problems and issues raised in the question

• Important information has been omitted from the answers and irrelevant points have been included

• Answers are far too brief

 

Fail (F)

Failed students have been unable to convince the instructor that they have benefited from academic study and:

• Fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question

• Reveals fundamental misunderstanding of the subject matter

• Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant



-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA: 

Regular attendance is an essential component of class participation. Unexcused absences will considerably affect the final grade, unless justified by serious medical or family emergencies. No absence and class performances 10%; one absence 9%; two absences 6%; three absences 4%; up to three 0% and you may be asked to withdraw from the course. There will be extra assignments for more that two absences. Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy.

Make sure your travel plans do not interfere with class schedule. Should you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what was covered in order to be prepared for the next class.

Make-ups:

Individual arrangements for make-ups will be done only for students with medical emergencies or any other valid reason. The final exam cannot be made up without approval from the Dean (please see “Attendance” in John Cabot University Catalogue 2008-2010, p. 67).

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

Settimana 1 – Presentazione del corso, dell’insegnate e degli studenti. Francesco d’Assisi: “Cantico di frate Sole”.
Settimana 2 – DANTE & STILNOVO
Settimana 3 – DANTE
Settimana 4 – DANTE
Settimana 5 -- PETRARCA FILM, Il Decameron
Settimana 6 -- BOCCACCIO           
Settimana 7 -- Ripasso  -- MIDTERM
Settimana 8 – LORENZO DE’ MEDICI;  POLIZIANO 
Settimana 9 -- ARIOSTO
Settimana 10 --MACHIAVELLI
Settimana 11 - TASSO
Settimana 12 –TASSO
Settimana 13 –MARINO
Settimana 14 –Ripasso per il Final    
SessionSession FocusReading AssignmentOther AssignmentMeeting Place/Exam Dates