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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "IT 302"
COURSE NAME: "Advanced Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Anna Mauceri Trimnell
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 10:00 AM 11:15 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Placement or IT 301 or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS: M/W 1.30pm-2.30pm or by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course, which is conducted solely in Italian, is intended for students with an advanced level of Italian. Students examine and analyze different aspects of written Italian using sources ranging from creative texts, academic texts and texts written for practical purposes. The students also develop the ability to reproduce different writing styles, integrating advanced grammatical structures. 
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The course has both theoretical and practical components in order to improve the ability of the student to analyze written texts, recognize their different typologies, summarize the topics and use the new vocabulary and the structures studied. On the basis of extensive analysis of a variety of texts, students practice advanced reading and writing skills. Studying elements of advanced grammar and syntax will improve the accuracy of the student’s writing. Working on different typologies of text will develop the student’s ability to analyze, summarize and discuss the topics in the reading texts.
The work on the readings also introduces new vocabulary and part of the course is dedicated to the practice of choosing the most appropriate words. The composition assignments will address different genres of writing, including (but not limited to): blogs, short stories, articles, and reviews.
Work in class also provides the opportunity to check and develop accuracy in critical areas such as spelling, punctuation, and the difference between written and spoken registers.
 The class is given in a workshop format, and student participation is essential to its success. In order to follow the structure of the course and reach the goals, students must follow the timetable of the readings and writings assigned as homework.
Students will work both in groups and individually. Work in class and at home will include summaries, synopses, writing and re-writing, peer reviewing, and related research.

All written assignments must be typed.
Make sure you have time to print them out before class.
Late papers will be penalized.
Format for assignments written at home:
Typewritten on standard (A4) paper
Double-spaced to leave room for corrections
Paragraphs indented but no extra spaces between them
Name and date in the top left corner of the first page
Title centered over the essay, capitalized. 

There is no set textbook for this course: the professor will provide adhoc materials on a lesson by lesson basis; therefore it is important to keep an organized folder!
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completing this course, students will possess the ability to:
Distinguish the different typologies of the texts, understand and summarize the topics.
Apply the structures necessary for the production of both creative and practical texts.
Produce different type of texts using complex syntax, appropriate expressions and precise, not vague, vocabulary.
Use different registers of Italian, in relation to the text chosen and to their own personal and professional needs
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Grammatica avanzata della lingua italianaSusanna Nocchi Roberto TartaglioneAlma978-88-8923-728-1  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendance and Class Partecipation 10%
Homework 20%
3 Compositions1 in class with rewriting after professor feedback, 2 at home30%
2 TestsEditing and rewriting a text according to specific criteria given by the professor. 20%
Final exam 20%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AExcellent command of the language consistent with the level of proficiency. Appropriate command of textual structures, variety of lexis, register and idiom.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. Very good command of the language consistent with the level of proficiency, showing facility and very few errors. Ability to handle sentence structure naturally, and to demonstrate some awareness of stylistic variation.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited. Evidence of the ability to control the language for the purpose of effective communication, consistent with the level of proficiency. Work will be comprehensible; sentence structure will be very simple and grammatical and other errors will be frequent but not as serious to impede comprehension.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material. Little evidence of the ability to control the language for the purpose of making oneself understood. Little awareness of sentence structure and numerous grammatical and other errors.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. No evidence of the ability to control the language; failure to make oneself understood.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Regular attendance is an essential component of class participation. Students are allowed three (3) absences.

The partecipazione grade will be lowered by a letter grade for each additional absence. Seven or more additional absences (a total of ten unexcused absences or more) will likely result in failure of the course (“F” grade).

Please be aware that three late arrivals into class equal one absence, and that three early departures from class equal one absence.

Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy. Make sure your travel plans do not interfere with class schedule.
When you miss a class, you are expected to find out what was covered that day and what assignments are due 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 midterm and 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

Week 1

Presentation of the course. Pre-requisites and objectives. Diagnostic level text. Brief written class composition.

Feedback on composition with comments on grammar and syntax.

Week 2

Narrative Texts – stories using past tenses. Extract from ‘Un’infanzia’ by  S. Tamaro.

Main characteristics of narrative texts: dynamic and static sequences. Extract from ‘Donna di Porto Pim’ by Antonio Tabucchi. Time expressions and passato remoto.

Week 3

Vague vs. specific lexis. The importance of dictionaries.
Polysemy with class exercises.

Week 4

Outline, structure and organization of a narrative text.
In-class exercises.

Week 5

Feedback on exercises.
Composition 1 (in class).

Week 6

Editing, revision and rewriting of composition 1 according to the professor’s feedback.

Week 7

Argumentative text – ways of presenting a topic and expressing opinions
The main characteristics of argumentative texts. Linking expressions and the subjunctive.

Week 8

Cohesion and coherence.
Outline, structure and organization of an argumentative text.
In-class exercises.

Week 9

Feedback on in-class exercises.
Test 1:  Editing and rewriting a text according to specific criteria given by the professor.

Week 10

Descriptive texts. Experience a description using the 5 senses. Impersonal and passive forms.
Description from a subjective or objective perspective.

Due: (Take home) Composition II

Week 11

Descriptive Texts continued. Outline, structure and organization of a descriptive text.
In-class exercises.

Week 12

Feedback on in-class exercises.
Describe through the imagination. Periodo ipotetico

Week 13

Test 2:  Editing and rewriting a text according to specific criteria given by the professor.
Due: (Take home) Composition III

Week 14

Revision