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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "IT 301-1"
COURSE NAME: "Conversation and Composition"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2015
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Berenice Cocciolillo
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: Placement or IT 202 or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS:
MW 11:00-12:00
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to develop oral communication skills, while refining the student’s ability to write correctly in Italian. Although we will review the more complex grammar structures as needed, students are expected to have a good grasp of the fundamentals of Italian grammar. Please use our Foreign LanguageTutoring Center to fill in grammar gaps.
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.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Contemporary texts (including at least one film) will provide the basis for class discussions geared toward expanding vocabulary and reviewing grammar. 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.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon successfully completing this course, students should be able 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.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Scontro di civiltà per un ascensore a Piazza Vittorio | Amara Lakhous | Edizioni e/o | 978-88-7641-809-9 | | | | | |
| Essential Italian Grammar in Practice | Marco Mezzadri | Guerra | 88-7715-434-9 | | | | | |
| La Prova orale 2 | T. Marin | Edilingua | 978-960-7706-25-6 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Class participation, preparation, and homework | | 15 |
| Oral presentations | Two oral presentations (with a vocabulary list) | 15 |
| Compositions and rewrites | Compositions and other writing assignments on different topics. Students will be required to re-work on their first draft and review all the grammar points indicated by the professor. | 25 |
| Midterm Exam | | 20 |
| Final Exam | | 25 |
-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:
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. 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. Facebook)
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE PROFESSOR’S DISCRETION.
Please check MyJCU daily for homework assignments and handouts.
Week 1 (Jan. 19-21)
Introductions - In-class writing activity: "About Me"
Readings and exercises from La prova orale: "Vacanze e turismo" (Vacations and Tourism)
Week 2 (Jan. 26-28)
Class discussion on La prova orale: "Razzismo e immigrazione" (Immigration and Racism)
Begin reading Scontro di civiltà per un ascensore a Piazza Vittorio (Clash of Civilization Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio)
Week 3 (Feb. 2-4))
Readings and excercises from La prova orale: "Lavoro"
(Work)
View film Tutta la vita davanti
Week 4 (Feb. 9-11)
Readings and exercises from La prova orale: "Giovani"
(Young People)
Essential Grammar: imperfect/past perfect
Scontro di civiltà: reading and discussion
Week 5 (Feb. 16-18)
Readings and exercises from La prova orale: "Genitori e figli" (Parents and Children)
Essential Grammar: present and past subjunctive
Week 6 (Feb. 23-25)
Readings and exercises from La prova orale: "Arte e patrimonio artistico"
(Art and Artistic Patrimony)
Oral Presentation 1
Essential Grammar: imperfect and pluperfect subjunctive/uses of subjunctive
Week 7 (Mar. 2-4)
Readings and exercises from La prova orale: "Politica"
(Politics)
Midterm Review
MIDTERM EXAM: Mar. 4
Week 8 (Mar. 9-11)
Readings and exercises from La prova orale: "Alimentazione e biotecnologia" (Food and Biotechnology)
Essential Grammar: "if clauses"
Week 9 (Mar. 16-18)
Readings and exercises from La prova orale: "Scuola" (School)
Week 10 (Mar. 23-25)
Readings and exercises from La prova orale: "Matrimonio sì, matrimonio no" (Marriage: yes or no)
Essential Grammar: remote past
Week 11 (Mar. 30, Apr. 1)
View film
APRIL 6- 10: SPRING BREAK!
Week 12 (Apr. 13-15)
Readings and exercises from La prova orale: "Donna moderna" (Modern woman)
Week 13 (Apr. 20-22)
Readings and exercises from La prova orale
Oral Presentation 2
Week 14 (Apr. 27-29)
Final Review
FINAL EXAMINATIONS: May 2-8
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