TUSCANIA School of Italian Language & Culture express themselves spontaneously. Focus will be on language changes, both from the grammatical and lexical points of view, according to the type of message or the kind of situation they are facing. By the end of the course stu<strong>de</strong>nts will un<strong>de</strong>rstand the pragmatic functions of important grammatical forms in or<strong>de</strong>r to use them in proper situations. By working with different types of authentic materials they will refine their usage of idiomatic expressions. Key grammatical and thematic topics will inclu<strong>de</strong>: review of advanced grammar structures; analysis of different language styles and registers; issues of Italian civilization and culture. Selected readings of literary works by mo<strong>de</strong>rn and contemporary Italian authors. Prerequisites: ITL 302 3-Credit Italian Language Advanced 2 or equivalent; placement test upon arrival Italian Language and Culture Italian through Cultural Experience (in Italian only) ITC 150 T Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45 This Italian language and culture course addresses the four language competencies (reading, writing, listening, speaking) and inclu<strong>de</strong>s both in-class lessons and explorative cultural activities in the streets, piazzas and public buildings of Florence. This very dynamic course has a rapid learning pace. Through language the stu<strong>de</strong>nt is enabled to explore local culture, interacting outsi<strong>de</strong> class on the basis of specific assignments. The course is highly flexible and is <strong>de</strong>signed for stu<strong>de</strong>nts studying a variety of disciplines. The course emphasizes the explorative ability and in<strong>de</strong>pen<strong>de</strong>nt learning of stu<strong>de</strong>nts who, besi<strong>de</strong>s carrying out homework, discover on their own new aspects of language and culture. Some themes examined in the course: young people in Italy, fashion, local history, popular traditions, etc. Prerequisites: ITL 101 3-Credit Italian Language Elementary 1, or equivalent; placement test upon arrival. Stu<strong>de</strong>nts who have completed Intermediate Italian 1 or above not admitted Italian through Mediterranean Cooking (in Italian only) ITC 216 T Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45 This content-based course is taught entirely in Italian. Through the study of Mediterranean cuisine, stu<strong>de</strong>nts will expand their cultural and linguistic competence. Each class inclu<strong>de</strong>s a grammar topic and a short hands-on cooking session of one main popular Italian dish. Thanks to the combined action of theory and practice, stu<strong>de</strong>nts will naturally strengthen the four main linguistic skills. Frequent oral and written reports will take place during the semester. This course also explores the richness and diversity of Italian cuisine in the context of Mediterranean culture. The course focuses on different aspects of regional foods in Italy, while at the same time drawing links between Italian cuisine and that of the Middle East and North Africa. Food products and recipes significantly reflect constant, seasonal changes in the landscape, the vegetation and the climate. The influence of Etruscans, Greeks and Romans on Mediterranean cuisine will be examined. The role of wine in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine will also be explored. Prerequisites: ITL 102 3-Credit Italian Language Elementary 2 or equivalent; placement test upon arrival Italian through Film (in Italian only) ITC 225 T Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45 The use of film in teaching Italian allows stu<strong>de</strong>nts to be exposed to different mo<strong>de</strong>ls of language, to <strong>de</strong>velop their communicative skills (by focusing on the roles of the protagonists and the importance of situation and context), and to compare and contrast different cultural systems. Drawing on Italy’s worldfamous cinematic tradition, this course will explore language and communication in a variety of films that provi<strong>de</strong> stimulating images of Italian society. Much class time will be <strong>de</strong>voted to analysis of language, in particular to the ways in which grammar and vocabulary are used in film dialogues portraying realistic situations from everyday life. Prerequisites: ITL 201 3-Credit Italian Language Intermediate 1 or equivalent; placement test upon arrival Italian through Theatre (in Italian only) ITC 240 T Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45 Italian is sometimes characterized as a theatrical language. This course, taught entirely in Italian, uses the great tradition of Italian theatre to enable stu<strong>de</strong>nts to improve their capacity in communication in Italian. Through learning how to listen and pronounce correctly theatrical texts, and through using non-verbal communication commonly practiced in the theatre (e.g. mimicry, gestures, postures, moves) alongsi<strong>de</strong> verbal communication, stu<strong>de</strong>nts will appreciate intercultural communication in its totality and build confi<strong>de</strong>nce in their own approach to communicating in Italian. Each class will have a theoretical part in which a literary or musical text will be analyzed, referring to the historical, artistic and social context in which it was a produced, and a practical part, in which stu<strong>de</strong>nts will learn the sound of words and expressions and become familiar with theatrical strategies of communication. The course will end with a small performance. Prerequisites: ITL 201 3-Credit Italian Language Intermediate 1 or equivalent; placement test upon arrival Italian for Conversation (in Italian only) ITC 260 T Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45 The course, taught entirely in Italian, aims to improve conversational fluency through different structured teaching techniques (i.e. dramatization, role play, role taking, oral presentation) and also to promote different strategies for listening, another important skill to be <strong>de</strong>veloped in or<strong>de</strong>r to become a real active participant in conversation. The improvement of speaking and listening abilities, together with reading and writing, will go hand in hand with broa<strong>de</strong>ning knowledge of the Italian culture. In this context class discussions and stu<strong>de</strong>nts’ oral presentations on themes regarding Italy and Italian people will help them become familiar with Italian society. Prerequisites: ITL 201 3-Credit Italian Language Intermediate 1 or equivalent; placement test upon arrival Contemporary Italian Civilization and Culture (in Italian only) ITC 315 T Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45 This course, taught entirely in Italian, examines the <strong>de</strong>velopment of Italian civilization from the Reunification to the present. It explores achievements in literature, science, philosophy, and the arts, as well as political and social movements and key events in Italian history. The course is organized chronologically and thematically. It focuses on the contributions of specific individuals, broa<strong>de</strong>r social issues such as Fascism, and political and economic <strong>de</strong>velopments that characterize particular time periods, including the aftermath of World War II. To make this material manageable for the stu<strong>de</strong>nts, the course will be organized around themes and i<strong>de</strong>as that are representative of phases of Italian history and that continue to form part of the Italian heritage. Prerequisites: ITL 202 3-Credit Italian Language Intermediate 2 or equivalent; placement test upon arrival Italian through Service Learning (in Italian only) ITC 340 T Cr: 3; Contact hrs: 45 This course, taught entirely in Italian, aims to give stu<strong>de</strong>nts a singular experience of study abroad. The focus of the course is both on the Italian learning outcome and the opportunity to experience and reflect upon community-based volunteer work in the program city. Stu<strong>de</strong>nts are required to attend weekly seminars (at least 15 hours) on cultural and language issues, sharing experiences based on their service learning. Particular attention will be <strong>de</strong>dicated to socially engaged subjects 178 LdM Aca<strong>de</strong>mic <strong>Catalog</strong> <strong>2013</strong>-<strong>2014</strong>
like ethnicity and immigration, youth and volunteer work, children and school, stereotypes and intercultural relations, globalization. The course also entails volunteer placements in organizations engaged in socially meaningful tasks: working with women, children, the el<strong>de</strong>rly, stu<strong>de</strong>nts, immigrants, cultural associations, disabled people and the environment (at least 15 hours of on-site activities per semester to be arranged by and starting from the fourth week of the semester). The service learning will be supervised by the professor and local tutor(s). Please consi<strong>de</strong>r that stu<strong>de</strong>nts will have to <strong>de</strong>vote additional hours for in<strong>de</strong>pen<strong>de</strong>nt learning, preparation and follow-up of the activities and transport. Stu<strong>de</strong>nts will reflect on their learning through case study reports and journals based on participation and observation in the service learning location. Prerequisites: ITL 202 3-Credit Italian Language Intermediate 2 or equivalent; placement test upon arrival TUSCANIA School of Italian Language & Culture LdM Aca<strong>de</strong>mic <strong>Catalog</strong> <strong>2013</strong>-<strong>2014</strong> 179
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