Spring 2021

Italian Expanded Course Descriptions Spring 2021

Language Courses

ITA 3: Elementary Italian

This is the third and last course of Elementary Italian, and the continuation of ITA 002. In this course, we  continue learning the Italian language in a setting that stresses communicative and interactive class activities while also focusing on pertinent grammatical structures. ITA 003 covers the chapters 9-12 of the textbook Piazza and the related activities in the online platform MindTap. Emphasis is placed on moods and tenses of verbs to increase students’ linguistic awareness (specifically the imperative and progressive tenses, the conditional and subjunctive modes, comparatives and superlatives). We also continue to investigate Italian culture through reading and interactive activities while continuing to improve upon comprehension, speaking and writing skills. Daily attendance is indispensable for this course. 

ITA 9: Intermediate Italian

This is the third and last course of Intermediate Italian and the continuation of ITA 005. In this course, we continue to review, practice and expand upon skills acquired during the first five quarter of language study in a communicative and task-oriented classroom. Linguistic structures are employed to examine contemporary Italian culture and to make connections between cultures through a variety of in-class activities (oral presentations, discussions and collaborative exercises) and homework assignments (web search activities, weekly blogs and online exercises). We strengthen our critical thinking skills and our understanding of written Italian through the analysis of various texts (creative and scientific journalistic articles, essays and excerpts from literary texts, and films) and with regular formal written assignments that reflect on contemporary cultural themes. ITA 009 covers chapters 8-10 of the textbook and the corresponding activities in the online platform Supersite. ITA 009 reviews the following grammatical concepts: infinitive and gerund modes, the subjunctive, hypothetical statements, the passive voice and indirect discourse. 

ITA 32: Beginning Italian for Spanish Speakers

This is an intensive, beginning-level Italian language course designed for native, heritage and/or proficient speakers of Spanish. Students and/or speakers of other Romance languages are encouraged to enroll. This course is the continuation of ITA 031. Through this course, we continue building a sound basis for communicating effectively and accurately in Italian while making critical comparisons across cultures and reflecting upon the fundamental features of the class participants’ own language(s) and culture(s). In addition to continue acquiring a basic knowledge of Italian geography, history, attitudes and traditions, we continue to critically examine linguistic features across languages and map diverse Latin culture and heritage across geographical, national, and linguistic borders. ITA 032 covers the chapters 7-12 of the textbook and the related activities in the online platform MindTap. Daily attendance is indispensable for this course. 

Undergraduate Courses

ITA 105 Intro to Italian Literature
Michael Subialka

Course description: See catalog.

ITA 145 Topic: Cinema and the Environment in Italy
Lecturer Viola Ardeni

Italy is often referred to as “Il Bel Paese” (the beautiful country). Yet, Italy’s environment and its famous harmony of nature with society and architecture have been repeatedly threatened by ecological problems, natural or man-made disasters, and overdevelopment. ITA 145 Special Topics “Cinema and the Environment in Italy” explores contemporary Italian cinema, including feature films as well as documentaries, that highlights the precious fragility of the Italian natural, urban and social environments while shedding light on key environmental and ecological issues, including land management and pollution, seismicity and the high cost of ruthless development, and the impact of traditional and new types of agriculture on the Italian territory. In this course, we analyze Italian cinema as a powerful tool to understand the current status of the Italian environment and to question the practices that have led to its exploitation and current fragility. We hone skills of critical analysis and close reading in Italian through a variety of in-class activities (oral presentations, discussions and collaborative exercises) and homework assignments (web search activities, weekly blogs, screenings, and readings). A final project focuses on existing eco-friendly film activism, organizations, and film festivals. The course is in Italian and class attendance is indispensable.