Course Description
The emphasis is divided between conversation and composition in order to promote students' abilities to express themselves accurately in both oral and written Italian. Activities are integrated into the context of Italian culture. Given in Italian. Not open to native speakers.
Athena Title
Advanced Conversation and Comp
Prerequisite
ITAL 3010 or ITAL 3030
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
- The course aims to develop a student’s four skills (aural, oral, reading, and writing) at the ACTFL Intermediate High to Advanced Low level. At the end of the course, successful students will be able to speak and write at that level. All written assignments and classroom discussions aim to have students clearly articulate their position on a thesis or an issue and support it with cogent arguments.
- The course also aims to increase a student’s knowledge of important aspects of Italian culture by the study, analysis, and interpretation of cultural materials, including cinema, literary and non-literary texts. Successful students will be able to discover the subtle nuances of meaning in the cultural materials they study. They will also know the intellectual, historical, and cultural background needed to understand these materials.
- At the end of the course, the successful student will have developed an awareness, appreciation, and knowledge of Italian culture and of communities beyond their own. Successful students will also be able to navigate interpersonal communication with an awareness of cultural differences, and identify how Italian culture and Italian society shape the mindset of Italians.
Topical Outline
- Language-specific activities; communication strategies; listening comprehension; individual and group discussion activities of films, short stories, newspaper and magazine articles.
