Italian
Objectives:
The Italian minor introduces students to the rich, complex
culture of Italy, first by providing them with basic
linguistic skills in the Italian language, and subsequently
by familiarizing them with important literary works
produced in Italy over the centuries as well as with
historically significant films.
Italian Student Learning
Outcomes
Students learn to communicate successfully in Italian and
develop an understanding of the practices and
perspectives of Italian culture down through the centuries.
They also acquire specific skills in textual analysis and
research, gain a more complex understanding of the many
forms of cultural expression, and sharpen their ability to
think critically.
Minor Requirements:
The minor consists of 18 semester hours taken above the
100 level: ITAL 203, 204, and four courses taken from
upper division offerings.
The ITAL 101, 102, 203 series is recommended for those
who seek a basic speaking, writing, and reading
knowledge of the language. This series requires one hour
of independent study in the language lab each week.
ITAL 101
Elementary Italian I
3 Semester Hours
An introduction to Italian language and culture, with
emphasis on communicative skills. This course imparts
basic skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing
Italian, simulaneously providing some basic information
on Italian culture and society. The grammatical material
covered includes an introduction to definite and indefinite
articles, pronouns, adjectives, prepositions, and regular
and irregular verbs in past and present tenses. The
acquisition of vocabulary is reinforced with regular oral
and written assignments. Students who successfully
complete the course are able to communicate in Italian,
orally and in writing, on simple, everyday topics.
ITAL 102
Elementary Italian II
3 Semester Hours
A continuation of ITAL 101. New grammatical material
covered includes additional verb tenses, the imperatives,
direct and indirect object pronouns, negative
constructions, and demonstratives. The progressive
acquisition of new vocabulary is reinforced through
regular discussion of topics of Italian cultural interest.
Students who successfully complete the course are able
to communicate orally and in writing on everyday topics
using a variety of tenses and vocabulary.
Prerequisite: ITAL 101 or equivalent.
ITAL 112
Beginning Conversational Italian
3 Semester Hours
Prerequisite: ITAL 102 or concurrent enrollment.
ITAL 203
Intermediate Italian
3 Semester Hours
A continuation of ITAL 102. New materials covered
include the subjunctive and conditional modes, double
pronouns, comparisons, and superlatives. Additional
vocabulary on selected topics. The students learn to read
Italian texts of moderate difficulty and study additional
aspects of Italian culture and society. Students who
successfully complete the course are able to communicate
orally and in writing on everyday topics and on the
specific cultural content of the course.
Prerequisite: ITAL 102 or equivalent.
ITAL 204
Advanced Italian
3 Semester Hours
A review of the main elements of Italian grammar and
introduction to more complex linguistic patterns. The
course provides further practice in speaking, listening,
and writing Italian through the study and discussion of
authentic Italian texts multimedia resources. Students
who successfully complete the course are able to
communicate orally and in writing on a range of cultural
topics.
Spring semester only.
Prerequisite: ITAL 203 or equivalent.
ITAL 211
Advanced Conversation
3 Semester Hours
Prerequisite: ITAL 203 (may be taken concurrently).
ITAL 298
Special Studies
1-3 Semester Hours
ITAL 299
Independent Studies
1-3 Semester Hours
ITAL 321
Stylistics and Composition
3 Semester Hours
An introduction to reading, writing, and editing texts in
Italian. Students develop skills in writing clear and correct
Italian and provide critical commentary on selected topics
using the techniques of formal composition.
Prerequisite: ITAL 204 or equivalent.
ITAL 332
Italian Literature of the Fourteenth Century
3 Semester Hours
Providing an overview of the historical context in which
Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio emerged, the course
introduces students to some of the most famous works in
the Italian literary tradition. The course develops the
students’ ability to write critical essays in Italian,
while
sharpening their skills in literary and cultural analysis.
Prerequisite: ITAL 204 or equivalent.
ITAL 333
The Italian Novella
3 Semester Hours
A survey of the short story form from the fourteenth
century to the present.
Prerequisite: ITAL 204 or equivalent.
ITAL 334
Italian Literature of the Twentieth Century
3 Semester Hours
A survey of poetry, drama, and prose from Pirandello to
Calvino and beyond.
Prerequisite: ITAL 204 or equivalent.
ITAL 350
Contemporary Italian Culture
3 Semester Hours
An examination of the diverse forms of cultural expression
in contemporary Italy, including literature, cinema,
theatre, music, feminist writing, and political critique.
Prerequisite: ITAL 204 or equivalent.
ITAL 380
Italian Women Writers
3 Semester Hours
Survey of representative works by Italian women writers
from various historical periods, with particular focus on
the modern and contemporary period.
Prerequisite: ITAL 204 or equivalent.
ITAL 398
Special Studies
1-3 Semester Hours
ITAL 399
Independent Studies
1-3 Semester Hours
ITAL 451
Italian Cinema
3 Semester Hours
An examination of the historical development of Italian
cinema from Neorealism to the present. Students
familiarize themselves with the history of Italian national
cinema, while developing skills in the close analysis of
film.
ITAL 498
Special Studies
1-3 Semester Hours
ITAL 499
Independent Studies
1-3 Semester Hours
Faculty:
Moscarelli, Paola
O'Healy,
Áine
Rota,
Bruno