ITALIAN 101: BEGINNER'S ITALIAN; FALL 2002

I. COURSE REQUIREMENTS: The first semester of Beginner's Italian will cover the preliminary unit and units 1 through 6 of Parliamo italiano!, second edition. The class time will be spent in grammar and vocabulary exercises, dialogues, and a variety of activities designed to help master the basic spoken and written elements of the Italian language.

ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION: active participation in the course is essential. Points will be assigned for your daily participation on the following scale: 3 = very well prepared, active participation; 2 = adequately prepared, moderate participation; 1 = not well prepared, less than satisfactory participation; 0 = absent: for a maximum of 150 points (not counting the first two days of the semester or the 2 test days or 4 permitted absences: 58 classes - 8 = 50 days of possible participation x 3 = 150).

The daily assignments and text exercises must be completed before coming to class. Normally nine lessons will be devoted to each unit according to the following schedule:

Day 1: Study section A; prepare exercises in A.1, Si dice così, and A.2, Incontro; group presentations

Day 2: Review section A; prepare exercises in A.3, Punti grammaticali; group skit in Italian

Day 3: Study section B; prepare exercises in B.1 and B.2; play game for extra points

Day 4: Review section B; prepare exercises in B.3; Quiz on sections A and B

Day 5: Study section C; prepare exercises in C.1 and C.2; oral presentation

Day 6: Review section C; prepare exercises in C.3; skit in Italian

Day 7: Study section D; prepare exercises in,D.1 and D.2; game for extra points

Day 8: Review section D; prepare exercises in D.3; Quiz on sections C and D

Day 9: Study “Immagini e parole”; prepare all exercises; watch video; hand in composition

GAMES: On the third and seventh days we will play games in class for extra points to be added to each student’s quiz score. Games will consist of two types:

1. Each student should prepare 5 questions on the grammar and readings in the two sections covered on the quiz. For the first unit (4 sections) questions will be in English; thereafter they will be in Italian. The class will be divided into groups. Students from different groups will take turns asking and answering question. Students in the winning group will receive 3 bonus points; the second group 2 ½ points, and so on, on a descending scale.

2. A version of Password: a student from each group will stand at the front of the class with their back to the board. The instructor will pick a word from the vocabulary lists in the two sections put it up on the board. Another student from each group will give clues, IN ITALIAN (or by miming), to get their teammate to guess the word. Points will be assigned for correct answers on a descending scale, depending on the number of clues required.

LAB AND COMPUTER PROGRAMS:

VIDEO: You are required to watch the video programs for Parliamo italiano!, available at the ILRC (Interactive Language Resource Center, located in the basement of Irvin Hall, room 60) or on the Virtual ILRC on the Montgomery File Server available on the web. A videoscript is available online to help you understand or review the dialogue.

AUDIO TAPES: Regular use of the language lab is strongly encouraged. To improve your listening comprehension and pronunciation, plan to spend at least one hour per week using the audio tapes which accompany each unit of Parliamo italiano! available at the ILRC and on the Montgomery Filer Server: http://montgomery.cas.muohio.edu/ (If you take blank tapes to the lab, the lab assistants will make copies for you, so you can do the exercises at home). Ask for a copy of the lab manual for Parliamo italiano! that accompanies the tapes, but do not write in it; write your responses on a separate sheet of paper.

CD ROM: There are two interactive CD-ROMs that accompany the book: Parliamo italiano!, with video, audio, and self-correcting exercises for each unit of the book; and Parliamo italiano NOW!, a more sophisticated Transparent Language CD-ROM, with more features and resources, also designed to be used in conjunction with the text. Both are useful to review the vocabulary, grammar, and cultural content of each unit before quizzes and tests, and are available at the ILRC and online.

ITALIAN TV NEWS: The lab also records daily newscasts from Italian television from the SCOLA satellite. These video tapes are also available for viewing; ask the assistant at the desk.

Many of the lab materials are also available from residence halls and other computer stations, through the ILRC’s Montgomery File Server: http://montgomery.cas.muohio.edu/

BLACKBOARD: The course has been entered on Blackboard on the MU network. There you will find links to Italian web sites that might be useful for your research. To access the course go to http://blackboard.muohio.edu/.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS AND SKITS: 1) Presentation to the class: In groups of 3, using Library resources, such as encyclopedias and travel guides, and Italian web sites (links are provided in Blackoard; click on “External Links”), explore the region of Italy assigned and present your findings to the class: the region’s distinctive geographical, historical, economic, and artistic features; its art, cuisine, folklore, customs, etc. Pretend that you are from the region’s Chamber of Commerce or Tourist Bureau and want to lure visitors by describing the region’s many treasures and delights. This presentation will be in English; c. 8-10 minutes. You may use audio-visual aids to make it more memorable. All members of the group should participate equally. The information provided will be included on quizzes and tests (so, keep it to important, relevant information; don’t include insignificant details that you would not want to remember yourself).

2) Skits: The day following your presentation of the region, recite a dialogue in Italian, with two students pretending to be tourists to the region and the other student playing the part of a local resident (or a waiter, hotel clerk, bank employee, travel agent, etc.). Use the vocabulary, expressions, and situations presented in the unit. In addition, the “tourists” may ask questions about lodging, restaurants, and important local sites to see, with the “local expert” providing appropriate answers (in Italian, c. 5-6 minutes). Skits should be interesting, informative, entertaining, and, most importantly, easy to understand (speak clearly and use the vocabulary and expressions with which the class is familiar). Presentation, 25 points; skit, 25 points.

Schedule:

1, Lazio: Presentation, Aug. 29; Skit, Sept 3: ______________ _______________ _______________

2, Emilia-Romagna: Presentation, Sept. 10; Skit, Sept 11: ___________ ____________ ____________

3, Marche: Presentation, Sept. 17; Skit, Sept. 18: ____________ ______________ ______________

4, Sicilia: Presentation, Sept. 30; Skit, Oct. 1: ______________ ______________ ________________

5, Calabria, Presentation, Oct. 7; Skit, Oct 8: ______________ _______________ _______________

6, Umbria: Presentation, Oct. 15; Skit, Oct. 16: ______________ ______________ ______________

7, Abruzzi: Presentation, Oct. 22; Skit, Oct. 23: ______________ ______________ _____________

8, Liguria: Presentation, Nov. 5; Skit, Nov. 6: ______________ _____________ _______________

9, Veneto: Presentation, Nov. 18; Skit, Nov. 19: ______________ ______________ ______________

WRITTEN COMPOSITIONS (TEMI): Before the end of each unit write a composition (of increasing length from unit to unit, as indicated on the syllabus) on a topic listed in the “Scriviamo l’italiano” segment of the “Immagini e parole” section (in even-numbered units: 2, 4, 6), to hand in on the last day devoted to the unit. For the odd-numbered units, you may take a VIRTUAL TOUR OF ITALY: visit an Italian city or museum virtually on the web, and send a postcard (cartolina) describing what or whom you saw and what you did (hotels, restaurants, famous sites, adventures, etc.).

Alternatively, your composition may be an account of your participation in ITALIAN-RELATED EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. There are many opportunities to practice your Italian or learn more about Italian culture outside of class: movies, lectures, meals at the Italian Table, Italian Club activities:

TAVOLA ITALIANA: describe a meal and a conversation you shared with Italian speakers at the Italian Table, Thursday evenings, 5:30-6:45 PM, Alexander Dining Hall, attached to Clawson Hall, the International Dorm, on the Western Campus;

ITALIAN CLUB: get involved in the Italian Club and give an account of your participation in one of its activities;

TESTS: QUIZZES: There will be two quizzes for each unit, for a total of 12. Quizzes will be administered orally on the assigned day and cannot be made up for any reason. The 10 best scores will count toward the final grade; the worst 2 scores, including any missed quizzes, will be dropped from the final tally: 20 points each

MID-TERM EXAMS: There will be 2 hourly tests during the semester. The first will cover the material in units Prelim.-2; the second will cover units 3-5 (unit 6 will be covered in the final exam): 100 points each

FINAL: A comprehensive final exam will cover all the material in the course. (300 points)

II. GRADES: The standard breakdown will apply: 93%+=A; 90-92%=A-; 87-89%=B+; 83-86%=B; 80-82%=B-; 77-79%=C+; 73-76%=C; 70-72%=C-; 67-69%=D+; 63=66%=D; 60-62%=D-. The final grade will be calculated as follows:

Participation, 50 days X 3 points each = 150

Oral presentation and skit 2 X 25 points each = 50

Writing assignments, 5 best scores of 6 X 20 points each = 100

Quizzes, 10 best scores of 12 X 20 points each = 200

Tests, 2 X 100 points each = 200

Final exam: 300

TOTAL: 1000 points

III. SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS: The required text for the course is: Branciforte and Grassi, Parliamo italiano! , second edition. Assignments must be prepared before coming to class.

Aug. 20 Introduction to course; begin Unità preliminare

21 Unità Preliminare; prepare all exercises

22 Unità 1, A; prepare exercises A.1, 2

26 “ 1, A; exercises A.3; visit ILRC

27 " 1, B; exercises B.1, 2; gioco

28 " 1, B; exercises B.3, Quiz 1

29 " 1, C; exercises C.1, 2; Presentation 1, Lazio

Sept. 2 Labor Day

3 (M/T) Unità 1, C; exercises C.3; skit 1

4 Unità 1, D; exercises D.1, 2; gioco

5 " 1, D; exercises D.3, Quiz 2

9 " 1, Immagini e parole; video; composition, cartolina virtuale (50 parole)

10 " 2, A; exercises A.1, 2; Presentation 2, Emilia-Romagna

11 " 2, A; exercises A.3; skit 2

12 " 2, B; exercises B.1, 2; gioco

16 " 2, B; exercises B.3, Quiz 3

17 " 2, C; exercises C.1, 2; Presentation 3, Marche

18 “ 2, C; exercises C.3; skit 3

19 “ 2, D; exercises D.1, 2; gioco

23 “ 2, D; exercises D.3, Quiz 4

24 “ 2, Immagini e parole; video; composition, “Scriviamo l’italiano” (60 parole)

25 Review

26 Test 1

30 Unità 3, A; exercises A.1, 2; Presentation 4, Sicilia

Oct. 1 “ 3, A; exercises A.3; skit 4

2 “ 3, B; exercises B.1, 2; gioco

3 “ 3, B; exercises B.3, Quiz 5

7 " 3, C; exercises C.1, 2; Presentation 5; Calabria

8 " 3, C; exercises C.3; skit 5

9 " 3, D; exercises D.1, 2; gioco

10 " 3, D; exercises D.3, Quiz 6

Oct. 14 Unità 3, Immagini e parole; video; composition, cartolina (70 parole)

15 " 4, A; exercises A.1, 2; Presentation 6, Umbria

16 " 4, A; exercises A.3; skit 6

17 “ 4, B; exercises B.1, 2; gioco

21 “ 4, B; exercises B.3, Quiz 7

22 “ 4, C; exercises C.1, 2; Presentation 7, Abruzzi

23 “ 4, C; exercises C.3; skit 7

24 " 4, D; exercises D.1, 2; gioco

28 " 4, D; exercises D.3, Quiz 8

29 “ 4, Immagini e parole; video; composition, “Scriviamo l’italiano” (80 parole)

30 “ 5, A; exercises A.1, 2, 3 (note: prepare exercises for all three sections)

31 “ 5, B; exercises B.1, 2; gioco

Nov. 4 " 5, B; exercises B.3, Quiz 9

5 " 5, C; exercises C.1, 2; Presentation 8, Liguria

6 " 5, C; exercises C.3; skit 8

7 “ 5, D; exercises D.1, 2; gioco

11 “ 5, D; exercises D.3, Quiz 10

12 “ 5, Immagini e parole; video; composition, cartolina (90 parole)

13 Review

14 Test 2

18 Unità 6, A; exercises A.1, 2; Presentation 9, Veneto

19 " 6, A; exercises A.3; skit 9

20 “ 6, B; exercises B.1, 2; gioco

21 “ 6, B; exercises B.3, Quiz 11

25 “ 6, C; exercises C.1, 2

26 “ 6, C; exercises C.3

THANKSGIVING BREAK

Dec. 2 “ 6, D; exercises D.1, 2; gioco

3 “ 6, D; exercises D.3, Quiz 12

4 “ 6, Immagini e parole; video; composition, “Scriviamo l’italiano” (100 parole)

5 Final review

FINAL EXAM: Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2:45 PM

ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

Following is the definition of academic misconduct from the Student Handbook. Please read it carefully before proceeding to the next page, and refer to the Student Handbook for further information on procedure and penalties.

Academic misconduct is defined as any activity which tends to compromise the academic integrity of the institution or subvert the educational process. Examples of academic misconduct include, but are not limited to:

· Conduct with respect to and during a quiz, examination, or similar evaluation.

Possessing, referring to, or employing open textbooks or notes or other devices not authorized by the instructor.

Looking at or using information from another person's paper.

Communicating with, providing assistance to, or receiving assistance from another person in a manner not authorized by the instructor.

Possessing, buying, selling, obtaining, or using a copy of any unauthorized materials intended to be used in or actually used in the preparation of a quiz or examination or similar evaluation.

Taking a quiz or examination or similar evaluation in the place of another person.

Utilizing another person to take a quiz, examination, or similar evaluation in place of oneself.

Violating procedures prescribed to protect the integrity of a quiz, examination, or similar evaluation.

Changing material on a graded examination and then requesting a regrading of the examination.

· Written and other assignments.

Submitting an assignment purporting to be the student's original work, which has been wholly or partly created by another person.

Presenting as one's own the work, ideas, representations, or words of another person without customary and proper acknowledgment of sources.

Knowingly permitting one's work to be submitted by another person as if it were the submitter's original work.

Submitting the identical or substantially the same assignment to fulfill the requirements for two or more courses without the approval of the instructors involved, or submitting the identical or substantially the same assignment from a previously completed course to fulfill requirements for another course without the approval of the instructor of the later course.

Violating procedures prescribed to protect the integrity of the assignment.

Cooperation with another person in academic misconduct, either directly or as an intermediary agent or broker.

Theft, attempted theft, malicious defacement, mutilation of library materials, or other academic resources.

STUDENT INFORMATION AND PLEDGE

Please provide the following information about yourself:

Name: Major: Status/Year:

Address:

Phone number:

E-mail:

Background (studies, travel, exposure to Italian or other foreign languages):

Interests and future plans (do you plan to use your Italian for work, travel, further study, personal interests?):

PLEDGE OF ACADEMIC HONESTY: By signing this form you confirm that you are familiar with the University’s policy on Academic Misconduct contained in the Student Handbook and that you pledge to abide by it. You also acknowledge that you have thoroughly read the syllabus for the course and that you agree to fulfill its requirements.

Signature: _______________________________________ Date: ________________