ITALIAN 102: SECOND SEMESTER OF BEGINNERS' ITALIAN, Spring 2003

The second semester of Beginners' Italian will cover Units 7 through 12 of Parliamo Italiano! (second edition) as well as the related laboratory lessons. The four weekly class periods will consist of grammar and vocabulary exercises, dialogues, and a variety of activities designed to help master the basic structures of the Italian language and introduce students to Italian culture.

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. Nine lessons will be devoted to each unit according to the following schedule (except for the last unit, unità 12, which will be covered in 7 lessons; see assignment schedule, Apr. 14-24):

Day 1: Read all of section A; prepare exercises in A.3, Punti grammaticali; oral presentation

Day 2: Re-read section A; prepare exercises in A.1, Si dice così, and A.2, Incontro; skit in Italian

Day 3: Read all of section B; prepare exercises in B.3; game for extra points

Day 4: Re-read section B; prepare exercises in B.1 and B.2; Quiz on sections A and B

Day 5: Read all of section C; prepare exercises in C.3; oral presentation

Day 6: Re-read section C; prepare exercises in C.1 and C.2; skit in Italian

Day 7: Read all of section D; prepare exercises in D.3; game for extra points

Day 8: Re-read section D; prepare exercises in D.1 and D.2; Quiz on sections C and D

Day 9: Read “Immagini e parole”; watch video; prepare all exercises; write tema (written composition)

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

1. QUESTION AND ANSWER: Each student should prepare 5 questions, in Italian, on the grammar and readings in the two sections covered on the quiz. 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. 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 and 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 (REQUIRED): 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. There will be questions on the content of the video on the exams.

AUDIO TAPES (RECOMMENDED): 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 (RECOMMENDED): 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.

Computer access: 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/ (Click on the link for the “Virtual ILRC”; for the username enter “ilrc” (all lower-case); for the password enter “ilrc” again (lower-case); then click “OK” and find the Italian files).

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 (or 2 or 4, depending on the size of the class), 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. 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, Lombardia: Presentation, Jan. 14, Skit, Jan. 15: ______________ _______________ _______________

2, Piemonte: Presentation, Jan. 23 Skit, Jan. 27: ___________ ____________ ____________

3, Val d’Aosta: Presentation, Jan. 30; Skit, Feb. 3: ____________ ______________ ______________

4, Sardegna: Presentation, Feb. 12; Skit, Feb. 13: ______________ ______________ ________________

5, Abruzzi & Molise: Presentation, Feb. 20; Skit, Feb. 24: _____________ _______________ _______________

6, Campania: Presentation, Mar. 3; Skit, Mar. 4: ______________ ______________ ______________

7, Puglia & Basilicata: Presentation, Mar. 17; Skit, Mar. 18: ______________ ______________ _____________

8, Toscana: Presentation, mar. 25; Skit, Mar. 26: ______________ _____________ _______________

9, Trentino-Alto Adige & Friuli-Venezia Giulia: Presentation, Apr. 1; Skit, Apr. 2: ______________ ______________ ______________ __________________

WRITTEN COMPOSITIONS (TEMI): At the end of each unit hand in a tema or composition written in Italian (of increasing length from unit to unit, as indicated on the syllabus):

VIRTUAL TOUR OF ITALY: use the web to visit one or more Italian cities in the region discussed in the unit (in the oral presentations), and send a postcard describing what you saw and did (hotels, restaurants, sites, museums, etc.). Use the structures and locutions presented in the unit.

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, Wednesday 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;

ITALIAN CINEMA SERIES: Write a summary of an Italian movie. Every Tuesday evening there will be an Italian movie screened at 7:30 PM, in 12 Harrison Hall. Admission is free and open to all.

TESTING: QUIZZES: There will be two quizzes for each unit, each covering two segments of the unit, for a total of 12. Quizzes will be administered orally on the assigned day and cannot be made up. 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 (plus extra bonus points from games).

MID-TERM EXAMS: There will be 2 hourly tests during the semester. The first will cover the material in units 7-8; the second will cover units 9-11 (unit 12 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 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

SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS

Jan. 6, Introduction

7, Unità 7 A; exercises A.3

8, 7 A; exercises A.1, A.2

9, 7 B; ex. B.3; gioco

13, 7 B; ex. B.1, B.2; Quiz 1

14, 7 C; ex. C.3; Presentation 1, Lombardia

15, 7 C; ex. C.1, C.2; Skit 1

16, 7 D; ex. D.3; gioco

20, Martin Luther King Holiday, no classes

21, 7 D; ex. D.1, D.2; Quiz 2

22, 7, Immagini e parole; video; tema 1 (100 parole)

23, Unità 8 A; ex. A.3; Presentation 2, Piemonte

27, 8 A; ex. A.1, A.2; Skit 2

28, 8 B; ex. B.3; gioco

29, 8 B; ex. B.1, B.2; Quiz 3

30, 8 C; ex. C.3; Presentation 3, Val d’Aosta

Feb. 3, 8 C; ex. C.1, C.2; Skit 3

4, 8 D; ex. D.3; gioco

5, 8 D; ex. D.1, D.2; Quiz 4

6, 8, Immagini e parole; video; tema 2 (120 parole)

10, Ripasso, unità 7 e 8

11, Test 1

12, Unità 9 A; ex. A.3; Presentation 4, Sardegna

13, 9 A; ex. A.1, A.2; Skit 4

17, Presidents’ Day, no classes

18, Unità 9 B; ex. B.3; gioco

19, 9 B; ex. B.1, B.2; Quiz 5

20, 9 C; ex. C.3; Presentation 5, Abruzzi & Molise

24, 9 C; ex. C.1, C.2; Skit 5

25, 9 D; ex. D.3; gioco

26, 9 D; ex. D.1, D.2; Quiz 6

27, 9, Immagini e parole; video; tema 3 (140 parole)

Mar. 3, Unità 10 A; ex. A.3; Presentation 6, Campania

4, 10 A; ex. A.1, A.2; Skit 6

5, 10 B; ex. B.3; gioco

6, 10 B; ex. B.1, B.2; Quiz 7

9-16 Spring Break, no classes

17, Unità 10 C; ex. C.3; Presentation 7, Puglia & Basilicata

18, 10 C; ex. C.1, C.2; Skit 7

19, 10 D; ex. D.3; gioco

20, 10 D; ex. D.1, D.2; Quiz 8

24, 10, Immagini e parole; video; tema 4 (160 parole)

25, Unità 11 A; ex. A.3; Presentation 8, Toscana

26, 11 A; ex. A.1, A.2; Skit 8

27, 11 B; ex. B.3; gioco

31, 11 B; ex. B.1, B.2; Quiz 9

Apr. 1, 11 C; ex. C.3; Presentation 9, Trentino-Alto Adige & Friuli- Venezia Giulia

2, 11 C; ex. C.1, C.2; Skit 9

3, 11 D; ex. D.3; gioco

7, 11 D; ex. D.1, D.2; Quiz 10

8, 11, Immagini e parole; video; tema 5 (180 parole)

9, Ripasso, unità 9-11

10, Test 2

14, Unità 12 A; ex. A.1-.3

15, 12 B; ex. B.3; gioco

16, 12 B; ex. B.1-2; Quiz 11

17, 12 C; ex. C.1-3

21, 12 D; ex. D.3; gioco

22, 12 D; ex. D.1-2; Quiz 12

23, Immagini e parole; video; make-up tema (200 par.)

24, Ripasso

FINAL EXAM: Wednesday, Apr. 30, 7:45 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: ________________