Courses in Italian Language and Culture offered at IWU

Italian 101 Elementary Italian I.  An introduction to the Italian language and culture that emphasizes the skills of listening, speaking, and reading, and introduces students to writing.  Primary emphasis is placed on oral communicative skills and on functioning in real-life situations in an Italian cultural context.  Offered each spring.

Italian 102 Elementary Italian II.  A continuation of language skills developed in 101, with exposure to more complicated grammatical concepts as well as cultural issues.  Primary emphasis is placed on oral communicative skills and on functioning in real-life situations in an Italian cultural context.  Prerequisite:  101 or equivalent.  Offered each fall.

Italian 201 Intermediate Italian I (LA).  This course continues the proficiency-oriented approach of the Beginning Italian sequence.  It is designed to strengthen basic language skills with an emphasis on oral skills.  Prerequisite:  102 or equivalent.  Offered each spring.

Italian 202 Elementary Italian II (G).  A course designed to expand reading and writing skills beyond the basic sequence.  Italian 202 emphasizes the development of narrative-level discourse, with increased control of complex sentences, hypothesizing, abstract reasoning, and self-correction.  Grammar instruction incorporates a close reading of texts.  Reading and writing assignments introduce issues central to Italy's historical and contemporary cultural identity.  Prerequisite:  201 or equivalent. Offered occasionally.

Italian 397 Internship.  Opportunities for students to apply linguistic and cultural skills in a professional context in a wide variety of professional areas and locations, but primarily international sites during study abroad.   Prerequisite:  202 or equivalent and consent of instructor.  Offered as needed.

Italian 399 Independent Study.  Directed reading in Italian including a major research project related to the study of Italian language, culture, or literature under the close supervision of a faculty member.  Prerequisite:  202 or equivalent and consent of instructor.  Offered as needed.

Related Courses of interest

LC 165 Special Topics in Italian Literature in Translation (LT).  This course will vary in content and approach to emphasize genres, themes, and periods in Italian literature.  Readings and lectures in English.  Offered occasionally.

LC 260 Italian Cinema.  This course is designed to show the development of Italian film while showing the evolution of contemporary Italian culture in relation to cinema.  Students will be introduced to different film movements (such as neorealism and Italian-style comedy) and notable directors (including Fellini and Rossellini) while studying particular themes such as historic representation, narrative adaptation, social problems, sexuality, cultural diversity, and family roles.  Course taught in English; films shown will have English subtitles..  Offered in alternate years.

LC 265 Renaissance Italy (IT).  From its passion for antiquity to its contrast with the Middle Ages, the Italian Rinascimento represents a turning point in Western history.  The goal of this travel course is to introduce students firsthand to the art, architecture, literature, and history of Renaissance Italy.  Prerequisite:  Permission of the instructor.  Offered occasionally in May Term.