Christina Isabelli-García, PhD
Illinois Wesleyan University

Intermediate Italian
Italian 201 - Spring 2010
under construction

Dept of MCLL
IL Wesleyan University
P.O. Box 2900
Bloomington, IL 61702

309-556-3174
309-556-3284 (fax)

Office:  Buck 014

Spring 2008 - office hours
MW 11-1, F 11-12

email me
 

updated 10/09
calendar
how to make accents (pdf)
editing symbols (pdf)
components of the course
 download syllabus (pdf)
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Prego!: An invitation to Italian. 6th edition. McGraw Hill.
Workbook to accompany Prego!
Laboratory manual to accompany Prego!
 Le avventure di Pinocchio (Collodi). Easy Reader.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course is designed to review grammar structures and to give you practice in using basic speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.  You will develop basic competency of Italian linguistic structures in order to be able to carry on simple conversations, respond to and follow directions, speak on assigned topics and write clearly. In-class time will be devoted to oral skills (speaking and listening), while out-of-class time will be directed toward the development of reading and writing.  Therefore, class will be conducted in Italian and every effort will be made to give each student as much opportunity as possible to speak.
CLASSROOM PROCUEDURE
You are required to bring both the textbook and the workbook to class everyday.  Every effort will be made to stick to the course syllabus, but variations are inevitable.  It is your responsibility to find out what modifications have been made in the syllabus, if any, and arrive to class appropriately prepared. You should consider class time not as a period of passive observation (as in a traditional lecture course), but almost as a performance.  Both the grammar text and the accompanying workbook offer many opportunities for in-class speaking, but out-of-class preparation should be active.  In other words, you should anticipate classroom activities by not only reading assignments carefully, but by planning in advance comments or questions about the material along with the appropriate vocabulary.  Shy people will have to work extra hard at this.
COURSE WORK
Daily class preparation is essential for you to do well in this course.  This includes not only listening to CDs and completing computer grammar activities and workbook homework, but also paying close attention to the book’s grammar presentations, readings, and vocabulary lists.  The grammar explanations in the text are clear and concise (and in English), so little class time will be given to repeating material which you have prepared ahead of time.  Class time is instead devoted to placing the student in situations where s/he will use authentic Italian.  By reading the text carefully before coming to class and preparing the appropriate exercises, you will find class time interesting and fun.  Note:  All classes are conducted in Italian, with no English permitted except at the discretion of the instructor.

POLICIES
I will make myself available to discuss appropriate academic accommodations that you may require as a student with a disability. Before course accommodations will be made, students may be required to provide documentation to the Associate Provost, 211 Holmes Hall, 556-3107. Office hours are times of the day that I announce myself available for consultation with students. If you know in advance that you are going to need time, let me know, either by leaving a message or by speaking briefly after class.  Due to limited class time, please see me during my office hours if you have questions regarding: course policy; grade explanations on homework, compositions, exams; complements or reproaches.
 

COMPONENTS OF THE COURSE
A) Essays (15%).  Students will write three (3) essays, which will increase in complexity and length as the semester progresses. As in other types of writing, correct punctuation, paragraphing and correct grammar are expected.  Equally important, however, are the freshness of ideas, their coherent organization and effective expression.  Each composition should be written on a word processor since revisions are then entered without the risk of making additional mistakes. You will email me your essays as an attachment.  When I return your essay, you will need to know what my editing symbols are to revise your work. 

B) Homework (15%). This includes assigned work from the workbook/lab manual and chapters questions from Pinocchio. The workbook is extremely helpful in providing additional practice in all four skills. 
•    The workbook exercises may be done in class, both are available for student reference at any time, and as many times as the student may desire. These are intended as aids for self-study. Regular homework assignments will also include language exercises and web sites pertaining to aspects of Italian culture that we study in class. 
•    The audio portion of the workbook is available through the publisher's website and are linked in my online calendar below.
•    The novel Pinocchio has 14 chapters and the “Domande” at the end of each chapter will be completed and typed as homework throughout the semester.  It is important to arrive to class prepared to discuss the chapters from the novel.
C) Attendance/Participation (15%).  All students are allowed four absences—there is no distinction made between excused and unexcused absences.  After four absences, grades will be lowered as much as one-half a letter grade per absence.  This means that, even with the best grades possible, 12 absences is an automatic failure for the class.
Active participation in class is a required part of the course and will be evaluated every day according to a 3-point scale.  The points are awarded as follows:
3 -    student is well prepared for class shown through frequent oral participation; frequently leads discussion; and can expand effectively on topic
2 -    prepared, but must be encouraged to participate; speaks English infrequently
1 -    doesn’t talk; prepared or preparation inadequate to allow full participation; asleep; disruptive to groups; speaks English frequently
0 -    no preparation; absent from class
D) Written Exams (30%). A total of 3 exams for the 5 chapters (14 -18)  (10%) will be given and the tests will contain grammar, culture, vocabulary and reading.

E) Oral exams (20%). The 3 oral exams consist of situations or topics, overall proficiency is assessed through performance in a conversation.  Grading will focus on accuracy and the ability to sustain a conversation.  You will have ample time to practice all topics with partners during class time.  The last oral exam will be given during finals week on Tuesday April 29th, 10:15-12:15 in our classroom.  Click here to see the oral grading rubric (pdf).
 
GRADE SCALE
A =  94-100%   C+= 77-79%
A- = 90-93%     C =  74-77%
B+= 87-89%     C- = 70-73%
B =  84-87%     D = 60-69%
B- = 80-83%     F = 0-59%

***

Programma Giornaliero (Do not print - Subject to change)

Day                 Topics
6 gennaio        Introduzione al corso.

8                      C14
                        Compiti: Wkbk pp. 199-200; Lab p. 145 A, p. 146 C
                        Complete Domande for Pinocchio C1

When answering questions, avoid directly quoting from the text. Instead, use your own words and answer in complete sentences. Points will be deducted for direct quotes.)

______________________________________________________________________________
11                    Review homework, turn in Pinocchio C1
                        Compiti: Wkbk pp. 201, B; p. 202 C

13                    Review homework, C14
                        Compiti: p. 202 A; 203 B, Lab p.149 C

15                    Review homework, C14
                        •Compiti: Wkbk p. 204 A, B, Pinocchio C3
                        •Per il 30, Tema #1: textbook p. 331 Scrivere
______________________________________________________________________________
18                    Review homework, turn in Pinocchio C2
                        Compiti: Wkbk p. 205 A, Textbook pp. 328-329 A, B, C

20                    Review homework, review Lab pages (p. 145 A; p. 146 C; p. 149 C)

22                    film
______________________________________________________________________________
25                    filme  Pinocchio C3, C15
                        Compiti: Wkbk p. 212 B, C & p. 213 D, Lab p. 155 A, B & p. 156 C
                        •Look at p. 339 forms of passato remoto.
                        •Per il 30, Tema #1: textbook p. 331 Scrivere

27                    Review homework, C15
                        Compiti: Wkbk p. 215 D; p. 216 E, F

29                    Review homework, C15, consegnare Tema #1
                        once you receive my feedback, revise your draft using these editing symbols (pdf)
                         Compiti: Wkbk p. 217 A. Lab p. 158 A. Read p. 343

______________________________________________________________________________
1 febbraio        Pinocchio C4, C15
                        Compiti: Wkbk p. 218 A. Lab p. 159 B; p. 161 Dettato

3                      Review homework, C15           

5                      Review homework, C15   

______________________________________________________________________________
8                      Pinocchio C5,  Esame Orale #1: p. 319 C; p. 322 D (1-4); p. 323 A; pp. 337-338 D 1, 3, 8
                        Oral Grading Rubric (pdf)

10                    C15

12                    C15

______________________________________________________________________________
15                    Esame Scritto #1 (C14, 15), Pinocchio C6
                        Compiti: Wkbk p. 225 B & p. 226 C, D, E

17                   Review homework, C16
                       Compiti: Wkbk p. 227 A; p. 228 B, C & p. 229 D.  Lab p. 165 A

19                   Review homework, C16
                       Compiti: Wkbk p. 229 A, B; p. 230 C, D; p. 230 A

______________________________________________________________________________
22                   Review homework, Pinocchio C7
                       Compiti: Wkbk p. 231 B, C

24                 C16

26                 Esame Orale #2: questions with imperfect/passato prossimo; p. 359 1-7 (questions
                     with recommendations); 365 D 1,2
                     Oral Grading Rubric (pdf)
______________________________________________________________________________
1 marzo                 Pinocchio C8, C16

3                    C16
                     Per il 12, Tema #2: Workbook p. 220 A, Raccontare una favola

5                  
______________________________________________________________________________
8                   Pinocchio C9, C17
                     Compiti: Lab pp. 173-174 A, B, C; Wkbk pp. 237-238 A, B, C

10                Review homework, C17
                    Compiti: Wkbk p. 239 A, B, C; Lab p. 174 A

12                C17, Consegnare Tema #2 (send essay draft as lastname_tema2.doc to my email)
                    once you receive my feedback, revise your draft using these editing symbols (pdf)
                    Compiti: Wkbk p. 243 B, Lab p. 175 D, A

14                Pinocchio C10, C17
                    Compiti: Lab p. 179 Dettato           
 ______________________________________________________________________________
15-19           Vacanze di primavera! - Non c'è classe
  ______________________________________________________________________________
22                 Review homework, C17

24                 Esame Scritto #2 (C15, 16)

26                 Pinocchio C11 (send me via email), proiezione del film Pinocchio
______________________________________________________________________________
29               film  
                     Per il 9, Tema #3: handout (pdf) sul film, Pinocchio       

31                   film C18
                     Compiti: Wkbk pp. 250-251 B, C, D; Lab p. 183 A

2 april                  Pinocchio C12, Review compiti,  C18
                    Compiti: Wkbk pp. 252-253 A, B, C, D
______________________________________________________________________________
5                   Review homework, C18

7                   C18, Consegnare Tema #3
                     Compiti: Wkbk p. 256 B; p. 257 D

9                 Pinocchio C13, Review homework, C18
                     Compiti: Lab p. 181 A, B; p. 182 In ascolto; p. 186 Dettato
______________________________________________________________________________
12                  C18

14                  Esame Scritto #5
 
16                  Pinocchio C14, Pratica per l'orale
___________________________________________________________________________
19                  Pratica per il orale

21               Reading day - non c'e classe
_____________________________________________________________________________

29 (martedì)      Esame Orale #3 10:15-12:15pm, Oral exam possible questions handout (.doc)
                         and instructions (.doc) for the oral exam .
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