Italian

The aim of this course is to help students review and learn advanced structures of Italian grammar and vocabulary and to explore contemporary aspects of Italian culture. The course is strongly focused on communication: students learn the language they need to interact with Italian speakers in real-life situations. Students can understand a wide range of complex, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning. They can express ideas fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for words expressions. They use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes, and they produce clear, well-structured, detailed texts on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors, and cohesive devices. Readings, homework, and in- and out-of-class activities are designed to help students expand their knowledge of Italian language and grammar. At this level, students are considered proficient users who can handle a wide range of elaborate ideas, and communicate fluently and spontaneously on personal, work-related and academic topics. They can demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of Italian culture within the broader framework of global perspectives in a multicultural world. All four abilities (writing, speaking, listening, reading) are developed, also with the support of authentic audiovisual materials such as Italian movies, short videos, TV programs, and songs. The course uses a communication-based approach: students engage in daily role-plays, group activities, games, and class discussions. Out of class activities are designed to take advantage of the opportunities for interaction and language practice, as well as immersion in Italian culture, that the city provides.

The course has 2 parts A and B. Students must take both parts. No partial credit is possible. Students who complete a paper on a pre-approved topic are awarded 1 extra quarter unit per part. Maxim units for this course are 12. (6 units per part.) The course focuses on 20th century Italian literature with special attention to sociological, anthropological, and philosophical questions. The course highlights general notions in critical theory and textual analysis including formal, structural, and compositional elements as well as the question of reception. Special attention is placed on a selection of modern and contemporary literary texts related to Italian and European traditions. The course examines topics including like animated magic, music in 20th century Italian literature, and the presence of music: structural, thematic, and stylistic elements. Course Part A focuses on poetry, including works such as THE FLAME by Gabriele d'Annunzio, LYRICAL FRAGMENTS by Clemente Rebora and Frammenti lirici, WAR VARIATIONS by Amelia Rosselli and Variazioni belliche, and THE WALL OF THE EARTH, THE FREE HUNTER, and THE COUNT OF KEVENHÜLLER by Giorgio Caproni. Course Part B focuses on prose, including works such as A PRIVATE MATTER by Beppe Fenoglio, and A POSTMODERN WEEKEND CHRONICLES FROM THE EIGHTIES by Pier Vittorio Tondelli.

Please note course extends into January, available for year students only. The course focuses on the relationship between plants and environment and the implications for society. Different aspects of the modern or alternative use of plants is analyzed. Special attention is placed on associating structural and functional characteristics of plants with their influence on environmental and economic sustainability as well as human health. The laboratory associated with the course focuses on how science (in particular plant biotechnology) is the basis for technology and knowledge regarding the use of plants in modern society. Students are encouraged to pursue personal interests connected to the course. The course discusses topics including cell cultures of plant tissues and organs, transgenic plants, plants and food, alimurgic plants, dyeing plants, phytoremediation, the plants as bio-indicators of pollution; urban plants as bio-indicators of climate change, positive and negative interactions of plants with human artifacts (monuments and architectural works), palynology, plants as a source of energy., biorefineries, and bioplastics. To be able to attend the laboratory, students must possess laboratory safety certification (completion of Modules 1 and 2 of the laboratory safety certification) at Unibo.

This intensive language course is designed for UC students who have completed at least one semester or two quarters of Italian language. The course follows the language proficiency guidelines set up by the European level and is equivalent to the A2 level according to the European framework. The course focuses on Italian language and culture and uses the city of Bologna and its inhabitants as primary sources for information regarding language use and customs. The course is conducted entirely in Italian and is designed for students who already have basic knowledge of the language and want to improve their communication skills. Students are exposed to authentic Italian material linked to the city of Bologna, its history, and culture. The course also includes material from film clips, songs, and websites. At the end of the four week intensive course, students are expected to be able to talk about themselves and their life, and to describe present, past, and future events, to give suggestions, and to discuss their choices and preferences. Students are expected to understand short dialogues, conversations, and clips from mainstream Italian films and to express their ideas on a variety of topics. The course emphasizes oral production in light of the goal of communicating with Italian university students and local residents. The course follows a communicative approach to language acquisition and involves opportunities for role playing, group activities, games, class discussions and exchanges with native University of Bologna students. Activities outside the classroom are organized in order to reinforce observation and communication skills that facilitate immersion in Italian culture. The course includes a major field trip. Students select the number of quarter units from a minimum of 3 to a maximum of 6. The course is organized by inlingua with supervision from the UCEAP Bologna Study Center. Course materials are provided by inlingua. The basic text for the course is: NUOVO CONTATTO A1 (Loescher, 2018).

This is a graduate level course that is part of the Laurea Magistrale program in Cultural Anthropology. The course is intended for advanced levels students only. Enrollment is by consent of the instructor. The course focuses on the history of visual anthropology and on the use of video and photographic techniques in ethnographic research. Students develop a critical view of ethnographic representation related to the use of such techniques. Through the lens of a Cinema of Anthropology, the course offers the instruments necessary for analyzing the content of the visual representation on the one hand, and on the other, the context in which visual representations are produced and received. Examples of context include: who has filmed whom, and why, and how; with what means of production; what is the role of the “director” and of the “spectator” in the filmed/screened reality; and who views these representations and how do they view them. After an introduction to specific cinema genres, the course focuses on questions of production, direction, and visual communication, within the framework of an “aesthetic of resistance” focusing on the visual representation of culture and society, through the screening of documentary films and fiction. The course reflects on the theme of the representation of diversity and on the different cinematic representations associated with anthropology (ethnographic films, documentaries, indigenous cinema). Each lecture focuses on different themes and concepts and is followed by the screening of films, videos, and clips which are then analyzed as a group. Students are encouraged to be active participants in the course through role playing, presentations, and discussions. Students are required to write a 5,000 word essay analyzing a film of their choice (with the consent of the instructor), which can then be presented in the class also as a team project. The thesis must include the concepts of the essential course texts. Students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of the assigned texts during the final oral exam session. Alternatively, students can choose to present a short ethnographic film accompanied by a 3,000 word essay which explains the filmmaking approach and relates the ethnographic film practice to the content of the course. Finally, another option is to present a film essay - a critical analysis of one or two films that is developed through a visual presentation, with analysis of film clips in a cinematic approach. Further information on the assessment process is provided during the course. The course relies heavily on film, videos, and clips which are screened in class.

This course is for students who have already studied Italian and can easily express themselves on familiar topics. It runs at the B1/B2 level according to the CEFR level. This communicative course develops oral skills in Italian.

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale program. Enrollment is by consent of the instructor. The course is intended for students who have a strong background in political science. The course focuses on political communication with emphasis on the relationship between political systems and media systems, political language, political marketing, new media and politics, and media and populism. Special attention is placed on the strategies of effective political communication used in political campaigns both in Europe and the U.S. and the role of mass media in the public sphere and its effects on public opinion. The course also an analysis of the principal forms of online political communication. Required readings include: COMUNICAZIONE POLITICA: LE NUOVE FRONTIERE by D. Campus, MEDIATIZATION OF POLITICS: A CHALLENGE FOR DEMOCRACY? By G. Mazzoleni and W. Schultz. The course includes lectures and a series of guest speakers. Assessment is based on a written exam that includes multiple choice and essay questions.

This is a graduate level course that is part of the Laurea Magistrale program. The course is intended for advanced level students only. Enrollment is by consent of the instructor. The course focuses on the genesis, development, and evolution of sociology of education. Emphasis is placed on the sociological contribution to the study of institutions and educational processes in the field of education. Special attention is placed on specific knowledge/sociological skills functional to the assessment of the impact of educational interventions in reference to equality and inequality of opportunities in education. A separate section of the course is devoted to how to read and evaluate statistical-sociological data and indicators used in analyzing data pertaining to school systems. The course is divided in two portions. The first portion of the course focuses on the analytical models of educational processes and institutions and on the transition from a school centric to a polycentric model of training. Starting from the definition of the field of study and research in sociology of education and the contributions of various authors (Durkheim, Marx, Weber, Parsons, Simmel, etc.) the following topics are addressed: the relationship between education and society, socialization and theoretical models of reference, social self and theories of identity, equality of opportunities in education, and actors and agencies. The second portion of the course deals with specific issues such as inequalities in education and educational pathways for students who do not have Italian citizenship. The course includes traditional lectures, seminar activities, and in class discussions, as well as PPT presentations, slides, and videos. Assessment is based on a final written exam with essay questions and an oral exam on course materials during which students can discuss an essay on a pre-approved topic related to course materials.

This is an advanced course in Fashion Design that is part of the Biennio program (equivalent to the Laurea Magistrale program). The course is intended for advanced level students only. Enrollment is by consent of the instructor. The course is a year-long course that runs over the entire year, however students may participate in just one of the semesters with special permission from the instructor. Part A, during the fall semester, is worth 6 quarter units and Part B, during the spring semester, is worth 6 quarter units. The course focuses on fashion and communication, and considers the relationship between art and fashion. Students analyze visual phenomena of behaviors present in society and research instruments available for recognizing new trends, such as cool hunting and trend setting. The course includes site specific projects – research projects in the area of space selection and installation projects for fashion events involving project design, photography, video, and applicable software. The course further discusses cross overs between art, literature, cinema, music, and fashion. Emphasis is placed on the role played by media in creating and promoting fashion trends beyond the clothing sphere through modes of communication, types of body language, and social behaviors and sensibilities. The course includes workshops and site visits to exhibitions, seminars, studios, laboratories, and fashion houses. Assessment is based on the completion, presentation, and installation of three personal works. Students also present a binder documenting the various phases of the work, both in digital form and paper based. Students are required to present a short research paper on a theoretical aspect connected to their work that is tied to the required readings. Generally, in part B students prepare a fashion show and participate with three of their creations.