Italian

This course completes the elementary level of Italian, affording the opportunity to expand conversation, writing, and reading skills while consolidating knowledge of more complex grammar structures. Students understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure time, etc. They deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. They learn to produce simple connected texts on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. They describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions, and briefly illustrate opinions and plans. Students expand their Italian vocabulary and improve their mode of expression in the language. They are aware of the significant differences that exist between uses, customs, behaviors, and values of the community in which they live. They also master essential rules of courtesy and etiquette of the hosting country. All four abilities (writing, speaking, listening, reading) are developed in the class, 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.

This course provides students with a sound basis for communicating effectively and accurately in Italian.  Emphasis is on the fundamentals of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.  “Real-life” activities expose students to day-to-day contexts likely to be encountered outside the classroom environment reinforcing grammatical structures learned in class and increasing functional skills. Students review and complete the study of Italian grammar and are exposed to a broad spectrum of language to reinforce their written and spoken skills. In addition, students are able to read texts of a certain complexity, to give clear descriptions on various topics, and to develop their ideas. They produce clear and articulated texts on a wide array of topics and express opinions on current events, explaining pros and cons of the various options. They are engaged in individual reading, class discussion, and analysis (both written and oral) of contemporary literary texts. Out of class activities are designed to take full advantage of the city of Florence and provide opportunities for interaction and enhancement of language skills, as well as immersion in Italian culture.
 

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.

Italy possesses one of the richest culinary traditions in the world, with roots reaching back to ancient times. Students explore literature detailing matters of Italian food culture in a dense array of settings. Part of the course is conducted on site, exposing students to Rome's rich network of food distribution systems, as well as touring areas in proximity of Rome to discover the close linkage between the territory, its inhabitants, and consumable food products. Topics covered include the cultural ecology of pasta, the historical evolution of spices, the special character of Alpine ecosystems, the moral implications of food consumption, modern food distribution, the globalization of taste, and responses to globalization especially through the Slow Food movement. Throughout the course attention is paid to the role of food practice in contemporary Italian society and culture, with special attention to gender. In order to put principles into practice, the structured experience of food and wines is an integral part of the course.

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 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.

The course focuses on the ancient history of the Emilia Romagna region through the direct analysis of various sources: literary, epigraphic, and archaeological. Students are introduced to research methodology regarding the study of the ancient world, in particular institutions, society, and culture. The course offers a general outline of Augustus' VIII region, starting from the Roman conquest of the Po valley. Various aspects of the Romanization process in the Cispadana region are covered (social, economic, religious, institutional) based on different types of data. Different methodological examples are used in the analysis of general historical value. The last section of the course focuses on the most recent archaeological discoveries concerning the ancient town of Mutina (Modena). The course includes visits to Emilia Romagna regional Museums (Museo Civico Archeologico di Bologna, the Antiquarium di Marzabotto, and the Museo Archeologico di Ferrara). Assessment is based on a final oral exam covering class materials, general knowledge, and the fundamentals of research methodology. Main topics are: the different types of sources available in the reconstruction of the ancient history of a specific geographic area and their correct methodological use in the historical reconstruction process; the political and economic history of the Emilia Romagna region; basic history of a number of Roman colonies including Ariminum, Bononia, Mutina, and Parma; the most recent archaeological discoveries and their relationship to previous knowledge.

This course introduces students to the grammatical structures and vocabulary necessary to understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases in Italian. Students learn to express themselves using verbs in the present tense. They introduce themselves and others and ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live, people they know, and things they own. They engage in simple interactions as long as the other person talks slowly and clearly. They ask for or pass on personal details in written form and produce short and simple texts like postcards, greetings messages, isolated phrases, and sentences. Attention is given to the correct pronunciation of the language. All four abilities (writing, speaking, listening, reading) are developed in the class, 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.