ITAL - Italian

The Post-Advanced course is designed to make the students able to understand virtually everything heard or read; they will be able to summarize information from different spoken and written sources (while reconstructing arguments in a coherent presentation) and express themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.

Students will study Italian literature from the 14th to the 16th Century. Students will critically analyze the internationally renowned literary texts in their original language. Authors include Petrarch, Boccaccio, Ariosto, Tasso, Machiavelli, and others. Students will read excerpts from these works and engage in a historical, literary, and rhetorical analysis of texts while determining techniques of poetic composition. Students will also learn about the lives of authors and the historical context and how these affected the masterpieces studied.

Dante Alighieri is the most important Italian poet, the father of Italian language and the principal figure of Medieval Literature in Europe. This course will examine Dante's Divine Comedy and some other minor works of his (e.g., La Vita Nuova and Convivio). The course aim is to allow students to examine his internationally renowned literary texts in their original language. Students will read excerpts from these works and engage in a historical, literary, and rhetorical analysis of texts while determining techniques of poetic composition.

The Advanced course is designed to make the students able to understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning; the students will be able to express themselves fluently and spontaneously and use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. The students will be invited to produce clear and detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

Students will study Italian literature from the 17th to 19th Century. Students will critically analyze the internationally renowned literary texts in their original language. Authors include G. Leopardi, U. Foscolo, A. Manzoni, and others. Students will read excerpts from these works and engage in a historical, literary and rhetorical analysis of texts while determining techniques of poetic composition. Students will also learn about the lives of authors and the historical context and how these affected the masterpieces studied.

The Intermediate course is designed to make the students able to understand the main ideas of complex text in Italian on both concrete and abstract topics (including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization) and interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity. The students will be able to make regular interaction with native speakers and produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects.

This course focuses on developing the student's ability to understand Italian sentences and frequently used expressions that relate to personal and family information, shopping, local geography, and employment. Oral communication is emphasized in simple tasks that require a direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters, or conversation about personal interests or employment. Writing is emphasized in assignments related to readings, class discussions, and lectures. The course focuses on an intermediate level of reading, speaking, and writing in Italian.

Students will study Italian literature of the Twentieth Century. Students will critically analyze the internationally renowned literary texts in their original language. Authors include Pirandello, Quasimodo, Ungaretti, Montale, and others. Students will read excerpts from these works and engage in a historical, literary, and rhetorical analysis of texts while determining techniques of poetic composition. Students will also learn about the lives of authors and the historical context and how these affected the masterpieces studied.

This course focuses on developing the student’s ability to understand Italian sentences and frequently used expressions that relate to personal and family information, shopping, local geography, and employment. Oral communication is emphasized in simple tasks that require a direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Writing is emphasized in assignments related to readings, class discussions, and lectures. The course focuses on an intermediate level of reading, speaking, and writing in Italian.

This course focuses on developing the student's ability to speak, to write, and to read Italian. Additional emphasis is given to learning about Italian culture. Instruction centers on oral communication, written communication, reading for comprehension, and cultural awareness. Writing and speaking are emphasized in assignments related to readings, class discussions, and lectures.