Italian

ITA 101 ELEMENTARY ITALIAN

1 semester, 3 credits

An introduction to Italian language, culture and literature using a communicative approach through lessons including exercises on grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. The grammatical progression will start with verbs, noun and adjective agreements, sentence structure, regular verbs, and the rudiments of pronunciation. Students will learn how to ask questions and respond through paired and group activities simulating real life situations. They will learn to express likes and dislikes using piacere. Lessons will include cultural components aimed at stimulating personal research as well as cross-cultural comparisons. Cultural readings will include specific topics such as the Italian family, Italian education, geography, literature, and film.

ITA 102 ELEMENTARY ITALIAN II

1 semester, 3 credits

A continuation of the material introduced in Italian 101. Students will learn new vocabulary, become familiar with irregular verbs, past tenses, and the present subjunctive. Special attention is given to the frequent use of authentic materials (literary readings, advertisements, television commercials). Students will learn how to ask questions and respond through paired and group activities simulating real life situations. They will be able to discuss and relate personal experiences as well as to comment on general topics. Lessons will include cultural components aimed at stimulating personal research as well as cross-cultural comparisons. Readings will include specific cultural topics such as the Italian family, Italian education, geography, literature, and film.

ITA 103 INTERMEDIATE ITALIAN I

2 semesters, 3 credits each

This course will review basic grammar while building on students’ proficiency in the four language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). Grammar will focus on regular and irregular verbs in the present, future, conditional, past, and imperfect tenses, and double object pronouns. A wide range of authentic literary and non-literary texts drawn from popular newspapers and magazines, contextualized dialogues, video, and readings will emphasize Italian culture as an integral part of learning the Italian language. The course utilizes various interactive strategies (Web sites, workbook activities, CD-ROM, film clips, group activities, conversation) to enhance language acquisition.

ITA 104 INTERMEDIATE ITALIAN II

1 semester, 3 credits

A continuation of the material introduced in Italian 103. The course seeks to reinforce and expand students’ linguistic and cultural proficiency at a more advanced level. Grammar will include salient structures such as the imperfect subjunctive, the future and conditional tenses, the passive voice, and indirect commands. A wide range of authentic literary and non-literary texts drawn from popular newspapers and magazines and correlated contextualized exercises will seek to broaden students’ knowledge of Italian culture while reinforcing their language skills. Guided writing activities on specific cultural and personal themes will expand students’ writing skills in Italian. The course utilizes various interactive strategies (Web sites, workbook activities, CDROM, film clips, group activities, conversation) to enhance language acquisition.

ITA 107 INTENSIVE ELEMENTARY ITALIAN

1 semester, 6 credits

This course concentrates one year’s work into one semester. An introduction to Italian as a spoken and written language, the course is designed for students who wish to be fully immersed in the language, and who are motivated to do intensive oral practice, regular laboratory work, reading, and writing exercises. Conducted in Italian.

ITA 201 ITALIAN COMPOSITION

1 semester, 3 credits

This course is designed to expand the knowledge of Italian through a variety of written and oral assignments. Special attention will be on the development of students’ cultural literacy and analytical skills as expressed in regular writing assignments. Class participation includes active and meaningful contribution to the discussions of selected cultural and literary topics. The course will include differentiated grammatical exercises aimed at securing an advanced spoken and written fluency in Italian. Conducted in Italian.

ITA 210 CONVERSATIONAL ITALIAN

1 semester, 3 credits

Intended for students wishing to achieve near-native fluency in Italian. The course includes active use of the language, class discussions, and oral reports on selected cultural topics, oral summaries of short stories and other Italian texts, as well as viewing of videos on contemporary Italy. Conducted in Italian.

ITA 212 ITALIAN CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION (FINE ARTS CORE)

1 semester, 3 credits

This course is designed to expand students’ understanding of Italian civilization while augmenting their knowledge and appreciation of the rich cultural wealth of Italy as manifested through the arts. The course provides a comprehensive account of the evolution of Italian civilization through an examination of Italian art, architecture, history, geography, cultural, and political developments from its origins to the present. Students will engage in an interdisciplinary study of Italy through the ages. Discussion of readings, films, media, opera, and lectures will lead to a better understanding of the role of the arts in defining and redefining Italy both politically and culturally over the centuries. Course work will include visits to RISD and other area museums or galleries. The course affords extensive practice in speaking, reading, comprehension, and writing in Italian. Conducted in Italian.

ITA 303 AUTHORS AND WORKS OF THE RENAISSANCE

1semester, 3 credits

This course aims at providing a comprehensive understanding of the ideals of the early Renaissance through the study of works by authors such as Bembo, Ariosto, Machiavelli, and Castiglione, and their brilliant fusion of idealism and realism. Readings will be examined in their historical and cultural context. Conducted in Italian.  Prerequisites: ITA 321 and 322.

ITA 304 AUTHORS AND WORKS OF THE LATE RENAISSANCE

1 semester, 3 credits

This course introduces students to the great works of the late Renaissance, that period following the 1527 sack of Rome, with the ensuing political crisis for the Italian states and the papacy, when the cult of Aristotle prevails over the Platonism of the early 1500s. Special attention will be given to Tasso as well as to the evolution of genres typical of the late Renaissance, including theater, poetry, and historical and didactic treatises. Conducted in Italian.  Prerequisites: ITA 321 and 322.

ITA 318 MODERN ITALY (SOCIAL SCIENCE CORE)

1 semester, 3 credits

This course examines modern Italian society through a study of its cultural, literary, artistic, historical, and political development in order to provide students with an accurate understanding of the Italians, and their contribution to the development of western civilization in general. Conducted in English.

ITA 321 SURVEY OF ITALIAN LITERATURE I (DANTE, PETRARCA, BOCCACCIO)

1 semester, 3 credits

Italian literature of the Middle Ages with readings from the early writers, Dante’s Divine Comedy, Petrarca’s Canzoniere, and Boccaccio’s Decameron. Conducted in Italian.

ITA 322 SURVEY OF ITALIAN LITERATURE II

1 semester, 3 credits

This course is designed to introduce the student to Italian literature from the Renaissance to the 21th century. The class discusses major authors, texts, themes, and ideas in a social-historical context. Analytical and writing skills are emphasized. Conducted in Italian.

ITA 370 SPECIAL TOPICS IN ITALIAN

1 semester 3 credits

This course will provide students the opportunity for in-depth study of a particular topic not treated in existing course offerings. Topics will vary and may be drawn from current issues, events, debates, or from other related areas of interest to students of the discipline. Conducted in Italian. Prerequisite: Successful completion of at least two ITA courses at the 200-level or above.

ITA 401 RISORGIMENTO I

1 semester, 3 credits

The aim of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the literature of the years of the unification of Italy in the mid 1800s. Attention is given to the progression of Neoclassicism and Romanticism as evidenced in the works of authors such as Foscolo, Leopardi, and Manzoni. Conducted in Italian.  Prerequisites: ITA 321 and 322.

ITA 402 RISORGIMENTO II

1 semester, 3 credits

This course intends to study the literary production and development of late Romanticism and Verismo during the late 1800s. Attention will focus on the differing aesthetics of Bohemian and Neoclassical poets–such as Carducci, Rovani, Pascoli, D’Annunzio–as well as the master of positive realism, Verga. Conducted in Italian. Prerequisites: ITA 321 and 322.

ITA 403 MODERN ITALIAN LITERATURE: THE EARLY 1900s

1 semester, 3 credits

This course is an intensive survey of Italian literature from the beginning of the 1900s with Decadence and Futurism to the literature of the Fascist years in the 1940s. Attention will be paid especially to major writers such as Pirandello, Svevo, Ungaretti, Quasimodo, and Montale. The course emphasizes the historical evolution of literary forms, themes, and genres. Conducted in Italian.  Prerequisites: ITA 321 and 322.

ITA 404 MODERN ITALIAN LITERATURE: 1950-PRESENT

1 semester, 3 credits

This course is an intensive survey of Italian literature beginning with the post-war years following WWII with Neo-Realism to the postmodern years of Moravia, Calvino, Pasolini, and Eco. Attention will be paid to women writers such as Elsa Morante, Dacia Maraini, and Natalia Ginzburg. The goal of the course is to introduce students to the variety of literary voices and differing critical approaches that characterize the richness of literature leading to the year 2000. Conducted in Italian.  Prerequisites: ITA 321 and 322.

ITA 405 ITALIAN CINEMA (FINE ARTS CORE)

1 semester, 3 credits

A chronological examination of Italian Cinema from its origin to the present. Emphasis will be on Italian art and history. Major directors will be discussed in the context of historical and theoretical influences. Conducted in English.

ITA 450 INTERNSHIP IN ITALIAN STUDIES

1 semester, 3 credits

This course offers majors at the advanced level the opportunity to apply and deepen their knowledge of the major language/culture in a meaningful way outside the classroom. Students interested in an internship must finalize the details of their placement and obtain approval both from the faculty member who will serve as their internship advisor and from the department chairperson PRIOR to registering for this course. Interns sign the departmental and college internship contracts and, in addition to the minimum ten hours per week devoted to supervised on-site responsibilities, meet regularly with the faculty internship advisor to discuss the ongoing process of the scholarly project that will emerge from the internship experience. At the conclusion of the internship, interns will submit the following in the target language: a written journal documenting and reflecting upon their weekly internship experiences, and a scholarly project submitted in writing to the internship advisor and presented orally to the department faculty.

ITA 490 INDEPENDENT STUDY

1 semester, 3 credits

Readings or research in selected areas of language or literature directed by a member of the Department. Topic will be arranged in consultation with the instructor. Approval of the department chairperson is required.