Loyola University Chicago

ITAL 102-201                                                                                                                     

Prof. LaFranco Moroney

Required Materials:

Italian Espresso 1. Italian Course for English Speakers. 2006. Alma Edizioni: Firenze.

Workbook for Italian Espresso 1.

Schaum’s Outline of Italian Grammar (3rd edition)

Recommended Materials:  Italian- English Dictionary 

Websites: - Loyola Blackboard:http://blackboard.luc.edu

 LLRC: Italian Espresso Audio Material available here:

http://www.luc.edu/llrc (choose Digital Audio, Italian Espresso, then username=italiano password=studenti)

Course description:

First-year Italian language courses at Loyola emphasize the development of listening and speaking skills and teach grammar in relation to communication.  Class sessions are conducted primarily in Italian in order to immerse students as much as possible in the living language and in a simulated Italian linguistic and cultural context. Dialogues from the text and other materials will introduce students to Italian in a variety of contexts.  In addition to developing listening and speaking skills, the course will also develop writing and reading skills, and offer elements of a basic introduction to Italian civilization 

Course Objectives:

This course continues the introduction to the basic grammatical elements of Italian, promoting the further development of listening comprehension, speaking, reading and writing skills while examining the culture of Italy.

Learning Outcomes:

Students will be able to understand and write basic Italian sentences and to produce orally and in writing short sentences providing basic personal information about themselves, their activities and plans in Italian. By the end of Italian 102, students will be able to:

• develop speaking skills in Italian carrying out conversations on topics like everyday life activities and habits; getting together and organizing some activity/program; talking about usual actions in the past and memories; making comparisons; shopping in Italy; house and living  
• create dialogues-like those in the text or in films
• acquire further knowledge of and talk about Italians and social and cultural issues in contemporary Italy

Also, students will write personal accounts about activities in the present and past, and use a widening range of vocabulary with respect to Italian 101. Students will learn further essentials of Italian grammar.

Class Meetings:

Students are expected to prepare assigned material and study grammar before coming to class, so that we can actively practice new structures and exchange ideas on a variety of practical and cultural topics. The acquisition of a foreign language is a cumulative process: daily practice and regular participation are crucial!

Homework:

Assignments are due on the following class unless otherwise indicated by the teacher.

Language Learning Resource Center (LLRC):

This center provides valuable resources to assist language learners.

Students are required to spend a minimum of one hour per week using audio-visual learning materials, including computer-based media that complement their language studies. Students can complete this requirement in the LLRC 335 Damen Hall (http://www.luc.edu/depts/llrc) or at home, but in either case, fulfillment of the requirement will be determined and evaluated by the instructor.

See the LLRC website (http://www.luc.edu/depts/llrc) for information, opening times and resources.

Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty:

The pursuit of truth is the prime activity in a University community. All students are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty.  Please remember that while study groups are acceptable, students should not use on-line instant translators to write compositions, ask friends or native speakers to complete their assignments and recycle their own or other people’s materials. Plagiarism or dishonest examination behavior will result minimally in the instructor assigning the grade of “F”for the assignment or examination. For a complete account of what constitutes academic dishonesty as well as the penalties, see the Undergraduate Catalogue. 

In addition to the Loyola University Chicago policy on Academic Honesty (see Loyola website), the following rules apply in all modern language courses: 

1. Students may not use automated translators to write compositions.
2. Students may not ask friends, relatives or native speakers to complete their assignments.
3. Students may not recycle their own or other people’s work.
4. Students must explicitly cite any material that has been taken from the Internet or other sources and in most cases are urged to paraphrase rather than copy and paste.

Students with Disabilities:

If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please contact your instructor within the first week of class. 

CELL PHONES AND PAGERS: Please turn off cell phones and pagers during class sessions. 

Blackboard

This course will be using Blackboard.  Students are required to check the Blackboard site on a regular basis and are responsible for assignments posted there. 

Email Communication

I will do my best to reply to emails sent during business hours M-F within 3 days.  Emails sent after 6 pm will be considered received the next business day.  I will not answer emails on the weekend.   

Computer & Internet Use

Use of laptop computers during class time for note taking is permitted.  There may be times when you will be asked to put your laptop away for various exercises/lessons.  Use of the Internet is NOT permitted unless specifically directed by the instructor.  This includes checking of email and use of instant messengers. 

Cell Phone Use

Cell phones use is NOT permitted during class time.  This includes sending and reading of Text Messages.  All cell phones brought into the class room must be set to silent.  In the case of a personal emergency, students should quietly exit the classroom. 

Food & Drink

Drinks in sealable containers are permitted in the classroom.  Food is not to be eaten during class unless required for a medical condition. 

Grading:

1. Class attendance and participation:           20 %

2. Online orientation and Assignments:          15 %

3. Oral presentations:                                  15 %

4. Compositions:                                         10 %

5. Quizzes:                                                 10 %

6. Midterm:                                                 10 %

7. Final Exam                                              20 %  

Final grade scale:      A (=94-100)   A-(= 90-93)   B+ (= 86-89)   B (= 82-85)   

B- (= 80-81)   C+ (= 76-79)  C (= 72-75)   C-(= 70-71)   D+ (= 66-69)   D (= 60-65)