Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

Since this module has a strong language learning component, the linguistic and cultural skills taught in SML2014 are indispensable.

This module is not suitable for native speakers of Italian.

Co Requisite Comment

Students must also be taking Level D French or Level D Spanish.

Aims

In consonance with the overall aim of the degrees offered in the SML, this module will focus on consolidating students’ competence in Italian. It will reinforce students’ grammatical and lexical knowledge of the language and contribute to students’ broad-based knowledge of aspects of the history, politics, society and culture of Italy. The module also aims to prepare students for more specialist study in Italian Studies.

Outline Of Syllabus

This module is designed as an enhancement to the knowledge of the language and culture of Italy acquired in the module ‘Introduction to Italian language and culture’. It will also cover selected aspects of Italian Studies (e.g. film, politics, history). On the language learning side, there will be text comprehension, Italian grammar, composition, general oral work, and listening exercises.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

1.A critical awareness of selected aspects of Italian culture (in the broadest sense).

2.Critical perspectives on issues of cultural identity, sociolinguistics, literature, and political culture.

3.Knowledge of current situation of Italy, and some of the debates concerning cultural, political and linguistic issues.

Intended Skill Outcomes

1.       Ability to analyse and historically contextualize different forms of texts in Italian, both written and audiovisual.
2.       Development of linguistic skills (speaking, understanding, reading and writing) in the target language.
3.       Linguistic and communication skills in speaking in the target language in everyday informal contexts.
4.       Ability to take notes from books, journals, and primary texts in the target language.
5.       Ability to contextualize relevant cultural discourses and authors about mass media, popular culture and the culture industry in Italy.
6.       Ability to argue opinions convincingly in the target language.
7.       Ability to participate in class in the target language.
8.       Ability to work in pairs and small groups.
9.       Ability to write well-argued and analytical essays in the target language.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Practical language skills and knowledge can best be acquired in an interactive classroom setting. As this is a language module it is more classroom-based than the other optional (content) modules offered in the School, hence the higher number of contact hours.

This course will be taught and assessed in Italian.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

1. In the 120 mins written examination students will answer questions which directly relate to the skills learned during the 'reading and writing skills' part of the course: comprehension exercises and writing tasks. This assessment will test students' ability to write or type in the target language. Students are allowed to type their own answers provided that spell check/grammar check has been disabled.

2. The aural/oral examination will consist of a listening task, followed by a conversation covering cultural issues studied in class and about aspects of the students' academic and social life. For the cultural side of the conversation picture or audio visual prompts may be used. This assessment will test students’ ability to produce and present their own output orally and to discuss with a target language speaker or fellow student directly and spontaneously.

General Notes

N/A