UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM College of Arts and Sciences Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures ITL 101-2C Introductory Italian I Fall 2015 Instructor: Giuliana Russo Skinner, MAE Office Hours: T/Th 9.45-10.45 Office: HB 409 DFLL Main Office: 934-1828 Email: giuliana@uab.edu Class schedule: Tuesdays and Thursdays 11.00-12.15 1
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS: Aski, Musumeci. Avanti! Beginning Italian, 3rd Edition Includes Avanti, 3/e Loose-Leaf and CONNECT PLUS ITALIAN LEARNSMART (with WBLM) ACCESS CARD FOR AVANTI 3/e. In order to register to Connect you have to click on this link. http://connect.mheducation.com/class/g-russo-skinner-2c-fall-2015-t-r-1100-am-1215-pm Course Description ITL 101 provides an introduction to the Italian language and grammar, with emphasis on students speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. The course also introduces students to elements of Italian culture, the latter being an integral part of linguistic expression. Course Objectives Students who successfully complete one semester of Introductory Italian (ITL101) will attain a Basic Proficiency Level (Level A1, as defined in accordance to the guidelines set by the Common European Framework for Languages, equivalent to Level A Novice as defined by the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages): Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help). Student Learning Outcomes: By the end of this course, the student will: 1. be able to carry on a conversation in Italian with good pronunciation, using all the verbal tenses and moods learned in ITL 101; 2. possess a sizeable vocabulary; 3. Be capable of understanding and discussing simple cultural topics; 4. write short compositions in Italian using grammatically correct prose; 5. read short essays. 6. Show evidence of becoming part of the global community by using Italian for personal enjoyment and enrichment 7. Enjoy and appreciate Italian culture 2
Attendance and classroom policy: The University of Alabama at Birmingham recognizes that the academic success of individual students is related to their class attendance and participation. The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures complies with the official UAB Attendance and Excused Absence Policy for Undergraduate Programs and therefore allows, with anticipated proper official documentation, absences due to jury or military duty as well as absences due to participation in specific university-sponsored activities. In addition, the Department has its own Attendance Policy. Regular attendance is necessary to learn a foreign language. Repeated absences, tardiness, passivity, and silence will definitely be reflected in your course grade. For semester-length classes*, the Attendance Policy of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures is: Class participation, contribution and actual speaking in the target language is crucial in order to learn a language, therefore class attendance is mandatory. Any absence is going to affect students class participation and final grade. If under special circumstances, students need to miss classes, 2 % from the FINAL grade is deducted for EACH absence above 3. More than 7 absences will result in an AUTOMATIC F. Example: Final grade = 90 6 absences (3 above maximum permitted) = 90-6 = 84% final grade 8 absences = F Please go to http://www.uab.edu/languages/student-resources/guides and click on Attendance Policy to read more about the policies of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures and of UAB. General Class Policies During class students are expected to: behave in a manner consonant with an academic environment and respectful of other students; please, no yawning!!! avoid using cell phones or any other electronic devices that are not pertinent to class instruction. Students who engage in a disruptive behavior in class sessions may be asked to leave the classroom 3
come to class in time, stay through the duration, and participate in all class activities Evaluation The grading system will be as follows: Class attendance and participation 15% Chapter exams (5) 50% (or 10% each) Homework (Connect and Learn Smart) 15% Cultural events 5% Final Oral Exam 15% Grade scale A= 90-100, B=80-90, C=70-80, D=60-70, F=0-60 Class participation: This grade evaluates your use of Italian, your preparation before class, your active participation during class time, and any extra credit activities you might complete. In addition, it evaluates your effort during group work, and your attitude and respect toward the class, your instructor and your peers. In fact, students will be working in small groups or with a partner most of the time actively sharing their knowledge and opinions. Maintaining a positive relation with your classmates is conducive to a constructive learning environment. Exams: o There will be five (5) chapter exams during the semester where your listening comprehension, reading and writing skills will be evaluated. The dates and content of these exams are printed on your syllabus. o Oral final exam. There will be a final cumulative oral exam where you will show your ability to communicate using the grammar and vocabulary covered in the semester. For the exam, students, organized into groups of two or three, will have a conversation using the vocabulary and grammar that they have learned in class. The exam will be scheduled during the designated time for your Italian final exam, as listed in the class schedule outline. If it is impossible to schedule your exam during the designated time due to a conflict with other exams, your instructor will provide other options. According to university policy, final exams cannot be scheduled on open days, and you should not sign up for a time that conflicts with the exam for another class or on a day on which you have two other final exams. 4
o Exams are ONLY taken on dates and times indicated on syllabus. Once the exam has started, students will not be allowed to leave the room unless they have finished and turned the exam in. Make-up exams will be administered only to students that have submitted a petition form due to a medical emergency. Homework: Students are required to do all the homework assigned on Connect and LearnSmart. The due dates for each assignment will be posted on your personal Connect homepage. No credit will be given for homework turned in late. Late homework will only be accepted in the case of an excused absence and must be turned in with the excuse the class day following the absence. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to check online for posted homework or contact a classmate or the instructor to get the assignment for that day. If your instructor is unable to return your email prior to class time, this should not be misconstrued as your being exempt from your homework. Since students graduating from UAB are expected to demonstrate a good use of technology, you are required to complete the digital workbook/lab manual and use technology as part of your Italian homework. IMPORTANT: La Professoressa Russo-Skinner will NOT accept any homework by email or any other way different than Connect. It is the responsibility of the student to check if the assignment is submitted properly. If Mrs Russo-Skinner can t find or read the assignment on Connect the student s grade will be zero. Grades: The Instructor will never return any graded exams in class. In order to know your grade, you must visit your CANVAS/Connect page. Students are encouraged to email or visit Professor Skinner s office to ask questions about the exam. Cultural events: Students must attend at least three Italian Film series events and all three Italian Conversation Tables. Students will sign in at the end of the event on forms that will be provided. Students can gain extra practice and cultural learning by participating in the cultural activities. Students are required to attend the Italian Conversation Table for practicing conversation, and they will count as mini-oral exams. By doing so, they will also earn extra-points to be applied toward their Final Exam score. In addition, throughout the semester Italian films and videos with English subtitles will be shown, followed by a small group discussion. Students who will watch these films in their 5
entirety will also earn extra-points to be applied towards their class participation grade. The schedule for both the Italian Table and Italian Culture Series will be made available by the second week of class. THE UAB ACADEMIC HONOR CODE UAB expects all students to function according to the highest ethical and professional standards. Academic misconduct undermines the purpose of education. Unacceptable behaviors such as abetting, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication and misrepresentation are serious violations of the UAB Academic Honor Code and are punishable by a range of penalties. For more information, please visit the UAB website at http://www.catalog.uab.edu/uab-catalog2004-2006/. UAB DISABILITY SERVICES UAB Disability Support Services (DSS) provides a broad array of services and technologies to make the UAB campus and a UAB education accessible for everyone. Please visit the UAB DSS website at http://students.uab.edu/services COURSE EVALUATIONS/ IDEA SURVEYS At the end of the semester students will evaluate the course. It is mandatory that students complete this evaluation. Therefore, the instructor will take his/her class to the FLMS to complete the survey. The instructor will leave the room so that the survey may be completed confidentially. EARLY ALERT SYSTEM The Early Alert System (EAS) is designed to help students be more successful academically at UAB. If you receive an email with EAS in the title, please open it, read it and take advantage of the support that UAB offers all students. UAB is committed to ensuring that students receive academic support and are aware of the resources available that will help them in successfully completing their degree program. STUDENT RECORD PRIVACY/FERPA FERPA stands for the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. It is a federal law governing the privacy and handling of educational records and giving specific rights to students. You can read more about FERPA at the Family Policy Compliance Office or click at http://sa.uab.edu/enrollmentservices/ferpa. According to FERPA, students are the only ones who can talk in private conversation with the professor about their grades. The instructor never could give the grades to parents or family without the presence of the student. 6
ITALIAN 101 SCHEDULE (FALL 2015)* *L insegnante si riserva il diritto di cambiare il programma in qualsiasi momento. Giorno In Classe Compiti a casa 25 Agosto Introduzione al corso di Italiano, Strategie di Comunicazione Capitolo 1 27 Agosto Capitolo 1:Strategie di Comunicazione e Lessico Comprare il libro e il codice di accesso per Connect e LearnSmart LearnSmart: Capitolo 1 1 settembre Capitolo 1: Lessico, Strutture 1.1 LearnSmart: Capitolo 1 3 settembre Capitolo 1: Strutture 1.2, 1.3 LearnSmart: Capitolo 1 8 settembre Capitolo 1: Strutture 1.4, 1.5 LearnSmart: Capitolo 1, first Italian Movie on Sep 8th 10 settembre Capitolo 1: Cultura, Ripasso LearnSmart: Capitolo 1 (Ripasso) 7
Giorno In Classe Compiti a casa 15 settembre Esame Capitolo 1 Attend the first Italian Conversation Table on Tuesday September 15th 17 settembre Capitolo 2: Strategie di Comunicazione, Lessico. 22 settembre Capitolo 2: Lessico, Strutture 2.1, 2.2 LearnSmart: Capitolo 2 LearnSmart: Capitolo 2 24 settembre Capitolo 2: Strutture 2.3, 2.4 LearnSmart: Capitolo 2 29 settembre Capitolo 2: Cultura, Ripasso LearnSmart: Capitolo 2 (Ripasso) 1 ottobre Esame Capitolo 2 Attend the second Italian Film on October 1st 6 ottobre Capitolo 3:Strategie di Comunicazione, Lessico 8 ottobre Capitolo 3: Lessico, Strutture 3.1, 3.2 LearnSmart: Capitolo 3 LearnSmart: Capitolo 3 13 ottobre Capitolo 3: Strutture 3.3, 3.4 LearnSmart: Capitolo 3 15 ottobre Capitolo 3: Cultura e Ripasso LearnSmart: Capitolo 3 (Ripasso) 20 ottobre Test Capitolo 3 Attend the second Italian Conversation Table on Oct 22 nd 22 ottobre Capitolo 4: Strategie di Comunicazione, Lessico LearnSmart: Capitolo 4 8
27 ottobre Capitolo 4: Lessico, Strutture 4.1, 4.2 LearnSmart: Capitolo 4 29 ottobre Capitolo 4: Strutture 4.3, 4.4 LearnSmart: Capitolo 4 3 novembre Capitolo 4: Cultura e Ripasso LearnSmart: Capitolo 4 5 novembre Esame Capitolo 4 Attend third and last Italian Film on November 10th 10 novembre Capitolo 5: Strategie di Comunicazione, Lessico 12 novembre Capitolo 5: Lessico, Strutture 5.1, 5.2 LearnSmart: Capitolo 5 LearnSmart: Capitolo 5 17 novembre Capitolo 5:Strutture 5.3, 5.4 LearnSmart: Capitolo 5 19 novembre Capitolo 5: Cultura e Ripasso Studiare per l esame 24 novembre No class Fall/Thanksgiving Break 26 novembre No class Fall/Thanksgiving Break 1 dicembre Esame Capitolo 5 Attend third and last Italian Conversation Table on December 1st 3 dicembre Ripasso Finale Studiare per l esame finale 8 dicembre at 3.30 Final Exam Buone Vacanze!! 9