The Department of Italian Language offers a wide range of courses from basic to advanced levels. Courses are aimed at improving conversational and writing skills, as well as the knowledge of the Italian language through cultural perspectives and specific disciplines.
3 semester credits. This level is for those students who already have a sound knowledge of Italian grammar and are able to express themselves fluently and articulately using all past tenses. Students should have familiarity with Subjunctive and Conditional tenses in both written and spoken Italian. During the course they will improve vocabulary and comprehension by reading and discussing literary tests as well as newspaper articles on current affairs, culture, and politics. Students will perfect their skills in the use of all verb tenses acquired at the intermediate levels and study the Passive voice. Prerequisites: Four semesters of Italian language or equivalent.
3 semester credits. This final level covers a more sophisticated use of the language, both written and spoken. Students will be exposed to different registers of communication in Italian from the very colloquial to the literary standard, also taking into consideration modern 21st century Italian through the media. Students will become familiar with non-finite forms of verbs (Forme Implicite) i.e. the use of Gerund, Present and Past Participle, and the Infinitive. Prerequisites: Five semesters of Italian language or equivalent.
3 semester credits. This course develops basic conversation, reading, and writing skills. Equal focus will be given to grammatical structures, vocabulary, and conversation skills. Students will develop a vocabulary that will enable them to engage in simple but useful everyday conversations, thus enhancing and supporting their Italian experience. Upon course conclusion, students will be able to express themselves in basic sentences, recognize gender and number in both nouns and adjectives, and begin approaching the Passato Prossimo. Emphasis will be given to the oral expression of practical vocabulary and newly acquired grammar structures. This level is for absolute beginner students who have never studied Italian before.
3 semester credits. This course builds on and extends fundamental skills developed in the beginning-level course. Emphasis is placed on developing fluency skills and integration of language and culture through more extensive reading and writing. Upon course completion, students will be able to express polite requests using the Present Conditional and develop their language ability by using direct and indirect object pronouns. This course is aimed at students who already have a basic vocabulary of Italian and some knowledge of elementary language structures. Prerequisites: One semester of Italian language or equivalent.
4 semester credits. This course builds on and extends fundamental skills developed in the beginner course. Emphasis is placed on developing fluency skills and integration of language and culture through more extensive reading and writing. After taking this course, students will be able to express polite requests using the Present Conditional, making future plans using the Future Tense and develope their language ability by using Direct and Indirect Object Pronouns. This course is aimed at students who already have a basic vocabulary of Italian and some knowledge of elementary language structures. This course includes service learning hours within the Florentine Community. Service learning is a method that incorporates intentional learning with service to the community, in which the service component functions as a reflection on classroom learning for all tasks performed. In addition to regular class hours, students will be involved in a volunteer project for the entire session that integrates them in the local community in order to remove barriers and gain a sense of social responsibility. The acquisition of new skills and knowledge obtained in the service learning environment outside the classroom will enrich the learning experience and contribute to personal and emotional growth, as well as cultural consciousness, to develop a greater sense of a global citizenship and sensitivity to the needs of others. Students are guided through the experience by the non-profit association supervisor and the service learning coordinator to enhance outcomes both inside and outside the classroom. The contribution to the association is not only crucial to a deeper understanding of course topics but also allows for a greater sense of belonging in the community, allowing for students to acquire a heightened awareness of emotional intelligence that enhances the classroom learning experience.
4 semester credits. This intermediate level course is intended for students who have previously completed two semesters of elementary Italian language studies at the undergraduate level. With the mastery of common verb conjugations, students will move on to future tense structures as well as use of irregular verbs. Focus will be on strengthening reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Conditional tenses will be introduced, along with continued practice on expansion of vocabulary and gradual building of complexity in grammatical structures. This course includes service learning hours within the Florentine Community. Service learning is a method that incorporates intentional learning with service to the community, in which the service component functions as a reflection on classroom learning for all tasks performed. In addition to regular class hours, students will be involved in a volunteer project for the entire session that integrates them in the local community in order to remove barriers and gain a sense of social responsibility. The acquisition of new skills and knowledge obtained in the service learning environment outside the classroom will enrich the learning experience and contribute to personal and emotional growth, as well as cultural consciousness, to develop a greater sense of a global citizenship and sensitivity to the needs of others. Students are guided through the experience by the non-profit association supervisor and the service learning coordinator to enhance outcomes both inside and outside the classroom. The contribution to the association is not only crucial to a deeper understanding of course topics but also allows for a greater sense of belonging in the community, allowing for students to acquire a heightened awareness of emotional intelligence that enhances the classroom learning experience. Prerequisites: One semester of Italian language or equivalent.
3 semester credits. This level is for those students who already have an active knowledge of elementary language structures (i.e. the expression of past actions and events, discussion of future plans), can communicate simple and routine tasks, discuss familiar and routine topics and describe his/her background, and can understand clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Upon course conclusion, students will be able to use more complex pronouns both in spoken and written Italian and will have a basic grasp of the following topics: Condizionale, Trapassato Prossimo, Pronomi Relativi, Imperativo and a basic grasp of the four tenses of Subjunctive. Prerequisites: Two semesters of Italian language or equivalent.
3 semester credits. This course is based on the acquisition of more complex grammar structures to express personal opinions and preferences. The level prepares students to participate in conversations on topics with which they are familiar pertaining to personal interests or everyday life (i.e. family, hobbies, work, travel, and current events). During this course, students will develop skills that will allow them to narrate a story, relate the plot of a book or film, or write properly about topics that are familiar or of personal interest. Upon course completion, students will have developed a good understanding of the Subjunctive and will be able to judge when to use the Indicative, Subjunctive, or Conditional moods. Prerequisites: Three semesters of Italian language.
3 semester credits. The Special Project: Experiential Learning in Teaching Assistantship - Italian Language is for students who are at an advanced academic standing and language level. The course allows students to experience and assist with aspects of teaching under the close supervision of a faculty member. TA students assist with classroom setup, course logistics, student management, coursework and classroom activities, and assisting the instructor with the evaluation of student performance. Italian language TAs are supervised by the sQuola teaching faculty, and assist faculty members with daily course management and organization. Moreover, TAs actively participate in course activities, and reinforce their own Italian language skills while helping other students in their language learning progress. This class includes experiential learning with CEMI. CEMI are dynamic learning environments created to foster learning through a structured interaction with the community. Remote option students will gain international community exposure through a virtual setting. Students will be involved in learning through real projects and integration with the local population and territory in order to remove cultural and learning barriers as well as to develop a strong likelihood for success in life. The experiential learning hours are fully supervised by instructors who track students step by step during their learning experience, monitor and advise according to student needs, and support student initiative. This unique learning model allows students to benefit from an all-encompassing educational experience based on theory and practice in real enterprises, learning of comprehensive operational processes, problem- solving, leadership, and management. Main tasks: Activity supervision, guiding students through course materials, creative activity preparation and development, contribution to lectures and seminars, student feedback reviews for faculty and department, assistance with grading, final portfolio. Additional materials/Dress code: Business casual attire. Not applicable to remote option. Prerequisites: Having completed at least one upper-level course in Italian language with at least a B grade or equivalent, or being Italian language native. Additionally, the student must have a GPA of 3.0 or better.
3 semester credits. Learning Italian is not a one-off event; it requires commitment and dedication. If the experience is interactive, learners will stay curious and the learning process will be more effective. Within sQuola, the School of Italian Studies and Linguistics, FUA-AUF recognizes and aims to promote the lifelong pedagogical, educational and socio-cultural role of play for individuals and for society. Therefore, FUA-AUF has developed an ad-hoc “toy library” project, designed to promote playtime culture and learning through play. Ludoteca is a place for amusement, socialization, integration and education that puts play at the center of all its activities and projects. Ludoteca contributes to the development of the individual and provides students with a dedicated space, materials to play with and expertise that, when combined, create an opportunity to engage freely in playtime activities and support learning. Ludoteca is a project managed by Italian Language Tutors, supervised by the sQuola coordinator. The Tutor is the person of reference for the students involved in Ludoteca activities, and who is in charge of the daily management and the organization of games and activities held in the facility. Moreover, Tutors prepare and manage all the Ludoteca activities. The position of Junior Tutor is open to students who are interested in and have a passion for the Italian language and culture, and have already completed Italian Language Intermediate II or III, or an equivalent level. Junior Tutors will assist sQuola’’s Tutors in Ludoteca activities. They should be prepared to start their experiential learning at an entry level to gradually be assigned more challenging tasks. By participating in this project, students will reinforce their Italian language skills through play while helping Beginner level students to increase their own learning. At Ludoteca, Junior Tutors are invested with both the responsibility to guide lower level students towards a better comprehension of the language, and the opportunity to strengthen their own language and leadership skills. EL hours may be distributed from Monday through Friday. This placement may require activities that take place on weekends, or ongoing research-based activities for remote placements. This special project course features experiential learning hours with our Community Engagement Member Institutions (CEMI). CEMI are dynamic learning environments created to foster learning through a structured interaction with the community. Remote option students will gain international community exposure through a virtual setting. Students will be involved in learning by doing through real projects and integration with the local population and territory in order to remove cultural and learning barriers as well as to develop a strong likelihood for success in life. The experiential learning hours are fully supervised by instructors who track students step by step during their learning experience, monitor and advise according to student needs, and support student initiative. This unique learning model allows students to benefit from an all-encompassing educational experience based on theory and practice in real enterprises, learning of comprehensive operational processes, problem-solving, leadership, and management. Main tasks (all the activities are held in Italian): Activity supervision, guiding students in Italian conversations, creative activity development, activity preparation, student feedback reviews for faculty and department, final portfolio. Additional materials/Dress code: Business casual attire. Not applicable to remote option. Prerequisites: Italian Language Intermediate II or III, or an equivalent level. Cover letter, CV, and material pertinent to the chosen area, interview.