MWF 11.00-11.50 | 202 Rayzor Hall | 4 credits | Dr. Edward M. Anderson

Syllabus

In this course — designed for students with two semesters of university-level Italian language training — the language, literature, history, and culture of Italy will be explored in an interdisciplinary context. Increasingly complex grammatical forms will be mastered. The central emphasis in class meetings (which are conducted exclusively in Italian) is on active oral participation. Students will be expected to write increasingly elegant Italian prose on a range of intellectually stimulating topics. The course is articulated in three parts:

1) Italian language and grammar

The course begins with a review of the grammar acquired in the first year. Thereafter students move through new grammatical material, much of which is centered on developing knowledge of the subjunctive mode. Students will be able to demonstrate their ability with the new grammatical forms in the six main writing assignments and in class dicussions. Materials: Da capo (Sixth Edition) may be purchased at the Rice University Bookstore. Additional grammatical explanations and exercises will be distributed as part of the course-specific reader based on La lingua italiana per stranieri (eds. Armida Roncari & Carlo Brighenti)

2) Regional studies

Important aspects of the regional history of Italy will be treated. The course will focus on six of Italy's regions: il Piemonte, la Campania, il Veneto, il Lazio, la Sardegna, l'Emilia Romagna. Materials: Parola a te! may be purchased in the Rice University Bookstore.

3) History of Italian literature

Beginning in Week Four, the history of Italian literature (1250-1800) will be presented in overview though the study of major authors including: Dante, Petrarca, Boccaccio, Michelangelo, Bembo, Castiglione, Ariosto, Metastasio, Da Ponte. Materials: texts will be distributed as part of the course-specific reader.

Attendance & Participation

Regular attendance is required. Absences beginning the third week (after the close of registration) will be reflected in your final grade. (Some absence during the registration period can be excused as you decide on your courses for the term.) From Week Three forward you are entitled to miss two meetings for legitimate approved reasons. Any additional absence will result in a lowered attendance and participation grade by one third of one letter (e.g., A becomes A-, B- becomes C+).

To prepare for most class meetings, you will have assigned readings and related writing exercises.

Required Written Work

In addition to more regularly scheduled exercises (study questions in the text and grammatical exercises), students will write six papers in this course. Papers must be type-written and double-spaced (12 pt Times New Roman). Each paper will receive two number grades of equal weight — one for content, one for style.

Rice Honor System

All assignments for this course respect the provisions of the Rice Honor System. Students are expected to affirm their commitment to the Rice Honor System on each assignment by writing and signing the Honor Pledge: "On my honor, I have neither given nor received any unauthorized assistance on this [enter name of assignment]." In addition students may not use online materials in the preparation of papers other than www.garzantilinguistica.it (the online registration for this excellent resource is free).

Assessment

Attendance 20 % | Participation (including exercises) 20 % | Papers 60 %
It is not possible to pass this course unless you submit all six papers. Only rare exception will be made for late papers.

Grading Scale

A+ 98-100 A 95-97 A- 90-94 B+ 87-89 B 83-86 B- 80-82
C+ 77-79 C 73-76 C- 70-72 D+ 67-69 D 63-66 D- 60-62
F below 60

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In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, I call your attention to the following : Any student with a documented disability and needing academic adjustments or accommodations is requested to speak with me during the first weeks of class, either after class or during office hours. If you have a documented disability that will impact your work in this class, it is important that we have a conversation. All discussions will remain strictly confidential. Students with disabilities will also need to contact Rice University Disability Support Services in the Ley Student Center. For further information you might contact: Jean Ashmore, M.S. Director, Disability Support Services

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Dr. Edward M. Anderson
327 Rayzor Hall - MS 34
Rice University
Houston, Texas 77251-1892
Telephone: 713.348.4373
Facsimile: 713.348.5846
Email: edward.m.anderson@rice.edu