Course Description: This course builds on the basics and goes beyond. We will gain more confidence as we increase our vocabulary and expand our grammar use. We will work on fine-tuning our listening skills, while becoming adept at making conversation in Italian through dialogues, oral and written exercises, and class readings. The course will begin with a short review and then move on to expanding our time frame into the past tense and reflexive verbs, demonstrating how to use “this” or “that”. Other grammar topics will include the negative, the command form, adjectives, prepositions, irregular verbs as well as direct and indirect pronouns. We’ll learn the vocabulary of family, the household, school, travel, weather, body, time, state of mind, clothes, sports, shopping, and of course, food. Cultural topics will include a look at the geographical regions of Italy, Italian opera and popular music, Italian dining and cuisine, Italy’s fashion industry, Italy’s youth and universities, as well as the Italian Cinema.
Prerequisites: Introduction to Italian Language or equivalent.
Notes and Comments: Registration will begin August 11, 2008.
The required text for this course, Passo avanti in Italiano: A Communicative Second Course by Amsco, is available at the University of Virginia Bookstore.