ITAL 202: Experiencing Perugia: Advanced Intermediate Language, Culture, and Reflection

Course Description

Experiencing Perugia I is an interdisciplinary course that focuses on achieving and strengthening an Advanced Intermediate level in cultural and linguistic-communicative competences (speaking, writing, reading and comprehension) regarding main points of clear standard input on familiar and more complex matters regularly encountered in work, school, and leisure and while traveling. At the same time, it asks students to reflect on various aspects of contemporary Perugian life and Italian culture, asking them to analyze their own experience of immersion in a different cultural environment.  This course has three pillars: language, culture, and reflection. Advanced Intermediate Italian language instruction is at the core of the class. Students will consolidate fundamentals of the Italian language already learned and be exposed to new grammatical concepts in order to interact on a more sophisticated basis with Italians in various real-world settings. Second, they will use their language learning as a vehicle for delving into the richness and complexity of Italian culture. Third, students reflect on their experiences living in a new culture and understanding how this has impacted their perspective on the United States and their sense of their own identities. Through engaging in interactive assignments, maintaining a reflective course journal, and participating in group activities, students will learn to live in their new environment, build competence and confidence as global citizens, and understand how they can leverage their Perugia experience for their future personal and professional success.

Course Purpose

Students will strengthen and improve upon their skills in speaking, reading, and understanding Italian, study Italian culture and experience it first-hand, and reflect on the what they have learned both about Italy, the United States, and themselves through their study abroad experience.

Course Learning Objectives

At the end of the semester, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate foundational skills in speaking and understanding Italian, including:
   1. understanding the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialization.
   2. interacting with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.
   3. producing clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
   4. Convey their understanding of contemporary political and economic issues in Italy.

2. Participate in somewhat sophisticated discussions of contemporary Italian culture.
3. Engage in critical evaluation of their own culture, Italian culture, and other foreign cultures, including:
   1. Articulating U.S. cultural rules, norms and biases;
   2. Understanding how their own experiences have shaped their values and priorities;
   3. Knowing how to respond productively to cultural differences;
   4. Valuing what is important to members of another culture, including their history, politics, communication styles, economy, beliefs and social practices;
   5. Interpreting cross-cultural experiences from multiple worldviews and respecting the rights and feelings of other cultural groups;
   6. Asking complex questions about their own culture and other cultures, seeking out answers to those questions that reflect multiple cultural perspectives.

4. Understand and articulate the unique benefits of their study abroad experience and anticipate how to leverage those benefits for their future personal and professional success.

Course Materials

• Required Text: A. Mazzetti, P. Manili, and M. R. Bagianti, Qui Italia Più (corso di lingua italiana per stranieri), Le Monnier, 2006.
• Mandatory course reader
• Dictionary: you are strongly recommended to purchase an English/Italian, Italian/English dictionary. The library in via Bartolo also has a number of dictionaries available for consultation.