116-141 Beginners Italian A

Formerly available as 116-049. Students who have completed 116-049 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Students who have attempted Year 11 or 12 Italian or its equivalent are not eligible to enrol.

This subject provides a comprehensive introduction to contemporary Italian. Language classes will gradually familiarise the students with the structures, rules and skills necessary to communicate in Italian. Continuous assessment (through tests, exercises and other activities) is fundamental to evaluating the students' progress in the acquisition of Italian. A weekly lecture/seminar will introduce students to Italian culture, including literature and film. By the end of the semester, students should have developed oral and written competency in Italian and acquired the skills necessary to read and discuss simple literary texts.

• understanding of social, political, historical and cultural contexts and international awareness/openness to the world: through the contextualisation of judgements and knowledge, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and new aspects of Italian culture, and by formulating arguments;

• communicating knowledge intelligibly and economically: through essay and assignment writing, tutorial discussion and class presentations;

• public speaking and confidence in self-expression: through tutorial participation and class presentations.

Four pieces of written homework 20% (due throughout the semester), a 1-hour mid-semester written test 30% and a 1-hour written test 50% (end of semester).

• Lazzarino, Peccianti, Aski Dini, Prego! An Invitation to Italian. (6th ed) McGraw Hill New York 2004.