Courses
Fall 2016 – Italian Course Descriptions
Please note:
Under-enrolled sections (fewer than six students) of language classes (levels 1-22)
may be cancelled during the first two weeks of the semester.
Italian 0001 – Elementary Italian 1
A – Block A – Elena Paolini
B – Block D – Cristina Pausini
D – Block J – Patricia Di Silvio
Development of basic language skills. Introduction to Italian culture and fundamental grammar structures
with emphasis on speaking, listening comprehension, and short writing assignments. Conducted in Italian.
No prerequisites.
Texts: Required: Melucci – Tognozzi, Piazza (student edition) + iLrn Access Code (ISBN: 9781305138728)
Recommended: Garzanti, Dizionari I garzantini Inglese Hazon (ISBN: 9788848006286); Colaneri, 501
Italian Verbs – w/cd (ISBN: 9781438075211; Adorni, English Grammar for Students of Italian (ISBN:
9780934034401)
Italian 0002 – Elementary Italian 2
A – Block F – Patricia Di Silvio
B – Block F – Isabella Perricone
A continuation of Italian 001. This course advances the study of basic grammar and vocabulary. Readings
and films will provide the cultural context for class activities, oral presentations, and compositions.
Conducted in Italian. Prerequisite: Italian 001 or consent.
Texts: Required: Calvino, Marcovaldo, (ISBN: 9780884369936); Melucci – Tognozzi, Piazza (student
edition) + iLrn Access Code (ISBN: 9781305138728)
Recommended: Colaneri, 501 Italian Verbs: With CD (ISBN: 9781438075211; Garzanti, Dizionari
Garzantini Inglese Hazon, (ISBN: 9788848006286); Adorni, English Grammar for Students of Italian, (ISBN:
9780934034401)
Italian 0003 – Intermediate Italian 1
A – Block C – Carmen Merolla
B – Block C – Elena Paolini
C – Block H – Isabella Perricone
Continued study of grammar and syntax with emphasis on more advanced structural principles. More
extensive readings on cultural, social, and literary topics and the viewing of an epic film in episodes will form
the basis for class discussions and activities. Conducted in Italian. Prerequisite: Italian 002 or consent.
Students are required to register for a recitation section that consists of a weekly 40-minute conversation
group.
Texts: Required: Tognozzi, Ponti, Third Edition, w/eSAM Access Code (ISBN: 9781133396772)
Recommended: Garzanti, Dizionari I Garzantini Inglese Hazon (ISBN: 9788848006286)
Italian 0004 – Intermediate Italian 2
A – Block B – Carmen Merolla
Review of grammar and syntax with emphasis on more advanced structural principles. The reading of a
novel in Italian as well as other selected texts, and the viewing of four films on contemporary Italian history
and society will form the basis for class discussion and activities. Conducted in Italian. Prerequisite: Italian
003 or consent.
Texts: Required: Ammaniti, Non ho paura (ISBN: 9788806207694); Tognozzi, Ponti, Third Edition w/eSAM
Access Code (ISBN: 9781133396772)
Recommended: Garzanti, Dizionari I Garzantini Inglese Hazon (ISBN: 9788848006286)
Italian 0021 – Composition and Conversation 1
A – Block J – Cristina Pausini
An introduction to contemporary Italian culture, history, and society. Specific topics of current interest
(immigration, youth and women's voices, and the national character) will also be studied through films,
narrative, and the integral reading of a novel. Emphasis on expanding vocabulary, reviewing advanced
grammatical structures, improving and refining analytical, interpretive, and presentational skills. Class
discussions, oral presentations, writing assignments, three tests, and a final paper. Conducted in Italian.
Prerequisite: Italian 004 or equivalent, or consent.
Abbona-Borra-Pausini, Trame, A Contemporary Italian Reader (YUP), ISBN 9780300124958; Carofiglio, Ad
occhi chiusi (Sellerio), ISBN 9788838919053; Mezzadri, Grammatica essenziale della lingua italiana con
esercizi (Guerra), ISBN 9788877154545
Italian 0032 – Readings in Italian Literature 1I
Block I+ – Laura Baffoni-Licata
An introduction to Italian Literature from the eighteenth century to the present, with emphasis on significant
literary currents. Texts by representative authors of different genres will be examined. The course is
intended to improve analytical skills and strengthen oral and written critical expression. Two short papers,
oral presentations, two exams, and one final research paper. Conducted in Italian. Prerequisite: Italian 21 or
22, or consent.
Counts towards the Major in Italian Studies, the Minor in Italian, the Italian Culture Option, the Distribution
Requirements for Humanities, and the International Relations Culture Core Requirement (TC1A).
Texts: C. Goldoni, La locandiera (ISBN: 9788875733261); G. Leopardi, Poesie (ISBN: 9788875732899); L.
Pirandello, Sei personaggi in cerca d'autore (ISBN: 9788804492542); Verga,Novelle (ISBN:
9788875733094).
Texts available at Schoenhoff's Bookstore, Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge
Reading Packet – Available at Gnomon Copy, Boston Ave., Medford
Italian 0051 – Dante's Inferno (in English)
Block D+ – Vincent Pollina
Reading in prose translation (with facing Italian text), we shall follow Dante's voyage through the eternal
kingdom of the damned. Major themes include the interplay of human time and cosmic time; of freedom and
character; of history, ethics, and politics. We shall also see how such artists as Giovanni di Paolo, Botticelli,
Blake, Flaxman, and Doré have rendered Dante's experiences visually. Class discussions; three exams.
Occasional outside readings, including Dante's Vita Nuova, the tale of his new life in love. Counts toward the
Major in Italian Studies, the Minor in Italian, the Italian Culture Option, and the Interdisciplinary Minor in
Medieval Studies; fulfills the Related Field requirement in the French major, and the Humanities or the Social
Science requirement for Engineers.
Texts: Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy, vol. 1, Inferno, Translated with a Commentary by Charles S.
Singleton, pt. 1, Italian Text and Translation (Princeton; ISBN 0-691-01896-0 [pbk]); pt. 2, Commentary
(Princeton; ISBN 0-691-01895-2 [pbk]); Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy 1, Inferno, Trans. John D.
Sinclair (Oxford; ISBN: 0-19-500412-4 (paper); Dante Alighieri,Vita Nuova: Italian Text with Facing English
Translation by Dino S. Cervigni & Edward Vasta (Notre Dame; ISBN: 0-268-01926-6) (paper).
Italian 0091 – First Year Seminar: The Greatest Seduction: Italy's Beauty, Genius, and
Madness (in English)
Block F+ – Carmen Merolla
Italy's cuisine, art, design, and even its organized crime system have seduced people around the world, and
have had a profound influence in defining Italy's national identity, economy, and social patterns. From
ancient traditions to present-day Italian practices, we will analyze how Italy transformed its innate love of
beauty and food into global economic powerhouses. We will also explore the deep and lasting impact the
Mafia has had on these industries and the country at large. Class discussions, oral presentations, reading
and writing assignments, three tests, and a final research paper. Conducted in English. Counts toward the
Major in Italian Studies, the Minor in Italian, the Italian Culture Option; satisfies the Humanities distribution
requirement.
Texts: John Hooper, The Italians (ISBN: 9780143128403)
Italian 0170 – Political Ideology in the Italian Literary Tradition
Block M+ – Laura Baffoni-Licata
Political ideology and patriotism emerge through the centuries as two of the most recurring and heart-felt
themes in Italian literature. Although Italy was one of the last European countries to be politically unified in
modern times, all through its history, some of its greatest writers have expressed deep political convictions,
love of country over regional interests, and a desire to influence their compatriots toward a higher goal of a
nation free of the dominations of foreign powers. The course will examine, through an in-depth analysis of
the texts, the power of literary and political thoughts of several masters such as Dante, Machiavelli,
Guicciardini, Alfieri, Mazzini, Beccaria, Manzoni, and Gramsci, amongst others, as it motivated the Italian
people towards a national identity.
Counts toward the Major in Italian Studies, the Minor in Italian, and the Italian Culture Option; satisfies the
Distribution Requirement for Humanities and counts also for selected IR Requirements (TC1A). Cross-listed
with HIST 0176
Texts: N. Machiavelli, Il principe (ISBN: 9788817066945); C. Beccaria, Dei delitti e delle pene (ISBN:
9788811363408)
Texts available at Schoenhoff's Bookstore, Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge.
Reading Packet – Available at Gnomon Copy, Boston Ave., Medford.