This course continues the probing review of the Italian language begun in ITAL6503. Use is made of different media including audiovisual material and computer aided language teaching. The course integrates music and literature to further the linguistic and cultural learning objectives of the unit. Active language production is encouraged in classroom situations such as role playing, structured conversations and reading and writing activities. Class time is divided between interactive language work, linguistic reflection and Italian culture and society.
The assessment is designed to optimise learning through tasks that presume a holistic conception of language and culture learning.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. understand more complex texts than in ITAL6503: written, aural and visual material on different topics relating to linguistic and inter/cultural areas (stereotypes about Italians; media; literature; the ‘new' Italian family; folk traditions; the environment, etc);
2. interact orally with a greater degree of fluency and spontaneity than in ITAL6503, present their analysis and sustain their critical opinions about a variety of issues and texts fluently and accurately;
3. conduct further independent research for their projects on Italian language, culture and society;
4. apply their skills (grammatical, lexical and cultural) to write, coherently and accurately, descriptive, analytical and imaginative texts (poetry) comparing their own culture to the target culture/s.

Graduate students may attend joint classes with undergraduates. Assessment will include additional assignment work and a research essay on aspects of Italian language, culture and society.