This multimedia course develops students' communication skills in Italian through practice in the recognition and production of different registers of the language. Idioms and registers will be studied in relation to their socio-cultural and historical framework. The study of different types of written and audio-visual texts (photographs, films, poems, short stories, interviews, critical reviews) will increase students' comprehension and literacy skills in Italian while also increasing their knowledge of Italian society, art, history, language and geography.

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

1. understand a wide range of demanding texts (written/visual; aural/oral) on contemporary issues;
2. appreciate distinction of style, genres and recognize implicit meaning in a variety of factual and literary texts;
3. apply accurately contemporary Italian syntax and morphology in written and spoken production;
4. demonstrate orally and in writing their ability to use lexicon appropriately according to style, register, context and genre;
5. express themselves fluently and spontaneously in class interaction, taking into consideration others' perspectives;
6. conduct independent research and deliver detailed analytical and well-structured presentations and essays on complex subjects rounded off with convincing conclusions.

Written assignments (20%), oral presentations (30%), one-semester-long project (30%), tasks linked to the multi-media activities (20%).

3 hours of classes plus 1 hour of audio-visual activities per week

ITAL2008 Intermediate II or ITAL2004 Italian 2 or equivalent language competence

ITAL3008 Italian III.

* A. de Giuli/C. Guastalla/C.M. Naddeo, MAGARI! Alma Ed., Firenze, 2008
* Plus additional hand-outs