This course builds on knowledge and skills provided in the ITAl 6501 course, or equivalent study. The course is designed to broaden the knowledge and develop further the skills required to use Italian in a variety of contexts. The methodology employed adopts and Intercultural Perspective and integrates a Communicative Approach with linguistic reflection.

Use is made of different media and authentic texts, in addition to the prescribed course materials, with particular attention to Italian films. Class time is divided between interactive language work, linguistic and cultural reflection, and computer aided language learning.

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

1. communicate in more complext contexts of daily life, involving people, places and events
2. have more complex comprehension of  written texts describing people, places and aspects of Italian culture
3. comprehend more complex daily conversation, including visual media  
4. understand more varied aspects of Italian society and culture than in ITAL6501 
5. appreciate Italy's geographical diversity and places of cultural, historical and artistic significance
6. understand more complex linguistic features of the Italian language and relevant metalinguistic terminology
7. develop further understanding of pragmatic aspects of the language

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