98-99 LS&A Bulletin

Courses in Italian (Division 399)

Elementary Language Courses

Students who intend to continue a language begun in high school must take the Placement Test to determine the language course in which they should enroll. Italian 102 is NOT open to students who have begun instruction in high school. It is strongly recommended that students who began Italian at another college or university also take the placement test. Students must check with the Course Coordinator for any exceptions to the Placement Test level.

100. Intensive Elementary Italian. Credit is not grated for both Italian 100 and 101 or for both Italian 100 and 102. (8). (LR).
This course is designed to cover the material normally covered in the Italian 101-102 sequence, with the same emphasis on speaking skills, oral comprehension and mastery of basic grammar. It is recommended to students with some background in other foreign languages or previous exposure to Italian, and to those who wish to advance rapidly to higher level courses. Graded readings are incorporated as part of the syllabus, as is class drill and use of the language laboratory.

101. Elementary Italian. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Italian 101. (4). (LR).
This course is offered on campus and through the Michigan/Sarah Lawrence Program in Florence.

102. Elementary Italian. Italian 101. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 103. Italian 102 is NOT open to students who have begun instruction at the high school level. Open only to students who have completed 101 at the University of Michigan. College or university transfer students who have received credit for one term are encouraged to enroll in Italian 103. (4). (LR).
Introductory course presenting basic constructions and vocabulary. Oral drill and practice, reading material based on contemporary Italian culture, and regular use of the Language Laboratory.

103. Accelerated Italian. Assignment by placement test. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 102. (4). (LR).
Italian 103 is an accelerated course for those students who wish to develop their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills at a rapid pace, while being introduced to various aspects of Italian culture. The material covered in this one-term course is equivalent to that taught in two terms of elementary Italian 101 and 102

111. Special Reading Course. (4). (Excl).
Basic principles of grammar and graded reading.

112. Second Special Reading Course. Italian 111. (4). (Excl).
Selected readings of expository porse. Continued examination of grammatical forms and constructions essential to accurate comprehension and translation.

205. Italian Conversation for Non-concentrators. Italian 102. (1). (Excl). Offered mandatory credit/no credit.
A conversation course for non-concentrators whose speaking ability is at the second-year level. All work is done in two class periods each week. The course is particularly recommended to students who wish to maintain or refresh their conversational skill in the language.

206. Conversation for Non-concentrators. Italian 102. Italian 206 may be elected prior to Italian 205. (1). (Excl). Offered mandatory credit/no credit.
A continuation course in the active practical use of Italian for non-concentrators who wish to keep up their proficiency. The course meets twice each week, and all work is done in class.

230. Second-Year Italian. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 112 or 232. (8). (LR).
Review of the essential principles of grammar and training in idiomatic usage by means of oral and written exercises. Readings of representative authors; continuous practice in speaking and reading Italian. To be offered on campus and through the Michigan/Sarah Lawrence Program in Florence.

231. Second-Year Italian. Italian 102, or permission of course supervisor. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 112 or 230. (4). (LR).
Review of essential principles of grammar and training in idiomatic usage by means of oral and written exercises. Readings of representative authors; continuous practice in speaking and reading Italian.

232. Second-Year Italian, Continued. Italian 231 or permission of course supervisor. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in 112 or 230. (4). (LR).
Continuation of Italian 231. Reading, translating, and oral work at a more advanced level. Italian 232 may be followed by Italian 361.

233. Accelerated Second Year Italian. Italian 102 or 103. No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Italian 112 or 232. (4). (Excl). This course does not satisfy the language requirement.
Equivalent of Italian 231 and 232 taught at an accelerated pace. Review of essential principles of grammar and advanced training in idiomatic usage by means of oral and written exercises.

Courses Taught in English Translation (without language prerequisites)

150. First Year Seminar in Italian Studies. Only first-year students, including those with sophomore standing, may pre-register for First-Year Seminars. All others need permission of instructor. (3). (HU).
Intensive study of selected topics in Italian Studies, intended for first-year students, providing an introduction to the literature, art, thought, and culture of a period of Italian history. Texts are taught in translation.

310. Italian Cities. (3). (HU). May be repeated for credit with permission of instructor.
Concentrates on the history, literature, and culture of a chosen Italian city as well as the life of that city in the European imagination over time, as reflected in fiction, travel literature, and art.

315(380). Italian Cinema and Society Since 1945. A knowledge of Italian is not required. (3). (HU). Laboratory fee ($15) required.
A survey of Italy's greatest postwar films, with special attention to issues and problems in Italian society as treated by major directors such as Fellini, DeSica, Rossellini, Antonioni, and others. The course is taught in English.

320(420). Modern Italian Literature. Italian 232. (3). (Excl).
This course consists of the reading and discussion of the works of three contemporary Italian novelists: Calvino, Manganelli, Volponi. The writers demonstrate the major tends in Italian fiction since WW II (neorealism, experimentalism, and sociopolitical allegory), and each played a considerable role in recent Italian culture.

325(420). Italian Novels and Films. One literature course (in any field); knowledge of Italian is not required. (3). (Excl). May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.
Major literary figures, critical positions and cultural phenomena of the 17th-20th centuries in the development of modern attitudes. Course titles are announced for any given term and include individual authors (Calvino, Moravia, Manzoni, Verga, etc.), literary and cultural movements and schools (Neo-Realism, Futurism, Hermeticism, etc.)

433/MARC 439. Dante's Divine Comedy. A knowledge of Italian is not required. (3). (HU).
Lectures and discussion are dedicated to a reading and exposition of one of the landmarks of Western literary tradition, both in its immediate social and intellectual context, and against the background of contrasting and competing traditions of thought and poetry. The text is made available in facing-page dual language editions.

Other Language and Literature Courses

235(362). Intermediate Italian. Italian 232. (3). (Excl).
Further proficiency in oral and writing skills is stressed. Reading materials include short fiction and nonfiction, as well as lengthier assignments of outside reading on which various written assignments are made. Class participation, weekly compositions based on readings, the subject matter of which deals primarily with subjects of topical interest. Continuing grammar difficulties are treated as they arise.

300. Advanced Composition and Conversation. Italian 232 and 235. (3). (Excl).
A practical course for students who are interested in further development of their oral and written skills.

340(360). Contemporary Italian Culture. Italian 232. (3). (HU).
This course, treating the 18th century through the 20th century, emphasizes the political, social and cultural difficulties that Italy encountered once it had lost the privileged position it held in Europe during the Renaissance.

350(468). The Historical Novel. Italian 232. (3). (Excl). May be repeated for a total of nine credits.
The development of the novel as a genre from Manzoni and Verga to Neorealism.

359. Italian Culture and History to the Eighteenth Century. (3). (HU).
The course treats the general period from the late Middle Ages to the 18th century, focusing on literary works which best represent the social and political life of Italy.

361. Intermediate Italian. Italian 232. (3). (Excl).
Basic skills receive attention, the primary goal of which is the improvement and refinement of oral, reading and writing proficiency. Class discussion of short reading materials ranging from newspaper and magazine articles, short fiction and poetry to polemic essays on contemporary cultural, political and social topics. Short essays, prepared oral presentations, translations, and dictations.

374. Topics in Italian Literature. Italian 232. (3). (HU). May be repeated for credit.
Topical studies, themes, and literary problems in Italian literature. The course is conducted in Italian.

387. Italian Renaissance Literature. Italian 232. (3). (HU).
Selected Medieval and Renaissance works and representative humanist writers are studied. Additional readings and written reports.

390(484). Medieval Italian Literature. Italian 232. (3). (Excl).
Poetry of the Sicilian school and the Stilnovisti.

399(485). Directed Reading. May be elected only with permission of concentration advisor in Italian. (1-3). (Excl). (INDEPENDENT). May be repeated for credit.
Open only exceptionally to concentrators and graduate students in Italian whose program requires training in areas not covered in regular departmental offerings.

400(472). Pirandello. Italian 232. (3). (Excl).
This course treats the dramas of one of Italy's greatest modern playwrights, Luigi Pirandello. We consider Pirandello's major theater, and also review his narratives and essays to understand the social and intellectual background of fascist Italy.

471. Commedia dell'arte and Goldoni. Italian 232. (3). (Excl).
Study of background and social origins of the Comedia dell'arte and its types such as Zanni, Arlecchino, Magnifico. Examination of early scenarai and lazzi as well as the poetics of the genre, theatrical aspects and development of scenic space. Pertinent comedies of the Goldonian reform.

483. Ariosto and Tasso. Italian 232. (3). (Excl).
The principal goal of the course is a familiarization with two monuments of Italian Renaissance literature: Ariosto's Orlando furioso and Tasso's Gerusalemme liberata. Attention is paid to the immediate social context of these works, as well as their impact on art and literature.

486. Petrarch's Canzoniere. Italian 232. (3). (Excl).
Study of Petrarch's Canzoniere within the context of paronomastic structure provided by the Laura myth. Class conducted in Italian.


University of Michigan | College of LS&A | Student Academic Affairs | LS&A Bulletin Index


Copyright © 1998
The Regents of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
1.734.764.1817 (University Operator)