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Italian Language & Cultures: Advanced - LAN00035I

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  • Department: Language and Linguistic Science
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Raffaele Zanotti
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

This module combines an in-depth study of Italian with analysis of cultural and social phenomena. Students will develop knowledge, skills and strategies necessary to communicate in Italian at an advanced level through engagement with cultural, historical, and social aspects that have contributed to the construction of Italian national and transnational identities such as the transition to democracy, the economic miracle, and the civil rights movements.

Related modules

Pre-requisite: either Understanding Italian-speaking Cultures and Societies (ab initio) or Italian Language and Cultures: Upper intermediate.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

This module aims at building up knowledge, skills and strategies necessary to communicate in Italian and to develop a plurilingual and pluricultural communicative competence at advanced level. Students will discuss, research and analyse more complex issues of contemporary societies and cultures related to Italian-speaking communities. Students will engage, individually and in groups, in communicative activities emphasising three modes of communication: 1) reception activities (oral, audio-video and reading comprehension); 2) production activities (oral and written production); 3) interaction (oral, written and online interaction). The medium of instruction is Italian.

Module learning outcomes

At the end of the module, students will be able to:

  • demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key facts relating to the Italian-speaking world;

  • understand a wide variety of written, audiovisual and digital texts;

  • give detailed descriptions and presentations on complex topics, developing particular points and produce well-structured expositions;

  • express themselves effectively and achieve a good command of a broad lexical repertoire;

  • explain the background to and interpret and discuss aspects of cultural values and practices drawing on intercultural encounters, reading, film, etc.

Module content

The module will focus on skills and strategies necessary to communicate effectively in Italian and on a variety of cultural, historical, and social aspects that have contributed to the construction of Italian national and transnational identities, such as:

  • Italy between the two World Wars

  • The birth of the first Republic

  • The economic miracle

  • The age of consumerism

  • The movements for civil rights

  • Italians of the new millennium

  • Transnational Italy

Teaching will be delivered in seminar style. A detailed syllabus will be provided by the tutor at the beginning of the module.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Italian Language & Cultures: Advanced		 3 hours 60
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Oral presentation		 0.25 hours 40

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Italian Language & Cultures: Advanced		 3 hours 60
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Oral presentation		 0.25 hours 40

Module feedback

Formative tasks done individually and/or in groups throughout the module. Students will be given written comments for written formative work and oral feedback during class discussions.

Feedback on summative assessment will be returned within the University mandated schedule.

Indicative reading

A full reading list and course materials will be provided by the tutor.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.