Studying at York
Italian Language and Cultures: Proficient - LAN00060H
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 proficient level through engagement with topics of historical, cultural, and social importance, such as “gli anni di piombo” and “mafia”.
Related modules
Pre-requisite module
Italian Language and Cultures: Advanced OR equivalent level of language proficiency.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2024-25 |
Module aims
This module aims at refining students’ knowledge, skills and strategies necessary to communicate in Italian, and to develop a plurilingual and pluricultural communicative competence at proficient level. The module covers a variety of sources in Italian and English about contemporary cultural and social issues in Italian-speaking countries, and related diasporic communities. Particular emphasis will be given to developing students' ability to research, analyse, present, and synthesise sources from critical perspectives using a range of sophisticated language structures accurately. Students will also receive training in professional presentation skills. The medium of instruction is Italian. Students will engage, individually and in groups, in communicative activities focussing on 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).
Module learning outcomes
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Ability to understand a wide range of long and complex written, audiovisual and digital texts, and media, appreciating subtle distinctions of style and implicit as well as explicit meaning.
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Ability to produce clear, smoothly flowing, complex texts in an appropriate and effective style and a logical structure, demonstrating a good command of idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms.
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Ability to set out multiple perspectives on complex topics, clearly distinguishing their own ideas and opinions from those in the sources.
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Ability to present complex information concisely to a live audience for a variety of purposes.
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Awareness of cultural differences and ability to make subtle adjustments in order to navigate diverse cultural contexts.
Module content
The module will focus on a variety of key historical, cultural and social aspects of 20th and 21st century Italy, such as “gli anni di piombo” and “mafia”.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 50 |
| Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 50 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 50 |
| Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 50 |
Module feedback
Feedback on summative assessment will be returned according to the university mandated feedback turnaround time. Feedback on formative tasks will be given throughout the module and will vary according to the tasks.
Indicative reading
Material will be available on the VLE.