Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module ITAL2051: ITALIAN LANGUAGE 2B AND YEAR ABROAD

Department: MODERN LANGUAGES AND CULTURES (ITALIAN)

ITAL2051: ITALIAN LANGUAGE 2B AND YEAR ABROAD

Type Open Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2005/06 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Italian Language 1B (ITAL1021) or Italian A Level grade B.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Italian Language 2B (2031) and Understanding Italy (ITAL1061). Not available to students following the European Studies programme.

Aims

  • In respect of work undertaken in Year 2: to improve and expand linguistic competencies (oral and written).
  • In respect of Year Abroad: to further improve and expand linguistic skills, knowledge of the culture of a country where the target language is spoken, and to stimulate intercultural awareness.

Content

  • To revise and consolidate competence in Italian grammar and syntax, and to develop a securer feeling for the vocabulary and idiom in contemporary spoken and written Italian.
  • To broaden understanding of modern Italian life and culture.
  • Discussion and practice of specific grammatical structures: oral and written exercises in groups and individually.
  • Development of translation skills (from and into Italian).
  • Introduction to different registers of written Italian.
  • Practice in essay writing in Italian.
  • Speaking and listening practice in small groups, based on topical issues.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • In the Year Aboard, students experience total immersion in the linguistic and cultural environment of an Italian-speaking country, acquiring increased knowledge and the ability to observe, absorb, and evaluate cultural differences.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Students improve their written and oral skills, expanding on the foundation of grammatical and syntactical accuracy consolidated at Level 1, so as to explore more sophisticated modes of verbal expression and a variety of linguistic registers.
Key Skills:

    Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

    • Year 2: Regular, assessed practice in a variety of written and oral exercises extends to linguistic accuracy and verbal manipulation.
    • these exercises include some relevant to functioning well in an Italian-speaking country.
    • Summative assessment tests competencies acquired in formative practice.
    • Year Abroad assessment consists of an essay to demonstrate: accuracy of language.
    • appropriateness of language (register and idiom).
    • range of language (lexis and structures).
    • originality of content (evidence of personal experience and response.
    • sophistication of reflection and analysis.
    • insight into the target language culture).
    • quality of information in content (breadth and/or depth of information).
    • structure and presentation.

    Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

    Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
    Language Classes 63 1 Per Week 1 Hour 63
    Preparation and Reading 137
    Total 200

    Summative Assessment

    Component: Examination Component Weighting: 50%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    3-hour written examination 75%
    oral examination 25%
    Component: Essay Component Weighting: 50%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    2000-word essay produced during the year abroad 100%

    Formative Assessment:

    Regular written and oral exercises.


    Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University