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Intermediate Italian Language and Culture (2026/2027: Semester 2 – Summer)

Cursusdoel

By the end of the course, students can:

Demonstrate competence in the use of the aspects of Italian grammar and vocabulary covered in the course. The Exit level is Intermediate High, IH on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.
COMMUNICATE using a variety of Italian expressions and idioms with a growing degree of complexity on a variety of concrete and abstract topics, e.g., university programs, pastimes, jobs, everyday life in Italy, food, entertainment, family life, the arts, history etc.
READ AND UNDERSTAND the main idea and some of the supporting details of both edited and non-edited material (including short narratives, simple poems, advertisements, tourist brochures, and travel information), if highly contextualized.
WRITE sentences, paragraphs, and short compositions on familiar topics, take messages, and write letters that relate to personal interests and practical needs.
Demonstrate deeper understanding of contemporary Italian society and culture, also in the light of historical developments.
Research, critically discuss and present, both individually and in collaboration with others, written, oral and visual materials and sources on cultural topics in both English and Italian.

Relationship between tests and course goals

In this course, the final course grade is based on seven elements: three written exams, a presentation, an individual cultural project (portfolio), a group cultural project (documentary) and an oral assessment.

Language test 1 (15%): this tests your competence in the use of the grammar, syntax and vocabulary discussed in the first part of the semester, that is, units 8,9, 10 and 11 of the coursebook and the linked topics in the grammar book. The test could include completion exercises, translation exercises, and reading and writing assignments (course goals 1, 2, 3 and 4).
Language test 2 (20%): this tests your competence in the use of the grammar, syntax and vocabulary discussed in the second part of the semester, that is, units 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the coursebook and the linked topics in the grammar book. The test could include completion exercises, translation exercises, and reading and writing assignments (course goals 1, 2, 3 and 4).
Language activities (25%): this tests your proficiency in reading, speaking and writing in Italian about topics related to the main thematic areas of the course (course goals 1, 2, 3, 4 5 and 6).
Cultural activities (25%): this tests your ability to collectively and individually research, read, understand, and critically present (in Italian) a specific topic or theme from the topics discussed in class. It also shows your engagement with the cultural topics discussed in class, and how you link those topics with your own knowledge and experiences (course goals 1, 2, 3, 4 5 and 6).
Oral assessment (15%): this tests your ability to put in practice the grammar, syntax and vocabulary that you learned so that you can communicate on a variety of concrete and abstract topics, e.g., university programs, pastimes, jobs, everyday life in Italy, food, entertainment, family life, the arts, history, etc. (course goals 1 and 2).

Vakinhoudelijk

New course code and title from Fall 2025 onward
The level and content of this course remain largely the same as the previous version UCHUMITA11 Italian Language and Culture I.

There are beginner/introduction level entry requirements for this course: UCHUMITA10 taken in 2024-2025 or UCHUMITA11 taken in 2025-2026.

If you want to proceed to a higher level, consider the UU programme 'Italiaanse Taal en Cultuur'.

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This course focuses on the language, but also on the history, geography, artistic works, traditions, and current events of Italian society. While exploring different aspects and contents, we will deepen the topic of migration from and to Italy, both in historical and contemporary perspective. We will focus on the representation of migrants and asylum-seekers in Italian social media and political discourse, analyzing the impact that such representations have on the social inclusion of migrants in the Italian society.

New this semester is a collaboration with international students studying in Siena, Italy, in a community engaged learning (CEL) project, aimed at creating and piloting activities to foster the linguistic, cultural and social inclusion of young migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in the local host society (the city of Siena), according to the principles and aims of the project Home 4 the World. This project is run by volunteers, both international students and locals. The aim of the project is to collaboratively create a handbook of activities that can be implemented and developed in the Home4TheWorld project sites both by volunteers from outside the engaged organizations and by students and volunteers doing service learning activities through this project.

There will be the opportunity to travel to Siena during the midterm break to work on location. Students will be offered accommodation in host families, so they will get the chance to have a full immersion in the Italian language and culture, while at the same time developing cross-cultural communication skills.

Format
In-class work:
Classes will focus on language practice in line with the textbook chapters. Students will mainly work in pairs and small groups. All participants must complete obligatory self-study assignments before class. Students are expected to actively engage during the lessons as well as in group tasks.
Outside-class work:
This involves studying grammar and vocabulary and making exercises and quizzes, as well as close reading and preparation of required assignments for the cultural assignments. It also involves collaboration with peers for group cultural assignments.
CEL project:
The first part of the project will be online (once a week for five weeks): in mixed groups students will analyze the migratory process to Europe and to Italy, its dynamics, and steps, to then explore patterns of (self) representation of and by migrants and refugees. The second part of the project will take place on location in Siena during the midterm break (1 week). Students will co-create and propose activities for intercultural dialogue to the participants to the Home 4 the World project. They will reflect on the process and the outcomes, to then finalize the activities for collection in the handbook.
Students who won’t opt for the on-location option will be assigned alternative CEL tasks.
Costs if students opt to travel to Siena
A package with accommodation in host families, most meals, activities and excursions in Siena will be offered by our partner institution for ± € 600,00. Travel expenses will depend on how student will travel.
The instructor will look for possible funding for covering (part of) those expenses.

Werkvormen

UCU language course

Toetsing

Cultural activities

Verplicht | Weging 25% | ECTS 1,88

Language activities

Verplicht | Weging 25% | ECTS 1,88

midterm FEEDBACK

Niet verplicht

Language test 1

Verplicht | Weging 15% | ECTS 1,13

Language test 2

Verplicht | Weging 20% | ECTS 1,5

Oral assessment

Verplicht | Weging 15% | ECTS 1,13

Ingangseisen en voorkennis

Ingangseisen

Er moet voldaan zijn aan minimaal één van de cursussen:

Voorkennis

If you do not satisfy the above requirement you need to apply for course admittance through Osiris Case.

Voorkennis kan worden opgedaan met

If you have previously learned this language another way, you may be able to enroll in this higher level. Speaking and writing entrance level: Intermediate Low, IL., as defined in the ACTFL Guidelines. Read more about language level assessment: https://students.uu.nl/en/university-college-utrecht/language-level-assessment.

Voertalen

Engels
Italiaans

Competenties

Internationale en interculturele oriëntatie
Luisteren
Presenteren
Samenwerken
Talen

Cursusmomenten

Gerelateerde studies

Tentamens

Er is geen tentamenrooster beschikbaar voor deze cursus

Verplicht materiaal

BOEK

TBA

Aanbevolen materiaal

Er is geen informatie over de aanbevolen literatuur bekend

Opmerkingen

Counts as L&C requirement. Recoded from ITA11 to ITA21

Coördinator

dr. T. Bruni

T.Bruni@uu.nl

Docenten