Introduction to Italian Linguistics
| Module title | Introduction to Italian Linguistics |
|---|---|
| Module code | MLI1055 |
| Academic year | 2021/2 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Francesco Goglia (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
Module description
In this module we will introduce basic concepts for the study of Italian Linguistics. What is the history of the Italian language? How is it related to other Romance languages? Where is Italian spoken outside Italy? How many other languages are spoken in Italy? As students of Italian, you will find all these topics very useful to complete your knowledge of Italian. Our discussions will compare the Italian linguistic situation to the one of English and the other languages you are learning. No previous knowledge of the language is required.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of this module is to introduce you to the study of Italian linguistics. The course will introduce, among others, the following issues and concepts: the history of the Italian language, standard Italian, the Italian dialects, old and new minority languages, bilingualism and diglossia, and Italian abroad. The module will raise awareness on the Italian linguistic situation and allow you to link it to both the study of the language and other cultural aspects of Italy (literature, history, cinema and television). Students of the module will also find out whether you wish to pursue further linguistic study of Italian.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the Italian linguistic situation
- 2. Demonstrate an understanding of the history of the Italian language
- 3. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of terms and concepts used to describe the Italian linguistic repertoire
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Recognise and understand basic linguistic terminology relating to Italian linguistics and use it in written and oral work
- 5. With initial guidance, find your way around the relevant subject areas of the University Library and access and use learning resources specified by the course tutor
- 6. Use a reading list to identify material relevant to a given aspect of the subject, and report findings orally and in writing
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Assimilate, select and organise material in order to produce a written or oral argument
- 8. Undertake structured learning activities with guidance from course tutor and with the help of written guidelines
- 9. Use real-life examples and case studies to illustrate a point
Syllabus plan
Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
- History of the Italian language
- The Italian linguistic repertoire
- Bilingualism and diglossia
- Italian old and new minority languages
- Dialects of Italy
- Italian abroad
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | 134 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 10 | 10 x 1 hour lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 5 | 5 x 1 hour seminars |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 1 | Tutorial |
| Guided Independent Study | 134 | Private study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminar worksheets and reading | Approximately 2 hours weekly | 1-9 | Collective, oral feedback |
| Mini essay | 500 words | 1-9 | Individual written feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 100 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | 100 | 1.5 hours | 1-9 | Written feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | Examination | 1-9 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.
Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Clivio, Gianrenzo P. & Danesi Marcel. 2000. The Sounds, forms, and uses of Italian. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
- Lepschy, Anna Laura & Lepschy Giulio. 1988. The Italian Language Today. London: Routledge.
- Maiden, M. 1995. A Linguistic History of Italian. London: Longman.
- Tosi, Arturo. 2001. Language and society in a changing Italy. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.
- Vincent, N. 1988. 'Italian' in M. Harris and N. Vincent (eds) The Romance Languages. London: Routledge.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | August 2012 |
| Last revision date | 07/02/2019 |
