Courses

This course focuses on the study of contemporary Italian society and culture. Students explore a variety of themes in current events that are significant to today's world, and that present the complexity and diversity of contemporary Italy. The methodological approach is student-centered and favors interaction, while also promoting the development of critical thinking and growth toward linguistic autonomy and fluency. This course connects students' interest in Italian language and culture to their personal life-experience and stimulates intercultural exchange of ideas. Students learn to interpret and relate, to engage with ambiguity, while learning to respect and to value diversity in ways of thinking, understanding the impact of historical and social contexts. The method fosters skills to analyze, interpret, and evaluate. The course stimulates intellectual curiosity, tolerance of cultural difference, appropriate behavior in intercultural situations, and sensitivity toward other worldviews. Prerequisites: ITAL 171 & 172, or placement test, or approval of the Program Director. Normally students enroll in 200-level courses before enrolling in a 300-level course, but the sequence is not strict or mandatory.