Title:Revision and Renaming of the Minor in Italian as

the Minor in Italian and Italian American Studies, and

Addition of Text Describing the Endorsement in the Teaching of Italian

Sponsor:Department of Hispanic and Italian Studies

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Executive Summary:

The Department of Hispanic and Italian Studiesproposes a number of revisions to the Italian minor with the purpose of making course offerings better reflect current trends in the field of Italian and Italian American Studies. The Minor in Italian will be renamed to Minor in Italian and Italian American Studies.Moreover, the department aims to make the program more streamlined so that students who elect to minor in Italian and Italian American Studies can progress more efficiently through their plan of study. To this end, the department will revise the core requisites for the minor and add ITAL 104 (Intermediate Italian II, 4 hours) as part of that core. In addition, we will also drop, revise, renumber, and/or add a number of courses. Finally, the department will reduce the total number of credit hours required for the minor from 21 to 19.

In addition, the department is correcting the catalog statement to reflect the new rules for second subject teaching endorsements as determined by the Council on Teacher Education.

Descriptions and Justifications:

  1. Changes in the Structure of the Minor
  1. The title of the minor will be changed from Minor in Italian to Minor in Italian and Italian American Studies.

Justification:The change in the title reflects the disciplinary change to a cultural studies model and the change in department nomenclature, as well as the added focus on Italian American subject matters. More to the point, it better represents the broadened interdisciplinary approach that now clearly includes Italian American literatures and other cultural products in many of the courses offered by the program.

  1. The required courses for the minor will be ITAL 104 (or the equivalent) and two courses chosen from ITAL 200 (Italian in Practice, 3 hours), ITAL 201 (Exploring Italy: Introduction to Writing and Critical Methods, 3 hours), or ITAL 210 (Introduction to Italian Literary and Cultural Studies, 3 hours). In addition, one 300-level course will be required for all minors. Finally, two additional courses (six credits) at the 200-, 300-, or 400-level will be required.

Justification:The revised core courses for the minor will include ITAL 104, which will attract to the Italian minor the population of students who successfully complete the basic language program, and which will formally establish a pedagogical continuation between the 100- and the 200–level courses. The three 200-level courses from which students can choose to complete the core 10 credit hours are essential in helping students build fundamental skills in Italian, as well as building fundamental analytical skills necessary for the interpretation of Italian and Italian American texts. The one course 300-level requirement will ensure that students in the minor venture into at least one advanced course in the target language. The additional two courses at the 200 level or above will allow students to chose between a variety of offerings and acquire broad, yet sound, knowledge in the field of Italian and Italian American studies with courses taught in both English and Italian.

  1. The number of credit hours required for the minor will be reduced from 21 to 19.

Justification:Reducing the total number of credit hours from 21 to 19 will allow students to progress through the minor more rapidly; thus, the program will be attractive to a broader spectrum of students.

  1. Changes in Courses
  1. Revised Courses

ITAL 104, Intermediate Italian II, 4 hours

ITAL 200, Italian in Practice (formerly, Conversational Italian), 3 hours

ITAL 201, Exploring Italy: Introduction to Writing and Critical Methods (formerly, Italian Composition and Conversation), 3 hours

ITAL 210, Introduction to Italian Literary and Cultural Studies (formerly, Introduction to Reading and Analysis of Italian Literary Texts), 3 hours

ITAL 230, Italian and Italian American Culture and Civilization (formerly Italian Culture and Civilization), 3 hours

ITAL 280 Italian and Italian American Cinema (formerly numbered Ital 180; formerly titled Italian Cinema), 3 hours

ITAL 293 Dante’s Divine Comedy (formerly numbered 193; formerly titled The Divine Comedy), 3 hours

ITAL 303, Advanced Italian Composition and Conversation, 3 hours

ITAL 411, Literary Forms in Early Renaissance, 3 undergraduate/4 graduate hours

ITAL 412, Literary Forms in Late Renaissance and Baroque, 3 undergraduate/4 graduate hours

ITAL 421, Advanced Modern Italian Literature, 3 undergraduate/4 graduate hours

ITAL 422, Contemporary Italian Literature, 3 undergraduate/4 graduate hours

ITAL 450, Divina Commedia I, 3 undergraduate/4 graduate hours

ITAL 451, Divina Commedia II, 3 undergraduate/4 graduate hours

Justification:

ITAL 104, Intermediate Italian II, or an equivalent, will now be a requirement for Italian and Italian American Studies minors. The syllabus and teaching methodologies in ITAL 104 have been extensively revised in order to create a true bridge course between the 100 and the 200 level. Given these changes, students now cover in ITAL 104 much of the material they previously encountered in ITAL 200. As a result, it seems advantageous to offer ITAL 104 for credit for the minor and encourage students to continue a plan of study that integratesthe study of the Italian language as a foundation to the minor in Italian and Italian American Studies. ITAL 200 (Italian in Practice, formerly Conversational Italian), ITAL 201 (Exploring Italy: Introduction to Writing and Critical Methods, formerly Italian Composition and Conversation), and ITAL 210 (Introduction to Italian Literary and Cultural Studies formerly Introduction to Reading and Analysis of Italian Literary Texts) are fundamental for advancing basic language skills—oral, reading, writing, and analytic—beyond the 100 level. The courses have been renamed and their syllabi revised in order to build on the methodological and pedagogical revisions that have been put into effect at the 100 level, as well as to allow faculty greater flexibility in course content. Ital 180, Italian Cinema merits a change in titlein order to better reflect the content of the course. The revised title of Ital 193, The Divine Comedy, reflects a change with the purpose of making it more informative by including the author’s name. In addition, ITAL 180 and 193 are being renumbered to the 200 level (280, Italian and Italian American Cinema, and 293, Dante’s Divine Comedy, respectively) so as to more accurately indicate the level of work and analytical skills required. The revised ITAL 230 (Italian and Italian American Culture and Civilization, formerly Italian Culture and Civilization) will now include Italian American culture as part of its area of study. ITAL 411, 412, 421, 422, 450, and 451 will exclusively see a change in their prerequisite structure. ITAL 303 will now have ITAL 201 as its prerequisite, making these two courses a series in composition and writing. All 400-level courses, with the exception of 461, 462, and 494, will now have as a prerequisite any 300-level course, thus establishing a common set of expectations for the skills necessary for all advanced literature and culture courses at the 400 level.

  1. New Courses (all 3 hours)

ITAL 270, Migration and Diaspora in the Italian and Italian American Experience

ITAL 300, Advanced Topics in Italian Literary and Cultural Studies

ITAL 301, Advanced Topics in Italian Visual Media and Film

ITAL 302, Advanced Topics in Gender, Politics, and Cultural Difference in Italian Studies

Justification:These new courses reflect present trends in Italian and Italian American Studies, where topics that include the study of cultural products beyond canonical literary texts (film and other visual media, popular literatures such as magazines, etc.) are understood as essential to an analysis of Italian culture both within its national boundaries and in its diaspora. New courses at the 300 level share the same set of possible prerequisites, ITAL 200, ITAL 201, or ITAL 210, thus establishing a common foundation for all advanced literature and culture courses at the 300 and 400 levels.

  1. Dropped Courses (all 3 hours)

ITAL 190, Italian Literature in Translation I

ITAL 305, Advanced Italian Grammar

ITAL 310, Early Italian Literature and Society

ITAL 311, Modern Italian Literature and Society

Justification: The following courses are being dropped: ITAL 190 (Italian Literature in Translation I), ITAL 305 (Advanced Italian Grammar), ITAL 310 (Early Italian Literature and Society), and ITAL 311 (Modern Italian Literature and Society). The department wishes to offer courses that better correspond to a trans-historical literary and cultural studies model (rather than a period/literary movement model). The department also does not deem necessary a traditional grammar course at the 300 level because the development of writing and linguistics skills is fully incorporated in all the courses taught in Italian at all levels.

  1. Endorsement in the Teaching of Italian

The catalog statement has been revised to reflect the new rules for the endorsement in the teaching of Italian as a second subject as established by the State of Illinois.

Justification:In the past, completion of a minor in Italian fulfilled most of the requirements in Illinois for teaching Italian as a second subject. The Illinois State Board of Education has changed requirements so that a minor is no longer sufficient. Instead, the ISBE makes possible only an endorsement in teaching a second subject. Because requirements change often, the proposed catalog statement points students to the UIC Council on Teacher Education to learn current requirements. The second subject endorsement in Italian is a distinct program separate from the minor in Italian and Italian American Studies.

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PRESENT

Minor in Italian

Students from other disciplines who want to minor in Italian must complete 21 semester hours as outlined below:

Required Courses—Italian MinorHours

ITAL 200—Conversational Italiana3

ITAL 201—Italian Composition and Conversation3

ITAL 210—Introduction to Reading and Analysis of Italian Literary Texts3

ITAL 303—Advanced Italian Composition and Conversation3

ITAL 305—Advanced Italian Grammar

3

Two or three additional courses at the 200-,
300-, or 400-level6–9

Total Hours—Italian Minor21

a Fluent Italian speakers substitute a higher-level course for ITAL 200.

PROPOSED

Minor in Italian and Italian American Studies

Students from other disciplines who want to minor in Italian must complete 19 semester hours as outlined below:

Required Courses—Italian and Italian

American Studies Minor10

ITAL 104 or equivalent (4)

Two of the following courses:

ITAL 200—Italian in Practice (3)a

ITAL 201—Exploring Italy: Introduction to

Writing and Critical Methods (3)

ITAL 210—Introduction to Italian Literary
and Cultural Studiesbc (3)

Three credit hours at the 300 level.3

Six additional credit hours in Italian and
Italian American Studies courses, 200 level
or above.6

Total Hours—Italian and Italian
American Studies Minor19

a Native and Heritage speakers who place out of 104 will not be admitted into this course, and should register for ITAL 201 and/or 210. Please consult an LAS advisor for eligibility for retroactive credit once you complete the ITAL 201 or ITAL 210 course.

Endorsement for the Teaching of Italian

Endorsement is available to students obtaining full certification in an approved UIC Teacher Education major. To teach Italian as a second subject in Illinois public schools one must apply for, meet all requirements, and receive an Endorsement from the State Board of Education. For information on requirements and application procedures for a second subject endorsement in Italian, contact the Council on Teacher Education in the College of Education.

PRESENT

Study Abroad Programs—Italian

The Italian program encourages all minors to take advantage of study abroad opportunities in Italy available to UIC students. Students who wish to be considered for study abroad should consult the director of undergraduate studies concerning prerequisites and requirements. For information on these programs, please visit the following Web site:

For general information about study abroad opportunities, please visit the UIC Study Abroad office at

PROPOSED

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Minority Impact Statement: The proposed revision will have no impact on minorities. The change in the curriculum will allow students at all levels and with diverse backgrounds to study Italian and Italian American Studies as in the past.

Budgetary and Staff Implications:The proposed revision requires no additional budgetary or staff resources. The new courses and their expected rotation will require no additional instructor lines or advisors.

Library Resource Implications: The proposed revision requires no additional library resources.

Space Implications: The proposed revision has no space implications.

Unit Approval Date:October 21, 2009

College Approval Dates:LAS Educational Policy Committee: 08.30.10

LAS Faculty: 09.21.10

Contact persons:Luis López, Professor and Head, Hispanic and Italian Studies

Rosie Hernández, Associate Professor, Hispanic and Italian Studies

Proposed Effective Date: Fall 2011

Revision of the Minor in Italian
Courses

New Courses

ITAL 270 Migration and Diaspora in the Italian and Italian American Experience. 3 hours

Immigrants' identities as seen through literature, film, television, poetry. Focus will be on Italian and Italian American narratives. Taught in English. Understanding U.S. Society course.

ITAL 300 Advanced Topics in Italian Literary and Cultural Studies. 3 hours

Advanced exploration of topics relating to Italian cultural studies with a special focus on Italian literature and other media. Taught in Italian. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours of credit if topics vary for each registration and with consent of the instructor.Prerequisite(s): ITAL 200; or ITAL 201; or ITAL 210; or equivalent; or consent of the instructor

ITAL 301 Advanced Topics in Italian Visual Media and Film. 3 hours

Advanced topics course on specific periods or movements in Italian film and other visual media. Topics will vary. Taught in Italian. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours of credit if topics vary for each registration and with consent of the instructor. Recommended Background: ITAL 280. Prerequisite(s): ITAL 200; or ITAL 201; or ITAL 210; or equivalent; or consent of the instructor.

ITAL 302 Advanced Topics in Gender, Politics, and Cultural Difference in Italian Studies. 3 hours

Study of different cultural movements and their effects on the construction and deconstruction of national, regional, class, and gender identities in the Italian context. Topics will vary. Taught in Italian. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours of credit if topics vary for each registration and with consent of the instructor. Prerequisite(s): ITAL 200; or ITAL 201; or ITAL 210; or equivalent; or consent of the instructor.

Revised Courses

ITAL 104 Intermediate Italian II. 4 hours

Continuation of Italian 103. Emphasis on writing and reading skills, without forgoing oral practice. Review of grammar. Credit is not given for ITAL 104 if the student has completed any 200-, 300-, 400-, or 500-level Italian courses. In the Summer this course may be available in Siena, Italy.Prerequisite(s):ITAL 103; or appropriate score on the department placement test.

ITAL 200 Italian in Practice (formerly, Conversational Italian). 3 hours

Intensive practice of spoken Italian through the study of different types of communication and the exploration of Italian culture and society. Native and Heritage Italian speakers will be placed in a higher level course. Native and heritage speakers of Italian may not register for this course. Prerequisite(s):Grade of C or better in ITAL 104; or appropriate score on the department placement test or consent of the instructor.

ITAL 201 Exploring Italy: Introduction to Writing and Critical Methods (formerly, Italian Composition and Conversation). 3 hours

Through written analysis, students will explore cultural products and the cultural specificity of Italian family life, educational system, work patterns, leisure activities, language and/or regional traditions alongside historical events. Taught in Italian. Prerequisite(s):Grade of C or better inITAL 104; or appropriate score on the department placement test; or consent of the instructor.

ITAL 210 Introduction to Italian Literary and Cultural Studies (formerly, Introduction to Reading and Analysis of Italian Literary Texts). 3 hours

Introduction to Italian literary and cultural studies through literature, film and other cultural products. Taught in Italian. Credit is not given for Italian 210 if the student has credit in either Italian 190 or 191. Prerequisite(s):Grade of C or better inITAL 104; or appropriate score on the department placement test; or consent of the instructor.Understanding theCreative Arts course.

ITAL 230 Italian and Italian American Culture and Civilization (formerly, Italian Culture and Civilization).3 hours

Italian and Italian American culture and civilization will explore key moments in Italian social history and its connection to the Italian diaspora. Taught in English.Understanding the Past and Exploring World Cultures course.

ITAL 280 Italian and Italian American Cinema (numbered from ITAL 180). 3hours

Italian and Italian American films and cinematic movements presented within the context of Italian culture and its diaspora. Taught in English. Films screened with English subtitles. Same as MOVI 280.Recommended background: Credit or concurrent registration in ENGL 102; or Credit or concurrent registration in ENGL 120; or Credit or concurrent registration in ENGL 121. Understanding the Creative Arts course.

ITAL 293 Dante’sDivine Comedy(renumbered from ITAL 193; formerly titled TheDivine Comedy). 3 hours

An in-depth study of the Divine Comedy, read in English, against the historical, religious, philosophical and cultural background of the Middle Ages. Same as CST 293 and RELS 293. Taught in English. Creative Arts and Understanding the Past course.

ITAL303Advanced Italian Composition and Conversation. 3 hours

Intensive training in oral and written expression based on the study of contemporary Italian texts. Grammar review.Prerequisite(s): ITAL 201 or consent of the instructor.

ITAL 411Literary Forms in Early Renaissance. 3 undergraduate/4 graduate hours

The development of Epic Poetry (Pulci, Boiardo, Ariosto) within the literary, political, and social context (Machiavelli and Castiglione). Prerequisite(s): Any Italian course at the 300 level or aboveor consent of the instructor.

ITAL 412Literary Forms in Late Renaissance and Baroque. 3 undergraduate/4 graduate hours

Representative literary works of the genres of the late sixteenth and seventeenth centuries: Epic poem of Tasso and poetry of Marino. The birth of the Commedia dell'Arte form. Prerequisite(s): Any Italian course at the 300 level or above or consent of the instructor.