Spring 2019 / ITAL 340: Italian through Film - cloudfront.net
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Spring 2019 / ITAL 340: Italian through Film
Department of Modern and Classical Languages
George Mason University
Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:00 to 4:15pm, Aquia Hall 347
Prof. K. Olson, kolson4@gmu.edu
Office: Aquia Hall 309
Office Hours: Mondays, 4:30pm to 5:30pm, and by appointment
Prerequisites: ITAL 202/250; appropriate placement score; or permission of instructor.
Course Description and Objectives:
This course develops linguistic proficiency and historical and cultural awareness
through the study of selected films from 1945 to 1972. The course is divided into a series
of pre-viewing, viewing, and post-viewing activities for each film that consist of a
discussion of cultural and historical backgrounds, vocabulary in context, and a grammar
review. Students will be responsible for viewing the films in their entirety outside of
class while guided by these assignments. Class discussion, together with regular writing
assignments and presentations, are designed to foster advanced reading, writing,
speaking, and listening skills, incorporating advanced-level language study in a content-
based approach. At the end of this course, students are expected to communicate at the
ACTFL proficiency levels for reading, speaking, listening and writing between
Advanced Low and Advanced Mid-levels.
Required Materials
Borra, Antonello and Cristina Pausini. Italian through Film: The Classics.
New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2007. ISBN: 0300109520
Required Films (Purchase of these films is optional. See below for online film
availability via GMU library. Films also located on course reserve in the Johnson
Center.) Films are listed in alphabetical order with their current distributor and Amazon
listing.
1. La commare secca (The Grim Reaper). Dir. Bernardo Bertolucci, 1962. Perf. Francesco
Ruiu, Giancarlo De Rosa, Vincenzo Ciccora. Criterion, 2010. DVD.
https://www.amazon.com/Commare-Secca-Criterion-
Collection/dp/B0006Z2NB8/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1542999906&sr=1-1
2. Divorzio all’italiana (Divorce, Italian Style). Dir. Pietro Germi, 1961. Perf. Marcello
Mastroianni, Stefania Sandrelli. Criterion, 2005. DVD.
https://www.amazon.com/Divorce-Italian-Style-Criterion-
Collection/dp/B0007M222A/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1542999983&sr=1-
1&keywords=divorce+italian+style
3. Una giornata particolare (A Special Day). Dir. Ettore Scola, 1977. Perf. Sophia Loren and
Marcello Mastroianni. Criterion, 2015. – Amazon prime / Not on Kanopy
https://www.amazon.com/Special-Day-Sophia-
Loren/dp/B011SDC2DK/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1543002433&sr=1-2-2
catcorr&keywords=special+day+scola
4. Ladri di biciclette (Bicycle Thieves). Dir. Vittorio De Sica, 1948. Perf. Lamberto
Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola. Criterion, 2007. DVD.
https://www.amazon.com/Bicycle-Criterion-Collection-Lamberto-
Maggiorani/dp/B000KRNGO0/ref=sr_1_3?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1543000141&sr=1-
3&keywords=bicycle+thieves
5. Mimì metallurgico ferito nell’onore (The Seduction of Mimi). Dir. Lina Wertmüller, 1972.
Perf. Giancarlo Giannini, Agostina Belli, and Mariangela Melato. Kino Lorber, 2012.
https://www.amazon.com/Seduction-Mimi-Kino-Classics-Blu-
ray/dp/B007IHH4FC/ref=sr_1_2?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1543000231&sr=1-
2&keywords=mimi+metallurgico+ferito+nell%27onore
6. La notte (The Night). Dir. Michelangelo Antonioni, 1961. Perf. Jeanne Moreau, Marcello
Mastroianni and Monica Vitti. Criterion Collection, 2013. DVD.
https://www.amazon.com/Notte-Criterion-Collection-Marcello-
Mastroianni/dp/B00DZP1BUU/ref=sr_1_2?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1543000576&sr=1-
2&keywords=notte+antonioni
7. Il posto (The Job; The Sound of Trumpets). Dir. Ermanno Olmi, 1961. Perf. Sandro Panseri
and Loredana Detto. Criterion Collection, 2010. DVD.
https://www.amazon.com/Posto-Criterion-Collection-Sandro-
Panseri/dp/B000093NR1/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1543000637&sr=1-
1&keywords=posto+olmi
8. Riso amaro (Bitter Rice). Dir. Giuseppe De Santis. Perf. Vittorio Gassman, Silvana
Mangano. Criterion Collection, 2016. DVD. – Amazon prime / Not on Kanopy
https://www.amazon.com/Bitter-Rice-Criterion-Collection-Blu-
ray/dp/B016R7C3A4/ref=sr_1_2?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1543000726&sr=1-
2&keywords=bitter+rice
9. Roma, città aperta (Rome, Open City). Dir. Roberto Rossellini, 1945. Perf. Aldo Fabrizi,
Anna Magnani. Criterion, 2010. DVD.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019D8BIDW?ref=sr_1_1_acs_kn_imdb_pa_dp&qid=1543000947&sr=1-
1-acs&autoplay=0
10. Il sorpasso (The Easy Life). Dir. Dino Risi, 1962. Perf. Vittorio Gassman, Jean Louis
Trintignant, and Catherine Spaak. Criterion Collection, 2014. DVD.
https://www.amazon.com/Sorpasso-Vittorio-Gassman/dp/B00I116MZ2/ref=sr_1_2?s=movies-
tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1543001215&sr=1-2&keywords=sorpasso
11. Tre fratelli (Three Brothers). Dir. Francesco Rosi, 1981. Perf. Philippe Noiret, Michele
Placido, Vittorio Mezzogiorno. – Amazon prime / Not on Kanopy
https://www.amazon.com/Three-Brothers-Philippe-
Noiret/dp/B06X9R3HGZ/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_1?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1543001285&sr=1-2
12. I vitelloni (The Young and the Passionate). Dir. Federico Fellini. Perf. Franco Fabrizi,
Franco Interlenghi, Alberto Sordi, Leopoldo Trieste. Criterion, 1953. DVD.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NTSRGDY?ref=sr_1_3_acs_kn_imdb_pa_dp&qid=1543001428&sr=1-
3-acs&autoplay=03
Supplementary Texts (also see Recommended Bibliography in Italian through Film)
Bondanella, Peter and Federico Pacchioni. A History of Italian Cinema. Second edition.
Bloomsbury Academic, 2017.
Marcus, Millicent. Italian Film in the Light of Neorealism. Princeton, NJ: Princeton
University Press, 1986. (available in paperback)
Class Preparation and Participation:
You are required to have viewed each film outside of class in preparation for class
discussion. All films for this course are available in different ways: 1) on reserve in the
Johnson Center; 2) online – for free – through GMU libraries (with Kanopy); 3) on
Amazon Prime Video, Vudu or Netflix. In order to access these films for free via GMU
libraries, go to the University Libraries homepage, click on “Search,” then “Media
Collections,” and then “Video and Images Collection”
(http://infowiz.gmu.edu/dbs/subjects/video). Once there, search for “Kanopy.” The
location of each film is noted in the Weekly Schedule breakdown below. There are
three films (Bitter Rice; A Special Day and Three Brothers) which you will have to
purchase on either Amazon, Vudu or Netflix, for a nominal fee (i.e., under $5 each).
Because learning a language is a sustained process that requires individual study,
exposure to the target language, and involvement in communicative activities, it is
essential that students study assigned material outside of class, complete exercises
assigned by the instructor, attend class regularly, and participate actively in all
classroom activities. Detailed instructions for class preparation for each day of the
semester are included on the daily schedule. Students absent on any given day will
receive a grade of zero for participation for that day.
Oral Presentations:
This class requires two oral presentations (taken from “Spunti per la ricerca”) to be
completed by students enrolled with degree status. Please consult the schedule for
your assigned date of these presentations. Oral presentations must be between two
and three minutes in length, and must be submitted to the instructor two days before
execution so that you might receive corrections and feedback beforehand. The
instructor will provide you with a criteria sheet so that you can familiarize yourself
with how you will be assessed.
Weekly Homework and Compositions:
This class requires short comprehension activities (“Durante e dopo la visione” – Vero
o Falso? & Scelta multipla) due on Mondays and brief written compositions, between
100 and 150 words, which are due on Wednesdays (you select a prompt from the
“Spunti per la scrittura” at the end of each chapter). Please consult the schedule and
Blackboard for the exact assignments and due dates. Compositions can be revised for a
higher grade, but this is not obligatory. Compositions must demonstrate
comprehension of and engagement with the material as well as gradual improvement
over the course of the semester. They must be submitted via Blackboard, and students
must keep track of their submissions through the system.4
Final Exam:
This course requires a final exam. This exam includes all material assigned up to the
date of the test and they involve listening comprehension, vocabulary, grammar,
writing, and culture. The final exam schedule is also available online from the
registrar. Please plan ahead as there are no substitute dates for the final exam.
Honor Code:
All written work, including exams and outside of class assignments, must be done
independently. Your instructor will explicitly announce any exceptions to this policy
(e.g., in the case of a group project). Please note that you are expected to write all
compositions on your own, and you should not have them reviewed or corrected by
another student or a more advanced speaker of the language. The use of an online
translation site is considered an infraction of the Honor Code. If you work on class
materials with a tutor, you should inform your instructor in advance. Students are
expected to be familiar with the GMU Honor Code (available online at:
http://jiju.gmu.edu/catalog/apolicies/honor.html). Any students who are unsure of
any of the policies regarding independent work are responsible for requesting
clarification from their instructor.
Disability Accommodations:
The Office of Disability Services at GMU facilitates equal access for students with
disabilities to university programs, events, and services. The ODS staff is committed to
working individually with students to help them choose the most effective
accommodations of services. Students must contact ODS directly to register for services
at Student Union Building 1, Room 222; Phone: 703-993-2474.
Grading:
Class preparation and participation 15%
Weekly Brief Compositions (“Spunti per la scrittura”) 25%
Weekly homework assignments (“Durante e dopo la visione”) 20%
Class presentations (2) (“Spunti per la ricerca”) 20%
Final exam 20%
100%
The final letter grade will be assigned as follows:
98-100 A+
94-97 A
90-93 A-
87-89 B+
83-86 B
80-82 B-
77-79 C+
73-76 C
70-72 C-
60-69 D
0-59 F5
CLASS SCHEDULE
(all page numbers refer to Italian through Film: The Classics)
Week 1: Jan. 23: Course Introduction (“Tanto per cominciare”)
Due 1/23: Imparate il vocabolario su pp.1-2.
Week 2: Jan. 28 / Jan. 30: Roma, città aperta (Rossellini, 1945)
Due 1/28: Watch Roma, città aperta & “Durante e dopo la visione: Vero o Falso? & Scelta
Multipla,” pp.9-11
Due 1/30: “Spunti per la scrittura,” p.15
Week 3: Feb. 4 / 6: Ladri di biciclette (De Sica, 1948)
Due 2/4: Watch Ladri di biciclette & “Durante e dopo la visione: Vero o Falso? &
Scelta Multipla,”p.21-23
Due 2/6: “Spunti per la scrittura,” pp.26-7
Week 4: Feb. 11 / 13: Riso amaro (De Santis, 1949) – on Amazon, not on Kanopy
Due 2/11: Watch Riso amaro & “Durante e dopo la visione: Vero o Falso? &
Scelta Multipla,”pp.33-35
Due 2/13: “Spunti per la scrittura,” p.39
Week 5: Feb. 18 / 20: I vitelloni (Fellini, 1953)
Due 2/18: Watch I vitelloni & “Durante e dopo la visione: Vero o Falso? &
Scelta Multipla,” pp.47-49
Due 2/20: “Spunti per la scrittura,” p.53
Week 6: Feb. 25 / 27: La notte (Antonioni, 1961)
Due 2/25: Watch La notte & “Durante e dopo la visione: Vero o Falso?
& Scelta Multipla,” pp.83-85
Due 2/27: La prima stesura della tua presentazione
Week 7: Mar. 4 / 6: Divorzio all’italiana (Germi, 1961) / Presentazioni orali
Due 3/4: Watch Divorzio all’italiana & “Durante e dopo la visione: Vero o Falso?
& Scelta Multipla,” pp.97-99
Due 3/6: La stesura finale della presentazione
Week 8: Mar. 11 / 13 : SPRING BREAK (le vacanze primaverili)
Week 9: Mar. 18 / 20: Divorzio all’italiana (Germi, 1961) / Presentazioni orali
*** CLASS CANCELLED ON 3/18/19 ***
Due 3/20: “Spunti per la scrittura,” p.103-4
Week 10: Mar. 25 / 27: Il posto (Olmi, 1961)
Due 3/25: Watch Il posto & “Durante e dopo la visione: Vero o Falso? &
Scelta Multipla,” pp. 111-113
Due 3/27: “Spunti per la scrittura,” p.1176 Week 11: Apr. 1 / 3: La commare secca (Bertolucci, 1962) Due 4/1: Watch La commare secca & “Durante e dopo la visione: Vero o Falso? & Scelta Multipla,” pp.124-6 Due 4/3: “Spunti per la scrittura,” p.129 Week 12: April 8 / 10: Il sorpasso (Risi, 1962) Due 4/8: Watch Il sorpasso & “Durante e dopo la visione: Vero o Falso? & Scelta Multipla,” pp.138-139 Due 4/10: “Spunti per la scrittura,” p.143 Week 13: April 15 / 17: Mimì metallurgico ferito nell’onore (Wertmüller, 1972) Due 4/15: Watch Mimì metallurgico ferito nell’onore & “Durante e dopo la visione: Vero o Falso? & Scelta Multipla,” pp.163-5 Due 4/17: “Spunti per la scrittura,” p.168 Week 14: April 22 / 24: Una giornata particolare (Scola, 1977) - on Amazon, not on Kanopy Due 4/22: Watch Una giornata particolare & “Durante e dopo la visione: Vero o Falso? & Scelta Multipla,” pp.176-7 Due 4/24: “Spunti per la scrittura,” p.182 Week 15: April 29 / May 1: Tre fratelli (Rosi, 1981) – on Amazon, not on Kanopy Due 4/29: Watch Tre fratelli & “Durante e dopo la visione: Vero o Falso? & Scelta Multipla,” pp.190-1 Due 5/1: La prima stesura della tua presentazione Week 16: May 6 / 8: Presentazioni orali / Per concludere Due 5/6: La stesura finale della tua presentazione FINAL EXAM: TBA (1:30pm – 4:15pm, same room)
You can also read
