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Unit of study_

ITLN3667: Images of Contemporary Italy

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Students will be introduced to a selection of twentieth-century Italian written and visual 'texts' (in particular films), and to aspects of the political, social and cultural developments which constitute their context. This unit of study will use a combination of lecturing, student presentations and group discussions. Students will be encouraged to develop a thorough critical understanding of the selected texts and a sound knowledge of and sensitivity towards the major social, political and cultural issues which have contributed to the identity of contemporary Italy.

Unit details and rules

Unit code ITLN3667
Academic unit Italian Studies
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
ITLN1612 or ITLN1632 or ITLN1102 or ITLN1202 or ITLN1302 or HSC Italian Continuers or Beginners
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Giorgia Alu, giorgia.alu@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Giorgia Alu, giorgia.alu@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Final essay
Further details will be available on Canvas
35% Formal exam period 2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Presentation Class presentation
n/a
25% Ongoing 1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Online discussion
Short answer
5% Week 05 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Take-home assignment
See Canvas for further details.
25% Week 08 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Participation participation
Details will be available on Canvas.
10% Weekly n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to the unit Lecture (1 hr)  
Week 02 WW2 through a child's eyes: Italo Calvino and 'Il sentiero dei nidi di ragno' Lecture (1 hr)  
Discussion on chapters from Calvino's text 1 Seminar (1 hr)  
Week 03 Neorealism and cinema Lecture (1 hr)  
Discussion on chapters from Calvino's text 2 Seminar (1 hr)  
Week 04 Vittorio De Sica's 'Ladri di biciclette' Lecture (1 hr)  
Further discussion on neorealism in literature and cinema Seminar (1 hr)  
Week 05 Beyond reality: Primo Levi's 'Storie naturali' Lecture (1 hr)  
Discussion on Levi's short stories Seminar (1 hr)  
Week 06 Popular culture and the economic miracle Lecture (1 hr)  
Discussion on Levi's short stories and Dino Risi's 'Il sorpasso' Seminar (1 hr)  
Week 07 Years of rebellion 1960s and 1970s Lecture (1 hr)  
Discussion on Bellocchio's film 'Buongiorno notte' 1 Seminar (1 hr)  
Week 08 Cinema of rebellion: Nanni Moretti Lecture (1 hr)  
Discussion on Bellocchio's film 'Buongiorno notte' 2 Seminar (1 hr)  
Week 09 Further analysis of Moretti's films Lecture (1 hr)  
Further analysis of Moretti's films Seminar (1 hr)  
Week 10 Mothers, women and daughters on Alina Marazzi's 'Vogliamo anche le rose' Lecture (1 hr)  
Initial discussion on Elena Ferrante's 'L'amore molesto' Seminar (1 hr)  
Week 11 Mothers, women and daughters: Elena Ferrante Lecture (1 hr)  
Dicussion on Elena Ferrante's book Seminar (1 hr)  
Week 12 Transnational and intermedial Italy 1 Lecture (1 hr)  
Discussion on readings Seminar (1 hr)  
Week 13 Transnational and intermedial Italy 2 Lecture (1 hr)  
1. Discussion on Parolo Sorrentino's 'La grande bellezza'; 2. Final discussion, summary of unit and preparation for final essay Seminar (1 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas and in a printed Course Reader. Other required texts are:

  • Italo Calvino, Il sentiero dei nidi di ragno
  •  Elena Ferrante, L’amore molesto (1992) (Troubling Love, 2006)
  • A selection of films as indicated on Canvas and in the unit programme.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate advanced ability to read, watch and understand entire texts in Italian
  • LO2. increase students' specialised knowledge of contemporary Italian culture and literature
  • LO3. apply appropriate methodological strategies and information literacy skills to identify, use and document primary and secondary materials in full respect of academic integrity and ethical standards
  • LO4. apply insights and theoretical approaches in an interdisciplinary context through the evaluation and analysis of a variety of twentieth- and twentieth-first century texts
  • LO5. demonstrate competency in research-informed academic writing and referencing.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Changes to selection of texts have been made since last time this unit was offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.