Chiara Torriani, beside teaching Italian at different levels, focuses her interest on teaching the language through the use of theatre. She has developed a course in which the students improve their language skills by writing the script of a play that they perform at the end of the semester.
keywords
foreign language acquisition, Italian Theatre, theatre performance in Italian, cultural activities
Teaching
courses taught
ITAL 1010 - Beginning Italian 1
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Fall 2021
The four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing are developed progressively. Grammatical concepts are explained and practiced through dialogues, written exercises, and conversations. The cultural focus is on the personal world and life of students. Degree credit not granted for this course and ITAL 1050.
ITAL 1020 - Beginning Italian 2
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2023
Continuation of ITAL 1010, with more difficult grammatical concepts explored. The cultural focus shifts to social and civic areas. Degree credit not granted for this course and ITAL 1050.
ITAL 2110 - Intermediate Italian Reading, Grammar, and Composition 1
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Fall 2024
Enhances the skills learned in the first-year course and develops greater fluency in understanding and speaking Italian while exploring complex grammatical functions. More emphasis is placed on reading and writing through the use of activities featuring daily life themes that present a realistic portrait of contemporary Italy. Taught in Italian.
ITAL 2120 - Intermediate Italian Reading, Grammar, and Composition 2
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023
Continuation of ITAL 2110. Increases students' reflection on more advanced grammatical concepts. Students read about social problems, culture, and some Italian literature as they acquire considerable practice in writing and speaking Italian. Fulfills the Graduate School language requirement for the Ph.D.
ITAL 3015 - Advanced Composition 1
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2020 / Fall 2024
Teaches students to write in Italian in a variety of genres, focusing on the creative aspects of writing. Exercises and themes are drawn primarily from current events and culture (i.e., blogging, journaling, essays and films), but also allows students to develop their critical skills in other areas.
ITAL 4500 - Italian Theatre
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2024
Using theatre as a medium, this course helps students attain a higher level of proficiency in spoken and written Italian. Study of Italian theatre is integrated with acting activities and pronunciation exercises. Culminates in the production of a play. Performance is in Italian and the students participate in the writing of the script. Taught in Italian.
