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COURSE OVERVIEW
Benvenute e Benvenuti!
AP® Italian Language and Culture is a fully online course approved by the College Board, where the latest teaching technology tools provide students with an interactive learning experience that combines the highest academic standards with a language proficiency goal.
The course presents the complexity of Italian contemporary society from a variety of perspectives and using authentic media, such as newspaper articles, video interviews with Italian speakers on a variety of cultural subjects, radio programs, relevant realia (advertisements and TV ads), and literary excerpts from some of the major writers of the 20th and 21st centuries.
You may take this course in two different ways:
1. Study independently, following the course material at your own pace: take the course for free, as an auditor, or upgrade to a Verified Certificate of Completion issued by edX (cost: $49).
All students who reach a comprehensive average score of 60% on "Esercizi"are eligible to receive a Verified Certificate of Completion issued by edX. In the course there is a total of 20 subsections, each containing "Esercizi"; 3 of these sets of "Esercizi" (i.e. 3 subsections) may be dropped.
2. Be part also of an online live instruction class with regular live instruction and language practice:
Register for one of Wellesley's online live instruction classes, conveniently offered in the evenings and/or Saturdays.
Upon completion, you'll receive a Certificate issued by Wellesley College with a letter grade that you may present to your high school for registration on your transcript, and to any educational institution and/or employers as an important recognition of achievement and language proficiency.
The Certificate issued by Wellesley College is free but enrollment in our online live instruction classes requires the payment of tuition. Click here to find out more.
Please note that these online live instruction classes are open to all learners who want to improve their skills in Italian, not just to high school students preparing for the AP Italian exam.
COURSE OUTLINE
The course consists of six units each one covering one cultural theme. Each unit is broken down in 5-6 lessons (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc.)
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UNIT 1: LA VITA CONTEMPORANEA |
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Lesson |
Content |
Type |
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1.1 Le città italiane fra tradizione e modernità |
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Lettura introduttiva: |
Introductory reading |
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Intervista con Valentina Gioannini: |
Video interview |
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Bike Pride a Bologna |
Text of web page |
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L’Altra Babele: Bologna città bicipolitale |
Video by students’ organization of the |
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Intervista con Lucia Toppino: |
Video interview |
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Pubblicità Nutella: |
TV ad |
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Lesson |
Content |
Type |
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1.2 La cucina italiana |
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Lettura introduttiva: |
Introductory reading |
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Intervista con Lidia Bastianich: Tutti a tavola a mangiare! |
Video interview |
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Intervista con Paolo Laboa: La cucina ligure e la sua tradizione |
Video interview |
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Slow Food - Vogliamo essere i guardiani del gusto |
Newspaper article |
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La cucina italiana nel cinema: Ladri di biciclette di Vittorio De Sica (in trattoria), Un americano a Roma di Steno (“Maccaroni”) |
Films clips |
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1.3 La geografia umana della penisola italiana |
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Lettura introduttiva e mappe: La geografia dell'Italia: la conosci? |
Introductory reading |
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1.3.2 |
Maps and activities |
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1.3.3 1.3.4 |
Statistics and comments |
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1.4 Narrativa |
Skype |
Literature |
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1.5 Per concludere: conversiamo e scriviamo! |
1.5.1 Conversiamo 1.5.2 Conversiamo 1.5.3 Scriviamo |
Mock conversations with audio |
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1.6 (OPTIONAL) Ripasso grammaticale |
1.6.1 Nomi (genere e numero) 1.6.3 Presente indicativo (verbi regolari e irregolari) |
Grammar review |
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(OPTIONAL) INTERMEZZO MUSICALE: Guerriero (Marco Mengoni) |
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UNIT 2: IDENTITÀ PRIVATA E PUBBLICA |
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Lesson |
Content |
Type |
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2.1 La recente immigrazione e la battaglia per la ius soli |
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Lettura introduttiva: |
Introductory reading |
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Alcune statistiche |
Statistics (maps and graph) of recent immigration in Italy |
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Intervista con Fred Kuwornu: |
Video interview |
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L’Italia sono anch’io! |
Video of an organization to promote citizenship for children of immigrants |
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Migranti, il sindaco di Riace nella classifiche dei 50 leaders più influenti al mondo di Fortune |
Newspaper article |
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Lesson |
Content |
Type |
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2.2 Il sistema politico italiano |
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2.2.1 |
Introductory reading |
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Intervista con David Ward: |
Video interview |
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Intervista con Federico Rampini: |
Video interview |
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Articoli selezionati della Costituzione Italiana |
Reading: selected articles of the Italian Constitution |
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Intervista con Federico Rampini: |
Video interview |
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2.3 Narrativa |
Presente, passato e futuro |
Literature |
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2.4 Per concludere: conversiamo e scriviamo! |
2.4.1 Conversiamo 2.4.2 Conversiamo 2.4.3 Scriviamo |
Mock conversations with audio files and topics |
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2.5 (OPTIONAL) Ripasso grammaticale |
2.5.1 Passato prossimo 2.5.2 Imperfetto |
Grammar review |
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(OPTIONAL) INTERMEZZO MUSICALE: Non è un film (Fiorella Mannoia e Frankie Hi-Nrg MC) |
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UNIT 3: FAMIGLIA E SOCIETÀ |
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Lesson |
Content |
Type |
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3.1 La famiglia italiana contemporanea |
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Lettura introduttiva: |
Introductory reading |
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Perchè 8 giovani su 10 non escono da casa dei genitori (e nel resto d'Europa sì) |
Newspaper article |
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Unioni civili: le due mamme di Agnese |
TV program (video interview) |
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Alcune statistiche sulla famiglia italiana |
Graphs with relevant statistics on Italian demography and family structure |
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Lesson |
Content |
Type |
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3.2 Sport e vacanze |
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Lettura introduttiva: |
Introductory reading |
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Video Intervista con Andrea Pirlo: |
Video Interview |
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Un’altra vacanza da ricordare |
Magazine advertisement of |
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Andare in vacanza a costo zero è possibile |
TV program (LA7) |
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Il turismo delle destinazioni lascia il posto al turismo della occasioni |
Newspaper article |
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La Vespa: un mito italiano |
Six advertisements of Italian scooter Vespa from different periods (‘50s-‘80s) |
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3.3 Narrativa |
Estate e inverno nella famiglia Agnelli |
Literature |
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3.4 Narrativa |
Bruno |
Short story |
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3.5 Per concludere: Conversiamo e scriviamo |
3.5.1 Conversiamo 3.5.2 Conversiamo 3.5.3 Scriviamo |
Mock conversations with audio files and topics |
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3.6 (OPTIONAL) Ripasso grammaticale |
3.6.1 Pronomi oggetto diretto e indiretto 3.6.2 Pronomi relativi |
Grammar review |
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(OPTIONAL) INTERMEZZO MUSICALE: L'estate addosso di Jovanotti |
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UNIT 4: SCIENZA E TECNOLOGIA |
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Lesson |
Content |
Type |
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4.1 Due eccellenze italiane: robotica e scienza del caffè |
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Lettura introduttiva: |
Introductory reading |
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Ecco la prima mano robotica made in Italy e stampata in 3D: “Costa come uno scooter” |
Newspaper article |
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Video: L’industria della macchina utensile in Italia |
TV program |
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Maurizio Cimbali, la memoria del caffè |
Radio program |
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La Campagna Paradiso del caffè Lavazza |
Two TV ads of the Italian coffee brand “Lavazza” |
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Starbucks in Italia? |
Newspaper article |
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Lesson |
Content |
Type |
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4.2 La salute e il sistema sanitario in Italia |
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Lettura introduttiva: |
Introductory reading |
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Intervista con la Dottoressa Del Monte: |
Video interview |
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Intervista con la Dottoressa Del Monte: |
Video interview |
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L’Italia a tavola |
Newspaper article |
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4.3 Narrativa |
Il bosco sull’autostrada |
Literature |
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4.4 Per concludere: Conversiamo e scriviamo! |
4.4.1 Conversiamo 4.4.2 Conversiamo 4.4.3 Scriviamo |
Mock conversations with audio files and topics |
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4.5 (OPTIONAL) Ripasso grammaticale |
4.5.1 Congiuntivo presente e passato 4.5.2 Congiuntivo perfetto e trapassato 4.5.3 Periodo ipotetico |
Grammar review |
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(OPTIONAL) INTERMEZZO MUSICALE: Vorrei ma non posso (J-Ax e Fedez) |
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UNIT 5: Sfide globali e nazionali |
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Lesson |
Content |
Type |
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5.1 L’economia e il mercato del lavoro |
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Lettura introduttiva: |
Introductory reading |
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Intervista con Dante Roscini: |
Video interview |
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Dalla Fiat 1100 alla Fiat Panda |
Two FIAT TV ads from 1957, and 1980. |
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Intervista con Federico Rampini: |
Video interview |
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Emergenza giovani NEET |
Newspaper article |
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Lesson |
Content |
Type |
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5.2 Il moderno ambientalismo |
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Lettura introduttiva: |
Introductory reading |
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Intervista con Massimo Scavino: |
Video interview |
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M’illumino di meno |
Newspaper article |
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Bioedilizia, le case del futuro |
Short TV program |
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Quanto e come siamo "green"? Alcune statistiche |
Statistics about recycling in Italy |
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5.3 Narrativa |
Il risveglio (da “Tutta casa, letto e chiesa”) |
Short play |
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5.4 Per concludere: conversiamo e scriviamo! |
5.4.1 Conversiamo 5.4.2 Conversiamo 5.4.3 Scriviamo |
Mock conversations with audio files and topics |
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5.5 (OPTIONAL) |
5.5.1 Gerundio presente e passato; stare + gerundio |
Grammar review |
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(OPTIONAL) INTERMEZZO MUSICALE: NON HO CHE TE (Luciano Ligabue) |
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UNIT 6: Arte italiana e Made in Italy |
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Lesson |
Content |
Type |
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6.1 Arte e letteratura |
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Lettura introduttiva: |
Introductory reading |
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Visita virtuale al Davis Museum: Alcuni capolavori dell’arte italiana |
Video |
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Cultura, tecnologia, made in Italy: la nostra Bellezza vale 240 miliardi |
Newspaper article |
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Lesson |
Content |
Type |
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6.2 L’identità italiana nel mondo: |
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Lettura introduttiva: |
Introductory reading |
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Intervista con Federico Rampini: |
Video interview |
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Intervista con Eugenia Paulicelli: |
Video interview |
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Intervista con Eugenia Paulicelli: |
Video interview |
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Il cashmere colorato, un’impresa etica |
Radio program |
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6.3 Narrativa |
La casa dei contadini e il mito americano |
Literature |
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6.4 In conclusione: conversiamo e scriviamo! |
6.4.1 Conversiamo 6.4.2 Conversiamo 6.4.3 Scriviamo |
Mock conversations with audio files and topics for short essays |
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6.5 (OPTIONAL) Ripasso grammaticale |
6.5.1 Fare + infinito |
Grammar review |
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(OPTIONAL) FINALE MUSICALE: Fatti bella per te (Paola Turci) |
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SUGGESTED 12-WEEK SCHEDULE
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Week 1 |
1.1, 1.2 |
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Week 2 |
1.3, 1.4, 1.5 |
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Week 3 |
2.1, 2.2 (2.2.1, 2.2.2) |
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Week 4 |
2.2 (2.2.3, 2.2.4., 2.2.5), 2.3, 2.4 |
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Week 5 |
3.1, 3.2 (3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.3, 3.2.4) |
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Week 6 |
3.2 (3.2.5, 3.2.6), 3.3, 3.4, 3.5 |
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Week 7 |
4.1, 4.2 (4.2.1, 4.2.2) |
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Week 8 |
4.2 (4.2.3, 4.2.4), 4.3, 4.4 |
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Week 9 |
5.1, 5.2 (5.2.1, 5.2.2) |
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Week 10 |
5.2 (5.2.3, 5.2.4, 5.2.5), 5.3, 5.4 |
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Week 11 |
6.1, 6.2 (6.2.1., 6.2.2) |
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Week 12 |
6.2 (6.2.3, 6.2.4, 6.2.5), 6.3, 6.4 |
Credits
· Filming, production, and editing of the introductory video and Interviews by Jarlath Waldron and Jason Estey;
· Filming of Interview Massimo Scavino by Daniele Ferrero.
Voice in the audio files:
Daniela Bartalesi-Graf
Francesco Castellano
Chiara Durazzini
Elena Gnudi
Francesca Guiso
Sergio Parussa
Carmen Petrucci
Stefano Salimbeni
Acknowledgements of support
AP® Italian Language and Culture has received generous grants from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Italian Consulate of Boston (Consolato Generale d’Italia a Boston) -- in particular Nicola De Santis, Consul General, Domenico Teker, Director of the Ufficio Scolastico, and Carmen Petrucci, the Italian Consulate Lecturer -- have also supported this project in various ways since its beginning.
I also wish to thank the Provost’s Office and the Dean’s Office for their generous support, in particular Kathryn Lynch, Dean of Faculty Affairs, Andrew Shennan, Provost and Dean of the College, and Ravi Ravishanker, CIO and Associate Dean of WellesleyX.
Thanks
This project has received the exceptional contributions and expertise of my colleagues in LTS (Library and technologies Services):
David O’Steen, Associate Director of the Andrew W. Mellon Blended Learning Initiative at Wellesley College, and Jillian Rubman, Instructional Technologist, who contributed in many ways to the development of the project since its start.
Jarlath Waldron, Instructional Media Director, and Jason Estey, videographer, who devoted endless hours to the filming, production, and editing of all videos and interviews.
I am also deeply thankful to:
Cynthia Delia Coddington, Research Assistant, who has edited all the online material, and has offered many valuable inputs. Her professional contribution and expertise have been vital to the project, and I am most thankful to her for the dedication, commitment, and enthusiasm she brought to the project.
Elena Gnudi, Language Assistant from the University of Bologna, who has developed many of the readings with vocabulary, annotations, cultural notes, and exercises. I am most grateful to Elena for her many contributions and expertise, and for the exceptional quality of her work.
Lynn Hennessey, former student and volunteer, has developed all the units "Intermezzo musicale", working at this project with precision and dedication. The course is greatly enhanced thanks to her contribution.
Carmen Petrucci, the Italian Consulate Lecturer, has collaborated at many aspects of the project, in particular the development of communicative functions and the script of all dialogs in the Conversiamo! sections. I am grateful for her invaluable contribution.
Finally, I also wish to thank David Ward, Professor and Chair of the Department of Italian Studies, for his continuous encouragement and support of this project.
Daniela Bartalesi-Graf
Lecturer
Department of Italian Studies
Wellesley College
dbartale@wellesley.edu
apitalian@wellesley.edu