Italian: Animal Studies

See Schedule of Courses for specific titles.

Pre requisite: ITAL 1200; Special Topics courses cannot carry CC designations PACE students by permission and override

In this class, we analyze and discuss texts, mostly from Italian literature of the 20th and 21st cent., depicting the animal-human relationship. We investigate to what extent the beings involved in the interactions are regarded as equal and both granted individuality. We also explore the form in which animals, even pets, are subjugated and exploited. We will adopt a comparative approach to the topic by relying on, and valuing, students’ experience, or lack thereof, with animals. The class is conducted entirely in Italian.

REQUIREMENTS Absences: Absences must be avoided, as they will adversely affect the final grade. For anything serious, you should contact your Dean's Office: they will then inform me about the seriousness of your absence. The same is true of medical emergencies. Tardiness: I expect everyone to be in class on time: tardiness disrupts the entire class and will result in a lower grade. All written assignments (homework, essays, and final paper) must be in Times Roman 12, double spaced, and 1” each margin. You will need to use Microsoft Word to type your assignments. Class participation and Homework: Your active participation for this course is essential and based on the completion of the homework. You are expected to come to all classes having prepared the homework assignments (to be found on Brightspace under Announcements) and to take an active part in the activities suggested. Always check Brightspace two days before our next class meeting for the most updated homework assignments. A few times during the semester, I will collect the homework assignments. Which ones? It will be announced on the same day of the collection! And it could be a homework assignment that was due a week before. Therefore, always print (or have it available on your laptop) and bring to class your homework assignments. The grade you will receive on it will contribute to your HW final grade. Submit your HW assignment by email after you save your Word document in the following way: Student’s last name F24 ITA 3990 HW 1. Papers: Each student will hand in 3 essays (550-600 words) on an assigned date (see Course Schedule). Topics and/or questions will become available on Brightspace (under Announcements) one week in advance and will be dealing with material discussed in class. Each essay will undergo two separate drafts. You will be graded on the first draft (30%) and the second (70%: based on addressing all the issues I raised on the first draft). Both grades will count towards your final evaluation. It is your responsibility to check the spelling and the grammar of your text before handing in the first draft of each essay. Submit your essays by email after you save your Word document in the following way: Student’s last name F24 ITAL 3990A Saggio 1 Stesura Preliminare (o Saggio 1 Stesura Finale). Presentation: With a classmate, you’ll present for 15-20 minutes on a topic of your choice related to a theme discussed in class. Prior to your class presentation (see Course Schedule), you and your partner need to submit the title and the outline (see Course Schedule).

GRADING POLICY: Class participation 15% Presentation 10% Homework assignments 30% 3 Papers (=saggi) 45% (draft 30%; final 70%)