ITALIAN 3X03 Italy Today thru Film (Englsh (C01)

Academic Year: Fall 2018

Term: Fall

Day/Evening: D

Instructor: Dr. Wendy D'Angelo

Email: dangelo@mcmaster.ca

Office: Togo Salmon Hall 504

Phone: 905-525-9140 x 24780

Office Hours: Thursday 12:30-1:30 (Please email for appointment)

• Course Objectives
• Textbooks, Materials & Fees
• Method of Assessment
• Policy on Missed Work, Extensions, and Late Penalties
• Additional Policies and Statements
• Topics and Readings

Course Objectives:

This course provides students with an overview of recent Italian history (largely post-1945) from a cultural studies perspective. Particular attention will be given to the understanding of Italy as a plural culture, the North/South relationship, regional differences and inequalities, the development of consumption after the economic boom, gender relations and the family, immigration/emigration, the mafia and political corruption. Students will be challenged to consider how recent historical, political and social events have shaped Italy today.

Students will learn about topics through: lectures, academic articles, news articles, documentaries, film and music. Classes will consist of: a) short lecture; b) film viewing/music discussion; c) short in class participation activity (based on assigned readings). Weekly discussion questions are based on readings, films and music viewed/studied in course. Guided study questions for the exams are provided to students at the start of the course. Students are expected to read articles indicated on the syllabus before each class. All films and music studied are in the Italian language but are subtitled in/translated into English. 

Knowledge of the Italian language is not required.

Textbooks, Materials & Fees:

Forgacs, David & Robert Lumley Italian Cultural Studies: An Introduction. London: Oxford UP, 1996.

Italy Today [Custom Courseware] (available through Titles Bookstore)

NB: Films shown in lecture are available in Mills or online.

Method of Assessment:

• Quizzes (online/open book though Avenue): 20% [weekly]
• Midterm Exam: 35% [in class: October 29]
• Final Exam: 35% [in class: November 26]
• Final Reflection (collaborative written assignment): 10% [in class: December 3]

Policy on Missed Work, Extensions, and Late Penalties:

Time extensions are provided only to students with documentation from SAS or with accommodation for religious observances. 

NB. SAS documentation must be presented to the instructor from SAS before the assignment/exam in question is due. Requests for accommodation for religious observance must be presented to the instructor in writing (via email) before the assignment in question is due.

Exams: Please see your academic advisor in the event of a missed exam due to illness/personal reasons. An electronic MSAF will not suffice for missed exams where no prior accommodations have been sought by the student (i.e., SAS/religious observance). Arrangements will be made for a make up once permission has been granted to the student.

In the event of missed classes, please catch up on notes with a classmate. You should have the contact information of at least two peers in your class. Lecture slides are provided on Avenue and all study questions for readings are contained in the courseware. If you miss a class, there is no need to report your absence to me via email. Please do feel free to email me if you are communicating a request for religious accommodation in advance, confirming/making SAS arrangements in advance or confirming my receipt of an MSAF or if you wish to meet to discuss course material.

NB. Students shall not submit one/a single MSAF for multiple pieces of graded work

Please Note the Following Policies and Statements:

Academic Integrity

You are expected to exhibit honesty and use ethical behaviour in all aspects of the learning process. Academic credentials you earn are rooted in principles of honesty and academic integrity. It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty.

Academic dishonesty is to knowingly act or fail to act in a way that results or could result in unearned academic credit or advantage. This behaviour can result in serious consequences, e.g. the grade of zero on an assignment, loss of credit with a notation on the transcript (notation reads: "Grade of F assigned for academic dishonesty"), and/or suspension or expulsion from the university. For information on the various types of academic dishonesty please refer to the Academic Integrity Policy, located at https://secretariat.mcmaster.ca/university-policies-procedures-guidelines/

The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty:

• plagiarism, e.g. the submission of work that is not one’s own or for which other credit has been obtained.
• improper collaboration in group work.
• copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations.

Authenticity / Plagiarism Detection

Some courses may use a web-based service (Turnitin.com) to reveal authenticity and ownership of student submitted work. For courses using such software, students will be expected to submit their work electronically either directly to Turnitin.com or via Avenue to Learn (A2L) plagiarism detection (a service supported by Turnitin.com) so it can be checked for academic dishonesty.

Students who do not wish to submit their work through A2L and/or Turnitin.com must still submit an electronic and/or hardcopy to the instructor. No penalty will be assigned to a student who does not submit work to Turnitin.com or A2L. All submitted work is subject to normal verification that standards of academic integrity have been upheld (e.g., on-line search, other software, etc.). To see the Turnitin.com Policy, please go to www.mcmaster.ca/academicintegrity.

Courses with an On-Line Element

Some courses use on-line elements (e.g. e-mail, Avenue to Learn (A2L), LearnLink, web pages, capa, Moodle, ThinkingCap, etc.). Students should be aware that, when they access the electronic components of a course using these elements, private information such as first and last names, user names for the McMaster e-mail accounts, and program affiliation may become apparent to all other students in the same course. The available information is dependent on the technology used. Continuation in a course that uses on-line elements will be deemed consent to this disclosure. If you have any questions or concerns about such disclosure please discuss this with the course instructor.

Online Proctoring

Some courses may use online proctoring software for tests and exams. This software may require students to turn on their video camera, present identification, monitor and record their computer activities, and/or lockdown their browser during tests or exams. This software may be required to be installed before the exam begins.

Conduct Expectations

As a McMaster student, you have the right to experience, and the responsibility to demonstrate, respectful and dignified interactions within all of our living, learning and working communities. These expectations are described in the Code of Student Rights & Responsibilities (the "Code"). All students share the responsibility of maintaining a positive environment for the academic and personal growth of all McMaster community members, whether in person or online.

It is essential that students be mindful of their interactions online, as the Code remains in effect in virtual learning environments. The Code applies to any interactions that adversely affect, disrupt, or interfere with reasonable participation in University activities. Student disruptions or behaviours that interfere with university functions on online platforms (e.g. use of Avenue 2 Learn, WebEx or Zoom for delivery), will be taken very seriously and will be investigated. Outcomes may include restriction or removal of the involved students' access to these platforms.

Academic Accommodation of Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities who require academic accommodation must contact Student Accessibility Services (SAS) at 905-525-9140 ext. 28652 or sas@mcmaster.ca e-mail to make arrangements with a Program Coordinator. For further information, consult McMaster University’s Academic Accommodation of Students with Disabilities policy.

Email correspondence policy

It is the policy of the Faculty of Humanities that all email communication sent from students to instructors (including TAs), and from students to staff, must originate from each student’s own McMaster University email account. This policy protects confidentiality and confirms the identity of the student.  Instructors will delete emails that do not originate from a McMaster email account.

Modification of course outlines

The University reserves the right to change dates and/or deadlines etc. for any or all courses in the case of an emergency situation or labour disruption or civil unrest/disobedience, etc. If a modification becomes necessary, reasonable notice and communication with the students will be given with an explanation and the opportunity to comment on changes. Any significant changes should be made in consultation with the Department Chair.

Request for Relief for Missed Academic Term Work
McMaster Student Absence Form (MSAF)

In the event of an absence for medical or other reasons, students should review and follow the Academic Regulation in the Undergraduate Calendar "Requests for Relief for Missed Academic Term Work".

Academic Accommodation for Religious, Indigenous and Spiritual Observances (RISO)

Students requiring academic accommodation based on religious, indigenous or spiritual observances should follow the procedures set out in the RISO policy. Students should submit their request to their Faculty Office normally within 10 working days of the beginning of term in which they anticipate a need for accommodation or to the Registrar's Office prior to their examinations. Students should also contact their instructors as soon as possible to make alternative arrangements for classes, assignments, and tests.

Copyright and Recording

Students are advised that lectures, demonstrations, performances, and any other course material provided by an instructor include copyright protected works. The Copyright Act and copyright law protect every original literary, dramatic, musical and artistic work, including lectures by University instructors.

The recording of lectures, tutorials, or other methods of instruction may occur during a course. Recording may be done by either the instructor for the purpose of authorized distribution, or by a student for the purpose of personal study. Students should be aware that their voice and/or image may be recorded by others during the class. Please speak with the instructor if this is a concern for you.

Extreme Circumstances

The University reserves the right to change the dates and deadlines for any or all courses in extreme circumstances (e.g., severe weather, labour disruptions, etc.). Changes will be communicated through regular McMaster communication channels, such as McMaster Daily News, A2L and/or McMaster email.

Topics and Readings: