Italiano V 2014-2015 Syllabus: Unità da Mignone ** Unità 1)How

Italiano V 2014-2015
Syllabus: Unità da Mignone **
Unità 1)How History Effects our Future Comparisons: R’ville & an Italian villa









Causes of the Unification of Italia
Treatment of classes
Borghese,
Feudi
Anafabetismo
Geographical changes
Causes and outcomes of wars
Economic booms
GRAMMAR REVIEW: Comparativi, Superlativi, Passato Prossimo, imperfetto l’imperativo informale
Unità 2: Politics, past and present





King vs. Dictator vs. president
Timeline of events from wartime to present
Past and present role of Communism
Current various political parties
GRAMMAR REVIEW: Preposizioni semplici e articolate, Trapassato prossimo, Pronomi personali
oggetto, Imperativo formale
Unità 3) Homecoming and going







Causes for migration within Italia and emigration abroad
Factors: Economy, Geography, resources, discrimination/racism, ethnicities, socio-economic roots
Italia times 2 (north vs. south)
Immigration today: trends and issues
Role of Vatican and government
Role/Importance of one’s ethnicity
GRAMMAR REVIEW: Particelle ci e ne, il verbo piacere, Passato remoto, Trapassato remoto, Aggettivi
e pronomi indefinite, Futuro semplice e anteriore, Condizionale presente e passato, Pronomi relativi
Unità 4) Fixing Italia today for tomorrow





The role of technology and media in Italia and the world
Modern day concerns and possible solutions for:
Financial crisis, hunger (local and global), racism and social class issues, war and violence, health
issues, Global Warming, limited natural resources, consumption/consumerism
Comparison of the portrayal of Italians and Americans in films and the media to real life
GRAMMAR REVIEW: Congiuntivo presente, passato, imperfetto e trapassato, Periodo ipotetico
Unità 5) All in the Family


Global situations that influence the make-up of a family
Changes within Italian and American families and factors:






Consumerism, divorce, growth/birthrates, aging parents, marriage vs. cohabitation trends,
homosexuality in Italia, role of religion
Familism vs. community
Religion in Italia then and now
Crucifixes in public buildings: the debate
Teaching religion in Italian public schools
GRAMMAR REVIEW: Congiuntivo con congiunzioni, Concordanza dei tempi, Verbi causativi fare e
lasciare
Unità 6) Ciao, bella!







The role of women in Italia
Historical role of women as mothers, nurturers, workers,
celebrities
Negative aspects: lack of rights as students, in politics and in the workforce, abuse, lack of equality
Positive aspects: main figurehead of family, women’s movement, view and rights of abortion, rights
of maternity leave
Debate: la vellina
GRAMMAR REVIEW: Forma passiva, Si passivante, Si impersonale
Unità 7) Discussions on omertà












Violence in Italia
Student revolts
Labor force revolts
Brigate Rosse and death of Aldo Moro
Organized Crime/Clans: Mafia, ‘Ndrangheta, Comorra, Sacra Corona Unita
Falcone and Borsellino
Mani Pulite/Tangentopoli
Calciopoli,
Drugs in Italia
International terrorism
White collar crime
GRAMMAR REVIEW: Discorso diretto e indiretto
Unità 8) All eyes on us








How unexpected events and reactions shape and define a country:
National disasters in Italia:
Flood of Firenze, and Calabria
Earthquakes Pompei, Messina/Calabria through Abruzzo
Volcanoes
9/11 and Italia
Internationally: Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, 9/11
GRAMMAR REVIEW: Infinito, Participio, Gerundio
**important current events related to Italia will be discussed as they arise.