102: Italian Through Theater: Advanced Language in Performance

MWF 2-3 | 179 Dwinelle | Instructor: Annamaria Bellezza

Units: 4 Satisfies L&S Arts & Literature breadth requirement.

Taught in Italian.

In this course students analyze, interpret, adapt and perform a wide range of Italian theatrical texts. Theater provides a powerful interactive experience, and as such it represents a highly collaborative, holistic approach to language learning. Students will gain an appreciation for the power of language and emotions, will learn to analyze a dramatic text and a character, will develop self-confidence in speaking, improving diction and pronunciation, and will learn about the social and historical contexts of selected plays. There will be a final performance in front of an audience.

Students taking this class need to have well-developed linguistic skills. Appropriate for students who have completed the intermediate-advanced Italian sequence (Italian 3-4) or the equivalent.

Students taking this class need to have well-developed linguistic skills. No acting experience needed. Minors and majors in Italian Studies, Romance Languages, Comparative Literature and Theatre are encouraged to enroll, though the course is open to everyone who meets the linguistic requirements.

Texts: A course reader including excerpts from various plays and monologues will be provided.

Prerequisite: Italian 4 or departmental consent.