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ITAL30070

Academic Year 2026/2027

Italian Language III a (ITAL30070)

Subject:
Italian
College:
Arts & Humanities
School:
Languages, Cultures & Linguis
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Mara Josi
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This is the fifth in a series of modules leading to proficiency in Italian at university level, consolidating European Framework Level B2 and moving towards Level C1. Students who have achieved at least a B grade in this module are deemed to be successfully progressing towards Level C1. The course builds on, perfects and expands the skills acquired in the previous language module (Italian Language IIb: ITAL20080), aiming in particular at further enhancing students' competence in writing in Italian, their comprehension of ever more complex written and spoken Italian utterances, their ability to communicate accurately and effectively in written and spoken Italian on a wide range of topics, their mastery of finer points of Italian grammar, and more generally their autonomy as learners of second languages. Students attend 3 weekly classes which combine all skills.
In-module repeats of select component elements may be made available during this module for students.
Any in-module repeat is only available to students who have already sat and failed an in-term component; it carries a one-grade penalty; and it does not extend to orals or RDS exams.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module students should be able to: convey information and express views in Italian (related to the topics listed in the Module Description), in both written and spoken form, with accuracy and fluency; participate actively in Italian conversations, discussions and debates (on the topics listed in the Module Descriptor) carried out at near normal speed; develop effective autonomous strategies for the learning of foreign languages.

Indicative Module Content:

The syllabus is structured by a sequence of core topics, which follow the order of the textbook Nuovo contatto; each topic is not addressed on its own as a grammatical notion, but as a step in developing an increasingly sophisticated all-round communicative competence. This is achieved by integrating systematic grammar practice (based on both textbooks, Nuovo contatto and New Italian grammar in practice) with extensive engagement with text and audio input, as well as spoken interaction, in class (based on Nuovo contatto).
The core grammar topics, as detailed in the syllabus on Brightspace, include combined pronouns, condizionale, congiuntivo, relative clauses, impersonal constructions, gerund, complex if-sentences with different tenses/moods, cleft sentences.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Expert

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Proficient

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Competent

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Competent

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Advanced Beginner

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Proficient

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Proficient

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Competent

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Competent

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Competent

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Expert

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 5

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 4

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 3

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 3
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Small Group

20
Seminar (or Webinar)

10
Specified Learning Activities

42
Autonomous Student Learning

38
Total

110

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Active/task-based learning; peer and group work; active participation in class is required. In addition, full engagement with formative assessment outside the class is expected every week.
Note that students must not use generative AI in any assignment for any purpose.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Exclusions:

None.

Learning Recommendations:

This is part 1 of an advanced language course. It presupposes that students have passed ITAL 20080 (Italian Language IIb) or have an equivalent standard of Italian. They should not take this module if they do not have the required standard. If in doubt they should contact the module coordinator.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
ITAL20010 - Italian Language II a, ITAL20080 - Italian Language II b

Incompatibles:
LANG10010 - Italian Gen Purp 1, LANG10070 - Italian Gen Purp 2, LANG20180 - Italian Gen Purp 3


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): 2-hour examination on the types of exercises carried out in class and as assessments End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
40
 No
Practical Skills Assessment: Aural/Listening comprehension exam Week 12 Graded No
10
 No
Practical Skills Assessment: The oral examination will, in fact, take place in week 13. Week 12 Graded No
20
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Two in-class tests Week 5, Week 9 Graded No
30
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will receive individual written feedback on their assignments and in-class tests. Feedback will normally be given one week after the submission of the assignments and after the completion of in-class tests.

Students are advised to own a good-sized monolingual (Italian-Italian) dictionary.

The following textbook is compulsory:
- Bozzone Costa, Ghezzi, Piantoni, Nuovo contatto C1, Firenze: Loescher.

It is recommended to have handy (not just available online) a reference work for verb forms, such as
- Pietro Elia, I verbi italiani (Edizioni scolastiche Mondadori) [or any other verb book]

Name Role
Dr Mara Josi Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Mina Ricci Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dottressa Carmela Simmarano Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 16:00 - 16:50
Autumn Small Group Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 15:00 - 15:50
Autumn Small Group Offering 2 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Fri 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Small Group Offering 3 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 12:00 - 12:50
Autumn Small Group Offering 3 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Thurs 14:00 - 14:50
Autumn Small Group Offering 3 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 11:00 - 11:50
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