Curriculum Overview The Intensive Language and Cultural Studies in Sicily program's curriculum is designed for intermediate and advanced Italian learners who aim to greatly improve language skills while furthering their understanding of Italian culture. In order to accommodate diverse language learners, students in the program are divided into two tracks--track one for students with two or three terms of previous language study, and track two for students with four or more terms of previous language study.
All students begin their term with a period of intensive language. After that, track one students take the program's capstone course, History and Culture of Sicily, in English; intensive language; and their choice of language practicum. Track two students take History and Culture of Sicily in Italian, intensive language, their choice of language practicum, and one elective course taught in Italian. Track two students who meet eligibility requirements may also choose to directly enroll in one course at the University of Catania during the fall or spring.
Language practica for both tracks and elective courses for track two are listed below.
History and Culture of Sicily, taught in Italian--3 hours/week
*Students may also choose to direct enroll in a class at the University of Catania in place of their Italian language practicum and/or CET elective. For more information, please see below.
Total contact hours and recommended credits:
Italian Language - 90 contact hours; 6 recommended credits
Language Practicum – 55 contact hours; 3 recommended credits
Elective in Italian – 45 contact hours; 3 recommended credits
History and Culture of Sicily – 45 contact hours; 3 recommended credits
Summer – 8 weeks
First two weeks:
Intensive Italian Language--10 hours/week
Language Practicum--10 hours/week
Remaining weeks:
Language Practicum--5.5 hours/week
Italian Language--4.5 hours/week
History and Culture of Sicily, taught in Italian-–7 hours/week
Total contact hours and recommended credits:
Italian Language--45 contact hours; 3 recommended credits
Language Practicum--50 contact hours; 3 recommended credits
History and Culture of Sicily--45 contact hours; 3 recommended credits
CT220/320. History and Culture of Sicily This is the program's capstone course, taught in English (CT220) to track one students and in Italian (CT320) to track two students. The course follows the history of Sicily from the Greek colonization to day. Equal time is given to the ancient, medieval, early modern and modern periods.
CT200-500. Italian Language Courses focus on developing students' linguistic
competence. Experienced faculty incorporate the immediate Italian
language environment and challenge students to use their new language
skills in everyday situations. All
students begin their term with three weeks of intensive Italian
language study. In the fall and
spring, students attend 135 hours of language classes overall. In the
summer, students attend 45 hours of language classes. Classes
are taught in Italian. Language Practicum All students choose one Language Practicum from the list below. Language Practica take students outside the classroom and challenge them to use their Italian language skills in real life situations.
CT235. Italian Popular Traditions - Gastronomy and Folklore - open to track one students Students
expand their vocabulary and practice their Italian language skills
while learning about and experiencing the history and traditions of
Italian gastronomy. Students explore Italian cuisine from cultural,
social and historical perspectives in order to further their knowledge
of Sicilian culture and Italian language. Part of the course also
focuses on famous folklore and how these stories relate to food
traditions. This course includes visits to markets, local food
festivals, a typical Sicilian bakery and cooking classes. The course
is taught entirely in Italian by Italian language teachers with the
cooperation of culinary professionals.
CT262. Theater Performance--open to both tracks In this course, students compose, produce and workshop a theatrical composition. The final work is performed for CET students and staff at the University of Catania. The subject matter, themes and style of the theatrical piece are determined by the professor and students at the beginning of the term. Over the course of the term, students participate in a series of language-based improvisation sessions directly related to the subject matter they have selected. From these sessions, through group interaction and editing, a text that becomes the base-script for the final production emerges. Students then fine tune the script and rehearse for the final performance. In addition to creating their own theatrical piece, students attend theatrical performances in Italian. Four or more students are needed to offer this course.
CT332. Creative Writing – open to track two students Students look for inspiration through in-depth analysis of a range of texts varying in style, theme and format (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, historical chronicle, literary passage, novella, diary, and letters). Students are encouraged to share their work with classmates for discussion and analysis.
Electives in Italian Track two students choose one of the following electives, to be taught entirely in Italian.
CT340.Sicilian Modern and Contemporary Literature The focus of this literature course is Sicilian history and culture as presented by its most celebrated authors. Students are required to ready at least three of four complete major works of Sicilian literature and excerpts of many others. The authors to include are: Pirandello, Verga, Quasimodo, Camilleri, Sciascia, Tomasi di Lampedusa, Vittorini, De Roberto, Capuana, Consolo, Bufalino, Fava.
CT345. Sicily through the Lens of Italian Cinema Sicily has been often chosen as a site for filmmakers. Directors who have based their films in Sicily include Visconti, Rossellini, Antonioni, Germi, Rosi and more. Typical Sicilian motifs like jealousy, a sense of honour, and the mafia come up repeatedly in their films and can serve as a lens through which to examime Sicilian society. The course will cover films such as: Il bell'Antonio (1960), Divorzio all'italiana (1963), Sedotta e abbandonata (1964), Don Giovanni in Sicilia (1967), Il mafioso di Lattuada (1962), the Godfather - Il Padrino by Coppola and La Scorta by Tognazzi.
Credit and Transcripts Upon written request, CET and the University of Catania issue official transcripts listing each course taken and the number of hours attended. Credit for the program must be requested from the student's home institution and will be granted at the institution's discretion. CET students generally receive a full semester's worth of credit for their semester abroad. Transcripts for any CET program that a student has attended will not be issued if the student has a remaining account balance. For more information about CET's transcripts and credit recommendation system, click here.
Advisory Board The Italy Programs Advisory Board plays a significant role in helping us develop our programs in Siena and Sicily. The Board offers expertise in curriculum design and the maintenance of high academic standards. Current Advisory Board members, all of whom are experts in their respective fields, are listed below.
Susan S. Badder Art Museum Education Consultant
Christopher Kleinhenz, University of Madison, Wisconsin Professor of Italian Literature
Arielle Saiber, Bowdoin College Associate Professor of Italian Literature
Daniel P. Solomon, Vanderbilt University Senior Lecturer, Classical Studies
Adrienne Ward, University of Virginia Associate Professor of Italian
