Fabio Girelli-Carasi

HYBRID LANGUAGE COURSES

SYLLABUS
COURSE DESCRIPTION
POLICIES
 

What to Expect in This Course

1) This course will be taught in the ONLINE FORMAT. You will work on your own and on your own schedule PROVIDED YOU MEET ALL DEADLINES.

2) I CANNOT TEACH YOU how to perform tech operations (download, upload, name files, change file formats, voice recording and all other related issues.) I will help you in case of unexpected bugs here and there but for the bulk of operations you must know how to troubleshoot. RULE N. 1: THERE IS A VIDEO ON YOUTUBE THAT SOLVEs YOUR PROBLEM.

3) THERE ARE NO TEXTBOOKS. Corporate commercial textbooks are highway robbery. You pay for glossy paper, fancy, colorful layouts, outrageous compensations for CEO's and huge profits for Wall Street investors.  Second, my method requires flexible materials that match the progress of each class differently. It also requires constant engagement on your part and serious work and study on your own.

4) My goal is to teach you how to learn Italian.  I don't know what motive you have for taking this class. Some students can't wait to learn the language. Some only need the credits to graduate on time (moreover, how hard can it really be?) My duty is to treat everybody equally. PERIOD.

5) A language is made of words.  IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE WORDS YOU DON'T KNOW THE LANGUAGE. Study the words. There are no two ways about it.

In my life I have tackled 9 foreign languages, among which two dead ones (13 years of Latin and 6 of Ancient Greek). I am fluent in 3 (Italian my native language, French my second lang, English, my third.) I can manage Brazilian/Portuguese (a bit rusty on oral skills,) and I get by in Spanish. I can read Hebrew but I don't know what I am reading. I took one college semester of German and recently I started studying Mandarin Chinese on my own. As a result of my experiences, I think I know what it takes to learn a language.

6) Conceptually and intellectually a beginning language course is not difficult. But what it lacks in terms of "difficulty," it makes up in the amount of work/time required.  You can't expect to learn by cramming before a test.

Studying a language is like studying math, or chemistry. Knowledge is cumulative. You can't skip additions and subtractions and go directly to multiplication tables.

See you online.

FGC

 

IT'S NOT EASY TO LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE

To learn any language well is one of the most difficult tasks humans can undertake. It literally takes a lifetime. After all, we all are still learning English, aren't we?

However, at the beginning it is a very simple process. The same curriculum, at different speeds, is used from elementary school to college. The intellectual challenge at this level is not particularly formidable, but you will need to devote time and purpose to studying.

First of all, you must learn words, lots of words. The only way to do that is to practice. There are no magic pills.

 Communicative ability is the primary goal of this course. You will soon be in a position to say a few basic things about yourself, to ask questions and to understand simple statements.

Language is about communication. Without communication there is no language.  You will exchange information with your classmates, report,  discuss topics -- all, of course, within the range of your ability.

At the end of the semester, you will marvel at how much you will have learned, and will be even more aware of how much you still need to learn to become proficient.

This is just the beginning of what I hope will be a long long journey. I wish you all the best and I hope to see you one day very far along in your voyage.

 

YOU MUST READ AND COMPLY WITH THE


EMAIL POLICY

 

Academic Integrity
(i.e. no cheating)


Academic dishonesty of any type, including cheating and plagiarism, is unacceptable at Brooklyn College. Cheating is any misrepresentation in academic work. Plagiarism is the representation of another person's work, words, or ideas as your own. Students should consult the Brooklyn College Student Handbook for a fuller, more specific discussion of related academic integrity standards. Faculty members are encouraged to discuss with students the application of these standards to work in each course. Academic dishonesty is punishable by failure of the "test, examination, term paper, or other assignment on which cheating occurred" (Faculty Council, May 18, 1954). In addition, disciplinary proceedings in cases of academic dishonesty may result in penalties of admonition, warning, censure, disciplinary probation, restitution, suspension, expulsion, complaint to civil authorities, or ejection.
(Adopted by Policy Council, May 8, 1991.)
 

DO NOT USE ONLINE TRANSLATION SERVICES OR DEVICES
 ONE STRIKE AND YOU ARE OUT.

Using an online translation service (google etc.,) an app, or an electronic device is a violation of the plagiarism policy.

  You can and should use dictionaries, in electronic or paper format, but NEVER a system that
     translates automatically more than one word at a time.

  WARNING: I will be merciless with anyone who tries to cheat. I know the process of language 
  learning, therefore, I know what you can and cannot do.
  I will not give anyone a second chance.
  ONE STRIKE AND YOU ARE OUT.  

 

COURSE ASSESSMENT  (aka HOW TO GET AN "A")

  • QUIZZES: Each quiz will be very tightly connected to the assignments and will test both your vocabulary retention and the ability to produce language. THERE ARE NO MAKE UPS.
  • ASSIGNMENTS: 
    Some tasks will be marked <busy work>. I will only check that you did them, but will not grade them.
    Other tasks will be marked <for grade>. NO GRADE FOR LATE ASSIGNMENTS.

  • Participation is a challenge in the online environment. It requires that you follow my instructions RELIGIOUSLY.
     

  • QUALITY performance in your assignments and ACTIVE  PARTICIPATION are crucial components of your work.

 

FINAL GRADE
Preparedness and Participation

25%

Weekly Quizzes

40%

Weekly Assignments

40%

Final Exam

5%

TOTAL

100%