New Courses

Italian Cinema

I have taught courses of Italian cinema both at UCLA and Hamilton College. In my cinema courses, I keep in mind the diversity of students and create paths for them to explore Italian cinema in ways that best fit their sensitivities and interests. Class discussions touch on a wide range of topics that encourage debate and students’ critical thinking. Examples of these topics are: race and gender representation, historical accuracy, politics and aesthetics. Typical assignments for my students include comparative essays and scene analyses, but also creative videos and meme contests.

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Second Language Pedagogy

I teach language courses using a variety of resources including textbooks (Piazza, Azione!, Sentieri, Avanti, Ponti, etc.), class slides, videos, and pedagogical technology (Wooclap, Flip, etc.). I have nine years of experience teaching Italian language at any level. I design new courses following the ACTFL guidelines and supporting students in a smooth and confident transition towards their next level of proficiency.

I enjoy collaborating with colleagues (of Italian or other languages) on projects that make language classes more interactive and engaging for students. In the best scenario, collaboration generates opportunities for co-teaching. For example, a co-teaching experience at UCLA with Dr. Viola Ardeni (now at UC Davis) resulted in this peer-reviewed article (The Italianist) on dubbing, Project Based Learning, and second language pedagogy.

Project Based Learning

Project-Based Learning Activities are a great opportunity for students to take ownership of the learning process, while also strengthening their diverse skills. In one of my Intermediate Italian classes, students used their drawing and editing abilities to tell the story of Stefano and Silvestro, a dog and a cat tfighting for their owners’ love and attention. The story reads as a fairy tale that mixes the components of this narrative tradition with new elements such as the reference to technological devices in the plot. Despite some pronounciation inaccuracies, the students engaged with this project with incredible enthusiasm and creativity. They also show a correct use of imperfetto and passato remoto tenses.

Playlists

Click on this link to access a playlist of Transnational Italian Music I created with students at the University of Georgia in Fall 2021.

I have found music streaming services particularly useful to diversify students’ exposure to contemporary Italian music and allow them to access non-stereotypical expressions of contemporary Italian culture.

Study Abroad Programs

I was Assistant Program Coordinator of the inaugural UCLA Italian Program in Rome (2019), for which I also designed a new intensive Elementary Italian course. To know more about the program click here.