Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
| Bachelor in ancient languages and literatures : classics | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
All year long, with partial in January
If a student fails an examination during the first term:
- They are permitted to resit the assessed subject during the second term (May-June);
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
The theoretical course consists of two parts, which are covered in succession:
The first part focuses on the syntax of complex sentences (prescriptive grammar). It covers: types of clauses, syntactic relationships between clauses, semantic nuances, connectors and tense agreement.
The second part aims to provide an overview of the variety of the linguistic repertoire of Italian speakers through the study and analysis (graphological, phonological, morphological, syntactic and lexical) of texts from different genres, social contexts, periods, regions and fields (descriptive approach).
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Learning outcomes of the learning unit
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
* recognise complex syntactic structures;
* analyse complex syntactic structures;
* use the appropriate terminology to describe them;
* produce complex syntactic structures;
* translate complex sentences from Italian into French or from French into Italian;
* carry out a linguistic analysis of a text studied in class, i.e. describe its phonology, morphology, lexis and syntax;
* identify the effects produced by the linguistic choices made in the texts studied;
* define and correctly apply the notions and concepts covered.
* to discuss the works they have seen or read (providing context, summarising them, giving their views).
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Prerequisite knowledge and skills
A basic knowledge of Italian grammar (phonetics, spelling, morphology, syntax), such as that
typically possessed by a student completing their first year.
A diploma or certificate from a Level I Italian language course is therefore compulsory.
A good command of grammatical analysis is also required (nature/class of words/parts of speech;
functions/dependency relations and hierarchy of dependency relations; coordination and subordination). The syllabus for 'Grammatical Analysis' by Prof. Nicolas Mazziotta is a useful reference (see LROM0106).
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Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The course is divided into two parts - one theoretical and the other practical - which are closely coordinated.
The grammatical points covered during the theoretical sessions are systematically reinforced through practical exercises during the practical sessions.
Linguistic and sociolinguistic skills (the study of variation) are at the heart of the theoretical teaching, which is mainly delivered in a lecture format.
All lectures are delivered in Italian.
Cultural activities (film screenings, trips to the theatre or the opera, lectures, visits, etc.) will be organised. These form an integral part of the course programme and will be assessed. Organisational details will be communicated to students in due course.
Two readings in Italian and a novel in French will round off this programme.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
The theoretical component is supplemented by compulsory practical sessions for students who have the practical component included in their study programme.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
Further information:
The syllabus is available on eCampus (Q1: syntax - Q2: texts). Students are strongly advised to bring a hard copy to lectures.
Presentation slides are available on eCampus.
Compulsory reading:
- A novel of your choice by Giuseppe Santoliquido (in French).
- Aldo Busi riscrive il Decamerone di Giovanni Boccaccio, Milano, BUR, 2010.
- Paolo Di Stedano, La catastròfa. Marcinelle 8 agosto 1956, Palermo, Sellerio, 2026.
No vocabulary list is provided. We encourage students to gradually build up a glossary of terms encountered during the various learning activities.
Reference works (to supplement, explore in greater depth or revise the material):
* Mengaldo, P.V., Storia della lingua italiana. Il Novecento, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1994.
* Sobrero, A.A., Miglietta, A., Introduzione alla linguistica italiana, Rome-Bari, Laterza, 2006.
* Nocchi, S., Grammatica pratica della lingua italiana, Florence, Alma Edizioni, 2012 (textbook used in 2025-2026) or Baratter, P., Italia, P., La grammatica bella. Grammatica e lessico, Brescia, La Scuola, 2026 (textbook in Italian recommended for first-year students in 2026-2027).
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam AND oral exam
Continuous assessment
Further information:
January - Written and oral assessment, in person.
May/June and August - Oral and written assessments, in person.
Continuous assessment
Some assignments may be assessed on a formative basis.
Further details:
End of Term 1
The written mid-term exam in January covers the material covered in Term 1. It is compulsory. The mark will count for 20 per cent of the overall mark in June if the student passes (10/20 or above). If the mark is below 10/20, it will not be included in the overall mark.
End of Term 2
The written exam at the end of Q2 will cover the entire course: syntax of complex sentences, texts studied and associated concepts/definitions, works read and cultural activities (e.g. meetings with G. Santoliquido and P. Di Stefano, film).
The oral examination will consist of a series of questions also covering the entire syllabus.
The following aspects, in particular, will be taken into account in the assessment: pronunciation, language quality, command of terminology, the relevance of the answers, and the structure of the response.
Both parts of the examination (oral and written) carry equal weight in the assessment.
Achieving a pass mark in the June written examination does not exempt students from sitting the written examination in the following session.
The use of artificial intelligence is strictly prohibited.
Work placement(s)
No work placements are organised.
A 'télétandem' (an online conversation activity in partnership with students from the University of Florence) may be organised. Participation in this 'télétandem' is optional, but students who sign up undertake to participate actively in the five one-hour sessions scheduled as part of the programme.
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Optional conversation classes may be run by student tutors for students wishing to develop their speaking skills (in addition to the Teletandem scheme). Information about these activities will be provided in class during the first few weeks of the term.
Contacts
Hélène MIESSE
Bureau A2/4/6
helene.miesse@uliege.be
Letizia IMOLA
Bureau A2/5/42
letizia.imola@uliege.be