Beginning Italian  This course is an introduction to the Italian language that provides a foundation in both spoken and written Italian. Focus on the spoken language encourages rapid mastery of the basic structures and vocabulary of contemporary Italian. The exclusive use of Italian in dialogue situations and vocabulary building encourages the student to develop skills in a personalized context. Conversation and drill are stimulated and fostered through active reference to popular Italian music, authentic props, and slides of Italian everyday life and culture. Students are required to participate in the Italian table. 6 hrs. disc./perf.; 2 hrs. screen

An Introduction to Contemporary Italy  Intended for students at the intermediate level, this course will afford the opportunity to expand conversation, writing, and reading skills while consolidating knowledge of the more difficult points of grammar. The contextual focus of the course is contemporary Italian culture, including contemporary history and politics, the economy, the division between North and South, immigration from developing countries, environmental issues, and popular music, among others. Italian films, music, and articles from newspapers and news magazines will enhance and complete the learning experience.

Beginning Italian III This course emphasizes increased control and proficiency in the language through audiovisual, conversational, and drill methods. Italian life and culture continue to be revealed through the use of realia. Short reading selections on contemporary Italy and discussions enlarge the student's view of Italian life and culture. Students continue to participate in the Italian table. (ITAL 0102 or equivalent) 6 hrs. disc./perf.; 2 hrs. screen.

Italian Culture II: From the Sixties to the Present Day To deepen the historical knowledge gained in ITAL 0251, we will discuss and analyze modern and contemporary Italian literature of various genres, as well as essays, art, and film. In the context of reading, critical viewing, textual analysis, and discussion, we will continue to develop both historical and linguistic competence. Discussion and the writing process, along with selected exercises, will continue to refine grammatical competence.

Beginning Italian II  This course is a continuation of ITAL 0101, and emphasizes spoken and written Italian and the mastery of more complex grammatical structures and vocabulary. Students continue to work with conversation partners, but will also incorporate more specific cultural references in oral presentations and in written assignments.  Students attend the Italian table and mandatory film screenings.

A Culinary History of Italy (in Italian) In this course we will examine the role of food in society by investigating the history of Italian cuisine and the ever-changing issues relating to food and foodways, through books, articles, films, and recipes. What did the Ancient Romans eat? What was Italian cuisine like before pasta and tomatoes? How did production and consumption change over time? Through such questions we will examine what culinary choices tell us about today’s Italy and how they are strictly intertwined with the search for a national identity.

Time Around A Table: A Culinary History of Italy Food is a window into the culture and values of any society. In this seminar we will explore the history of Italian culture by investigating the ever-changing issues relating to food, through books, articles, films, recipes, and cooking. How did production and consumption change over time? What did the Ancient Romans eat? What was Italian cuisine like before pasta and tomatoes?  What triggered the Italian appetite to change? Such questions allow us to examine what culinary choices reveal about today’s Italy.

Accelerated Beginning Italian This course is an intensive introduction to the Italian language that condenses the material normally covered in ITAL 0101, 0102 and 0103. We will focus on the spoken language and encourage rapid mastery of the basic structures and vocabulary. Conversation and drill will be stimulated and fostered through active reference to popular Italian culture, film, and music. We will meet 5 times a week including two 75-minutes meetings and an additional drill session. After completing this course students will be fully prepared for second-year Italian. 6 hr. lect./disc./1.5 hr. drill

Time Around the Table: A Culinary History of Italy In this course food will be our guide in the exploration of Italian history and culture. The choices that a nation, in our case Italy, made and makes about issues surrounding food tell us about identity, be it social, national, regional, ethnic, or religious. We will examine a number of questions: What do we mean when we talk about Italian food? What did one eat in Ancient Rome or during the Renaissance? And what about today? What are the historical events that have shaped what we have in mind when we say “Italian food”? And what about “Italian-American” food?  (Not open to students who have taken FYSE 1344).

Ilaria Brancoli Busdraghi

Reviews and ratings for Ilaria Brancoli Busdraghi at Middlebury College.Ilaria Brancoli Busdraghi teaches Beginning Italian, Intro Contemporary Italy, Italian Culture: Fascism-Pres and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Ilaria Brancoli Busdraghi good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Ilaria is truly the best!! She makes this class fun and exciting even as you learn a ton of new grammar. She is so kind and helpful when students are having a tricky time. This course is noticeably more difficult than 101 and 102 but Ilaria is very supportive. 

Professor Brancoli Busdraghi makes this class so enjoyable! She is incredibly enthusiastic about the material, very eager to help students learn, and explains concepts very well. She is kind and loved by her students. The class meets 5 days a week, where 2 of the days are 75 minutes and the other 3 are 50 minutes. There is a good amount of daily homework but it is manageable and all helpful for class. If you are engaged in class and put the work in, it is easy to find success in this class.

The instructor for this course was super enthusiastic and really enjoyed teaching us. You do need to put in some time studying the material each week, but the weekly tests were very straightforward and were similar to the exercises we were doing in class. I always felt very well prepared. She was a very fair and easy grader. 