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.

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

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.

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

Film Form, Film Meaning: Fellini and the Art of Cinema In this seminar we will discover the hidden art of cinematic form.  How do movies construct meaning?  Why are they often so emotionally engaging?  How is cinema related to the other arts (literature, painting, photography, music)?  In the first half of the seminar we will analyze six films by Federico Fellini—one of Europe’s most famous auteur directors (La strada, La dolce vita, 8 1/2, among others).  In the second half of the seminar, students will analyze films of their choosing (any film by any European director).  Armed with the critical skills gained through analyzing Fellini, groups of students will then screen their films to the entire class, complete a major classroom presentation, and engage in original research.

Il cinema d’autore: 1945-2010 In this course we will critically analyze films of great Italian directors  from post-war Neorealism to the present.  We will examine films by Roberto Rossellini, Vittorio De Sica, Federico Fellini, Michelangelo Antonioni, Lina Wertmüller, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Bernardo Bertolucci, and Marco Bellocchio.  After mastering the film terminology and learning  formal film critique, students will engage in independent research that will culminate in the screening and analysis of an Italian film of their choice.  Taught in Italian.

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.

Love, Laughter, and Desire in Medieval and Renaissance Italian Literature Through a careful reading of excerpts from the literary masterpieces of the Italian Middle Ages and the Renaissance, we will explore artistic representations of some of the most enduring facets of human experience: love, humor, and desire. How do Medieval and Renaissance texts still communicate with our deepest feelings and emotions, and, in particular, with our perception of love and sexuality? From spiritual to carnal love, from Dante to Boccaccio, we will explore how Italians from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance wrote, talked, and laughed about their loves and desires.

Thomas Van Order

Reviews and ratings for Thomas Van Order at Middlebury College.Thomas Van Order teaches Intro Contemporary Italy, Accelerated Beginning Italian, Beginning Italian and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Thomas Van Order good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Professor Van Order made the class very fun and engaging despite the kick up in intensity that was going from Italian 101 to Italian 102. The class is very useful in getting one to talk and use the Italian language as much as possible.

Van Order is a super engaging teacher. Though cold calling is hard to get used to at first, his teaching methods are extremely effective and I feel like I've learned more Italian in the past few months than I did in 6 years of Chinese pre-college. There's a lot of material and it's very fast paced which makes it difficult, but the pay off is super worth it. 

I was scared to learn a new language but lessons were engaging and Van Order's teaching style made it easy to grasp new material. Homework offers practice. I did not need to study much outside of class.