Italian Language and Culture Conference: Innovation in Italian Programs and Pedagogy

Georgetown University, Washington DC

Saturday, October 21^st 2017

Keynote Speaker: Giuseppe Cavatorta, University of Arizona

The ability to innovate has always been a fundamental trait of the Italian spirit characterizing the work of Italians in many domains, from the arts, to design, to cuisine. In recent years, Italian departments, researchers, and teachers have had to find innovative ways to confront the challenges brought about by changes in higher education and the general shift in students’ interests. This will be the main focus of the 2017 Italian Language and Culture Conference organized by the Department of Italian at Georgetown University as part of a series of events celebrating Italian Language Week in Washington D.C.  The conference will provide a venue for educators to share innovative approaches and pedagogical strategies that have been successfully tested and adopted at both a course and program level in the high school and college classroom.

We invite proposals from teachers and scholars who are experienced in data-driven research, designing interdisciplinary courses, creating new course formats, and/or developing curricula.

Topics may include but are not limited to:

• methods for maintaining and increasing student retention at a course and program level
• approaches that cultivate a sustained interest in Italian from AP through the Italian Major
• developing intercultural competence through the use of Teletandem / Telecollaboration
• adopting new technologies to enhance student learning and engagement
• creating new course formats (the flipped classroom / hybrid or fully online courses)
• developing interdisciplinary approaches to teaching Italian Language and Culture

Select papers will be published in the new peer-reviewed journal, Teaching Italian Language and Culture Annual (TILCA)  http://tilca.qc.cuny.edu/

The conference organizers will work with local authorities to obtain the recognition of professional development credits for teachers at the K-12 level.

There will be a conference registration fee of $65 ($35 for graduate students and K-12 teachers)

Please send a proposal of 250 words for a 20 minute presentation or an 80 minute panel /workshop, and a brief CV to italiancultureconf@georgetown.edu by May 31^st

Please also include the following:          

• Paper/workshop/panel title
• Name, affiliation and title / Contact Information

Regards,

Department of Italian

Georgetown University