This program is aimed at students with some experience in design who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the profession and the dynamics of Italian interior design in context. Working with art and design theory experts, researchers, designers, and design managers, students will be challenged to generate creative ideas and creative processes.
Prerequisites: Design I or experience in the design field.


Program Components

Module 1: Design Toolkit 2
Credit Hours: 3.0 Contact Hours: 45

An introduction to the methods used by professional studios, including both manual rendering techniques and experience in the CAD studio. Preliminary work sessions focus on developing hand-drawn rendering techniques of objects and spaces, while the CAD studio will shift the emphasis toward 3D-rendering technology and techniques. Students will learn how to transform projects into 3D models using state of the art technology. This component of the program includes lessons and laboratory work. Professional illustrators and CAD designers will help students master the basics of these important design tools.

Module 2: Italian Design Now
Credit Hours: 3.0 Contact Hours: 45

From design superstars to innovative materials, students will be introduced to the major themes of discussion in the design sphere today. This component covers all areas of contemporary Italian design from architecture to fashion to graphic and new media design. Particular emphasis will be placed on the interdisciplinary nature of both permanent and temporary installations designed by Italian architects and designers. Topics include urban design, interaction design, and experience design. Trips to see real examples of spaces that push the boundaries of traditional thinking in design are an integral part of Italian Design Now.

Module 3: Interior/Exhibition Design Studio
Credit Hours: 3.0 Contact Hours: 45

Students will work on a project that involves the exploration of space and that embraces both commercial and cultural concerns (museums, exhibitions, and public areas). Studio work will be coupled with guest lectures by key figures in the design world. Materials and lighting workshops will expose students to the possibilities offered by technology and to the sensorial effects with which they can experiment in their own projects. They will leave with a number of new ideas and the ability to make reference to a new language of design.

Module 4: Design Management
Credit Hours: 3.0 Contact Hours: 45

An introduction to the strategic and managerial aspects of design that provides the foundation for a deeper knowledge of the context of design. Students will be taught to make informed reference to the world beyond design, from users to the market to new technology to economics, law, and the global environment. They will examine the creative processes used by designers and companies from a corporate perspective and will analyze significant international case studies. This component will also provide direction in personal communication skills, teamwork, and leadership in design.

The 5th module of the semester program is the language course to be chosen, according to the admission requirement, between Italian 101 or Italian 102.


ITALIAN 101 LANGUAGE COURSE
Beginner/Elementary Level Course program

Objectives

After a 45 hours Italian language course students should be able to express themselves in the present and past tense, ask and answer questions about daily life, follow a simple conversation in common situations (in a train, in a café, in a shop, etc.), describe persons and places.

Methodology

In the direct method, the grammar and texts progress in such a way that the teacher can carry out his or her didactic approach directly in Italian, certain of being understood without the aid of translation. The course proceed through mostly communication activities, with conceptual and functional elements of the language gradually introduced. The themes used in the excerpts and reading are always selected in order to support and reflect the gradual learning of the morphosyntactic forms and structures.

Grammatical points covered

The verb to be (essere), this (questo), definite articles, there is and there are (c’è, ci sono)
The verb to have (avere), plural nouns and adjectives, the indefinite article
Regular present tense
Irregular present tense
Demonstrative pronouns and adjectives, comparative, buono, bello, invariable plurals
Simple prepositions
Present perfect (passato prossimo)
Interrogative, ci, superlatives, adverbs of quantity
Reflexive verbs in the present, progressive form
Conversation activities

Situations:

a) Greetings, introductions and identifying oneself
b) Description of common objects and places
c) Explanation of one’s profession, scholastic status, names of the main professions and trades
d) Dialogues and vocabulary relating to cafés and restaurants
e) Description of people and physical features
f) Dialogues and vocabulary relating to markets
g) Vocabulary relating to clothing
h) Street directions, describing the city
Listening comprehension, dictation, summarizing stories


ITALIAN 102 – LANGUAGE COURSE
ADMISSION REQUIREMENT: ITALIAN 101
Intermediate Level Course program

Objectives

After a 45 hours Italian language course students should be capable of using the main grammatical structures, the future tense, the imperfect tense, reflexive and passive forms. The students should be more accurate in the construction of sentences, able to use direct and indirect object pronouns, relative pronouns, impersonal forms … They are therefore able to conduct a conversation on common topics from everyday life (food, travel, sports, etc.) as well as confront more general topics, such as comparing the situation of employment, of education, of study, etc., in Italy with that of their own country.

Methodology

In the direct method, the grammar and texts progress in such a way that the teacher can carry out his or her didactic approach directly in Italian, certain of being understood without the aid of translation. The course proceed through mostly communication activities, with conceptual and functional elements of the language gradually introduced. The themes used in the excerpts and reading are always selected in order to support and reflect the gradual learning of the morphosyntactic forms and structures.

Grammatical points covered

Imperatives, irregular plurals
Simple future tense
Reflexive constructions
Relative pronouns with who (chi)
Imperfect indicative tense
Impersonal si, forms of courtesy, comparatives
Passive constructions
Partitive pronoun ne
Prepositions
Conversation activities

Situations:

a) Arrival in Italy
b) Hobbies and sports
c) Describing everyday activities
d) Trades and professions
e) Trips, vacations, visits
f) Italian cooking
g) Education in Italy
h) Shopping

Excerpts from newspapers and magazines, listening compehension, summarizing stories,dictation.