Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Spring Semester 2003

Chinese 122F: Elementary Chinese II, (5 credits), Micke
Continuation of 111. Gaining further skill in using putonghua with every day conversational topics will be important. We will also learn to read and write more of the characters used to represent those concepts. Prerequisite: Chinese 111 or its equivalent.

Chinese 130A/C: Film & Fiction in Modern China (In English), (4 credits), Mickel
In “Film and Fiction in Modern China” we will watch representatives from the six waves of movie making in China, and we will read representative fiction from the four main literary periods in 20th century China; when possible, the readings will be the original stories used to make the movies. We will focus on both the aesthetics of the short stories and movies as well as the cultural values they express. All readings, discussions, and lectures will be in English, and the films will have English subtitles. The Chinese have written magnificent stories and made great films so it will be an interesting course. The course can be used to meet either the “A” or “C” General Education requirements.

Chinese 212: Intermediate Chinese II, (4 credits), Mickel
Continuation of 211. We will finish the lessons in Practical Chinese Reader Book II and, towards the end of the semester, prepare to move into a textbook that will prepare us for reading original modern prose texts. Of course, all of this will be done while speaking Chinese. Prerequisite: Chinese 211.

Chinese 312: Directed Readings in Chinese Literature, (4 credits), Mickel
Intensive study of pieces representative of Republican and Communist-style literature. The focus is primarily on modern prose and fiction. Discussions will be in putonghua. Prerequisite: Chinese 311 or permission of instructor.

Chinese 490: Independent Study
Tutorials for the student who has excelled in previous study of putonghua. Thematic content chosen according to student's intellectual interests. Conducted entirely in putonghua.

French 112F: Intermediate French, (5 credits), Staff
Grammar review, composition, oral practice, reading, and required laboratory. Prerequisite: French 111 or equivalent.

French 140A: French Existentialist Literature and Beyond (In English), (4 credits) Cothran
Readings in French existentialist literature, the theater of the absurd and the French new novel. Authors include Sartre, Camus, Beauvoir, Ionesco, Beckett, Robbe-Grillet, Duras. All work for the course is in English. No prerequisites.

French 201F: Advanced Intermediate French, (4 credits), Cothran
Study of French in the context of the liberal arts. Readings in French literature, culture and history; composition, oral practice; thorough and systematic review of French grammar. For students with three or more years of high school French. NB: French 114 has been renumbered to French 201. All students who placed into French 114 will henceforth take this course.

French 210: Expression orale, (4 credits), Wilkerson
Course in oral communication which concentrates on vocabulary building, study of idioms, popular style, and improvement of fluency in French. Individual conferences; laboratory work required. Prerequisite: French 112 or equivalent.

French 302A 1W: Survey of Literature II, (4 credits), Cothran
Major writers, movements, and genres during the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Prerequisite: French 215 or permission of the instructor. Writing intensive. Taught in French.

French 450 1W: Senior Seminar, (4 credits), Wilkerson
Review of major literary movements and genres. Required of majors. Departmental comprehensive examination serves in lieu of final examination. Writing intensive.

French 490: Independent Study

French 491: Internship

German 111: Elementary German, (5 credits), Barry
Fundamentals of grammar, pronunciation, oral practice, and laboratory work. Also a basic introduction to German culture. Open to only the beginner, except by permission of instructor.

German 112F: Intermediate German , (5 credits), Bennett
Explication of grammar, continued oral practice, reading of literary and/or cultural texts, and related explication of grammar and laboratory work. Prerequisite: German 111 or equivalent.

German 140A: Swords & Sorcery (In English), (4 credits), Bennett
Ever heard of Harry Potter? How about Gandalf, Galadriel, Frodo, or Elrond? Merlin, maybe? If any of these names ring a bell, then perhaps you’re interested in myth or fantasy and might want to consider registering for Swords and Sorcery. In this class, we shall examine some of the mythological heritage of European culture as we read and discuss some medieval works and some contemporary works, including modern film adaptations of these myths. Works discussed will range from Beowulf and Parzival to The Thirteenth Warrior and a discussion of the film adaptation of Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring. As we encounter these works, we will have a chance to explore forgotten origins and seek for mythic patterns and structures that may still inform the way we perceive the world today.

Enchantment. Magic Spells. Dragons. Jousts and duels. Castles. Elemental Spirits and Sorcery. We shall encounter all of these in the literature we are to read and you can fulfill the General Education Requirement for the Fine, Performing and Literary Arts at the same time. All reading and work in English. Not writing-intensive. No prerequisites.

German 215H/1W: Culture & Composition, (4 credits), Barry
Stylistic analysis and grammar review. Using writing as a mode of exploration, the student analyzes texts and discusses issues characterizing German history and culture. Writing intensive. Prerequisite: 112, German competency, or permission of instructor.

German 420 1W: Nationhood, War, Peace, (4 credits), Bennett
Investigation of the issues of war and peace as reflected in the German cultural imagination. Writing intensive. Prerequisite: One course at 300 level or permission of instructor.

German 490: Independent Study

German 491: Internship

Japanese 112F: Beginning Japanese II, (5 credits), Christiansen
Japanese 112 introduces basic Japanese language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, as well as sociocultural information. Students will learn to communicate about a core of topics relevant to everyday life. Prerequisite: Japanese 111 or placement.

Japanese 130: Tea Ceremony (In English), (2 credits), Toratani
This course is an introduction to Japanese Tea Ceremony performance, the Urasenke school style, one of the most widely practiced styles of tea ceremony performance in Japan. You will learn to perform the role of the host, preparing and serving the tea, and how to be the guest at a tea meeting. Sitting on your knees for about 15 minutes (per performance) is required. The class is open to both men and women and assumes no prerequisite. Taught in English.

Japanese 212: Intermediate Japanese II, (4 credits), Toratani
Continued development of the fundamental communication skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing, as well as the sociolinguistic information necessary for effective communication with Japanese natives. Prerequisite: Japanese 211 or placement.

Japanese 330: Advanced Readings in Japanese, (4 credits), Toratani
Focuses on building Japanese language ability through a variety of reading and writing tasks. Prerequisite: Japanese 330 (2002 Fall semester) or permission of instructor.

Japanese 490: Independent Study

Latin 112F: Intermediate Latin, (4 credits), Roark
Continuation of grammar exercises, vocabulary and derivative studies, selected readings in classical Latin, and discussions of Roman culture. Prerequisite: Latin 111 or equivalent.

Russian 112F: Elementary Russian II, (5 credits), Zaharkov
Continuation of 111, practice with conversation and grammatical patterns. Prerequisite: Russian 111 or equivalent.

Russian 130A/C: Salute to Petersburg (In English), (4 credits ), Zaharkov
St. Petersburg will celebrate its 300th anniversary in 2003! Although almost all the courses offered in Russian literature connect with at least some writers (Pushkin, Gogol and Dostoevsky, to name a few) who lived and set their most famous works in this city created by the will of Peter the Great in 1703, this course will deal exclusively with the writers of the 19th and 20th centuries who even made St. Petersburg a character in their works. Hence, in literary criticism the term was coined “geopoetics” (the influence of geography on a literary work).

In addition to the literary works and the historical framework in which they were written, we will also study the cultural heritage and history for which the city is famous–such as Peter the Great’s dreams and accomplishments for Russia, the development of the ballet and music, down to the present day to include Petersburg rock groups! Come and help us celebrate this city!

Course format includes discussion as well as subtitled films of the literary works. Authors include Pushkin, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Akhmatova, Blok, Tatiana Tolstaya and others. Taught in English with all readings in English. No prerequisites.

Russian 230: Conversation Through Film, (4 credits), Zaharkov
Want to keep up with Russian conversation as well as watch some of the great films of Russian cinema? Discuss the current problems of Russian society and its youth? Films are subtitled. Some of the issues to be discussed are Russian’s conflict of East vs. West, the generation gap, women’s roles, to name only a few! Prerequisite: Russian 210 or permission of the instructor.

Russian 310 1W: Advanced Conversation & Composition, (4 credits), Zaharkov
Advanced conversation techniques and idiomatic expressions. Advanced grammar topics and composition practice. Required for study abroad programs. Writing intensive. Prerequisites: Russian 205 and 210.

Russian 490: Independent Study

Spanish 112F: Beginning Spanish II, (5 credits), McIntyre
Grammar, composition, oral practice, reading, and required laboratory. Prerequisite: Spanish 111 or placement.

Spanish 112F: Beginning Spanish II, (5 credits), Franklin
Grammar, composition, oral practice, reading, and required laboratory. Prerequisite: Spanish 111 or placement.

Spanish 112F: Beginning Spanish II, (5 credits), Hoff
Grammar, composition, oral practice, reading, and required laboratory. Prerequisite: Spanish 111 or placement.

Spanish 130A: Don Quijote: The Art of Literature and Commonsense, (4 credits), González
It would be difficult to identify a literary work that over the last 400 years has been a greater source of pleasure, insight and inspiration to readers and writers of the world than Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quijote de la Mancha. This class will be a combination of lectures on the context into which the Knight of the Sorrowful Countenance rides as well as discussion of the novel, the Televisión Española miniseries rendition of the novel (subtitled), and other related materials. All readings and lectures are in English. Not writing intensive.

Spanish 150F: Intermediate Spanish, (5 credits), Franklin
This is an intermediate level course that will review, introduce, and expand upon vocabulary and structures commonly dealt with in introductory courses. Laboratory time also required. Prerequisite: Spanish 112 or placement.

Spanish 215: Studies in Spanish Language, (4 credits), Hoff
Designed for the student who has completed Spanish 112 or 150 or an equivalent. The course will provide a thorough and systematic survey of Spanish grammar, expand vocabulary for conversation, and teach students how to write in a simple, clear style. Prerequisite: Spanish 112, 150 or placement examination.

Spanish 216: Conversation and Contemporary Issues, (4 credits), Sagastume
Designed to develop skills in the spoken language. Course reviews the more complex aspects of Spanish grammar and expands vocabulary for conversation. Prerequisite: Spanish 215.

Spanish 217 1W: The Craft of Writing, (4 credits), González
Spanish 217 is designed to develop written proficiency at the 200 level. Emphasis is placed on composition as communication, the role of reading in the process of writing, and the function of grammar in context. Prerequisite: Spanish 215 or 216 or permission of instructor. Writing intensive.

Spanish 230R: Signs, Symbols, and Language (In English), (4 credits), Sagastume
This is a theory course designed to provide a comprehensive background in the philosophy of language in relation to literature (particularly drama,) from Plato to Derrida. The course is taught in English and could be beneficial for majors in different disciplines, such as English, Foreign Languages and Literatures, Theatre, Philosophy. No prerequisites.

Spanish 302A/1W: Introduction to Hispanic Literature II, (4 credits), Sagastume
Continuation of Spanish 301, provides the student with a survey of 19th and 20th centuries. Significant figures and literary currents of the Hispanic world are presented. Writing intensive. Prerequisite: Spanish 215 or 217.

Spanish 415: Advanced Studies in Spanish Language, (4 credits), McIntyre
This course is a continuation of Spanish 215. It is especially recommended for students who seek advanced work in grammar, with the goal of producing idiomatic Spanish. Students will acquire an understanding of more sophisticated grammar structures and their interrelations. Prerequisite: Spanish 215 and a 300-level course taught in Spanish.

Spanish 430/01.1: Intensive Spanish Conversation, (2 credits), McIntyre
Expansion of oral communication skills in different areas of concentration such as business, medicine, literature, and politics. Emphasis on modes of expression and lexicon enhancement. Prerequisite: any 300-level course taught in Spanish.

Spanish 434/01.2: Spanish Pronunciation, (2 credits), McIntyre
Introduction to Spanish Phonology with particular attention to speech characteristics and to dialectal differences in Peninsular and Spanish American phonology. Oral drill to improve pronunciation and diction. Prerequisite: Any 300-level course taught in Spanish.

Spanish 450 1W: Senior Seminar, (4 credits), Hoff
In-depth study of a literary movement, problem, author, or genre. Topic to be chosen by instructor. Required of each Spanish major. Prerequisites: Spanish 301 or 302 and one 400-level Spanish course. Writing intensive.

Spanish 490: Independent Study

Spanish 491: Internship