Cultures and Languages Across the Curriculum
(LANG 270/ LANG 370)
Wittenberg offers a distinctive, nationally recognized Cultures and Language Across the Curriculum Program (CLAC) that allows students to use their language skills in a wide variety of disciplines. You can read about the program in USA Today by following this link:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2010-07-24-IHE_languages24_ST_N.htm
The courses listed below offer students the opportunity to earn an additional credit by completing a CLAC module. Prerequisite: You must either have completed or be enrolled in a 3rd semester language course (any language course numbered above 112).
In the CLAC program, you will work your professor and a member of the language department to design and complete a project directly related to what you’re learning in the course and tailored to your skill level in the language. CLAC offers you the chance to use your knowledge of another language to further your study of another discipline. You’ll discover that even with an intermediate knowledge of a foreign (i.e. one course beyond 112), you can make discoveries about the material you’re studying and share your insights with your colleagues. CLAC offers you the opportunity to use your language skills in a real world setting and to gain insight into how culture and language intersect with the academic disciplines that interest you. The CLAC module will be listed on your transcript and indicate in which course you had your CLAC experience. Your transcript will demonstrate to potential employers or graduate schools that you have used your knowledge of a foreign language to engage in meaningful work in a discipline. CLAC modules also count toward the language requirement for International Studies majors and minors.
To register for a CLAC experience in this course, speak with your instructor in the first two weeks of classes.
Comprehensive List of Courses offering CLAC modules:
Chinese 112F: Elementary Chinese II
(5 credits)
Chan, Shelley
Prerequisite: Chinese 111 or placement.
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. Ninety minutes per week of independent lab time required.
Chinese 130A/C: Chinese Women Writers, Ancient and Modern (In English)
(4 credits)
Chan, Shelley
Taught in English, no prerequisites.
Chinese women have been known as the suppressed sex for thousands of years. Nevertheless, women's writing has always been an important part of Chinese literature. Whereas the long history of pre-modern China produced a rather large number of women writers, the concept of “women's literature” emerged only in the early twentieth century when enormous changes in Chinese women's social status occurred after the May Fourth Movement of 1919. Moreover, since 1949 Communist China has witnessed further rapid changes as far as women's writing is concerned.
This course is a general introduction to Chinese women writers in different historical periods, namely, pre-modern, modern, and contemporary. To help students understand the gender issue, it provides them with a cultural background from the Confucian patriarchy to the Maoist “equality” between the sexes, as well as a background on cultural norms toward Chinese women. It discovers women's voice in a traditionally male-centered society and literature, examines the feminine/masculine opposition, studies how Chinese women writers have not only formed their own voice, but also often led the way in the literary development of the post-Mao period. The readings, including poetry, prose and fiction, will be buttressed by films. All readings, discussions and lectures will be in English. The movies will have English subtitles.
Chinese 130A/C: Introduction to Chinese Culture
(4 credits)
Choy, Howard
Taught in English. No prerequisites.
This course is an introduction to Chinese culture from ancient to modern times aiming at providing students with fundamental knowledge of this Asian civilization. We will first study China in the pre-modern period, and then proceed to focus on its modern developments. Students will learn aspects of Chinese history, literature, art, philosophy, and religion by reading primary sources in English translation.
Chinese 212: Intermediate Chinese II
(5 credits)
Choy, Howard
Prerequisite: Chinese 211 or placement
This is the second part of a two-semester course in intermediate Chinese. Students will continue to develop the basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in daily life situations and self-expressions. It is intended to lay a solid foundation for everyday communication in Chinese and further study of the language. Students should be prepared for a steady expansion of their vocabulary and are expected to speak the language in classroom activities. Ninety minutes per week of independent lab time required.
Chinese 312: Directed Readings in Chinese Literature
(4 credits)
Choy, Howard
Prerequisite: Chinese 311 or permission of instructor
This is an advanced Chinese course. Students will continue to develop reading strategies and writing skills. The opportunity to work with more lively, thought-provoking materials will be valuable for the interdisciplinary study of the language, literature, and culture. Students will read authentic literary writings published in the 1990s and 2000s. This course emphasizes different styles of writing and current thoughts on humanity with extensive discussion and frequent composition assignments in Chinese.
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: Beginning French II
(5 credits)
Wilkerson, Timothy
Prerequisite: French 111 or placement.
Grammar review, composition, oral practice, and reading. Ninety minutes per week of independent lab time required.
French 112F: Beginning French II
(5 credits)
Wierenga, Leanne
Prerequisite: French 111 or placement.
Grammar review, composition, oral practice, and reading. Ninety minutes per week of independent lab time required.
French 150F: Intermediate French
(5 credits)
Wierenga, Leanne
Prerequisite: French 112 or placement
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. Ninety minutes per week of independent lab time required.
French 260/1.2: La Vie contemporaine des francophones
(2 credits)
Wierenga, Leanne
Prerequisite: French 112 or placement
Consideration of topics in contemporary life in francophone cultures with a focus on conversation, including study of practical vocabulary of daily life, and grammar review. Taught in French.
French 261/1.2: L'Environnement naturel du monde francophone
(2 semester hours)
Wilkerson, Timothy
Prerequisite: French 112 or placement
This is a content-based reading and conversation course that focuses on the role of the natural environment in the lives of Francophones; it explores some of the distinctive ways in which French-speaking people around the world express their regard and concern for the natural world. Taught in French.
French 304: Histoire française/philosophie européenne
(4 credits)
Wilkerson, Timothy
Prerequisite : 4 semester hours of French at the 200 level
This is a content-based course that explores the relationship between European philosophy and continental French history.
French 450/1W: Senior Seminar
(4 credits)
Wierenga, Leanne and Wilkerson, Timothy
Prerequisites: One 300 level French
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 107/01: Elementary German I in Lutherstadt Wittenberg
(4 credits)
Saegenschnitter, Anke
Prerequisite: None
Notes: Taught in Wittenberg, Germany
Guided in large measure by the same set of learning outcomes that define German 111, German 107 is offered “on site” and employs specially targeted communicative strategies to provide students with the skills necessary for basic day-to-day linguistic survival in Germany. There are no prerequisites for this course. Offered only in Wittenberg, Germany.
German 108/01: Elementary German II in Lutherstadt Wittenberg
(2 credits)
Saegenschnitter, Anke
Prerequisite: Successful completion of German 107 or permission of instructor
Notes: Taught in Wittenberg, Germany
Offered as a tutorial, German 108 employs similar communicative strategies to those defining German 107, but makes use of materials designed exclusively to prepare students for the Council of Europe A2 (or novice-high) exam. Prerequisite: Successful completion of German 107 or permission of the instructor. Offered only in Wittenberg, Germany.
German 111: Beginning German I
(5 credits)
Bennett, Timothy
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. Ninety minutes per week of independent lab time required.
German 112F: Beginning German II
(5 credits)
Schimmelpfennig, Tatania
Prerequisite: German 111 or placement.
Explication of grammar, continued oral practice, reading of literary and/or cultural texts, and related explication of grammar. Ninety minutes per week of independent lab time required.
German 112F: Beginning German II
(5 credits)
Bennett, Timothy
Prerequisite: German 111 or placement.
Explication of grammar, continued oral practice, reading of literary and/or cultural texts, and related explication of grammar. Ninety minutes per week of independent lab time required.
German 140A: From Stasiland to Ostalgia
(4 credits)
Barry, David
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Note: Offered in Wittenberg, Germany
This is a literature-in-translation course that focuses on some of the major responses to the social and political realities of life in Germany since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. With particular reference to the new German states (i.e., those of the former German Democratic Republic), the course explores issues of “cultural memory” as well as some of the consequences of so-called “reunification” for contemporary Germany. All readings are in English and successful completion of the course counts toward fulfillment of the A-learning goal (“Fine, Performing, and Literary Arts”).
German 230/1W: Science and Mythos
(4 credits)
Bennett, Timothy
Prerequisite: At least one intermediate course in French, German, Russian, or Spanish
Note: Taught in English with resources as appropriate in French, German, Russian, or Spanish
This course is designed to give students of the humanities and the sciences who are also students of French, German, Russian, or Spanish the opportunity to work together to explore the interaction of culture and science. Core readings for the course will be in English, but students will also work in the language they
have studied. We will investigate questions of creativity, culture, and scientific discovery and examine how science and culture interact and shape our understanding of nature and our place in the universe. Students will also reflect on the popular understanding of scientific questions in the cultures they study.
German 230/1.1: Deutsch für Fortgeschrittene
(4 credits)
Taubert, Gerd
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Notes: Taught in Wittenberg, Germany
This course is intended for students who are progressing, or have already progressed beyond the elementary level of German language learning. Using a variety of communication-based strategies, it aims to develop students' oral and writing skills in German through the intermediate level. While the City of Luther during the Reformation, during GDR times, and since “reunification” acts as the default theme of the course, this may be changed subject to declared student interests. Many of the assignments will be completed through guided interaction with local Wittenbergers.
German 230/1.2: Deutsch für Fortgeschrittene: Fortsetzung
(2 credits)
Taubert, Gerd
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Notes: Taught in Wittenberg, Germany
Continuation of German 230/1.1.
German 260/1.2: Aktuelle Fragen der Kultur and Politik
(2 credits)
Schimmelpfennig, Tatiana
Prerequisite: Successful completion of German 112 or German 200 level placement
This is a content-based reading and composition course that explores a number of social issues central to the lives of contemporary Germans; it aims to focus on those issues that are distinctively German as well as those more universal concerns that are approached in a distinctively German manner.
German 263/1.1: Film und Kultur
(2 credits)
Schimmelpfennig, Tatiana
Prerequisite: German 112 or 200 level placement
This is a content-based composition and conversation course that uses the medium of film to explore German culture at various points in its evolution over the past one hundred years. In so far as the setting for each of the movies highlighted below is Berlin, the current manifestation of the course provides historical and contemporary portraits of Berlin in particular.
German 490: Independent Study
German 491: Internship
Japanese 112F: Beginning Japanese II
(5 credits)
Staff
Prerequisite: Japanese 111 or placement
The course continues to introduce the basic Japanese communication skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students will increase understanding of the Japanese cultural perspective, and gain insight into the nature of language study. Ninety minutes per week of independent lab time required.
Japanese 212: Intermediate Japanese II
(5 credits)
Hoye, Masako
Prerequisite: C- or above in Japanese 211 or placement.
The course continues to introduce the fundamental Japanese communication skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students will begin to utilize the language to establish contacts with people beyond the walls of Wittenberg, and increase understanding of the Japanese cultural perspective. Ninety minutes per week of independent lab time required.
Japanese 312: Advanced Japanese II
(4 credits)
Hoye, Masako
Prerequisite: C- or above in Japanese 311 or placement.
A continuation of Japanese 311, the goal of the course is to develop culturally and socially appropriate proficiency in the four language skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Japanese 430: Topics in Japanese Language and Literature
(4 credits)
Hoye, Masako
Prerequisite: C- or above in Japanese 312
This course is designed to meet the needs of Japanese language students who have surpassed the highest levels of Japanese language study available in existing courses at the university. Course design will vary in accordance with student need, and may include select readings and conversation activities.
Japanese 490: Independent Study
Latin 112F: Intermediate Latin
(4 credits)
Roark, Margaret
Prerequisite: Latin 111 or equivalent
Continuation of grammar, exercises, selected readings in adapted and authentic classical Latin, and
discussion of Roman culture.
Russian 112F: Beginning Russian II
(5 credits)
Zaharkov, Lila
Prerequisite: Russian 111 or placement.
Continuation of 111, practice with conversation and grammatical patterns. Ninety minutes per week of independent lab time required.
Russian 130A/C: Real to Reel: Russian War in Film
(4 credits)
Zaharkov, Lila
Taught in English. No prerequisites.
Conflict is the foundation of drama. War, with all its horrors and triumphs, provides an effective setting for conflicts internal as well as external. The unfortunate impact of war throughout Russia's history has permeated its collective consciousness and created a culture that both grieves and celebrates simultaneously, accepting loss and finding hope and small victories in the midst of destruction. The Russian films in this course deal frankly with the anguish of war yet manage to hearten the viewer by the resiliency of the human spirit. All films have English subtitles and all coursework and discussion is in English. Due to the explicit depiction of war atrocities, students sensitive to violent imagery are cautioned in their choice of this class.
Russian 262/1.2: Art of Translation
(2 credits)
Zaharkov, Lila
Prerequisites: Russian 263
Introduction to the practice of good translation including more advanced topics in Russian grammar such as verbs of motion, verbal aspect and verb. Special attention to idiomatic expressions and formulaic speech patterns.
Russian 264/1.1: Voices from the Past
(2 credits)
Zaharkov, Lila
Prerequisites: Russian 260
Students will study the main currents of Russian history through readings, biographies, and films. Additional grammatical topics for reading Russian will be included.
Russian 490: Independent Study
Spanish 101/1.1& 1.2: Spanish for High Beginners
(2 semester hours)
Henlon, Sheree
Students will have a Workshop or 101 placement, or permission of Spanish faculty.
Designed for students who have had two years or less of previous instruction in Spanish but who are not yet ready to enter a 112 class. Course will review essential structures needed to prepare students for 112 classes, focusing upon the communicative structures of reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Spanish 112F: Beginning Spanish II
(5 credits)
Henlon, Sheree
Prerequisite: Spanish 111 or placement.
Grammar, composition, oral practice, and reading. Ninety minutes per week of independent lab time required.
Spanish 112F: Beginning Spanish II
(5 credits)
Cantrell, John
Prerequisite: Spanish 111 or placement.
Grammar, composition, oral practice, and reading. Ninety minutes per week of independent lab time required.
Spanish 112F: Beginning Spanish II
(5 credits)
Blanco, Fernando
Prerequisite: Spanish 111 or placement.
Grammar, composition, oral practice, and reading. Ninety minutes per week of independent lab time required.
Spanish 150F: Intermediate Spanish
(5 credits)
Garcia, Victor
Prerequisite: Spanish 112 or placement.
This course is designed to offer students at the intermediate level an opportunity to acquire communicative skills, improve their formal knowledge of the language, and develop an awareness and appreciation of Hispanic skills, improve their formal knowledge of the language, and develop an awareness and appreciation of Hispanic cultures. Lab component may be completed through an optional Service Learning Program tied to the course
Spanish 260/1.1: El mundo contemporáneo
(2 credits)
Blanco, Fernando
Prerequisite: Spanish 112, 150 or placement examination.
This course aims to develop students' knowledge in relevant contemporary issues currently modeling the life and destiny of Hispanic countries in relation to the world. The course also includes a review of some of the most complex aspects of Spanish grammar, and expands vocabulary for conversation.
Spanish 261/1.1: El mundo fisico
(2 credits)
Garcia, Victor
Prerequisite: Spanish 112, 150 or 200 level placement
This course serves as an introduction to the Hispanic world by highlighting the diverse nature of its people, cultures, climate, and geographic features. As a special topic, the course will look at the environment to see what measures others are taking to protect it. Spanish 261 will also include pronunciation practice and a review of imperative forms, adjectives, and prepositions.
Spanish 262/1.2: Entre dos mundos: el arte de la traducción
(2 credits)
Garcia, Victor
Prerequisite: Spanish 112, 150 or 200 level placement
This intermediate course will introduce students to some theories and practices of translation. Through translation practice from Spanish to English and English to Spanish, students will focus on nuance, style, and context of language/text. Students will read selected essays on translation and read selected texts in dual language versions, and create their own translations of short texts.
Spanish 263/1.2: El cine y el cambio social
(2 credits)
Blanco, Fernando
Prerequisites: Spanish 112, 150 or 200 level placement
This course introduces students to films from Spain and Latin America that intersect with social and historical transitions. Students will explore the cultural context of each film, analyze major themes, and discuss the role of film as a reflection of and catalyst for social change. Course also includes selected grammar topics and focuses on colloquial vocabulary that triggers opportunities for class conversation.
Spanish 264/1.1W: Voces del pasado
(2 credits)
Blanco, Fernando
Prerequisites: Four semester hours of 200-level courses in Spanish
This course gives students the opportunity to gain an understanding of the Spanish-speaking world by examining its rich cultural heritage. Through reading and writing activities, student learners will explore the complexity of the Hispanic world and how historical events have influenced human contact. The course will help students develop language skills for description and narration in the past. Writing intensive.
Spanish 265/1.2W: La diversidad en el mundo hispano
(2 credits)
Blanco, Fernando
Prerequisites: Four semester hours of 200-level courses in Spanish
This course will provide students the opportunity to explore human diversity in the Spanish-speaking world, in both historical and contemporary contexts. Through reading, viewing and writing activities students will gain an understanding of the complexities of identity, ethnicity, and multiculturalism across the Hispanic world, including the United States. The course will aid students in developing language skills to express and support opinion. Writing intensive.
Spanish 301A/1W: Introduction to Hispanic Literature I
(4 credits)
Blanco, Fernando
Prerequisite: Eight semester hours at the 200 level including Spanish 264 and Spanish 265
Provides an introduction to the major periods and movements through which Hispanic literature has evolved, from its beginnings to the 19th century. Designed to provide the student with the opportunity to acquire the technical vocabulary of the Hispanic literary critic. Includes discussions of the artistic implications of literature and presentation of the four basic genres: narrative, poetry, drama, and essay. Writing intensive.
Spanish 426/1W: Advanced Studies in Hispanic Literature II
(4 credits)
Henlon, Sheree
Prerequisite: One 300 level Spanish class
This course introduces students to the literature of the Hispanic Caribbean. Readings focus on the main issues that affect the Spanish-speaking islands, in particular the issue of cultural identity. The goal is for students to investigate how Caribbean writers of the Hispanic Caribbean have dealt with the historical legacy of this region, as well as to understand some of the challenges that the Caribbean region faces today.
Spanish 450 1W: Senior Seminar/The Border Crossed Us! Mexico and Mexicans in the United States
(4 credits)
McIntyre, Christine
Prerequisites: Spanish 301 or 302 and one 400 level Spanish course
In this class we will study the historic relationship between Mexico and the United States, the peoples and communities of the Southwestern borderlands, and Chicano/Mexican communities in other areas of the United States. We will discuss current issues between the two countries, especially immigration. We will also read and work with a variety of literary and cultural texts (novels, poetry, music, art, and film) in Spanish and English in order to better understand the identity and perspectives of long-standing U.S. Mexican/Chicano communities, andconflicts with dominant Anglo society. Writing intensive.
Spanish 490: Independent Study
Spanish 491: Internship
