Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures

University of Delaware

Student Friendly Course Descriptions

Level 200 and Above – Spring 2008 Courses

Arabic

Chinese

Classics

FLLT

German

Hebrew

Italian

Japanese

Portuguese

 French

Russian

Spanish

Chinese

CHIN  205:  Chinese Conversation (Mandarin)    (3 credits)

Renee Dong

With a strong emphasis on oral communication, this course is designed to further train students in all four areas of language so that they can function more effectively in Chinese culture. Specifically, the course aims to help students achieve an intermediate level of proficiency in Chinese conversation, as well as in reading and writing. The primary objectives are to help students:

• Carry out conversations on a range of topics related to daily life;
• Increase vocabulary and read essays on selected topics in more depth;
• Master complicated sentence patterns and grammars as well as improve writing skills;
• Recognize both traditional and simplified characters while writing effectively in at least one kind;
• Develop a more profound understanding of Chinese culture and society.

CHIN  355:  Advanced Readings in Chinese    (3 credits)

Chung-Min Tu

This course aims to help students further enhance their Chinese language proficiency at an advanced level in reading, writing and cultural competence. The course particularly emphasizes reading tactics. The reading materials for this course primarily cover the writings of modern Chinese literature and contemporary Chinese popular culture. The course will focus on such issues as: nationalism, revolution, gender, and major cultural movements related to China’s modernization projects. Selected films, which are adapted from the writings under discussion, will also be shown to complement the discussion. The course will be conducted in Mandarin Chinese. This course is offered with an Honors section (080).

Classics

LATN  202:  Intermediate Latin Poetry    (3 credits)

Lynn Sawlivich

An introduction to Latin poetry through the works of Catullus. We read selected short poems, including all of his love poems to his mistress Lesbia. Class time devoted both to translation and to reading aloud in correct poetic meters, especially hendecasyllables and elegiac couplets.

GREK  202/302:  Intermediate and Advanced Intermediate Ancient Greek Poetry    (3 credits)

Annette Giesecke

In the course of the semester, students will be introduced to the epic poetry of Homer. Readings from the Iliad will be accompanied by review of essential grammar and discussion of all parts of the famous "Homeric Question" : Was there a poet called Homer? Where was he born? Are the Iliad and Odyssey his work? Were the poems composed orally or in writing? Do the Homeric poems accurately reflect any historical period? What is the purpose of the poems, and why have they managed to resonate with audiences for thousands of years?

LATN  302:  Advanced Intermediate Latin Poetry    (3 credits)

Lynn Sawlivich

Author for Spring 2010: Catullus. Reading of the complete collection of his poems, both the shorter works in hendecasyllables and elegiac couplets and the longer mini-epics. Class time devoted both to translation and to reading aloud in correct poetic meters. Attention also given to his historical context in the Late Roman Republic, including his connections to political figures such as Caesar and Cicero.

LATN  402:  Advanced Latin Poetry    (3 credits)

Lynn Sawlivich

Author for Spring 2010: Catullus. Reading of the complete collection of his poems, both the shorter works in hendecasyllables and elegiac couplets and the longer mini-epics. Class time devoted both to translation and to reading aloud in correct poetic meters. Attention also given to his historical context in the Late Roman Republic, including his connections to political figures such as Caesar and Cicero. Meets jointly with 302; students in 402 submit a research paper in addition to the translation work of 302.

FLLT

FLLT  322:  Greek Tragedy    (3 credits)

Annette Giesecke

The aim of this course is to provide students with a broad overview of Greek tragedy, both in its development as a genre and in its physical production. Select works by the three foremost ancient Greek tragedians, Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, will be examined. At the end of the term, we will also take a brief look at the afterlife of Classical Greek tragedy. Special attention will be given to theme, character, manipulation of myth, gender issues, and socio- political relevance generally.

FLLT /WOMS  329:  Italian Women Writers II    (3 credits)

Laura Salsini

This course will address the development of female discourse in the poetry, plays, short stories, and novels of 20th century Italian women. The course emphasizes the works that best represent the myriad of women's voices in the past century. Not all authors subscribe to a feminist ideology, but their works share an interest in issues that concern women, including motherhood, gender roles, relationships between men and women, and those among women.

FLLT  331:  Love, Death, and Gender in Chinese Films    (3 credits)

Jianguo Chen

Why is there such a craze for Chinese films in the West recently? Come and find the answer for yourself.

This course will guide you into the spectacular world of the Chinese cinema which features numerous award winners at major international film festivals such as Cannes Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, and Venice Film Festival, as well as Hollywood's Academy Awards. You will watch masterpieces by internationally renowned directors such as Chen Kaige, Zhang Yimou, Ang Lee and John Woo, and mesmerizing performance by great actors/actresses such as Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Gong Li and Yun-Fat Chow. The course not only introduces you to Chinese culture/society through the cinematic perspective, but acquaints you with a knowledge of the Chinese film aesthetic and the Chinese filmmaking as well. The course is taught in English.

FLLT  345:  Modern Israel: Culture and Identity    (3 credits)

Eynat Gutman

Interested in the study of modern Israeli culture? This course will enlighten you in many ways: what are the origins of Zionism? Who is an Israeli Sabra? How did factors and events like the Holocaust and the Arab-Israeli conflict shape the Israeli society of today? Taught in English, the course will address such questions: Through historical background and the study of film, literature and music, we try to arrive to an understanding of this complex culture.

No knowledge of Hebrew is required; the course is taught in English.

FLLT  367:  Exile and War in Iraqi Literature    (3 credits)

Ikram Masmoudi

This course explores the situations and the unique experiences of Iraqi Women who witnessed war and exile. Through novels, essays and films by and about Iraqi women who have witnessed wars, sanctions and exile we will delve into the richness of their experiences, the violence and the trauma they suffered and the roles they are playing in the making of the history of their country.

FLLT  421/621:  Methods of Teaching Foreign Languages    (3 credits)

Ali Alalou

Interested in improving your teaching skills? Wondering how to organize your foreign language lessons more effectively? This introductory course on Foreign Language Pedagogy will give you the opportunity to study current perspectives on foreign language instruction, and extensive hands-on experience with the implementation of effective language teaching strategies. Special emphasis will be given to the enhancement of your proficiency in class planning and materials preparation, as well as the use of technology for the learning and teaching of foreign languages.

FLLT  425/625:  Technology-Enhanced Language Learning    (3 credits)

Tomás McCone

Why should any foreign-language educator or student learning a second language (L2) have any interest at all in technology given that L2 learning is such a social, if not face-to-face, process? Does technology constitute a teaching methodology in and of itself? Will technology ever replace teachers? Or is the only curricular role for technology to relieve the teacher of the more burdensome aspects of testing and rote drills, so that classroom time can be fully utilized for communication? What tools are available to teachers interested in using technology in the foreign language classroom and how are they used? Answers to these questions and many others will be explored as we survey some of the basic technical constructs of the web and the computer lab, introduce additional tools and extensions that enrich the internet’s use, and finally discuss a number of recent pedagogical approaches to web pages that are consonant with established SLA theories. This course includes a number of multimedia and other projects which will provide practical hands-on experience in using technology to enhance the foreign language learning experience.

French

FREN  200:  Grammar and Composition: Le Post-Colonialisme dans le Monde Francophone    (3 credits)

Cynthia Lees

A comprehensive grammar review contextualized in contemporary Francophone readings, this course is based upon the premise that a solid knowledge of French grammar is not only essential but also embedded in a cultural context. A thorough review of verb tenses is followed by the study of other grammatical structures including interrogative and negative forms, object pronouns, prepositions, and plurals. The course introduces grammar topics by way of excerpts from texts by Begag, Dadié, Le Clézio, Pérec, Prou, Carrier, and other 20th century authors, texts that highlight the particular grammatical point under review. Responding to comprehension questions on the texts, writing essays with multiple drafts, and reading a variety of prose fiction passages all encourage the development of a polished writing style. Short clips from classic French films—Mon Oncle, Indochine, Rue Cases-Nègres, for example—provide a rich visual and cultural backdrop against which the texts are explored.

FREN  205:  French Conversation    (3 credits)

Lysette Hall

This course is designed to help students improve their oral proficiency in French through discussions, debates, role-plays and short oral reports. Emphasis will be on vocabulary-building, as well as providing tools for managing conversations. Articles from French newspapers and magazines as well as video clips from current French broadcasts will be used to further develop students’ knowledge of contemporary France and the Francophone world, and improve their reading comprehension skills. Some grammar review may be included when needed.

FREN  209:  French Conversation through Film    (3 credits)

Cynthia Lees

A conversation course contextualized in recent mainstream films, animated shorts, and popular short documentaries, this class invites you to build and to practice your oral and aural skills in French while watching a variety of cinematic products from the French-speaking world. Many films are as close as your nearest laptop, and students will actively blog reactions at our class website.

FREN  211:  French Reading and Composition    (3 credits)

Judy Celli
Flora Poindexter

This course includes reading and discussion of French literature, frequent compositions and grammar review where appropriate.

The emphasis of this course focuses on improving reading fluency, critical reading skills, and composition. FREN 211 presents thorough readings of short stories with discussion of these readings beyond the level of plot and in conjunction with literary movements. Students will write compositions based on readings and other topics. Grammar will be reviewed when appropriate.

FREN  301:  Introduction to French Literature: Prose    (3 credits)

Bruno Thibault

Selected readings, with discussion and analysis, of the various genres of prose fiction (contes, nouvelles, romans) and non-fiction (essais) from the Middle Ages to the present.

You love literature, you love French, you love to read, but you’re sometimes unsure how to best approach a text and formulate your thoughts about it? Then FREN 301 and FREN 302 are designed for you. They will focus on the literary genres and their evolution in the major literary movements. A close reading of the texts will enable students to develop strategies for analyzing narrative techniques, poetic forms, dramatic structure. FREN 301 will focus on prose; FREN 302 will focus on poetry and theater.

FREN  302:  Introduction to French Literature: Poetry and Theatre    (3 credits)

Edgard Sankara

A gladiator, returning victorious from battle, slays his sister for her lack of patriotism; a young prince succumbs to the wrath of Neptune rather than betray the confidences of his evil stepmother. Enter the world of monsters, madmen, and maidens in distress! Introduction to French Poetry and Theater explores poets and dramatists from the Renaissance through the twentieth century with particular attention to the methods and language of literary analysis through close readings and explications de texte. In this course you will learn the terminology of literary criticism, employ this terminology in critical analyses of poems and plays, and will identify recurring themes – power, love, deception, loss, patriarchy, totalitarianism – in the works studied.

FREN  314:  French Phonetics    (3 credits)

Ali Alalou

Studies the sounds of the French language (both individual phonemes and items of connected speech, such as liaison, linking, intonation, etc.) Helps improve pronunciation of the language.

Do you know the difference between the pronunciation of “Louis” and “lui”? Do you still choke over your French “r”? Are you unsure of when to pronounce final consonants and when to drop them? Do Frenchmen pick you out as American as soon as you pronounce the first syllable of what you thought was their language? Then FREN 314 may be the course for you! Two hours of each week are spent learning the rules of pronunciation, practicing auditory discrimination, and transcribing French discourse, using the IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet); one hour a week is given to practicing the sounds in small groups. Oral exercises to accompany the textbook are available on the Internet.

FREN  326:  French Civilization II: A study of French cultural history from the Revolution to 1945    (3 credits)

Edgard Sankara

Did Marie Antoinette really say “Let them eat cake?” In which ways was Napoléon’s “Code civil” unkind to women and unfair to blacks? How did the Impressionists get their name? Why are Louis Pasteur and Ferdinand de Lesseps so famous? If these questions (or their answers) intrigue you, or if you’re simply interested in broadening your knowledge of French history and cultural history with a view to trying out for JEOPARDY, this may be just the course for you! French 326 traces the development of French civilization from the Revolution to the conclusion on World War II. A discussion of the French history of this period will be supplemented by slides, literary readings (poems, short stories, excerpts of longer works), and films (four out-of-class films are obligatory).

FREN  438/638:  Seventeenth-Century Prose and Poetry: Writing about Love    (3 credits)

Deborah Steinberger

Is love an ennobling passion? a dangerous snare? an unattainable ideal? a game of mirrors? In this course we will study the prevailing ideas about love in seventeenth-century France, considering male and female points of view, and a variety of literary genres: fable, fairy tale, maxim, letter, story and novel. You will encounter some of France’s best-known and most beloved authors (Molière, La Fayette, La Fontaine, for example) and also discover delightful texts by lesser-known writers (the fairy-tale pioneer Mme d’Aulnoy; the transvestite Abbé de Choisy). You will find their reflections on such topics as infatuation, jealousy, infidelity, incest, and gender identification surprisingly modern! To the extent possible, the course will be conducted as a literary salon: students will engage in debate, try their hand at composition, and critique each other’s work.

(MA students, please note that the course texts include at least five items from the MAFLL seventeenth-century reading list).

FREN  451/651:  20th Century French Literature – Age of Anxiety and Absurd    (3 credits)

Bruno Thibault

Do you think one can envision a world without a divine plan? Without divine transcendence are men and women condemned to immorality and violence? Is authentic art the expression of subconscious drives? In this class, we will discuss these themes and other related issues through close readings of masterpieces of French literature published during the interwar era, 1914-1944 (novels, essays and plays by Gide, Yourcenar, Sartre, Beauvoir and Camus). Special attention will be devoted to Surrealism (Breton, Éluard, Aragon, Char, Michaux) and Existentialism.

FREN  456:  French Theater Workshop    (3 credits)

Deborah Steinberger

Attention all theater enthusiasts and would-be actors: here's a class where you can improve your French as you develop dramatic technique! In this workshop-style class, the emphasis will be on staging and performance as we analyze French theater of different periods and genres. Class activities will include dramatic readings, improvisation, and exercises to improve diction. The course will culminate in a public presentation of our work. Please note that this course requires a strong commitment on the student’s part, and that as the date of our production approaches, some rehearsals may need to be scheduled outside of class time.

FREN  875:  Medieval and Renaissance Seminar: “Courtly Lovers and Others”    (3 credits)

Gary Ferguson

This course will offer a broad survey of medieval and sixteenth-century literature through the prism of the evolving representation of love and erotic passion. Beginning with some of the most famous writers of the idealizing tradition of courtly love (Béroul, Chrétien de Troyes, Marie de France), we will see that tradition parodied by later comic texts (the Roman de Renart and Aucassin et Nicolette) and poets (Villon). In the Renaissance, we will explore further questionings of the courtly tradition (Marguerite de Navarre), as well as its reinvigoration through new forms of lyricism (Ronsard, Labé) and the depiction of other forms of erotic relationship, such as love/friendship between those of the same sex (Montaigne, Ronsard, Jamyn, Desportes).

German

GRMN  211:  German Reading and Writing    (3 credits)

Ester Riehl

Designed as an introduction to literature for students who have developed basic German language skills, this course will enable you to read German fiction with greater ease and appreciation. In order to build confidence gradually, we’ll begin with very short stories, progressing step-by-step to longer ones. We’ll also work with contemporary music and film. On occasion, we’ll review selected aspects of grammar. There will be several short writing assignments, three essays, two tests, and a final exam.

GRMN  255:  Germany in the News    (3 credits)

Nancy Nobile

What are the hopes and realities that concern people in today's Germany? What role does Germany play in the expanding focus of the European Union? What are the most talked about cultural issues of the day? To find answers to these and other questions, we’ll read and discuss online newspaper and magazine articles, and view excerpts from German TV news. Discussion of emergent issues in Germany—from pop culture to world politics—will improve your speaking, reading, and listening skills. Students will work on creative short projects, do one oral report, and take midterm and final exams.

GRMN  325:  German Civilization and Culture    (3 credits)

Nancy Nobile

How did today’s Germany develop from the old Empire of a scant hundred years ago? In the span of a century the politics and culture of Germany have changed dramatically several times over. The topics we’ll discuss include urban modernization at the turn-of-century, the Weimar Republic, the rise and fall of the Third Reich, the two Germanys of the Cold War period, Unification, and the continuing development of the European Union. In addition to reading literature and historical documents, of these periods, we’ll also consider paintings, architecture, music, and films. Students will be asked to participate actively in class discussions, to write several short essays/homeworks, and to take a midterm and final exam.

GRMN  355:  Criminal Pursuits: German Stories of Murder and Foul Play    (3 credits)

Ester Riehl

German translations of Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle have long been popular, but German literature has its own tradition of the mystery novel. We will read stories of crime and murder from the 19th through the 21st centuries, including stories that are regarded a part of “serious” literature as well as “trivial” literature from German, Austrian and Swiss writers. Among the authors we will read: Joseph von Eichendorff, Friedrich Glauser, Arthur Schnitzler, Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Max von der Grün and Andrea Maria Schenkel. There will be several short writing assignments, two essays, one midterm and a final exam.

GRMN  433/633:  Nineteenth-Century German Literature    (3 credits)

Ester Riehl

In 1800 there was no unified German state. The vast majority of people lived in the country and worked in agriculture. There were no trains, no industry. By 1900 all of this had changed: Germany was one national state under the Prussian crown, Berlin had become a metropolis of nearly two million, cities grew under towering smokestacks, and railroads criss-crossed the nation. How did these changes affect literature? How was literature involved in these changes? How did German-speaking authors of the nineteenth century deal with these issues? We will ask these questions as we read texts by Georg Büchner, E.T.A. Hoffmann, Annette von Droste-Hülshoff, Adalbert Stifter, Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach and others. There will be several short writing assignments, two essays, plus a midterm and final exam.

GRMN  442/642:  From Naturalism to Expressionism    (3 credits)

Nancy Nobile

The movements occurring from the late nineteenth- through the early twentieth-century rank among the most fascinating periods in German literary history. How did writers depict the horror of World War I, the alienation of life in the metropolis, and the rapid changes in social mores? These upheavals prompted some truly bizarre works of art. We'll discuss texts by authors including Wedekind, Hofmannsthal, Kafka, Lou Andreas Salomé, Hesse, and Döblin. We will also consider some paintings and music of the period. There will be several short writing assignments, a mid-term exam, and a take-home final.

GRMN  875:  German Jewish Authors    (3 credits)

Monika Shafi

German literature has been profoundly shaped by countless German-Jewish writers and intellectuals. These include such illustrious names as Heinrich Heine, Rahel von Varnhagen, Arthur Schnitzler, Sigmund Freud, Franz Kafka, Gertrud Kolmar, Walter Benjamin, and many others. But in what specific ways have these authors, who often considered their Jewish identity as critical for their work, contributed or influenced German literature? How have they reacted to their precarious position in German society? What were some of their responses to National Socialism? And finally, who are the important contemporary Jewish voices? These are some of the issues we will discuss in this seminar, which will give you an overview of one of the most fascinating and tragic developments in German literature and culture. An oral report, a term paper and a final will be required.

Italian

ITAL  200:  Italian Grammar Review    (3 credits)

Laura Salsini

You want to learn a second language, but you’re afraid of being bored. Then take this opportunity to change your opinion! You will be engaged in learning Italian and its grammar through stories, movies, music, debates, and many other activities. Don’t hesitate! Choose Italian. Choose Italian 200.

ITAL  205:  Italian Conversation    (3 credits)

Laura Salsini

You’re so close to proficiency in Italian! Consolidate your hard-earned language skills in a series of conversations and oral presentations, with grammar review and written work when appropriate. Students will discuss current events along with material from film, the Internet and other sources.

ITAL  211:  Italian Reading & Composition: Short Fiction    (3 credits)

Riccarda Saggese

Let the masters of the Italian short story teach you to write! This course emphasizes vocabulary acquisition and written expression. Students will read and discuss short works of literature and film. You will improve your writing skills, add to your rich stock of conversation topics in Italian, and begin your love affair with contemporary Italian authors.

ITAL  305:  Advanced Italian Conversation and Composition    (3 credits)

Meredith Ray

Even though you speak and write in Italian, you might not be comfortable among high-spirited Italians engaged in discussing, for example, their favorite topics of love, religion and politics. This course will familiarize you with the current interests of Italians and the latest forms of the language through a multi-media presentation of present-day Italian life and culture. Oral and written assignments, including summaries, paraphrases, commentaries, interpretations, etc, will entitle you to participate in discussions with native speakers.

ITAL  326:  Italian Civilization and Culture II    (3 credits)

Riccarda Saggese

This course will trace the development of the modern Italian state, beginning with its roots in the Napoleonic era and continuing with its Unification in the 19th Century. Italy’s role in World War I and II will be examined, along with the rise of Fascism and Mussolini. Finally, the course will explore post-war developments, including the economic “boom”of the 1950s and ‘60s, the women’s movement of the 1970s, the years of terrorism, and the restructuring in the 1990s of the political system. Class readings will be supplemented with selections from literature, film, and the Internet.

ITAL  355:  Literature and Cinema of the Italian Emigration    (3 credits)

Gabriella Finizio

The great Italian “migration” began in the second half of the 1800, an exodus of biblical proportion that involved some 14 million people by the outbreak of World War I, and more than 26 million by 1970. Students will learn, through literary works and film, about the journey, arrival, work conditions/opportunities, and social life of the immigrants. The authors of these fascinating testimonials are, in addition to some famous Italian writers and film directors, the immigrants themselves. This course is in Italian. Critical essays, discussion, and short research paper will be some of the requirements for the course.

ITAL  455:  Italian Detective Fiction and Film    (3 credits)

Meredith Ray

This course focuses on the origins and development of Italian detective fiction, from the first mass-market gialli published in the 1930s to the present-day popularity of Camilleri’s Inspector Montalbano. We will explore how crime-writing is used to confront issues of justice, morality, politics, and regional identity in the Italian context, and how this genre conveys and questions ideas about knowledge, meaning, and “truth.” In addition to reading a selection of short stories and novels, we will also view film adaptations of several works in order to investigate the different functions and capacities of the detective story as cinema.

Japanese

JAPN  204:  The Art of Japanese Calligraphy    (3 credits)

Chika Inoue

This is an introductory course in the art of Shodo, Japanese calligraphy. Students will learn the esthetics and styles of traditional calligraphy through exposure to works done by masters and develop basic brush technique through rigorous practice. Once the rudimentary technique is mastered, students will move on to Japanese Kana poems, such as haiku and tanka, and Chinese Kanji poems. Abstract shodo is also explored.

JAPN  209:  Intermediate Situational Japanese    (3 credits)

Chika Inoue

In this course students practice using Japanese through oral reports on a variety of topics, including family, school, and work life. There will be an emphasis on improving conversational skills for social situations requiring different politeness levels. The four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Japanese are studied through various other activities such as games, role playing, short essays, written homework and kanji quizzes. Classes tend to be small and students receive lots of one-on-one attention during many different kinds of language-learning activities. This course continues and finishes the Genki vol. 2 textbook. Honors credit available.

JAPN  267:  Advanced Intermediate Japanese I    (3 credits)

Chika Inoue

This is a course in which grammar is heavily emphasized. Students learn to use various grammatical forms to convey different nuances. Classes are conducted in Japanese. About 75 additional Kanji will be introduced.

JAPN  305:  Japanese Conversation & Composition    (3 credits)

Chika Inoue

This is a course designed for students who want to achieve high level of fluency. Masterly of basic grammar prior to taking this course is essential. Activities will focus on making one’s language more natural and native-like, in its use of various grammatical forms, idiomatic and set phrases, different formality levels, Kanji and vocabulary. Activities emphasize giving descriptions and expressing opinions, in both written and spoken Japanese. Students are encouraged to design a special project.

Portuguese

PORT  316:  Intensive Portuguese for Spanish Speakers, II    (3 credits)

Cynthia Schmidt-Cruz

PORT 316 is a continuation of PORT 216. Students will continue to refine their command of the four language skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—and will complete the study of the basic grammatical structure of Brazilian Portuguese. As in PORT 216, there will be an emphasis on Brazilian culture through films, Power Point presentations, readings, and plenty of Brazilian music.

Once again, come prepared to groove to the rhythm and lyrics of samba and bossa nova, to speak lots of Portuguese, and to have a lot of fun learning a really cool language!

PORT 316 can be counted as Related Work for the Spanish major and toward the Latin American Studies major and minor. It is also part of the Foreign Language Certificate in Brazilian Portuguese.

Russian

RUSS  200:  Russian Grammar Review    (3 credits)

Alexander Lehrman

Continue your study of Russian at the 200 level in order to expand on the knowledge and develop the skills you acquired over your previous semesters of study. We will practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Russian through a variety of activities, using the terrific textbook V puti. At the same time, we will systematically review and complete our study of the fundamentals of Russian grammar, creating a solid foundation for further mastery of the language. All 300-level and 400-level Russian courses will build on what we cover here. Honors credit available.

RUSS  211:  Russian Reading and Composition    (3 credits)

Susan Amert

Read entertaining and deep 20^th century Russian short stories from a variety of genres (detective fiction, satire, adventure, children’s literature) to improve your reading skills and expand your vocabulary. Authors include Zoshchenko, Paustovsky, and Ilf and Petrov. Discussions will help you improve your speaking and listening skills, while writing exercises will facilitate your mastery of the material and develop your skills in composition. Designed to be taken at the same time as RUSS 200, this course will strengthen your grasp of the grammar covered in that course while allowing you to focus on reading and making sense of stories. Taking the two courses together will enable you to make a significant leap forward in learning the language, and that leap you will find very gratifying.

RUSS  312:  Introduction to Russian Literature II    (3 credits)

Susan Amert

In this course students will further develop their reading, speaking, listening, and writing skills in Russian through a study of twentieth-century literature. The course will trace literary developments in Russia from the revolution of 1917 to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. We will start by examining literary responses to the revolution, and then study how literary life changed, particularly after the establishment of the doctrine of Socialist Realism. Our main focus will be on authors who refused to conform to the demand that literature serve as a propaganda tool, including Mikhail Zoshchenko, Boris Pasternak, Anna Akhmatova, Marina Tsvetaeva, Osip Mandelstam, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Daniil Kharms, and Andrei Platonov. The short but compelling texts we will read and discuss will include short stories, poems, and excerpts from novels. Honors credit available.

RUSS  440:  The Russian Fairy Tale    (3 credits)

Alexander Lehrman

In this course we read and discuss representative fairy-tales from Afanasiev’s classic collection, including tales from the Firebird cycle. Based on the pioneering work of Vladimir Propp and Etienne Souriau, we study the structure of these fairy-tales, how they are interconnected with each other, and their significance for Russian literature, art, and the Russian world-view.

Spanish

SPAN  200:  Spanish Composition and Grammar    (3 credits)

Stacey Hendrix
Fatima Haq

Guadalupe Parras-Serradilla

An intensive study of selected grammatical topics (ser-estar, preterite and imperfect, present subjunctive and commands); vocabulary; grammatical exercises and short compositions. Offered with an Honors section (080).

In this course you will acquire new vocabulary, broaden and improve your knowledge of grammatical structures (agreement, verb tenses, pronouns, and much more). You will learn strategies for developing and refining your written communication skills.

SPAN  201:  Spanish Reading and Composition    (3 credits)

Meghan McInnis-Dominguez
Christina Guardiola-Griffiths

América Martínez
Lee Glen

This course places major emphasis on the development of reading, writing and analytical skills while studying literary selections from Spain and Latin America.

In this course the student has the opportunity to read a wide variety of Spanish and Latin American literature in three genres: poetry, narrative and drama. The student will develop reading skills as well as a solid knowledge of the literary terms and movements which will be encountered in more advanced literature classes. Compositions will be based on interpretation of the readings and will be directed towards reinforcing the use of literary terminology.

SPAN  205:  Spanish Conversation    (3 credits)

Carmen Finnicum
Krystyna Musik
Angel Felices

Practical use of Spanish by means of oral reports and discussions. Emphasis on improvement of basic conversational skills. Grammar review where appropriate, and/or some written work.

Would you like to be more fluent, more knowledgeable, and more effective as a Spanish speaker? If so, consider taking Spanish 205. The goal of this course is to achieve increased mastery of practical spoken Spanish in its cultural context. The language will be used strategically – to accomplish objectives and resolve conflicts – in realistic situations. Topics in which you will acquire greater linguistic and cultural expertise include travel, health, education, cuisine, sports, housing, family life, entertainment, telecommunications, and business. A wide variety of methodologies are used to build oral competence in real-world situations; these include role-playing activities, vocabulary expansion, cultural readings and films, speaking assignments, listening practice, grammar repair and review, and an individual final project. The course is conducted in Spanish.

SPAN  300:  Advanced Spanish Composition & Grammar I    (3 credits)

Lee Glen
Asima Saad Maura
Guadalupe Parras-Serradilla

This course is an intensive study of basic and complex grammatical topics with both oral and written practice to facilitate mastery of vocabulary and structures.

SPAN  302:  Survey of Spanish Literature    (3 credits)

Susan McKenna
Lee Glen

This course will cover Spanish literature from the 18th century to the present, including selections of representative works, discussions and collateral readings.

In this course we will explore the literature and culture of modern Spain chronologically, from the eighteenth century to the present. We will gain exposure to classic modern authors in every genre of Spanish literature. We also will sample the action, humor, wit and beauty of many other masterpieces, honing critical skills while exploring the evolution of modern Spain. Multimedia enrichment will add to our appreciation of Spanish literature and culture.

SPAN  304:  Survey of Spanish American Literature    (3 credits)

Gladys Ilarregui
Alexander Selimov
América Mártinez

Representative works in all genres of Latin American literature in the 20th century.

A survey of Spanish-American literature that covers from the beginning of the 20th century until the most recent literary manifestations. Reading selections (excerpts) of famous writers will provide a better understanding of a wide variety of peoples, cultures, and societies of those nations that we call Latin America.

SPAN  305:  Oral Communication    (3 credits)

Ángel Felices

For individuals with a comprehensive knowledge of Spanish grammar and vocabulary. Emphasis on refinement of expression of abstract ideas as well as mastery of practical communication.

You love Spanish. You would love to travel to Spanish-speaking countries. You can read Spanish and you can communicate but you want to be able to have meaningful Spanish conversation. This course is designed to help you speak Spanish more fluently and expand your vocabulary while learning current issues and customs in the Hispanic world. The goal is to enable you to sustain conversations and express your opinions on diverse topics. The course draws from a variety of resources, including short stories and essays, articles from the Spanish press, slides, videos, and satellite newscasts. Interactive formats such as class discussions, debates, oral presentations and scenarios will be used.

SPAN  325:  Spanish Civilization and Culture    (3 credits)

Ángel Felices

Survey of geography, history, art and society of Spain. Taught in Spanish. Required for teaching majors. Fulfills Group B Arts & Science requirement.

This course offers a survey of the geography, history, culture, politics and society of Spain. You will study key historical events, from prehistoric times to the most recent developments, as well as cultural movements that have shaped Spanish national identity. In this course, you will have to memorize many facts and important dates. The entire course is conducted in Spanish. All the readings for this course are in Spanish as well.

SPAN  326:  Latin American Civilization and Culture    (3 credits)

Persephone Braham

Spanish 326 is a PBL (problem-based-learning) class in which students will research and analyze fundamental aspects of the geography, history, politics and cultural production of Latin America from pre-Columbian times to the present. We place particular emphasis on questions of ethics and human rights, colonialism and nationalism, modernity, intervention, and globalization and neoliberalism. This is a process-oriented course, in which students are encouraged to:

• Discover the historical causes of modern-day problems in Latin America;
• Improve research and analytical skills;
• Develop independent learning skills;
• Master practical academic and presentation technologies

SPAN  401:  Advanced Spanish Composition and Grammar II    (3 credits)

Hans-Jörg Busch
Asima Saad Maura

A systematic study of standard written and oral Spanish syntax. Includes translation and syntactic exercises.

In this course you will study and practice – in speaking and writing – more advanced and specific structures of the Spanish language; for example: reflexivity, active vs. passive, text progression, determination, word order, direct vs. indirect speech, sequence of tenses, use of complex tenses, etc.

SPAN  415:  Latin American Literature and Its Political Context    (3 credits)

Gladys Ilarregui

This course will explore the complex and rich relationship of Latin American literature and politics. Students will examine how poetry and narrative literature is connected to particular revolutions and social changes throughout the course of Latin America history, from indigenous literatures to contemporary experiments with writing. The poets and writers we will address in this course are deeply committed to the development of a free society and social justice.

Examples of authors and works to be studied include: Ernesto Cardenal’s "Oración a Marilyn Monroe," pre and post Sandinista poems, Nicaraguan women poets of the revolution, and Cuban and Argentine writers dealing with particular moments of oppression and cultural politics. The course also examines film and other documentary materials created about these intense moments of political life.

SPAN  416:  Cervantes: Don Quijote    (3 credits)

Vincent Martin

This course will analyze Cervantes’s masterpiece, Don Quijote, within its literary and social contexts. Among the topics to be covered: major themes of the novel; the life and times of Cervantes; antecedents to Don Quijote in Spanish literature; the purpose of Don Quijote; introduction to the language of Cervantes. The course is taught in Spanish.

SPAN  436/636:  Literature of the Spanish Golden Age. “That’s What She Said”    (3 credits)

Vincent Martin

This course will focus on the role of women’s agency and sexuality in a patriarchal society, as reflected in some astonishing literary texts of early modern Spain and New Spain. Students will analyze: how female characters use gender to their advantage, even crossdressing when it suits their interest; how female authors rewrite popular texts written by men, giving them a new, and sometimes shocking, twist; and how one woman weaves together an intricate web of quotations by classical male authors to create a unique femal voice that she boldly uses to give political advice to the new governor, in a dangerously public forum. A selection of texts written by both men and women will allow students to examine how each gender views the role of women and the (potentially) forceful voice of women in a society dominated by men.

SPAN  439-010/080:  Postwar Spanish Narrative    (3 credits)

Joan Brown

This course explores narrative fiction from Spain, from the decade following the Spanish civil war of 1936-39 through the Franco dictatorship (1939-75) to the democratic era (1975 to the present). The primary goal of the course is to analyze outstanding works as individual literary creations, while situating them in their literary, historical, and sociocultural contexts. An ancillary goal is the enhancement of individual critical skills in Spanish, through intensive reading and writing. In this class, two sections are combined: Section 10 and Section 80-Honors.

SPAN  440/640:  Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Hispanic Literature    (3 credits)

Alexander Selimov

In this course we will read and analyze Spanish Neoclassical and Romantic Theater of the 18th and 19th centuries in order to understand the dialectic between individual and society, love and honor, faith and reason, life and death. The reading list includes Pelayo, Don Álvaro o la fuerza del sino y Don Juan Tenorio.

SPAN  467:  Latin American Studies Capstone    (3 credits)

Persephone Braham

Through intensive research and study of texts and artifacts centering on a single theme, students will integrate and focus their knowledge of Latin American cultures across three or more disciplines including political science, literature, history of art, anthropology, history, economics and geography. Latin American studies majors will use knowledge collected throughout their career in Latin American Studies to create a portfolio and research project for presentation to future employers and graduate programs. Taught primarily in Spanish. Spring 2010 theme: Latin American Cities. This course counts as a SPAN 4xx course for the Spanish major and minor.

SPAN  475-010:  Hispanic Culture and Civlization – Latin American Film    (3 credits)

Persephone Braham

In this course we will examine major historical and present-day problems in Latin America through both classic and popular films. We will study key film techniques, movements and artists including BuCluel, Gutirrez, Alea, Bemberg, Pereira dos Santos, Meirelles, and more. (Rated ‘R’)

SPAN  475-011/675:  Hispanic Culture and Civilization – Magic and Witchcraft in the Middle Ages    (3 credits)

Cristina Guardiola

Mention of magic and witchcraft more often than not elicits a mockingly skeptical response. Images of the supernatural are tarnished by a modern psyche overexposed to the campy vampire dramas (Twilight, True Blood, Angel, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer) or the paranormal version of reality TV (Paranormal State, Ghost Hunters). But how then can we understand the gamut of emotions – from reverence and respect to revulsion and fear – elicited by the witch of the Middle Ages? This course studies the transition of ideas regarding witches and witchcraft and illustrates how these ideas shed light on the marginalization of oppressed social groups of the Castilian Middle Ages.

SPAN  490:  Spanish Capstone    (3 credits)

Alexander Selimov

In this course we will explore the dynamics of identity formation and its representation in Spanish and Spanish American Cultures from a transatlantic perspective. In particular we will concentrate on literary texts that contributed to the creation of iconic images that we have come to associate with Spain and Spanish America.

SPAN  875:  The Contemporary Spanish Novel    (3 credits)

Joan Brown

This course explores the novel in Spain from the 1940s to the present, through in-depth analysis of landmark works of fiction. Novels will be studied as works of literary art within specific critical, historical, and sociocultural contexts. A twenty-first century novel also will be selected by each student for independent analysis. This course is a seminar in which graduate students take responsibility for contributions to the group. Through intensive participation and extensive reading and writing, each individual will hone his or her critical-analytical skills.