[ Foreign Languages & Literatures ]

Course Offerings

2009–2010

One unit of course credit equals four semester hours.

Foreign Languages
Arabic
French
German
Spanish

FOREIGN LANGUAGES
FL 209 World Literature in English
An introduction to the literatures of the French, German, Italian, and Spanish speaking countries, particularly as they reflect the literary and cultural traditions of these regions. Major focus varies according to the background of the faculty member involved. Taught in English. No prerequisite. Fall Term, Spring Term.

FL 215 Genocide and the Holocaust
Study of the causes, development, and contemporary and current responses to the Holocaust. Reading of accounts of survivors and scholars struggling with the meaning of the Holocaust. Requires students to wrestle with the hows and whys of the Holocaust and their significance for their personal and social values. No prerequisite.

FL 221 The Nature of Language
An introduction to the meaning and use of language in our society. Deals with theories of the origin of language, first and second language acquisition, the nature of bilingualism and biculturalism, the structural elements of language and everyday discourse, and the relationship between language and society. No prerequisite. Fall Term, Spring Term.

FL 320 Non-Western Culture via Literature and Film
Topical cultural study of Africa, Latin America, or Asia. Literature and feature films from and about selected countries. Students also study the arts, history, and cultural anthropology of these countries. Goals: understanding and appreciation of traditions and current issues of non-Western cultures and their place in global society. No prerequisite.

FL 440 Special Methods in the Teaching of Foreign Languages
A study of recent trends, materials, and techniques, as well as a consideration of practical problems in the teaching of grammar, culture, and literature. Includes lesson presentations to college classes and videotaping of them. Prerequisites: SEC 410, 300-level courses and preferably at least one 400-level course. Usually offered Fall Term with sufficient enrollment. Should be completed prior to the beginning of student teaching.

FL 495 Honors Independent Research
Half course
This course affords Honors Program students the opportunity to design and implement a significant research project in the field of foreign languages culminating in an appropriate public dissemination of the research methods and findings. This research must build upon previous course work taken within the major or minor, facilitating faculty supervision and  guidance. Repeatable for credit. Permission of the faculty supervisor and the Director of the Honors Program required prior to registration.

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ARABIC
ARB 101, 102 Elementary Arabic I, II
Conversation and fundamental grammatical structures introduced through communicative exercises and practice in reading and writing, speaking, and listening. Cultural context emphasized. Prerequisite: ARB 101 or equivalent for ARB 102. ARB 1010 Fall Term; ARC 102 Spring Term.

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FRENCH
The French major consists of seven courses, 28 hours, beginning at the 300-level, in each of the following areas: conversation/composition, culture, and literature. Students should generally take French 301 and 302 before enrolling for any other 300- or 400-level courses.

FRN 101, 102 Elementary French I, II
Conversation and fundamental grammatical structures introduced through communicative exercises and practice in reading and writing, speaking, and listening. Cultural context emphasized. Prerequisite: FRN 101 or equivalent for FRN 102. FRN 101 Fall Term; FRN 102 Spring Term.

FRN 201, 202 Intermediate French I, II
Practical conversation, review of grammar through oral practice, use of films, and other materials. Development of the skills of speaking and listening and the ability to communicate effectively while traveling in French-speaking countries. Intensive review of grammar. Prerequisite: FRN 102 for FRN 201; FRN 201 for 202. FRN 201 Fall Term; FRN 202 Spring Term.

FRN 301 French Conversation and Composition
Emphasis on improving oral and written expression of accurate, idiomatic French. Focus on improving communication skills through the enrichment of vocabulary, the reading of contemporary poetry and prose, and the use of videos, films, and magazines. Prerequisite: FRN 202.

FRN 302 Advanced French Conversation and Composition
Final review of grammar. Writing of one- to two-page compositions about topics of French culture and literature. Development of vocabulary and syntax necessary for sustained conversation in French. Prerequisite: FRN 301.

FRN 305 Business French
Presents the lexical, syntactical, and stylistic features typical for business French. Reading and discussion of business articles and correspondence. Study of cultural aspects of business communication. Areas covered include banking, advertising, import-export, insurance, computers, and travel. Prerequisite: FRN 301 or consent of instructor.

FRN 313, 314 Cultural Heritage of France I, II
A historical survey of French civilization in which literature, history, geography, arts, science, and political institutions are studied. Provides a framework in which to understand literature as well as contemporary events. Development of reading skills and emphasis on the cultural, sociological, and aesthetic implications of the texts. Prerequisite: FRN 301.

FRN 452 Directed Reading
Extensive study of a particular period, author, or movement in French literature. Some past topics have included: 20th-century French literature, 19th-century French novel, 17th- century French theater. Repetition for credit with different topics. Prerequisite: FRN 302.

FRN 492 Independent Study
A course for French majors who wish to pursue an intensive program of reading on an individual basis. Approval of department chair and instructor required.

FRN 495 Honors Independent Research
See FL 495.

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GERMAN
The German major consists of seven courses, 28 hours, beginning at the 300-level, in each of the following areas: conversation/composition, culture, literature, and at least one semester in Salzburg, Austria, with the Bowling Green State University program. Students should generally take German 301 and 302 before enrolling for other 300 or 400-level courses.

GRM 101, 102 Elementary German I, II
Introduction to German. Focus is on communicative competency, i.e., learning to understand and speak German. Study of German culture. Most learning of the language is done through drill sections, lab sessions, interviews, and role playing. Prerequisite: GRM 101 or equivalent for GRM 102. GRM 101 Fall Term; GRM 102 Spring Term.

GRM 201, 202 Intermediate German I, II
Continued development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Use of films, slides, and tapes to develop skills and learn more about German culture. Readings about German life. Includes a comprehensive review of grammar. Prerequisite: GRM 102 for GRM 201, GRM 201 for GRM 202. GRM 201 Fall Term; GRM 202 Spring Term.

GRM 301 German Conversation and Composition
Primary emphasis on improving listening, speaking, and writing skills. Use of readings covering many different aspects of contemporary German life and culture. Short compositions and grammar review. Prerequisite: GRM 202 or equivalent. Fall Term.

GRM 302 Advanced German Conversation and Composition
Final review of grammar. Writing of one- to two-page compositions about topics of German culture and literature. Development of vocabulary and syntax necessary for sustained conversation in German. Prerequisite: GRM 301 or equivalent. Spring Term.

GRM 305 Business German
Presents the lexical, syntactical, and stylistic features typical for business German. Reading and discussion of recent business articles and correspondence. Study of cultural aspects of business communication. Topics include banking, advertising, import-export, travel, and industrial relations. Prerequisite: GRM 301 or by consent of instructor.

GRM 313, 314 German Civilization and Literature I, II
A historical survey of the history, literature, geography, arts, and political institutions of the German-speaking countries. Background for an understanding of contemporary German culture and of the literary traditions of the German-speaking peoples. Required of all German majors. Prerequisite: GRM 301 or equivalent.

GRM 452 Directed Reading
A seminar providing opportunity for intensive study of an author, a period of German literature, or another discipline. In addition to the readings, emphasis is on oral skills. Some past topics have included: history of the Third Reich, the Novelle, advanced business German, and contemporary German culture. Repetition for credit with different topics. Prerequisite: GRM 301 or equivalent.

GRM 492 Independent Study
For German majors who wish to pursue an intensive program of reading on an individual basis. Approval of department chair and instructor required.

GRM 495 Honors Independent Research
See FL 495.

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SPANISH
The Spanish major consists of seven courses (28 hours), beginning at the 300-level. The following upper-division courses are required and should be taken in the following sequence: one grammar/composition, one conversation (or business  Spanish), one Spanish culture, one Spanish-American culture, two literature, and one elective in Spanish..

SPN 101, 102 Elementary Spanish I, II
Essentials of Spanish grammar and syntax, extensive oral practice, and cultural introduction to Spain and Spanish America. Prerequisite: SPN 101 or equivalent for SPN 102. SPN 101, Fall Term; SPN 102, Spring Term.

SPN 201, 202 Intermediate Spanish I, II
A study of the culture of Spain and Spanish America combined with a review of Spanish grammar to achieve improvement in reading and conversation skills, oral comprehension, and writing ability. Prerequisite: SPN 102 for SPN 201; SPN 201 for SPN 202. SPN 201 Fall Term; SPN 202 Spring Term.

SPN 301 Spanish Grammar and Composition
Primary emphasis on an advanced grammar review as well as the improvement of reading and writing skills through the use of one- to two-page compositions about varied topics. Students will consult Spanish periodicals and audio-visual materials covering many aspects of contemporary life. Prerequisite: SPN 202 or equivalent. Fall Term.

SPN 302 Spanish Conversation
Practice in listening and speaking skills as well as the development of vocabulary and syntax necessary for sustained conversation in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPN 301 or equivalent. Spring Term.

SPN 305 Business Spanish
Presents the lexical, syntactical, and stylistic features typical for business Spanish. Reading and discussion of business articles and correspondence. Study of cultural aspects of business communication. Topics include banking, advertising, import-export, insurance, computers, and travel. Prerequisite: SPN 301 or consent of instructor. Fall Term.

SPN 307 Spanish for Native Speakers I
An introduction to academic Spanish, and the notion of formal and informal register for native speakers who already possess advanced communicative skills in the language. Studentswill also survey the history, film, and literature of the  Spanish-speaking world. There is an emphasis on reading, writing, and vocabulary building. Prerequisite: placement by the department via a specially designed test.

SPN 308 Spanish for Native Speakers II
Continuation of SPN 307. Reviews grammatical conventions of academic Spanish at an advanced level. Students will  continue to survey the history, film, and literature of the Spanish-speaking world. Increased emphasis on composition
and reading. Prerequisite: SPN 307.

SPN 310 Introduction to Hispanic Literature
An introduction to the critical reading and interpretation of Hispanic literature, principally from Spain and Latin America, through the study of narrative, poetry and drama. Readings, class discussion, and reports are in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPN 302 or equivalent. Spring Term.

SPN 312 Spanish Culture
A historical survey of the culture and civilization of Spain in which geography, ethnicity, art, music, literature, and social and political institutions are studied. Provides a framework in which to understand contemporary events as well as literature. Readings, class discussion, and reports are in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPN 302 or equivalent. Fall Term.

SPN 313, 314 Survey of Spanish Literature I, II
A survey of representative major Spanish authors and their works from the Middle Ages to the present. Extensive readings, lectures, class discussions, and reports in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPN 312 or equivalent. SPN 313 Fall Term; SPN 314 Spring Term.

SPN 321 Introduction to Spanish Sociolinguistics
A survey of the Spanish language from a sociolinguistic perspective. Covers concepts such as language vs. dialect,  discourse analysis, bilingualism, languages in contact, and the relationship between language and pedagogy. Readings, class discussion, and reports are in Spanish.

SPN 322 Spanish Pragmatics
On a very basic level, pragmatics refers to the way we convey meaning through communication. This meaning includes  verbal and nonverbal elements and varies depending on the context, the relationship between people talking, and many other social factors. This course introduces students to the study of communicative acts, miscommunication due to  inappropriate pragmatic action, and the strategies to learning pragmatic features of a language. Students will survey  theories of communication such as courtesy, irony, and semantic vs. pragmatic interpretation of speech. Readings, class  discussion, and reports are in Spanish.

SPN 334 Spanish American Culture
A historical survey of the civilization and culture of Spanish America in which geography, ethnicity, art, music, literature, and social and political institutions are studied. Provides a framework in which to understand contemporary events as well as literature. Readings, class discussion, and reports are in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPN 302 or equivalent. Spring Term.

SPN 335, 336 Survey of Spanish-American Literature I, II
A survey of representative major Spanish-American authors and their works from the Conquest to the present. Extensive readings, lectures, class discussions, and reports in Spanish. Prerequisite: SPN 334 or equivalent. SPN 335 Fall Term; SPN 336 Spring Term.

SPN 452 Directed Reading
A seminar providing opportunity for intensive study of an author, a period of Hispanic literature or culture, or another discipline. Topics have included Spanish Medieval and Golden Age Literature, Hispanics in the U.S., 20th-Century Latin American Novel, and the Spanish Civil War. Repetition for credit with different topics. Prerequisite: SPN 302 or equivalent.

SPN 492 Independent Study
For Spanish majors who wish to pursue an intensive program of reading on an individual basis. Approval of department chair and instructor required.

SPN 495 Honors Independent Research
See FL 495.

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