Undergraduate Academic Programs / Departments / Courses
78 Modern Languages
http://www.upei.ca/arts/modern-languages
Modern Languages Faculty
Sanda Badescu, Associate Professor, Chair
Pamela Bastante, Associate Professor
Doreley Coll, Associate Professor
Scott Lee, Associate Professor
The Department of Modern Languages provides its students with the opportunity to study various languages and to obtain a good grounding in these, but sees languages within its appropriate cultural contexts, i.e., the acquisition is seen as a vehicle to enter the thought, history, literature, cinema etc., with which each of the languages is associated. The Department offers a full program in Spanish and students other languages are made available in response to student interest and availability of instructor. In the past, introductory courses have been offered in Chinese, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Scottish Gaelic. For Japanese or other Asian languages see Asian Studies.
French
The Department of Modern Languages provides courses for several categories of students: for persons with little or no French, for those who have had French through high school, and for students who are fluent in French through residence, or through family, etc. A placement test must be taken prior to the beginning of classes to confirm the level at which these students should register. The Placement Test is available on the web during the summer months via the Department of Modern Languages website. During the rest of the year please contact the departmental secretary.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN FRENCH (NOTE: As per Academic Regulation #1 h), all undergraduate degree programs require successful completion of IKE-1040, one of UPEI-1010, 1020 or 1030, and a Writing Intensive Course.)
1. A major consists of a minimum of 42 semester hours of French.
2. French 2410 and French 2420 are required courses.
3. At least 24 semester hours must be taken from upper-level courses above 2420.
4. In the case of students transferring credits for courses taken elsewhere at least 6 semester hours at the upper level must be taken at UPEI.
ELECTIVES
Students must include at least 12 semester hours in a modern language or modern languages other than French. In addition to the University’s requirement of One of UPEI 1010, UPEI 1020, or UPEI 1030 AND one writing intensive course AND IKE 1040, they should also include courses in History and Philosophy. Students should discuss these courses or other alternatives with the Chair of Modern Languages as early as possible.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN FRENCH
1. A minor in French consists of 21 semester hours of courses.
2. French 2410 and French 2420 are required courses.
3. At least 9 semester hours must be taken from among upper-level courses above French 2420.
4. In the case of students transferring credits for courses taken elsewhere, at least 6 semester hours at the upper level must be taken at UPEI.
COURSE SEQUENCES AND RESTRICTIONS
Students may not reverse the sequence of any courses taken from French 1010 to French 2420, with the exception of French 2090.
FRENCH COURSES
1010 INTRODUCTION TO FRENCH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE I
This course proposes fundamentals of French and French culture through a progressive acquisition of basic communication skills and an understanding of the practices and products of French language and Francophone cultures. This course is open only to students who have a limited background in French. The French Placement test is mandatory in order to enroll.
PREREQUISITE: French Placement Test (Refer to Modern Languages Home Page for link to placement test)
Three hours a week plus lab or online
1020 INTRODUCTION TO FRENCH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE II
This course is a continuation of French 1010.
PREREQUISITE: French 1010 or French Placement Test (Refer to Modern Languages Home Page for link to placement test)
Three hours a week plus lab
1210 BASIC FRENCH I
This course is designed for students who have completed (or almost completed) the high school French core program, for those who have completed 102, or those who are placed into the course through the Placement Test. The major grammar points are are studied in order to take the student from the most elementary vocabulary to an ability to function adequately in simple everyday situations. The French Placement test is mandatory in order to enroll.
PREREQUISITE: French 1020 or French Placement Test (Refer to Modern Languages Home Page for link to placement test)
Three hours a week plus lab or online
1220 BASIC FRENCH II
This course is a continuation of French 1210.
PREREQUISITE: French 1210 or French Placement Test (Refer to Modern Languages Home Page for link to placement test)
Three hours a week plus lab
2110 FRENCH V
This course is a detailed review of all areas of French grammar.
It is designed for students who have completed the high school French Immersion Program or French 1220, or who have been identified through the Placement Test.
PREREQUISITE: French 1210 or French Placement Test
Three hours a week plus lab
2120 FRENCH VI
This course is a continuation of French 2110.
PREREQUISITE: French 2110 or French Placement Test
Three hours a week plus conversation class
2210 LANGUE ET LECTURES I
This course is designed for students who have completed the high school French Immersion Program, or who have completed 2120, or who are placed into the course through the Placement Test. This course entails a detailed and accelerated study of all areas of French grammar, accompanied by analysis of short texts.
PREREQUISITE: French 2120 or French Placement Test
Three hours a week plus conservation class
2220 LANGUE ET LECTURES II
This course is a continuation of French 2210.
PREREQUISITE: French 2210 or French Placement Test
Three hours a week plus conversation class
UPPER-LEVEL COURSES
NOTE: Only three or four upper-level courses per semester are offered. For courses offered each year check the timetable.
2410 FRENCH COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS I
This course is designed for students who have completed French 2220, or who have been placed into it through the Placement Test. The aim of this course is to improve writing skills through an advanced analysis of both French grammar and short literary and critical texts. Various writing tasks such as the portrait, description, narration, letter writing, and critical analysis of literary texts are practiced.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or French Placement Test
Three hours a week plus conversation class
2420 FRENCH COMPOSITION AND ANALYSIS II
This course is a continuation of French 2410.
PREREQUISITE: French 2410 or French Placement Test
Three hours a week plus conversation class
2510 INTRODUCTION TO FRENCH LITERATURE
This course is a survey of the dominant movements and major authors of French literature. It comprises lectures in simple French and readings of the representative passages chosen for their literary importance and their accessibility.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
2520 LE FRANÇAIS DES AFFAIRES
This course is oriented towards French oral and written communication in the business setting. The world of business is examined from the angle of its vocabulary related to job searches, the C.V., administrative and commercial correspondence, as well as communication as it is used in and outside of the workplace.
Cross-listed with Business 2530.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
2610 INTRODUCTION Á L’EDUCATION EN FRANÇAIS AU CANADA
(See Education 2130).
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
While the progression of courses is normally from the 3000-level to the 4000-level, there is no difference in the level of difficulty, and the available timetable in any given year may involve taking 4000-level courses before 3000-level courses.
3090 SPECIAL TOPICS
Creation of a course code for special topics offered by Modern Languages at the 3000 level.
3110 PRATIQUE DE LA COMMUNICATION EN FRANÇAIS I
This course is an upper-level grammar course designed for students who already have a good knowledge of French. It focuses on the acquisition of practical knowledge and skills to improve writing in specific contexts such as essays, activity reports, summaries, reviews, etc. The course covers various types of writing and, at the same time, reviews important basics essential for proficient writing in French.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
3120 PRATIQUE DE LA COMMUNICATION EN FRANÇAIS II
This upper-level course focuses on the development of oral and writing skills in French communication in various professional contexts such as education, health, business, university, etc.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
3130 LITTÉRATURE FRANÇAISE CONTEMPORAINE I
This course is a study of the leading writers and movements and the historical and social changes which influenced them up to the outbreak of the Second World War.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
3210 XIXe SIÈCLE: 1800-1850
This course consists of a study of what has traditionally been known as the Romantic period (1800-1850) in French literature, illustrated by authors such as Chateaubriand, Musset, Hugo, Nerval, and Sand. However, other literary figures of the period such as Stendhal, Balzac, Gautier, Mérimée, whose works (by turns realist, fantastic, or a hybrid mixture of diverse influences) resist easy classification, are also studied.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
3220 XIXe SIÈCLE: 1850-1900
This study of French literature focuses on the second half of the nineteenth-century. The main themes and trends of realism, naturalism and symbolism are studied through texts by authors such as Flaubert, les Goncourt, Baudelaire, Rimbaud, and Zola.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
3330 XVIIIe SIÈCLE: L’AGE DES LUMIERES I
This course provides an introduction to the French literary world of the XVIIIth century, from 1715 to 1750, with emphasis on the historical and political context which led to the age of Enlightenment, as well as on the study of various works of prose and drama produced by famous authors of the time, such as Montesquieu, Diderot, Marivaux and l’Abbé Prévost.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
3340 XVIIIe SIÈCLE: L’AGE DES LUMIERES II
As a continuation of 3330, this course focuses on the literary productions of the second half of the century, with emphasis on the critical and philosophical aspects of the works selected, as well as on the development of a pre-romantic sensibility towards the end of that period.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
3380 INTRODUCTION à la SOCIÉTÉ QUÉBÉCOISE
This course discusses the history and more specifically the culture of Québec. Students examine social productions of Québec throughout history: politics, the family, language, the arts, literature, the educational system, ideologies, fétes, etc. The course is accompanied by a multimedia presentation including a multitude of images, videos, and films.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
3390 THÉÂTRE CANADIEN-FRANÇAIS
This course proposes an introduction to theatrical production in French Canada from its origins to the present day. Questions to be discussed include: the representation of history, cultural appropriations, dominant themes, the mixing of genres, time and space, discourse analysis, theatrical language, etc.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
3430 XVIIe SIÈCLE: LE GRAND SIÈCLE I
This course is a study of the major writers associated with the concept of Classicism. The focus is on the first half of the seventeenth century.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
3440 XVIIe SIÈCLE: LE GRAND SIÈCLE II
This course focuses on writers in the Age of Louis XIV.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
4010 RENAISSANCE
This course focuses on French literature of the XVIth century, with emphasis on the historical and political contexts which have led to the development of Humanism in France, as well as on the study of various works of prose and poetry produced by authors of the time such as Rabelais, Marguerite de Navarre, DuBellay and Montaigne.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
4020 CHEVALIERS ET MAGIE AU MOYEN AGE
This course focuses on French literature from the IXth century to the XVth century, with emphasis on the historical and political contexts which led to the development of literary and cultural discourses in Old French. As well, various works of prose and poetry produced by the authors of the period are studied.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
4030 LA NOUVELLE FRANÇAISE
This course comprises a study of the French short story across the centuries, including such authors as Cazotte, Sade, Gautier, Balzac, Maupassant, Flaubert, Mauriac, Camus, and Yourcenar. The readings are coupled with a theoretical attempt to define the genre such as nouvelle, conte, nouvelle contée.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
4090 SPECIAL TOPICS
Creation of a course code for special topics offered by Modern Languages at the 4000 level.
4210 LE ROMAN CONTEMPORAIN I
This course examines the French novel by exploring the various literary and philosophical movements of the contemporary era (existentialism, the new novel, and beyond). These trends are illustrated through readings of representative authors.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
4320 LITTÉRATURE ET CINEMA
This course consists of the study of the relation between French-language literary texts and their film adaptation, ranging from the seventeenth century to the modern day. Various questions of the inter-textual relationship are explored, including aspects specific to each genre.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
4330 LA CRITIQUE LITTÉRAIRE
This course provides an overview of various critical schools and methods whose object is the study of literary texts. Among the approaches studied are narratology, psychoanalysis, sociocriticism, deconstruction, and structuralism. The study of these methodologies is combined with practical applications to literary texts.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
4340 THE AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL GENRE IN FRENCH LITERATURE
This course examines French literary works classified as autobiographical, including essays, memoirs, letters, and diaries. It takes as its focus, representative authors starting from the Renaissance up to the present day. The texts studied illustrate historical and cultural movements through several centuries of French literature.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
4410 LITTÉRATURE CANADIENNE-FRANÇAISE I: DE LA NOUVELLE-FRANCE AU XIXe SIÈCLE
This course proposes a study of the emergence of writing in New France and of the status of the novel in the cultural life of the nineteenth century, specifically the conditions of writing, and the relationship between the novel and the ideologies of the era. It includes a study of works which are thematically and stylistically significant.
Cross-listed with English 3230.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
4420 LITTÉRATURE CANADIENNE-FRANÇAISE II: XXe SIÈCLE
This course proposes a reading of Québec novels representative of the most important social and literary movements in the 20th century: the roman de la terre, the urban novel, the psychological novel, the novel of the Révolution tranquille, and the contemporary novel. The evolution of literary forms is studied as a function of the ideological shifts in Québec society throughout the 20th century.
Cross-listed with English 3240.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
4430 CULTURE ET LITTÉRATURE ACADIENNES I
This course comprises a critical reflection on Acadian literature and culture, with a particular emphasis on the oral tradition. Many aspects of Acadian culture are considered, including how the Deportation of 1755 is represented in historical documents and literature, the works of contemporary authors, and the Acadian culture of Prince Edward Island.
Cross-listed with Acadian Studies 4430
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
4440 CULTURE ET LITTÉRATURE ACADIENNES II
This course comprises a critical reflection on modern Acadia, from the 1970s to the present day. It looks at many aspects of Acadian culture, including novels, songs, and poetry, and the emerging importance of the visual arts.
Cross-listed with Acadian Studies 4440
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
4460 TRADUCTION: ANGLAIS-FRANÇAIS
This course covers a wide range of everyday material, e.g., government documents, letters, news items, advertising material, and literary extracts in English. Close attention will be paid to the style of language appropriate to each different type of translation.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
4470 TRADUCTION: FRANÇAIS-ANGLAIS
This course covers a wide range of everyday material, e.g., government documents, letters, news items, advertising material, and literary extracts in French. Close attention will be paid to the style of language appropriate to each different type of translation.
PREREQUISITE: French 2220 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week plus conversation class
4480 PREPARATION AU BÉD FRANÇAIS LANGUE SECONDE I
This course aims to prepare students for the UPEI BEd Français Langue Seconde program. It will focus primarily on oral and written communication in order to help students reach the B2 level on the DELF exam. In this asynchronous course, students will direct their own learning through activities based on real-world, everyday contexts. This learning includes oral (expression and comprehension) and written (expression and comprehension) components.
PREREQUISITE: FR 2220 or French Placement Test or permission of instructor
Three hours a week
Note: This course does not count for credit toward the Major in French or the Minor in French, but does count toward the six semester hours in French required for admission to the UPEI Bachelor of Education Français langue seconde.
4481 PREPARATION AU BÉD FRANÇAIS LANGUE SECONDE II
This course complements FR 4480, and also aims to prepare students for the UPEI BEd Français Langue Seconde program. It will focus primarily on oral and written communication in order to help students reach the B2 level on the DELF exam. In this asynchronous course, students will direct their own learning through activities based on real-world, everyday contexts. This learning includes oral (expression and comprehension) and written (expression and comprehension) components.
PREREQUISITE: FR 2220 or French Placement Test or permission of instructor
Three hours a week
Note: This course does not count for credit toward the Major in French or the Minor in French, but does count toward the six semester hours in French required for admission to the UPEI Bachelor of Education Français langue seconde.
4510-4520 DIRECTED STUDIES
Centered around an author or a topic, this course is specifically designed to enable students to express themselves and to do research on their own. Students will be given topics to research and to present to the class. (See Academic Regulation 9 for Regulations Governing Directed Studies.)
Spanish
REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN SPANISH (NOTE: As per Academic Regulation #1 h), all undergraduate degree programs require successful completion of IKE-1040, one of UPEI-1010, 1020 or 1030, and a Writing Intensive Course.)
Under the supervision of the Department, a student is allowed to major in Spanish if he/she shows a high level of interest and competency in the subject and intends to cover the minimum requirement of 42 semester hours.
This would be done under the approval of a Departmental Committee and the Dean of Arts after all courses taken or intended to be taken, at UPEI or another Canadian or foreign institution, have been considered. It is highly recommended that students take part of the exchange programs available with the University of Salamanca (Spain) and/or the University of la Republica (Uruguay).
A major consists of a minimum of 42 semester hours of Spanish.
ELECTIVES
Students must include at least 12 semester hours in a modern language or modern languages other than Spanish.
Students should discuss these courses or other alternatives with the Chair of Modern Languages as early as possible.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A MINOR IN SPANISH
A minor in Spanish consists of 21 semester hours of courses in the following sequence:
1. 12 semester hours:
Spanish 1010/1020 Introductory
Spanish 2010/2020 Intermediate
2. At least 9 semester hours at the 3000 or 4000 level in Spanish, at least 6 semester hours must be taken at UPEI at the upper level.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY IN CONVERSATIONAL SPANISH
Studies leading to a Certificate of Proficiency in Conversational Spanish are designed for individuals with no background in Spanish. The program accommodates people wanting to learn Spanish so that they can communicate proficiently with people in another culture, increase professional qualifications, or gain new skills and expertise. Courses at the 1000- and 2000-level focus on basic language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Courses at the 3000-level emphasize oral linguistic competence through discussion of cultural and socio-political issues in the Hispanic world.
A Certificate of Proficiency in Conversational Spanish consists of:
1. 18 semester hours of courses in the following sequence:
1010-1020 Introductory Spanish
2010-2020 Intermediate Spanish
3030-3040 Advanced Spanish
After completion of the required course work, success in an oral examination of linguistic competence in Spanish and knowledge of civilization and culture pertaining to the Hispanic world.
SPANISH COURSES
1010 INTRODUCTORY SPANISH I
Spanish 1010 is intended for students with no knowledge of Spanish. The course gives students solid grounding in the fundamentals of the Spanish language by engaging them, in both classroom and language laboratory settings, in communicative use of the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Upon successful completion of the course, students obtain a comprehensive outline of Spanish grammar and are able to sustain a conversation on a variety of daily topics.
NOTE: This course may not be taken for credit if any of the following have already been successfully completed: SPAN-1020, SPAN-2010, SPAN-2020, SPAN-3010, SPAN-3020, SPAN-3150, SPAN-4010, or SPAN-4020.
Three hours a week plus lab
1020 INTRODUCTORY SPANISH II
Spanish 1020 is a continuation of Spanish 1010. The course further develops the language structures introduced in Spanish 1010. Students are exposed to the fundamentals of the Spanish language by a) engaging them in classroom and language laboratory settings; b) in communicative use of the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing; and c) familiarizing them with aspects of Hispanic culture.
NOTE: This course may not be taken for credit if any of the following have already been successfully completed: SPAN-2010, SPAN-2020, SPAN-3010, SPAN-3020, SPAN-3150, SPAN-4010, or SPAN-4020.
PREREQUISITE: Spanish 1010 or permission of the instructor – Must be completed prior to taking this course.
Three hours a week plus lab
2010 INTERMEDIATE SPANISH I
This course is intended for students who have successfully completed Introductory Spanish (SPAN-1010 and SPAN-1020). It prepares intermediate students to use Spanish in real-life situations by emphasizing oral communication and by developing reading and writing language skills. Practical, high frequency vocabulary presented in culturally authentic contexts takes students beyond the basic survival skills acquired in introductory classes and sets the stage for extended interaction. The course gives special attention to matters of syntax and style through written composition and translation exercises. The course also includes oral discussions, conversations, and literary and cultural readings.
NOTE: This course may not be taken for credit if any of the following have already been successfully completed: SPAN-3010, SPAN-3020, SPAN-3150, SPAN-4010, or SPAN-4020.
PREREQUISITE: Spanish 1020 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week
2020 INTERMEDIATE SPANISH II
This course is intended for students who have successfully completed Intermediate Spanish I (SPAN-2010). It prepares students to use Spanish in real-life situations by emphasizing oral communication and by developing reading and writing language skills. It enhances students’ linguistic proficiency, allowing them to handle a variety of social situations. Students also develop cultural and historical understanding of Spain and Latin America. By the end of Spanish 2020, students have insight into the grammatical structures of the language, are able to recognize different varieties of Spanish, and sustain conversations in real-life situations.
NOTE: This course may not be taken for credit if any of the following have already been successfully completed: SPAN-3010, SPAN-3020, SPAN-3150, SPAN-4010, or SPAN-4020.
PREREQUISITE: Spanish 1020 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week
2030 INTENSIVE STUDY ABROAD
This is an intensive second-year level language course offered in cooperation with the University of Salamanca, Spain. Over a four-week period students attend 100 hours of language classes designed to consolidate grammar and common idiomatic expressions, and to increase active vocabulary. In addition, students take part in daily two-hour oral-culture sessions. Students are also encouraged to participate in activities of the university community and in weekend field trips.
PREREQUISITE: Spanish 1020
Six semester hours of credit
2090 SPECIAL TOPICS
Creation of a course code for special topics offered by Spanish at the 2000 level.
2150 SPANISH FOR BUSINESS
This course is designed to prepare students who have an intermediate competence in Spanish with the skills necessary to conduct business in Spanish-speaking countries successfully. Students will continue to develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing proficiency through a variety of exercises, such as preparing written documents (CVs, letters and memos), and oral presentations. In addition, students can expect to learn specialized vocabulary and important cultural aspects of business language that will be useful for meetings in Spain and Latin America.
PREREQUISITE: Spanish 2020
3010 COMPOSITION AND ORAL PRACTICE I
This course aims to develop a high degree of competence in written and oral Spanish. Two hours a week are devoted to “composition,” including grammar, vocabulary, translation, stylistics, and original expression. The third hour is devoted to oral work in a small “conversation” class. (Also offered in Salamanca and Uruguay).
NOTE: This course may not be taken for credit if any of the following have already been successfully completed: SPAN-3020, SPAN-4010, or SPAN-4020.
PREREQUISITES: Spanish 2020 or permission of the instructor
3012 ADVANCED SPANISH CONVERSATION
The course improves conversational skills in Spanish as well as advanced grammatical structures. Students take part in various activities, such as, class discussions, cultural readings, debates, and small groups work.
PREREQUISITES: Spanish 2020 or permission of the instructor
3020 COMPOSITION AND ORAL PRACTICE II
This course is a continuation of Spanish 3010. The course focuses on reading and composition, and is intended to give students the opportunity to acquire and use new vocabulary, resolve persistent grammatical difficulties, and learn techniques for the development of a good writing style. Requirements include completion of an anthology of readings in Spanish, and regular short essay assignments. (Also offered in Salamanca and Uruguay).
NOTE: This course may not be taken for credit if any of the following have already been successfully completed: SPAN-3020, SPAN-4010, or SPAN-4020.
PREREQUISITES: Spanish 3010 or permission of the instructor
3030 ASPECTS OF SPANISH CIVILIZATION AND CULTURE
This course offers a general view of the development of civilization and culture in Spain from its beginnings to the present. It is organized to introduce students to the major political and social movements in Spanish history and the principal trends in the arts that have given Spain an idiosyncratic culture within the broader context of Western Civilization. A variety of language models, including classroom discussions, set the stage for assimilation of the conversational function of the language. The course is conducted in Spanish and is intended to complement language studies as well as provide a foundation for subsequent courses in Hispanic literature.
PREREQUISITE: Spanish 2020 or permission of the instructor
3040 ASPECTS OF SPANISH-AMERICAN CIVILIZATION AND CULTURE
This course provides an overview of the beginnings of civilization and culture in Latin America from the Pre-Colombian civilizations of the Mayas, the Aztecs and the Incas to modern times. Five periods are studied in detail: the Pre-Conquest, the Conquest, Colonial Life, Independence Movements, and Modern Times. These historical periods also integrate artistic, cultural and literary movements. The course is conducted in Spanish and is intended to complement language studies as well as provide a foundation for subsequent courses in Hispanic literature.
PREREQUISITE: Spanish 2020 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week
3090 SPECIAL TOPICS
Creation of a course code for special topics offered by Spanish at the 3000 level.
3120 IBERO-AMERICAN LITERATURE
This is a course on Contemporary Ibero-American Literature (from 1810 to the present) with emphasis on the study of the different stylistic trends of this period. Selected works representative of the three traditional literary genres are analyzed in class. Students are also introduced to the basic concepts of theoretical and methodological approaches in the study of literature: narratology, post-structuralism, feminism, and phenomenological hermeneutics. The course is conducted in Spanish and is intended to complement language studies as well as provide a foundation for subsequent courses in Hispanic Literature.
PREREQUISITE: Spanish 2020 or permission of the instructor
Three hours a week
3130 SPANISH PENINSULAR LITERATURE
This course introduces the literary tradition of Spain through consideration of the characteristics of its major literary periods: the Renaissance, the Baroque Age, Romanticism, and the Modern Era. Students are introduced to the basic concepts within theoretical and methodological approaches in the study of literature: narratology, post-structuralism, feminism, and phenomenological hermeneutics. The course is conducted in Spanish and is intended to complement language studies as well as provide a foundation for subsequent courses in His- panic Literature.
PREREQUISITE: Spanish 2020 or permission of the instructor
3150 TRANSLATION AND COMPOSITION I
This course is intended for students who have an intermediate level in Spanish and wish to perfect their grammatical, speaking, and reading comprehension skills. This course is dedicated to intensive practice in advanced translation from English to Spanish and Spanish to English with a focus on lexical and syntactic matters. In addition, students can expect to write compositions based on current literary and cultural issues.
PREREQUISITE: Spanish 2020 or permission of instructor
4010 THE STRUCTURE OF SPANISH
This advanced Spanish grammar course aims to perfect students’ ability to write and speak correctly and fluently. This course provides an introduction to the formal analysis of the language, covering topics in basic grammatical construction, Spanish morphology (the analysis of word structure), Spanish syntax (the analysis of sentence structure), and Semantics (the study of sentences and word meanings). Central issues in phonological, morphological, and syntactic variations are analyzed from geographical and social points of view. (Also offered in Uruguay).
PREREQUISITES: Spanish 3020 or permission of the instructor
4020 PRACTICAL TRANSLATION
This course is designed for students who have an adequate command of the language, but who have an interest in a professional orientation. Translations from English to Spanish and Spanish to English include materials from diverse subjects such as business, sciences, politics, arts, theatre, and literature. (Also offered in Uruguay)
PREREQUISITES: Spanish 3020 or permission of the instructor
4050 THE LEGACY OF THE SPANISH MYSTICS
This course provides a brief introduction to the study of the mystical tradition that reached Spain in the 16th century and the influence it has had on contemporary women writers. The works of Saint Therese of Jesus and those of St. John of the Cross are studied in detail. Students are introduced to the latest critical trends in literary and feminist theory. Classes are in the form of lectures and seminars, and are conducted in English.
Cross-listed with English 3690.
PREREQUISITE: Spanish 2020 or permission of the instructor. No prerequisite for English 3690
Lecture/Seminar: Three hours a week in Spanish
NOTE: Students taking this course as a Spanish credit must submit their written assignments in Spanish. The instructor will provide a weekly tutorial for Spanish students, conducted in Spanish.
4070 SPANISH MEDIEVAL LITERATURE
This course proposes to give students an overview of the literature produced in the Spanish Middle Ages through a variety of canonical texts from the eleventh to the fifteenth century. The texts selected for this course are studied in their socio-historical and socio-political contexts. Some of the literary genres studied are: the early lyric, the epic (Poema de Mío Cid), courtly and ecclesiastical poetry, didactic literature, and theatre. In addition to these genres, the French, Muslim and Jewish influences in the literary production of Medieval Spain are studied, as well as the problematic of the “originality” of medieval texts and the medieval “author”.
PREREQUISITE: Spanish 2020 or permission of instructor
4090 SPECIAL TOPICS
Creation of a course code for special topics offered by Spanish at the 4000 level.
4150 CERVANTES’ DON QUIXOTE AND THE FORMATION OF THE MODERN NOVEL
This course studies Don Quixote in the context of Cervantes’ life and times. It examines the novel’s social, political, and historical context; its reception in seventeenth-century Spanish society; the narrative structure and its determinants of gender and class; the intertextuality with major classical works of the Renaissance; and the metafictional, self-reflexive characteristics of the text. A variety of literary theory approaches are studied. The course is generally given in Spanish.
PREREQUISITES: Spanish 2020 or permission of the instructor
4510-4520 DIRECTED STUDIES
Centered around an author or a topic, this course is specifically designed to enable students to express themselves and to do research on their own. Students will be given topics to research and to present to the class. (See Academic Regulation 9 for Regulations Governing Directed Studies.)
MODERN LANGUAGES COURSES
Whenever circumstances warrant it, the Department offers courses in languages other than French or Spanish. In the past introductory courses have been offered in Chinese, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Mi’kmaq and Scottish Gaelic. For Japanese or other Asian languages see Asian Studies.
1010 INTRODUCTION TO [A SELECTED MODERN LANGUAGE] I
This course is intended for students with no proficiency in the language. This course provides an introduction to the language in question, through the study of pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar. It includes numerous oral drills, frequent written exercises, short oral presentations and simple readings.
Three hours a week
1020 INTRODUCTION TO [A SELECTED MODERN LANGUAGE] II
This course is intended for students with no proficiency in the language. This course is a continuation of Modern Languages 1010. It provides further study of vocabulary and grammar and introduces aspects of civilization.
Three hours a week
2090 SPECIAL TOPICS
A lecture course in which various topics or issues are explored in an introductory manner. Detailed descriptions of each year’s Special Topics courses will be available in the Department’s Calendar Supplement.
2110 LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES: SOUTH AMERICA
This course is an introduction to the socio-political history and theories of cultures in Brazil, the Andean, and the Southern Cone regions of South America. Some of the topics examined are the construction of the nation state, populist governments, military dictatorships, the search for social reform in the 20th century, and the transition to economic development. Subtopics include: slavery and native servitude, acculturation, immigration and urbanization, machismo and marianismo, and current native and women’s movements. Classes are conducted in English.
NOTE: Students taking this course as a Spanish credit must submit their written assignments in Spanish. The instructor will provide a weekly tutorial for Spanish students conducted in Spanish.
2120 LATIN AMERICAN STUDIES: MEXICO AND THE CARIBBEAN
An introductory course studying the development of societies in Mexico and the Caribbean from its pre-Columbian past to this heterogeneous present. Cultural, geographical, historical, literary, political and social topics are examined combining traditional historical narratives with art, cinema and other texts from popular culture and mass media. The course is structured thematically around significant themes and events. Some of the themes covered are the Mexican, Cuban and Nicaraguan revolutions, gender relations and U.S. imperialism and hegemony policies in the region. Classes are conducted in English.
NOTE: Students taking this course as a Spanish credit must submit their written assignments in Spanish. The instructor will provide a weekly tutorial for Spanish students conducted in Spanish.
3090 SPECIAL TOPICS
A lecture course in which various topics or issues are explored in an introductory manner. Detailed descriptions of each year’s Special Topics courses will be available in the Department’s Calendar Supplement.
4090 SPECIAL TOPICS
A lecture course in which various topics or issues are explored in an introductory manner. Detailed descriptions of each year’s Special Topics courses will be available in the Department’s Calendar Supplement.