Last updated: January 8, 2014 @ 01:30PM
Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures
Chair
Leslie Anne Boldt
Professors Emeriti
Leonard Rosmarin, Herbert Schutz
Professors
Alexandre L. A. Amprimoz (French), Sandra L. Beckett (French), Irene M. F. Blayer (Spanish), Leslie A. Boldt (French), Corrado J. A. Federici (Italian), Jane M. Koustas (French)
Associate Professors
Cristina Santos (Spanish), Jean B. Ntakirutimana (French), Ernesto J. Virgulti (Italian)
Assistant Professors
May Bletz (Spanish), Carmela Colella (Italian), Tamara El-Hoss (French), Catherine Parayre (French), Felipe Ruan (Spanish)
Lecturer
Diane Bielicki (German)
Academic Adviser
Liz Kaethler
General Information
Administrative Assistant
Cora Solway
905-688-5550, extension 3312
Mackenzie Chown A240
http://www.brocku.ca/modernlanguages
The Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures offers a variety of courses and degree programs in French, Italian and Spanish as well as comparative and interdisciplinary courses in Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures (MLLC). The Department also offers courses in Arabic, German, Japanese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Swahili.
The Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures offers four-year programs of study leading to a BA Honours in French and Spanish, as well as a combined honours in Italian, three-year BA Pass degree programs in French, Italian and Spanish, and a concurrent five-year BA(Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior) degree in French. In addition the Department offers Minor programs in French, German, Italian and Spanish.
French, Italian and Spanish
Please consult the relevant entries for a listing of courses and program requirements.
The Department aims to provide students with a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of language (spoken and written), literature and culture. In addition to the courses taught in the language of each program, the Department provides a number of interdisciplinary courses combining subject matter selected from each of the language programs taught in English that are acceptable for credit toward a degree in any of the languages.
Students are encouraged to participate in one or more of the study programs in Québec, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Latin America.
One-Month Study in Portugal
This program offers students an opportunity to study for a month in the summer in Portugal. Students must consult with the Department prior to registration to determine the location. Participants may earn up to one credit in Portuguese language.
German
Students are encouraged to participate in both work and study abroad programs to improve fluency and experience German culture first-hand.
Program Notes
- Unless otherwise noted in the course description, courses numbered 2(alpha)00 and above are taught in the language while courses numbered 1F90 and below are taught in the language to the extent possible.
- GERM 1F00, 1F90 and 2F00 constitute a sequence. Once credit has been obtained in one of these courses, students are not allowed to take for credit a course in the language with a lower number in the sequence. Students may not take two courses at different levels in the sequence during the same term. This regulation also applies to courses taken at other institutions.
- The Department reserves the right to refuse admission to and/or credit for any of its language courses to a student who has, in the view of the Department, a level of competence unsuited to that course.
- A minor program may include no more than one-half GERM credit given in English.
- In 20 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; at least three credits must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
In 15 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
Minor in German
Students in other disciplines may obtain a Minor in German within their degree program by completing the following courses with a minimum 60 percent overall average:
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GERM 1F90 and 2F00 |
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GERM credit (see program note 4) |
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one GERM literature and/or culture credit numbered 2(alpha)00 or above (see program note 4) |
Course Descriptions
Note that not all courses are offered in every session. Refer to the applicable term timetable for details.
# Indicates a cross listed course
* Indicates primary offering of a cross listed course
Prerequisites and Restrictions
Students must check to ensure that prerequisites are met. Students may be deregistered, at the request of the instructor, from any course for which prerequisites and/or restrictions have not been met.
ARABIC COURSE
ARAB 1F00
Introductory Classical Arabic
Arabic script; grammatical structures and vocabulary of classical Arabic. Development of the four basic language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening).
Lectures, tutorial, 4 hours per week.
Note: open to students with no background in the language.
GERMAN COURSES
GERM 1F00
Introductory Language
Basic skills: grammar, conversational patterns, reading simple texts; developing oral comprehension and spoken skills. Films, recordings and on-line resources are used.
Lectures, language/computer lab, 4 hours per week.
Note: open to students with no background in the language.
GERM 1F90
Intermediate Language
Introduction of more complex grammar concepts, as well as conversational and written skills using 20th-century literary and media sources including films, recordings and on-line resources.
Lectures, language/computer lab, 4 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): GERM 1F00, Ontario grade 12U German or permission of the instructor.
GERM 1P93
Culture and Civilization of Central Europe: From the Prehistoric to 350CE
(also offered as CLAS 1P93)
Cultural development of central Europe from the earliest stone and pottery cultures, through the Bronze and Iron Ages, the Celts and Romans. Beliefs and practices, artistic style and architecture. Digitized images are used to illustrate the cultural evidence.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Note: given in English.
GERM 2F00
Language, Literature and Culture
Intensive study of current German language usage, modern literature and contemporary culture. Designed to improve communication, comprehension and written skills.
Lectures, language lab, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): GERM 1F90 or permission of the instructor.
GERM 2P80
Tutorial I
Study in an area of language or literature of mutual interest to the student and the instructor. Texts for language practice may be drawn from film, literature, or current news sources.
Tutorial, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: permission of the instructor.
Note: a written proposal must be approved by the Chair.
GERM 2P90
German Cinema
Major film directors and cultural trends in German cinema. Films studied may include those by Herzog, Fassbinder, von Trotta, Wenders, Schloendorff, Hirschbiegel, Verhoeven and Tykwer.
Lectures, 3 hours per week; plus weekly film lab.
Prerequisite(s): GERM 1F90 or permission of the instructor.
Note: given in English. German students will submit written work in German and will be assigned readings in German.
GERM 2P92
Language and Literature of the 20th Century
Overview of short narrative texts from pre-World War I to post-World War II. Designed to expand critical reasoning and writing skills, both active and passive vocabularies, and comprehension.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): GERM 1F90 or permission of the instructor.
Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in GERM 2F92.
GERM 3F99
Advanced Language Study
Intensive grammar review and introduction to advanced topics; translation; practice in speaking, writing and comprehension through written and oral projects, discussions, recordings, films and on-line resources.
Lectures, lab, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): GERM 2F00 (2F90) or permission of the instructor.
GERM 3P80
Tutorial II
Advanced study in an area of language or literature of mutual interest to the student and the instructor. Texts for language practice may be drawn from film, literature or current news article sources.
Tutorial, 3 hours per week.
Restriction: permission of the instructor.
Note: a written proposal must be approved by the Chair.
JAPANESE COURSES
JAPA 1F00
Introductory Japanese
Acquisition of language skills, such as writing (Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji), reading, listening and speaking as well as some knowledge of Japanese culture.
Lectures, tutorial, 4 hours per week.
Note: open to students with no background in the Japanese language.
JAPA 1F80
Intermediate Japanese
Further development of Japanese grammar, writing, reading and communication skills emphasizing socio-cultural situations.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): JAPA 1F00 (1P00 and 1P01) or permission of the instructor.
MANDARIN CHINESE COURSES
MAND 1P00
Mandarin Chinese I
Elementary Mandarin focusing on conversation, listening, basic grammatical structures and understanding of relevant customs. Introduction to Pinyin.
Lectures, tutorial, 4 hours per week.
Note: open to students with limited or no background in the language.
MAND 1P01
Mandarin Chinese II
Conversational Mandarin emphasizing vocabulary building, grammatical structures, customs and cultural knowledge. Introduction of Chinese characters.
Lectures, tutorial, 4 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): MAND 1P00 or permission of the instructor.
MAND 1P80
Mandarin Chinese III
Basic written and oral skills for everyday needs emphasizing practical communication and reading of Chinese characters.
Lectures, tutorial, 4 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): MAND 1P01 or permission of the instructor.
MAND 1P81
Mandarin Chinese IV
Written and oral skills, further development of vocabulary and grammatical structures focusing on writing Chinese characters for practical text development.
Lectures, tutorial, 4 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): MAND 1P80 or permission of the instructor.
MODERN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES AND CULTURE COURSES
MLLC 1P90
Introduction to Romance Linguistics
The science of language, focusing on linguistic structures of Romance languages (phonetics, morpho-lexicology, syntax, semantics) and illustrated by examples from various Romance languages (French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese).
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): one of 4U/M credit in French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, FREN 1P03, FREN 1F00, ITAL 1F00, 1F01, PORT 1F00, SPAN 1F00.
Note: Given in English. Major credit will not be granted to French, Italian or Spanish majors.
MLLC 2P94
Comparative Analysis of Romance Languages
(also offered as LING 2P94)
Romance languages; their structures, related concepts, differences and mutual influences.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Note: given in English. May be counted as part of a major program in French, Italian or Spanish.
MLLC 3P94
Translation Studies
Historical and contemporary perspectives on translation theory and practice. Topics may include the role of the translator, comparative/contrastive analysis, intercultural equivalence and interference, problems in literary and technical translations.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): one of FREN 2F00, GERM 2F00 (2F90), ITAL 2F00, SPAN 2P19 (2P21) and 2P20 or permission of the instructor.
Note: given in English. May be counted as part of a major program in French, German, Italian or Spanish.
MLLC 3P97
Immigrant Experiences: Narratives of Immigration and Acculturation in the Americas
Characteristics of immigration to the Americas from a comparative perspective, focusing on major destinations for transatlantic migrants in the Americas. Questions of ethnicity and cultural identity; the experiences of immigrants of Italian, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish-speaking backgrounds. Topics may include generational theories, concepts of the melting pot and works of fiction and non-fiction.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): one of FREN 2F03, GERM 2F00 (2F90), ITAL 2F00, SPAN 2P19 (2P21) and 2P20 or permission of the instructor.
MLLC 3P99
Modern Narratives: Expressionism and Surrealism
(also offered as LART 3P99)
French, German, Italian and Hispanic narrative writing dealing with Expressionist and Surrealist concerns such as revolt, emotion, dream and the unconscious.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): one of FREN 2F03, GERM 2F00 (2F90), ITAL 2F00, SPAN 2P19 (2P21) and 2P20 or permission of the instructor.
Note: given in English. May be counted as part of a major program in French, Italian or Spanish.
Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in GBLS 3P99.
MLLC 3Q90
Foreign Languages and Information Technology
Teaching methodologies and learning styles; evaluation of digital technologies; on-line, specialized software and internet resources in second language acquisition (French, German, Italian and Spanish).
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): two FREN, GERM, ITAL, MLLC or SPAN credits numbered 2(alpha)00 or above or permission of the instructor.
Note: given in English. May be counted as part of a major program in French, Italian or Spanish.
MLLC 3Q99
Modern Narratives: Existentialism
French, German, Italian and Hispanic narrative writing dealing with Existentialist concerns such as death, anguish, responsibility and engagement.
Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): one of FREN 2F03, GERM 2F00 (2F90), ITAL 2F00, SPAN 2P19 (2P21) and 2P20 or permission of the instructor.
Note: given in English. May be counted as part of a major program in French, Italian or Spanish.
MLLC 4P01
History of Romance Languages
Formation and evolution of the Romance languages from their origins to the present. Factors affecting language change: internal history (sounds and inflection) and external forces (politics, society, thought).
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): two FREN, ITAL, MLLC or SPAN credits numbered 2(alpha)00 or above or permission of the instructor.
Note: given in English. May be counted as part of a major program in French, Italian and Spanish.
MLLC 4P05
Early Modern Cultures
The Early Modern Period in Europe (15th - 18th centuries) emphasizing France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Topics may include political, scientific, moral, aesthetic and philosophical thought; tragedy; law and literature; civility and courts; the Reformation. Authors may include Corneille, Descartes, Montaigne, Brant, Lessing, Luther, Ariosto, Castiglione, Machiavelli, Calderon, Cervantes and Lope de Vega.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): two FREN, GERM, ITAL or SPAN courses numbered 2 (alpha)00 or above.
Note: given in English. May be counted as part of a major program in French, Italian or Spanish or of a minor program in German.
PORTUGUESE COURSES
PORT 1F00
Introductory Portuguese
Listening, reading, writing and speaking; emphasizing a communicative approach to learning a language.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Note: for students with no background in Portuguese.
PORT 1F90
Intermediate Portuguese
Review of Portuguese grammar emphasizing written and oral practice. Introduction to Portuguese and Brazilian literary and cultural readings, as well as topics of current interest.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): PORT 1F00.
Note: for students with some background in Portuguese.
PORT 1P95
Conquest and Colonization
(also offered as INTC 1P95 and SPAN 1P95)
Creation of a new culture founded on Amerindian, Iberian and African traditions; visual arts, architecture, literature and music; disparity between cultural identity and economic and political identity, utopian ideals, alienation through imitation, rediscovery of autochthonous cultural models.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Note: given in English.
PORT 2P10
Latin American Culture Since Independence
(also offered as INTC 2P10 and SPAN 2P10)
Social, political and cultural history of the Latin American nations through text and images. Topics include cultural hybridization and identity.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Note: given in English.
Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in INTL 2P10.
PORT 2P11
Iberian Culture
(also offered as INTC 2P11 and SPAN 2P11)
Social, political and cultural history of Portugal and Spain through historical and literary texts, film and other visual arts.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Note: given in English.
Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in INTL 2P11.
PORT 2P82
Latin American and Iberian Film
(also offered as SPAN 2P82)
Spanish and Latin American representations of identity crises involving issues of nationality, ethnicity, gender, religion and politics. Pastiche, parody and camp aesthetics, and the envisioning of new possibilities of solidarity leading to social transformations.
Lectures, 3 hours per week; plus weekly film lab.
Prerequisite(s): SPAN 1F90, 1F91 or permission of the instructor.
Note: given in English. Spanish and Portuguese language films with English subtitles.
PORT 3P94
Iberian Narrative
(also offered as SPAN 3P94)
Themes and narrative techniques that characterize the works of major 20th-century authors as well as contemporary Spanish and Portuguese authors.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): SPAN 2P19 (2P21) and 2P20 or permission of the instructor.
Note: taught in Spanish.
PORT 4P10
Readings in Medieval Iberian Narrative
(also offered as SPAN 4P10)
Development of narrative traditions through the early 15th century and their historical contexts.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): SPAN 2P19 (2P21) and 2P20 or permission of the instructor.
Note: taught in Spanish
RUSSIAN COURSE
RUSS 1F00
Introductory Russian
Development of the basic skills in language proficiency (reading, writing, speaking and comprehension).
Lectures, 4 hours per week.
SWAHILI COURSE
SWAH 1F00
Introductory Kiswahili
Fundamental conversation skills and basic grammatical structures of Kiswahili, focusing on the four basic language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Introduction to major aspects of contemporary Kiswahili culture.
Lectures, 3 hours per week.
Note: open to students with no background in the language.