Last updated: March 2, 2015 @ 12:46PM
Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures
Chair
Tamara El-Hoss
Professors Emeriti
Dennis Essar, Leonard Rosmarin, Herbert Schutz
Professors
Sandra L. Beckett, Irene M. F. Blayer, Leslie A. Boldt, Corrado J. A. Federici, Jane M. Koustas
Associate Professors
Carmela Colella, Tamara El-Hoss, Jean B. Ntakirutimana, Catherine Parayre, Felipe Ruan, Cristina Santos, Ernesto J. Virgulti
Assistant Professors
Renée-Claude Breitenstein, Astrid Heyer, Nigel Lezama
Lecturer
Diane Bielicki
Academic Adviser
Liz Hay
General Information
Administrative Assistant
Cora Solway
905-688-5550, extension 3312
Mackenzie Chown A240
brocku.ca/modernlanguages
The Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures offers a variety of courses and degree programs in French Studies, Hispanic and Latin American Studies and Italian Studies. The Department also offers courses in Studies in Comparative Literatures and Cultures (SCLC) as well as language courses in Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian and Swahili.
The Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures offers four-year programs of study leading to a BA Honours in French Studies, as well as a combined honours in Hispanic and Latin American Studies, Italian Studies, and Studies in Comparative Literatures and Cultures, three-year BA Pass degree program in French Studies, as well as a combined pass in Hispanic and Latin American Studies, and a concurrent five-year BA(Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior) degree in French Studies. In addition, the Department offers Minor programs in French Studies, German, Hispanic and Latin American Studies and Italian Studies.
French Studies, Hispanic and Latin American Studies (Spanish and Portuguese) and Italian Studies
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 in Studies in Comparative Literatures and Cultures (SCLC) 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.
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.
In some circumstances, in order to meet university degree and program requirements, more than 15 or 20 credits may be taken.
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 1P91
German for Exchange Students
Introduction of more complex grammar concepts, as well as conversational and written skills using 20th-century literary and media sources including films, recordings and online resources.
Lectures, language/computer lab, 4 hours per week.
Restriction: permission of the instructor.
Note: additional vocabulary/phrases to better prepare Business student for their academic exchange will be provided.
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, tutorial, 4 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, von Trotta, Hirschbiegel, Murnau, Verhoeven, Vilsmaier, von Donnersmarck, Akin and Tykwer.
Lectures, 3 hours per week; plus weekly film lab.
Prerequisite(s): GERM 1F90 or permission of the instructor.
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 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.
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.