Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures

Chair

Carmela Colella

Professors Emeriti

Sandra L. Beckett, Leslie A. Boldt, Dennis Essar, Corrado J. A. Federici, Leonard Rosmarin

Professors

Irene M. F. Blayer, Jane M. Koustas

Associate Professors

Renée-Claude Breitenstein, Carmela Colella, Tamara El-Hoss, Nigel Lezama, Jean B. Ntakirutimana, Catherine Parayre, Felipe Ruan, Cristina Santos, Ernesto J. Virgulti

Lecturer

Diane Bielicki

Academic Adviser

Liz Hay

General Information

Administrative Assistant

Violetta Clitheroe

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 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, and Italian Studies, three-year BA Pass degree program in French Studies, as well as a combined pass in Hispanic and Latin American Studies, a concurrent five-year BA(Honours)/BEd (Intermediate/Senior) degree in French Studies and a Certificate in Spanish Language Proficiency. 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 MLLC courses 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

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:

	GERM 1F90 and 2F00
	GERM credit (see program note 4)
	one GERM language 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

Development of basic skills in grammatical structures, reading of simple texts, oral comprehension and conversational fluency. Integration of cultural and social aspects. 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 1P03

Introductory German for Exchange Students

Development of basic skills in grammatical structures, reading of simple texts, oral comprehension and conversational fluency. Integration of cultural and social aspects. Films, recordings and on-line resources are used.

Lectures, language/computer lab, 4 hours per week.

Restriction: permission of the instructor.

GERM 1P91

Intermediate 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, Iron and Celtic Ages, ending with the Gallo-Roman period. Beliefs and practices, material objects, artistic developments, 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.

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.

GERM 2P95

Language through Film and Literature of the 20th Century

Culture, history and politics of German-speaking regions through short prose texts and contemporary films. Emphasis on oral comprehension, and reading and writing skills as well as on critical reasoning.

Seminar, film lab, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): GERM 1F90 or permission of the instructor.

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. Not open to native speakers.

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.

Note: Not open to native speakers.

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 1F90

Cultures of Western Europe

Emergence of distinct Western European cultures and civilizations from the early modern period to modern times; cultural, political and religious perspectives.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in SCLC 1F90.

MLLC 2F00

Literatures of Western Europe

Comparative approach to the study of major works and writers from France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): MLLC (SCLC) 1F90 or permission of instructor.

MLLC 2P90

Comparative Approach to Literary Criticism

Introduction to literary theory and critical approaches to comparative literature, and application to literary texts.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): MLLC (SCLC) 1F90 or permission of instructor.

Corequisite(s): MLLC 2F00 or permission of the instructor.

Note: may be counted as part of a major program in French Studies, Hispanic and Latin American Studies or Italian Studies.

#MLLC 2P93

Critical Practice in the Fine and Performing Arts

(also offered as CANA 2P93, IASC 2P93 and STAC 2P93)

Interdisciplinary approach to key ideas about music, art, dance and drama through critical readings and guided exposure to selected public fine and performing art events. Exploration of issues in aesthetics and criticism using varied theoretical approaches.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): one of CANA 1F91, DART 1P91 and 1P92 (1F91/1F93), IASC 1F01 (1F00), MUSI 1F10, VISA 1Q98 and 1Q99 or permission of the Centre.

Note: event attendance is required; events fees required.

#MLLC 2P94

Embodied Text: Art Beyond the Artifact

(also offered as CANA 2P94, IASC 2P94 and STAC 2P94)

Functions of art and artifacts outside the conventions associated with words, texts, paintings and scores. Experiencing musical, visual, movement, and theatre vocabularies through exploration of spatial/temporal/aesthetic/embodied forms of art in performance.

Seminar, 3 hours per week.

MLLC 2P95

Introduction to Romance Linguistics

Overview of phonetics, phonology, morphology and syntax of Romance languages; linguistics theories, research methodology and current issues in the study of Romance languages.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): one of FREN 1F90, ITAL 1F90, PORT 1F90, SPAN 1F90 or permission of instructor.

Note: may be counted as part of a major program in French Studies, Hispanic and Latin American Studies or Italian Studies.

MLLC 3P00

Comparative Studies in Literary Genres

Theoretical considerations of literary forms in major works from France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): MLLC 2F00 and 2P90 or permission of instructor.

Note: may be counted as part of a major program in French Studies, Hispanic and Latin American Studies or Italian Studies.

#MLLC 3P01

Media Transformations in The Creative Arts

(also offered as IASC 3P01, STAC 3P01 and VISA 3P01)

Trajectory and influences of new media on the development of and discourses in 20th Century and contemporary creative production including the arts, broadcast, film, video, and electronic arenas such as the internet, games and interactive media. Overview of fundamental concepts, practices and language. Consideration of aesthetics, production, script and story, direction, authorship, collaborative process and distribution.

Lectures, 3 hours per week online.

Prerequisite(s): two STAC, COMM, ENGL, IASC, VISA, WRDS (WRIT) credits or permission of the instructor.

#MLLC 3P14

Dramatic Creation for Contemporary Cultural Practice

(also offered as DART 3P14, IASC 3P14, STAC 3P14 and VISA 3P14)

Components of dramatic story. Understanding character, dramatic action, structure, direction, improvisation, tempo, rhythm, voice and body potential. Theory and practical application in projects for creators in the arts, media and film.

Seminar, workshop 3 hours per week.

Note: enrolment limited to 18 students. Materials fee required. Students might need additional materials, which they must supply.

Students will not receive earned credit for STAC 3P14 if DART 3F50, 3P53 or 3P92 have been successfully completed.

MLLC 3P20

Comparative Studies in Western European Cinema

Aspects of the culture, society and history of Western Europe as depicted in selected films from France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week, plus film lab.

Prerequisite(s): MLLC 2F00 and 2P90 or permission of instructor.

Note: may be counted as part of a major program in French Studies, Hispanic and Latin American Studies or Italian Studies.

*MLLC 3P80

Comparative Analysis of Romance Languages

(also offered as LING 3P80)

Grammatical structures of Romance languages from a contrastive perspective.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): MLLC 2P95 or permission of instructor.

Note: may be counted as part of a major program in French Studies, Hispanic and Latin American Studies or Italian Studies.

MLLC 3P85

Translation Theories

Historical and contemporary perspectives on translation theories and practices. 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): MLLC 2P90; one of FREN 1F90, ITAL 1F90, PORT 1F90, SPAN 1F90.

Note: may be counted as part of a major program in French Studies, Hispanic and Latin American Studies or Italian Studies.

#MLLC 3P96

Landscape Culture

(also offered as STAC 3P96)

Nature in the arts. Historical practice and contemporary expression in all art forms. Landscape theory, garden history, environmental art, public art and artist's gardens. Hybridization of methodologies: conceptual, horticultural, landscape design and landscape architecture.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week

Restriction: students must have a minimum 10.0 overall credits or permission of the instructor.

Note: event attendance is required; events fees required.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in WRIT 3P99.

#MLLC 3P99

Interpretive and Critical Writing in the Arts

(also offered as STAC 3P99, VISA 3P99 and WRDS 3P99)

Principles and methodologies for the written presentation and representation of works of art, artists' practice and events within general and specific disciplinary contexts, discourses and frameworks. Examples from across the arts; practice based projects from real world events and performances. Orientation to specialized publics in print and other media.

Seminar, 3 hours per week.

Note: event attendance is required; events fees required.

Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in WRIT 3P99.

MLLC 3V00-3V09

Special Topics in Comparative Literatures

Course content will vary depending on the research and interests of instructor.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): MLLC 2F00 and 2P90 or permission of instructor.

Note: may be counted as part of a major program in French Studies, Hispanic and Latin American Studies or Italian Studies.

MLLC 3V80-3V89

Special Topics in Comparative Romance Linguistics

Course content will vary depending on the research and interests of instructor.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): MLLC 2P95 or permission of instructor.

Note: may be counted as part of a major program in French Studies, Hispanic and Latin American Studies or Italian Studies.

MLLC 4P00

Comparative Studies in Narratives and the Arts

Topics may include orality, testimonial and post-colonial narratives.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): MLLC 3P00; one of MLLC 3V00-3V09; one of FREN 1F90, ITAL 1F90, PORT 1F90, SPAN 1F90 or permission of instructor.

Note: may be counted as part of a major program in French Studies, Hispanic and Latin American Studies or Italian Studies.

#MLLC 4P01

Creating Social Value from Material Culture

(also offered as IASC 4P01, STAC 4P01 and VISA 4P01)

Theory and practice of creating social value from material culture. Curatorial and interpretive practice in public institutions focusing on art, human and natural history, and science and technology. Informal learning theory, authority structures and community engagement, audience segmentation and selection, exhibit design, and collections development within social and political contexts.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: students must have a minimum 10.0 overall credits or permission of the instructor.

Note: event attendance may be required. Events fees may be required.

MLLC 4P10

Independent Study

Independent research project in comparative studies in literature or linguistics under the supervision of a faculty member.

Restriction: open to SCLN majors.

Prerequisite(s): MLLC 3P00; one of MLLC 3V00-3V09; one of FREN 1F90, ITAL 1F90, PORT 1F90, SPAN 1F90 or permission of instructor.

MLLC 4P11

Major Research Paper

Major project in comparative studies in literature or linguistics on a topic of mutual interest to the student and the instructor.

Restriction: open to SCLC majors with a minimum 70 percent major average and approval to year 4 (honours).

Prerequisite(s): MLLC 3P00; one of MLLC 3V00-3V09; one of FREN 1F90, ITAL 1F90, PORT 1F90, SPAN 1F90 or permission of instructor.

#MLLC 4P72

High and Low Art: Intersections, Exchanges and Flows

(also offered as IASC 4P72, STAC 4P72 and VISA 4P72)

Exchange between high art and entertainment, considering intertextuality and cultural appropriation; the changing role of museums and community-based arts; and the migration of values and tastes between market-driven and not-for-profit cultural outcomes.

Seminar, 3 hours per week.

Restriction: students must have a minimum 14.0 overall credits or permission of the instructor.

Note: event attendance is required; event fees required.

*MLLC 4Q80

Historical Romance Linguistics

(also offered as LING 4Q80)

Factors affecting language change: internal history (sounds and inflection) and external forces (politics and society). Methods and theories applied to the historical study of Romance linguistics.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per weeK

Prerequisite(s): MLLC 3P80; one of MLLC 3V80-3V89; one of FREN 1F90, ITAL 1F90, PORT 1F90, SPAN 1F90 or permission of instructor

Note: may be counted as part of a major program in French Studies, Hispanic and Latin American Studies or Italian Studies. Completion of this course will replace previous assigned grade and credit obtained in MLLC 4P80.

MLLC 4V00-4V09

Advanced Topics in Comparative Literatures

Course content will vary depending on the research and interests of instructor.

Lectures, seminar, 3 hours per week.

Prerequisite(s): MLLC 3P10; one of MLLC 3V00-3V09; one of FREN 1F90, ITAL 1F90, PORT 1F90, SPAN 1F90 or permission of instructor.

Note: may be counted as part of a major program in French Studies, Hispanic and Latin American Studies or Italian Studies.

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.