Commerce, Language, & Culture Courses Offered

Program Description
Major Requirements

CLC 319:

 

FRE 230: Intermediate French II  (3 hours)

Continued development of listening and speaking skills. Increased emphasis on reading and writing skills, with concomitant study of more complex grammatical structures. Prerequisite: FRE 201 or equivalent. Offered in spring.

FRE 235: Conversation and Composition: Intermediate  (3 hours)

Practice in speaking and writing, mostly on everyday topics, using appropriate models. Lab work may be required. Prerequisite: FRE 201 or equivalent. Offered in fall.

FRE 301: Initiation to Readings in Francophone Cultures (3 hours)

This course will focus on the development of reading strategies. Through an exploration of a variety of modern and historical texts students will review complex grammar, build vocabulary, study complex sentence structure, and examine cultural questions pertaining to various parts of the francophone world. Prerequisite: FRE 230 or equivalent. Offered in fall.

FRE 310: Pre-Revolution French Civilization and Culture (3 hours)

A study of the development of the ideas, political structures, art and architecture that constitute, in part, French culture. Historical and cultural texts as well as audio-visual material will be used to meet the goals of refining reading strategies and of better understanding modern French identity through its past. Offered in fall.

FRE 312: La Francophonie (3 hours)

A study of the problems of establishing and defining national identities in a variety of Francophone countries in the 19th and 20th centuries. Topics include: regional identity in France in the nineteenth century; the French-speaking community in Canada; Creole culture; Post-colonial problems of identity in French-speaking Africa; Vichy and French identity crisis; Immigration politics in France today. Offered in spring.

FRE 321: Initiation to French Literature  (3 hours)

An examination of a selection of outstanding literary works. Writing skills will also be developed through practice of the explication detexte method of analyzing texts. Prerequisite: FRE 301 or equivalent. Offered in fall.

FRE 335: Conversation, Composition, Cuisine  (3 hours)

A course designed to bring students up to intermediate-high level of ratings of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Lab work may be required. Prerequisite: FRE 235. Offered in spring.

FRE 355: French for the Professions  (3 hours)

Introduction to basic vocabulary, institutional structures, and cultural differences specific to business world in France and Quebec. Prerequisite: FRE 301. Offered in spring as needed.

 

GER 230: Intermediate German II (3 hours credit)

This course is designed to help students solidify and develop their speaking, listening, writing, and reading skills through review and study of structures, an increased emphasis on vocabulary building, and further engagement with contemporary German culture. Prerequisite: GER 201 or equivalent. Offered in spring.

GER 235: German Conversation and Composition (3 hours credit)

  

GER 301: Readings in Culture and Literature (3 hours credit)

Readings in German "texts" ranging from short poems to feature films designed to develop students' comprehension of complex syntactic structures, expand significantly their active and passive command of German vocabulary, and sharpen their analytical and interpretive skills. Prerequisite: GER 230 or instructor's permission.

GER 310: German Cultural Traditions (3 hours credit)

A critical exploration of key moments in German cultural history from its Germanic and Christian origins to the early 1900s. Prerequisite: GER 301 or instructor's permission.

GER 312: Contemporary German Culture (3 hours credit)

A study of contemporary German life ranging from its representation in the mass media, in literature, and in the visual arts to the specific nature of its central political and cultural institutions to ongoing discussions of German national identity in a European and global context. Prerequisite: GER 301 or instructor's permission.

GER 355: German for the Professions (3 hours credit)

The study and practice of German specialized vocabulary used in business and the professions combined with an exploration of relevant cultural practices in the German-speaking countries.

 

SPA 230: Intensive Grammar/Composition (3 hours)

Designed to improve proficiency in all four language skills with an emphasis on grammar. Prerequisite: SPA 201 or evidence of proficiency. Offered in fall and spring.

SPA 235: Introduction to Hispanic Literature: Reading and Composition (3 hours)

Development of reading comprehension and introduction to literary criticism through the study and discussion of literary, historical and cultural texts. The successful student will achieve the ACFTL level of Intermediate-high (1+) upon completion of this course. Prerequisite: Spanish 230 or permission of the instructor. Offered in fall and spring.

SPA 310: Spanish Civilization and Culture (3 hours)

A study of the various aspects of Spanish culture such as the arts and theater, music, leisure activities, geography, political structures, and the main events of Spanish history. Prerequisite: SPA 301 or demonstrated reading proficiency. Prerequisites: SPA 230 and 235, or demonstrated reading proficiency. Offered alternate falls.

SPA 312: Hispanic American Civilization and Culture (3 hours)

A study of the various aspects of Spanish American culture such as the arts and theater, music, leisure activities, geography, political structures, and the main events of Spanish American history. Prerequisites: SPA 230 and 235, or demonstrated reading proficiency. Offered alternate falls.

SPA 320: Survey of Spanish Literature (3 hours)

A study of outstanding authors and works from the 12th through the 21st centuries. Prerequisites: SPA 230 and 235, or demonstrated reading proficiency. Offered alternate springs.

SPA 322: Survey of Hispanic American Literature (3 hours)

A study of outstanding authors and works from the 15th through the 21st centuries. Prerequisites: SPA 230 and 235, or demonstrated reading proficiency. Offered alternate springs.

SPA 355: Business Spanish (3 hours)

A study of language and cultural practices as related to the world of business and/or other professional activities. "Language is the medium, culture is the context, business is the content." Prerequisites: SPA 230 and 235, or instructor's permission. Offered alternate springs.

 

JPN 201: Intermediate Japanese (3 hours)

Emphasis on development of basic skills acquired in Elementary Japanese and role playing activities to develop student ability to travel and study in Japan. Classroom activities will also focus on acquisition of Japanese social skills including etiquette and group structure and hierarchy. Lab required. Offered in fall.

JPN 202: Intermediate Japanese II (3 hours)

Readings from Japanese newspapers and magazines and other authentic sources will be introduced, and classroom activities will focus on creating a "total language environment" with the exclusive use of Japanese, and using language in a variety of "real life" situations. Lab required. Offered in spring as needed.

JPN 320: Traditional Japanese Literature (3 hours)

An introduction to the canonical works of traditional Japanese poetry and prose written from the 7th to 19th centuries a.d. Discussions and lectures focus on modes of change and continuity in form, theme and influence. Offered in fall.

JPN 322: Modern Japanese Literature (3 hours)

An introduction to the history and trajectory of modern Japanese literature from the 1880's to today. Discussions and lectures focus on Japanese modernization, the effect of imperialism and colonialism in Asia and the two world wars, and Japan's cultural presence in Asia today. Offered in spring.

JPN 335: Traditional Japanese Theatre (3 hours)

Students will experience Noh, Kabuki and Bunraku theatre by reading texts and practicing actual modes of performance including singing and dancing. Lectures will include video presentation of performances while discussions will focus on the relationship between dramatic theory and practice and the role texts play in these dramatic forms. Offered in spring.

JPN 355: Doing Business in Asia (3 hours)

This course will introduce students to business practices and strategies in Asia with case studies of actual businesses in Japan, South Korea, China and Taiwan. Students will acquire familiarity with the languages, cultures and histories of East Asia to prepare them for smooth interaction with businesspeople from Asian cultures and to minimize potential misunderstanding and conflict. Offered in fall.