Languages and Cross-cultural Studies Department
- Course Descriptions
CROSS-CULTURAL STUDIES
LCS 100 Introduction to Cultural Studies
This course is an introduction to the critcal study of cultures and cross-cultural difference. It examines the connections between social relations and the production of meaning. It sets the stage for global citizenship by revealing how our 'position' in the world affects the way we view, interpret, and interact with other cultures.
LCS 295/495 Topics in Cross-Cultural Studies
LCS 399 Internship in Cross-Cultural Studies
KEY 480 Topics in Global Interdependence (see description on p. 112 of current catalog)
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL)
ASL 101, 102 Beginning American Sign Language I, II
An introduction to deaf culture and the signs and syntax of ASL. Students observe the demonstration of signs, practice their own signing, and learn the facial expressions and body language needed to communicate clearly with deaf and hard-of-hearing people. (Fall: 101; spring: 102, Prereq.: 101)
CHINESE (CHN)
Chinese language studies are possible through a contractual arrangement with the ACTC East Asian Studies Program and the University of Minnesota East Asian language department. Contact the East Asian studies director for more information.
FARSI (FAR)
FAR 111/112 Beginning Farsi I, II
An introductory sequence in Basic Modern Persian (Farsi). Aims to develop communicative skills in understanding, speaking, translating into English, and reading phonetic transcriptions, while exploring the culture of Iran and other Farsi-speaking countries such as Afghanistan and Tadjikstan.
FRENCH (FRE)
FRE 111, 112 Beginning French I, II
Aims to develop communication skills of understanding, speaking, reading, and writing. Through conversations, classroom practice, and readings, these courses work toward the discovery of French culture and way of life. Four class meetings per week. (Fall: 111; spring 112, Prereq.: 111. WEC—additional sessions required)
FRE 211, 212 Intermediate French I, II
Selected articles, interviews, and literary readings are the basis of practice in communication, vocabulary building, and developing greater ease in reading and writing French. Review of basic structures and grammar. Laboratory work. (Fall: 211; spring: 212, Prereq.: 211)
FRE 295 Topics in Literature, Culture, or Linguistics
FRE 311 Conversation and Composition
Explores topics of current interest in both oral and written form to build fluency, accuracy, and facility of expression in French. Emphasis on vocabulary enrichment, grammatical refinements, effective organization of ideas. Laboratory assignments. A prerequisite to other upper division courses. (Fall, Prereq.: 212)
FRE 331 French Civilization: Historical Perspective
A study of the diversified development of the French from their beginnings to the modern period. Special attention to cultural manifestations of French intellectual, political, social, and artistic self-awareness. Readings, reports, extensive use of audio-visual materials. In French. (Prereq.: FRE 311 or consent of instructor. Spring: on rotational basis)
FRE 332 French Civilization Today
Topics in 20th-century problems, ideas. Cultural manifestations that promote understanding of French-speaking people and their contributions to the contemporary scene. Readings, reports, extensive use of audio-visual materials, and periodicals. In French. (Prereq.: FRE 311 or consent of instructor. Spring: on rotational basis)
FRE 351, 353 Survey of French Literature I, II
The study of major French authors and literary movements in France through the reading of whole literary works where possible. Lectures, discussion, oral and written reports in French. (Prereq.: FRE 311 or consent of instructor. Spring: on rotational basis)
FRE 411 Advanced Conversation and Composition
By means of reading, speaking, and writing on topics of intellectual, social, or political interest, the student acquires extensive training in key modalities at an advanced level. Attention to accuracy and effectiveness, characteristic levels of expression, refinements in style and organization. Laboratory assignments. (Prereq.: FRE 311 or consent of instructor. Fall)
FRE 495 Topics in Literature, Culture, or Linguistics
Internships and Independent Study Courses:
FRE 199 Internship
FRE 299 Directed Study
FRE 399 Internship
FRE 499 Independent Study/Research
GERMAN (GER)
GER 111, 112 Beginning German I, II
Aims at developing basic skills. Classroom practice in speaking, understanding, and reading and writing basic German. Goals: ability to read extended narratives in simple German, insights into German culture, and participation in short conversations. (Fall: 111; spring: 112, Prereq.: 111. WEC—additional sessions required)
GER 211, 212 Intermediate German I, II
Aims at developing basic skills into working knowledge of German. Review of basic structures with emphasis on extending range of vocabulary and idiomatic expression through reading and discussion of materials representing contemporary German life and literature. (Fall: 211; spring: 212, Prereq.: 211)
GER 295 Topics in Literature, Culture, or Linguistics
GER 311 Conversation and Composition
Aims at developing facility in the use of grammatical structures, vocabulary, and idiomatic expressions most common in colloquial German. Intensive practice in speaking is supplemented with exercises in written composition. (Fall, Prereq.: 212)
GER 331 German Civilization and Culture I
Follows the cultural and social development of the German-speaking peoples from the prehistorical Indo-European origins (ca. 3,000 B.C.) to the Thirty Years War (1648). In German. (Prereq.: GER 311 or consent of instructor. Spring: on rotational basis)
GER 332 German Civilization and Culture II
Survey of cultural currents that have shaped Germany, Austria, and Switzerland since the Age of Enlightenment. The contemporary scene is considered in view of its roots in the intellectual, geopolitical, artistic, and scientific history of the German-speaking peoples. In German. (Prereq.: GER 311 or consent of instructor. Spring: on rotational basis)
GER 351 Survey of Literature: German Literature from Chivalry to Romanticism
The prose, epic, and poetry readings in this course chronicle the German experience from Charlemagne to Napoleon; from Luther to Kant; from Hildegard of Bingen to Goethe, Schiller, and the Romantics; and offer a way to relive the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Enlightenment.
GER 354 Survey of Literature: German Literature in the 19th and 20th Centuries
The literary, cultural, and scientific background of the new millennium has many German-speaking roots in the works of figures like Marx, Freud, Nietzsche, Einstein, Kafka, Rilke, Hesse, and Brecht. Selected readings of prose, poetry, and plays bring alive the drama and conflicts that characterized the birth of the modern age. (Prereq.: 311)
GER 411 Advanced Conversation and Composition
Aims at developing and refining the student’s use of German as a vehicle for expressing ideas and opinions. Emphasis on written composition including control of style. Oral practice through use of German as classroom language. (Prereq.: GER 311 or consent of instructor. Fall)
GER 495 Topics in Literature, Culture, or Linguistics
Internships and Independent Study Courses:
GER 199 Internship
GER 299 Directed Study
GER 399 Internship
GER 499 Independent Study/Research
JAPANESE (JPN)
Japanese language studies are possible through a contractual arrangement with the ACTC East Asian studies program and the University of Minnesota East Asian language department. Contact the East Asian studies director for more information.
NORWEGIAN (NOR)
NOR 111, 112 Beginning Norwegian I, II
Introduction of the four basic language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Stress is on communication and its cultural context. Laboratory work expected. (Fall: 111; spring: 112, Prereq.: 111)
NOR 211 Intermediate Norwegian I
Continued acquisition and refinement of communication skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing). Emphasis is on social or cultural contexts and integrated vocabulary clusters. Selected readings in Norwegian are used as a basis for class activities and writing exercises. Includes grammar review. (Prereq.: NOR 112 or equivalent. Fall)
NOR 295 Topics in Literature, Culture, or Linguistics
NOR 311 Conversation and Composition
Practice in spoken and written Norwegian with emphasis on communicative contexts and integrated vocabulary. Readings in history, social science, and literature form a basis for class activities and frequent writing practice. (Prereq.: NOR 211 or equivalent. Spring)
NOR 331 Norwegian Civilization and Culture
A two-tiered approach allows students to place contemporary cultural developments, such as Norway’s changing role in the global community, into a historical context. Readings in history are supplemented by lectures, newspaper articles, and video tapes. In Norwegian. (Prereq.: NOR 311 or consent of instructor.)
NOR 353 Survey of Norwegian Literature
Selected readings in contemporary Norwegian literature provide a basis for the study of major works from earlier periods, including several in Nynorsk. Readings, lectures, discussion, journals, essays, and oral reports in Norwegian. (Prereq.: NOR 311 or consent of instructor.)
NOR 411 Advanced Conversation and Composition
Extensive practice in spoken and written Norwegian, based on literary and cultural readings. Students serve as peer-tutors for those registered in NOR 311. Readings, journals, discussion, role-playing, and written and oral reports in Norwegian. (Prereq.: NOR 311 or consent of instructor. Spring)
NOR 495 Topics in Literature, Culture, or Linguistics
Internships and Independent Study Courses:
NOR 199 Internship
NOR 299 Directed Study
NOR 399 Internship
NOR 499 Independent Study/Research
OJIBWE (OJB)
Two courses in Ojibwe (Chippewa) are offered at Augsburg, both as part of the modern languages department and as part of the American Indian Studies major.
OJB 111, 112 Beginning Ojibwe I, II
An introduction to the language and culture of the Ojibwe (Chippewa). Emphasis is on vocabulary, reading, writing, and conversational skills. Classroom practice will include linguistic patterns and oral interaction. (Fall: 111; spring: 112, prereq.: 111)
SPANISH (SPA)
Courses in addition to those below are offered through various programs listed under International Studies.
SPA 111, 112 Beginning Spanish I, II
Aims to develop the four basic skills: understanding, speaking, reading, and writing of elementary Spanish. Introduction to culture of the Spanish-speaking world. (Fall: 111 and 112; spring: 112, Prereq.: 111. WEC—additional sessions required.)
SPA 211, 212 Intermediate Spanish I, II
Through the reading of selected Latin American and Spanish texts that stimulate intellectual growth and promote cultural understanding, students review all of the basic structures of Spanish and build conversational skills through class discussions. (Fall: 211; spring: 212, Prereq.: 211)
SPA 248 Spanish and Latin American Culture through Film
An introduction to contemporary cultural issues of Spanish and Latin American societies as portrayed in the films of major filmmakers with attention to the aesthetic variations across their works. Films in Spanish with English subtitles; language of instruction is English. (On demand)
SPA 295 Topics in Literature, Culture, or Linguistics
SPA 311 Conversation and Composition
Thorough oral and written practice in correct expression with the aims of fluency and facility. Enrichment of vocabulary. Laboratory work. This course is a prerequisite for all upper division courses. (Prereq.: SPA 212 or equivalent. Fall)
SPA 312 Spanish Expression
Intended for students who have a basic command of writing and speaking skills in Spanish and seek to expand them. Intensive practice aimed at refining grammar skills. Highly recommended as a continuation of SPA 311. (Prereq.: SPA 311 or consent of instructor. Spring)
SPA 331 Spanish Civilization and Culture
Study of the Spanish character and of Spanish contributions to world civilization through historical, intellectual, literary, and artistic movements. In Spanish. (Prereq.: SPA 311 or consent of instructor)
SPA 332 Latin American Civilization and Culture
A study of the cultural heritage of the Spanish American countries from the pre-Columbian civilizations to the present. In Spanish. (Prereq.: SPA 311 or consent of instructor. Spring: odd years)
SPA 352, 353 Survey of Spanish Literature I, II
A study of representative authors in Spanish literature, supplemented by lectures on the literary movements and development of Spanish literature. Lectures, discussion, written, and oral reports in Spanish. (Prereq.: SPA 311 or consent of instructor)
SPA 354 Representative Hispanic Authors
An introduction to Hispanic literature. Lectures, discussions, and written and oral reports in Spanish. (Prereq.: SPA 311 or consent of instructor. Note: Students who have taken SPA 356 taught in Mexico may not take 354. Spring: even years)
SPA 411 Advanced Conversation and Composition
Emphasis on increasing facility and correctness of written and oral expression through conversations, discussions, reports, debates, written compositions, and grammatical exercises. (Prereq.: SPA 311 or consent of instructor. Fall)
SPA 495 Topics in Literature, Culture, or Linguistics
Internships and Independent Study Courses:
SPA 199 Internship
SPA 299 Directed Study
SPA 399 Internship
SPA 499 Independent Study/Research