Featured Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Courses
IT 212 Florence and the Making of the Renaissance – This course explores a time-the Renaissance-and a place-Florence-in which many defining features of modernity first took shape and became the object of critical thinking. Students examine major authors and genres, from short fiction and poetry to political and scientific treaties, and contextualize them within the artistic, political and social framework of their time. Topics include critical perspectives on notions of the individual and community, as well as their interplay with questions of social status, gender, and sexuality; Florence as proto-capitalist society and the emergence of modern banking; education and artistic expression as forms of empowerment and vehicles for social change. Taught in English. Prerequisite: EN 101.
JP 200 – This course provides students with an overview of Japanese culture, including the history, arts, traditions, beliefs, customs, behaviors, society, food and other topics. Students expand their horizons with their new knowledge of a different culture and viewpoints. The course is conducted in English and does not require prior knowledge of Japanese.
SP 321 Masterpieces of Spanish Literature – Major literary productions of Spain are studied, including works by or selections from Lazarillo de Tormes, Garcilaso, Cervantes, Galdos, and Lorca.
SP 343 Culture of Spain – This course focuses on the broad themes of politics, history, literature, philosophy, regional languages, religion, education, the media, art, music, architecture, ethnic diversity and traditions of Spain. By examining the past and present, students gain deeper insights into the Spanish character and worldview.
SP 373 Latin American Cultures I – Selected topics of Latin American cultures from their Spanish and pre-Colombian roots to the end of Independence are studied. Readings are drawn from history as well as literature.
SP 376 The Spanish Caribbean – This course studies people, history, and society as well as artistic and literary expression of Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. Also, features of the Spanish language as spoken in the Caribbean are considered.
Spanish Language Labs – Unique among the course offerings in the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures are one-credit Spanish language labs at the introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels (SP 101L, SP 201L, SP 301L) which can each be taken twice for credit during different semesters and are graded Pass/Fail. These labs provide intensive language support for students who want to improve their speaking, reading, writing, and listening comprehension skills. They can be tailored on demand to meet students’ particular needs with supplementary specialized vocabularies and cultural information related to students’ specific professions or interests. Students registered for 12-16 credits are considered full-time.
