Courses
The Department of Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures currently offers basic language courses in French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish, as well as advanced language and culture courses in French, German, Japanese, and Spanish, with the possibility of taking advanced Russian courses in cooperation with Tulane University. We also offer introductory general linguistics.
Please consult the current Undergraduate Bulletin for a complete list of courses. The following additional offerings were approved since the current Bulletin went to press:
FREN A360: Rousseau
Readings and discussions in French on the major writings of Rousseau. The author's importance in the areas of political thought, autobiographical writing, education, religion and nature will be emphasized. Prerequisite: at least one course at the 300-level or equivalent.
GERM A320: German Culture and Civilization I
German history and culture from its beginning through the 18th century. Exercises in language skills. Conducted in German. Prerequisite: GERM 201 or equivalent.
GERM A321: German Culture and Civilization II
German history and culture from the end of the 18th century to the end of the 20th century. Exercises in language skills. Conducted in German. Prerequisite: GERM 201 or equivalent.
JPNS A100: Modern Japanese I
A beginning course in the fundamentals of modern spoken and written Japanese. Students will learn the kana syllabary and the basic grammatical structure and vocabulary. The language will be taught in its cultural context with emphasis on polite and informal language. Approximately fifty Japanese characters will be introduced.
JPNS A101: Modern Japanese II
The continuing course in the fundamentals of modern spoken and written Japanese. Students will learn to use the passive and potential forms of the Japanese verb. More specialized vocabulary will be taught to refine the students' grasp of the proper use of polite and informal usage. Approximately one hundred Japanese characters and their use in Japanese sentence construction will be explained.
JPNS A200: Intermediate Japanese I
This course will introduce readings of modern Japanese from mass media texts. Students will be expected to master all Japanese grammatical forms. The vocabulary needed to read simple newspaper articles will be studied. Approximately two hundred additional Japanese characters will be introduced.
JPNS A201: Intermediate Japanese II
This course will introduce readings from modern Japanese novels and literary journals. Students will be expected to discuss the readings in Japanese and write short Japanese critiques or reviews of the material. The student will assemble and master a specialized vocabulary that pertains to his or her own interests. Approximately three hundred additional Japanese characters will be introduced.
JPNS U150: Culture in Pre-Modern Japan
This course will introduce the history, literature, religion and philosophy that formed Japanese culture from the 10th to the 12th century. English translations of contemporary texts will be studied from a broad historical perspective in order to give the student a better appreciation of Japanese culture as it has evolved from the pre-modern period to the present.
JPNS V151: Culture in Early Modern Japan
This course will introduce the history, literature, religion and philosophy that formed Japanese culture from the 17th to the 19th century, when Japan was ruled by the samurai class. English translations of historical and literary writings of the period will be used to five students a clearer insight into how Japanese cultural perspectives have evolved from early modern times to the present day.
Sample syllabi are available for the following courses:
- JPNS U150: Culture in Pre-Modern Japan
- JPNS V151: Culture in Early Modern Japan
- LING V134: The Role of Language
- SPAN A315: Culture and Civilization of Spain
- SPAN A410: The Mexican Revolution in Film and Fiction
- SPAN A494: Culture and Civilization of Spanish America