Literature, Language, Writing, and Philosophy
NEW COURSES
Fall 2009
ENGL 3060.31B Postmodern Literature
MTH
3:35-4:50 PM
Ghosh
The Postmodern Age started a decade or two after World War II and continues to shape
our culture. Through consideration of a range of fiction, films, drama, poetry, and essays
from around the world, students will confront the challenges posed by postmodernism
with its multiple voices, deeply ironic sense of humor, self-conscious storytelling, and a
richly allusive range of references to past literature and culture. Examination of the
relationship of popular culture with high culture will place these works in context.
This is a blended course that will meet in person and online.
Prerequisite: ENGW 1102 or equivalent
ENGL 3066.31B Nobel Literature
MTH
12:45-2:00 PM
Bazan-Figueras
Focus on the winners of the Nobel Prize in Literature from the Spanish-speaking world;
study and analysis of the characteristics of the masterpieces created by this elite group of
writers and the selection process of the Nobel Prize committee; examination of the texts
from the perspective of Spanish-speaking writers to assess the local as well as global
significance of the works. Writers include Marquez, Paz, Neruda, Asturias, and Mistral,
among others. The works are read in English. Spanish majors read texts in Spanish.
This is a blended course that will meet in person and online.
This course is cross listed with SPAN 3030 Hispanic Nobel Prize Writers. Readings in
ENGL 3066 are in English translation.
Prerequisite: ENGW 1102 or equivalent
ENGL 3095.31B Contemporary European Drama
TF
12:45-2:00 PM
Pastorino
This course analyzes European plays mostly from the second half of the
twentieth century, with a particular emphasis on politics and on the
increasing importance of the director. Texts range from classically
conceived plays to monologues and one-acts. Some of the questions the
course will raise are: what is the role of theatre in a world
increasingly more dominated by other media? Can it be an important
political tool and vehicle for counter-information? How does it change
in the 60 years after World War II?
This is a blended course that will meet in
person and online.
Prerequisite: ENGW 1102 or equivalent
ENGL 3110.31B Introduction to Critical Theory
MTH
11:20 AM-12:35 PM
Ghosh
Critical theory encompasses all the schools of literary and cultural criticism that have
developed in the last half of the 20th century and in the first decade of the 21st—-new
criticism, psychoanalysis, feminism, Marxism, semiotics, poststructuralism,
postcolonialism, and environmentalism. These theories emphasize that class, racial,
gender, sexual, national or religious identities create interlocking systems of
interpretation and define the interpretative frameworks we use when we read literary
works or newspapers and magazines, view films, or consume media products. In addition
to reading the works of major theorists, we will consider texts drawn from literature and
popular culture that illustrate aspects of these theories.
This is a blended course that will meet in person and online.
Prerequisites: ENGW 1102 or equivalent, ENGL 2001 or equivalent
ENGL 3113.31B Medieval and Renaissance Women Writers
W
2:10-4:40 PM
Calabresi
A survey of writing by women from the 11th-17th centuries in Europe and the Americas.
Topics include the notion of a ‘female’ voice; cross-dressing, public speaking, and other
social transgressions; gender and genre; the impact of changing historical conditions on
women’s artistic production. Resources include primary materials, on-line sources, and
contemporary film. Reading in the original language encouraged.
This is a blended course that will meet in person and online.
Prerequisite: ENGW 1102 or equivalent, ENGL 2001
AFAM 2001.31B Introduction to African American Studies
TF
2:10-3:25 PM
Singer
An overview of African American life in the U.S., past and present; interdisciplinary
exploration of aspects of Black America including such topics as: African American
identity; defining experiences in the United States; African American contribution to
American culture and society; connections to Africa and other African diaspora
communities.
Similar to the path our current President’s life has taken, this class will start in Africa and
end in the present climate that allows an African-American to be President of the United
States but still harbors racism, discrimination and simple unawareness of the contribution
of the Black American to our culture.
The class will cover, among other things:
*the impact of early African traditions, such as the clan social structure, ancestor
worship, the importance of rivers
*discussion of Caribbean life and its role in African-American culture
*the role of the Black church in terms of education and socialization
*music - from spirituals to Blues to Hip-Hop – and the emotional response it has elicited
from various groups of peoples throughout time
*the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacy supporters
*writers to include (among others): Frederick Douglass; W.E.B Dubois; Oscar Micheaux;
Anatole Broyard; Martin Luther King, Jr.; Reverend Jeremiah Wright
*the origins of the NAACP, desegregation and historically black colleges
This is a blended course that meets both in person and online.
This course is required for students minoring in African American Studies, but open to all
students who have satisfied the prerequisites.
This course satisfies the cultural requirement
Prerequisite: ENGW 1102
PHIL 1432.61 Philosophy Of Law
M
5:25 -8:00 PM
Jennings
This course provides students with an overview of the central theories in Philosophy of
Law and offers students the opportunity to apply these theories to modern-day questions
about law and government. Students will learn Philosophy of Law basics such as natural
law and rule of law theories, positivism and the relationship between law and morality.
Issues which revolve around such ideas as justice, criminal culpability, punishment, due
process, free speech, and race/gender equality will also be discussed to show how legal
theory can or ought to be applied to respond to the challenges of 21st century society.
PHIL 2005.31B Philosopher As Psychologist
MTH
12:45-2:00 PM
Makridis
Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche undertook a monumental critique of civilization. This
course plumbs the fascinating analysis of the human mind he offers.
This is a blended course that will meet in person and online.
PHIL 2211.31 Philosophy And Film
MTH
9:55-11:10
Lovely
This course will explore the aesthetic dimensions of narrative cinema in the classic films
of world cinema. Various aesthetic theories are developed with the goal of understanding
cinema as an art form. In addition, the methodologies of psychoanalysis, semiotic and
certain forms of literary criticism are explored.
PHIL 2255.31 Business Ethics
TF
11:20 AM-12:35 PM
Yalcin
Ethical theories and moral concepts in their application to business. Moral issues in
regard to justice, social responsibility, regulation vs. free enterprise, the right of
consumers, corruption and conflict of interest, advertising, environmental and ecological
problems.
ARAB 2506.31 Arab Culture and Civilization
MTH
5:00-6:15 PM
Sawma
This course, taught in English, introduces key topics in Arabic history, politics, arts,
literature, as well as the sciences. It will also address contemporary issues in Arabic
culture.
Course is in English. Fulfills the cultural requirement.
CHIN 1001.31 Beginning Chinese I
W
9:55 AM-12:35 PM
Staff
Introduction to Mandarin Chinese pronunciation, grammar, and writing with emphasis on
speaking and comprehension.
FREN 3666.61 Witches and Warlocks in the West: Parallel beliefs and popular culture
in France, Italy, and North America
TF
11:20 AM-12:35 PM
Pastorino
This course explores traces of a counter-culture which grew out of pagan beliefs and
remained latent despite the domination of Christianity from the Middle-Ages to modern
times, in Europe (with a specific focus on French culture) and on this side of the Atlantic
as well. Magic and witchcraft, as presented by texts and films, will be analysed and
discussed as we try to give a definition of what is a witch, and how the perception of
otherness creates fear and prejudice. Texts range from St Augustine, The Hammer of the
Witches, and Montaigne's essays, to Maryse Condé's I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem,
Certeau's The Possession at Loudun, Stephens' Demon Lovers, and Gizburg's Ecstasies.
Deciphering the Witches' Sabbath.
ITAL 3055.31 Italian Film: The Italian-American Experience
T
2:10-4:40 PM
Pastorino
Finally a film course that doesn't just look at The Godfather as the quintessential
representation of Italian Americans! The course explores the hardships and successes of
Italian immigrants to North America from the last few years of the XIX century to the
end of the XX. While it is primarily a film and culture course, it also includes a few
novels and many articles. Some of the topics covered are: race, lynchings, tenement
living, WW II, mafia, boxing, Hollywood lovers and singers, Nobel Prize winners,
fashion icons, and entrepreneurs.
SPAN 2006.31 Music in Spanish: Writing and Conversation
W
12:00 PM-2:30 PM
Belen-Ramos
This course serves to provide the continuing development of all four language skills at
the intermediate level through contemporary and traditional Hispanic music and lyrics.
In addition, Hispanic music will offer the opportunity to explore and discuss the culture
of the Spanish speaking world.
The class is conducted mostly in Spanish with ample opportunity to practice the
language.
Prerequisite: SPAN 1002
SPAN 2507.31 Latin American Culture and Civilization
MTH
11:20 AM-12:35 PM Bazan-Figueras
Taught in English, this course focuses on an overview of the culture, arts, architecture,
language, music and literature of Latin America. Both Inca civilization as well as the
colonial period will be studied. Contemporary socio-political issues of Latin America
using Peru as a case study will also be studied. The study abroad option entails visiting
four key Peruvian cities in January of 2010.
Meets cultural requirement. Includes optional study abroad in Peru in January 2010. See
LLWP Department for information.
SPAN 3030.31 Hispanic Nobel Prize Writers
MTH
12:45-2:00 PM
Bazan-Figueras
Focus on the winners of the Nobel Prize in Literature from the Spanish-speaking world;
study and analysis of the characteristics of the masterpieces created by this elite group of
writers and the selection process of the Nobel Prize committee; examination of the texts
from the perspective of Spanish-speaking writers to assess the local as well as global
significance of the works. Writers include Marquez, Paz, Neruda, Asturias, and Mistral,
among others.
Cross listed with ENGL 3066: Nobel Literature.
Prerequisites: SPAN 2003, SPAN 2004.
SPAN 3411.31 Latin American Culture and Civilization
TF
12:45-2:00 PM
Koeneke
Taught in Spanish, this course focuses on an overview of the culture, arts, architecture,
language, music and literature of Latin America. Both Inca civilization as well as the
colonial period will be studied. Contemporary socio-political issues of Latin America
using Peru as a case study will also be studied.
Meets cultural requirement.
Includes optional study abroad to Peru. The study abroad option entails visiting four key
Peruvian cities in January of 2010. See LLWP Department for more information.