World Languages and Cultures
Division of Humanities and Fine Arts
The Department of World Languages and Cultures offers majors in French Studies, German Studies, Hispanic Studies, and International Literatures and Cultures. Our courses prepare students to live and work in the global community of the 21st century by giving them powerful tools for communicating and collaborating with people in the pluralist U.S. and abroad. Our courses have three main goals:
- to foster critical thinking skills through an awareness of the power of language in its many contexts,
- to provide linguistic training for students to develop proficiency in a modern language, and
- to promote intercultural competence for students to communicate effectively across diverse cultural lines.
Our graduates pursue successful careers in numerous fields, including (international) education, journalism, social services, (international) business, economics, government, (international) law, and applied and theoretical sciences.
The Department offers courses appropriate to majors and minors in French Studies, German Studies, and Hispanic Studies, as well as courses given in English in the field of International Literatures and Cultures. It also offers language courses in Chinese. All language courses offered may be used to satisfy the College’s foreign language requirement. For more details on how to complete the foreign language requirement, please consult the section on distribution requirements found under the Academic Program heading of this catalog.
Courses that Fulfill the Humanities Distribution Requirement
Courses on literature and film in a foreign language and courses in International Literatures and Cultures (ILC), given in English, may be used to fulfill the distribution requirement in the Humanities. In some cases, the department chair may approve the use of literature courses taught in the foreign language to fulfill the foreign language requirement. In such cases, those same courses may not also be used to fulfill the Humanities distribution requirement.
Language Requirement Placement Policy
All Washington College students are required to fulfill the Language Requirement. In order to ensure consistent treatment of all students, each student must take the language survey and the language placement test, if applicable. If the student decides to continue with the language of the placement test at the college, they must register for the course indicated by the test.
There are some special cases to consider:
- Students can also fulfill the Language Requirement with transfer credit from other institutions with approval of the Associate Chair of World Languages and Cultures.
- Students who are native speakers of a foreign language have the option of waiving the requirement upon approval of the Associate Chair of World Languages and Cultures.
- Native speakers cannot register for HPS 302 Advanced Oral Proficiency in Spanish or FRS 302 Advanced French II, which are conversation courses. For the rest of the courses, the instructor will determine if the native speaker is in the correct class and may move the student to a more appropriate level.
Students should complete the Language Requirement in their first two years. Otherwise, they may find that their prior skills have deteriorated since completing the placement test or that the class they need is not offered, preventing them from graduating. In the exceptional case that the Department deems that a change of placement is appropriate, the placement will only be lowered by one level. Should the student still feel uncomfortable with their placement, they may start a new language at the 101 level.
Language Placement Process
All incoming freshmen must take the language survey and, if they have studied one of the languages offered at the college, the placement test in this language in order to determine their level. Incoming transfer students should take the language survey, and the placement test if required. Transfer students should refer to the Transfer Evaluation memo provided by Admissions and the Registrar to determine if the language placement test is required. Even if you have never studied a language, you must take the language survey. To access the language survey, please login to Canvas and follow the directions for “Language Placement Exam” in the course titled “New Students” for your first semester.
How to complete the language requirement
- For students starting a new language or students placed in the 101 or 102 level: two semesters in the new or placement language.
- For students placing in 200-level or above in French, German, Chinese, or Spanish: one semester of study.
- Students who have achieved a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement test have satisfied this requirement.
- Students whose native language is not English may satisfy the language requirement with that language pending approval from the Associate Chair of World Languages and Cultures. (Heritage speakers are not exempt from the language requirement.)
- Students who present appropriate documentation qualifying them for a foreign language substitution may be allowed to substitute two pre-approved courses to satisfy this requirement.
Nicole Grewling, Chair
David Hull, Associate Chair
Cristina Casado Presa
Elena Deanda Camacho
Karen Manna
Martín Ponti
Elisa Santucci
Mike Sosulski
Francis J. Valencia-Turco
Navigate to Disciplines on the Page
Chinese Studies
CHN 101 Elementary Chinese I 4 Credits
An introduction to Mandarin Chinese, this course offers an integrated approach to basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Class work is supplemented by laboratory periods that include engagement with native language via multimedia sources. Discussion of a graded series of cultural topics promotes students understanding of Chinese life and society and aids language learning. The class will meet three days plus two laboratory periods per week. Please note that this course is NOT appropriate for native speakers of Mandarin.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, All Years
CHN 102 Elementary Chinese II 4 Credits
An introduction to Mandarin Chinese, this course offers an integrated approach to basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Class work is supplemented by laboratory periods that include engagement with native language via multimedia sources. Discussion of a graded series of cultural topics promotes students understanding of Chinese life and society and aids language learning. The class will meet three days plus two laboratory periods per week. Please note that this course is NOT appropriate for native speakers of Mandarin.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, All Years
CHN 194 Special Topics 4 Credits
The intensive study of a selected author, movement, genre, or theme. Prerequisite: CHN 303, 304.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
CHN 197 Independent Study 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student allowing the student to study a topic of interest that is presently not offered at WC.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
CHN 201 Intermediate Chinese I 4 Credits
This course reviews and builds upon language skills acquired in the introductory course to Mandarin Chinese. It offers an integrated approach to basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The class meets three days per week, plus a laboratory period. The laboratory includes engagement with native language via multimedia sources. Graded readings on topics related to Chinese life and society serve as an aid to language learning and provide an introduction to Chinese culture.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, All Years
CHN 202 Intermediate Chinese II 4 Credits
This course reviews and builds upon language skills acquired in the introductory course to Mandarin Chinese. It offers an integrated approach to basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The class meets three days per week, plus a laboratory period. The laboratory includes engagement with native language via multimedia sources. Graded readings on topics related to Chinese life and society serve as an aid to language learning and provide an introduction to Chinese culture.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, All Years
CHN 294 Special Topics 4 Credits
The intensive study of a selected author, movement, genre, or theme. Prerequisite: CHN 303, 304.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
CHN 297 Independent Study 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student allowing the student to study a topic of interest that is presently not offered at WC.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
CHN 351 Chinese Cinema: Ideology & Box Office 4 Credits
Taught in English. China is a growing producer of and market for the world's films. Chinese cinematography has a long and distinguished history. This course examines that history and how the current state of Chinese film has come to be. The content units deal with several broad topics rooted in some of the fundamental issues of any of the humanistic arts. The overall theme of the course is the tension between Chinese identity and commercial success. Students also explore the creation of proscriptive types in gender and ethnicity, the intersection between politics and film, Globalization and modernity, and the applicability of western theory to the analysis of Chinese film. In addition to regular class periods, there is one mandatory film screening per week which will be listed as an accompanying lab.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Non Conforming
CHN 375 Study Abroad Portfolio 2 Credits
This tutorial continues the development of specific listening, speaking, reading, writing, and critical thinking skills in the target language while majors pursue their language-immersion study abroad program. Students create a portfolio remotely with frequent consultation and feedback from a faculty advisor. The study abroad portfolio is assessed for progress in the student's language learning skills and personal development.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
CHN 394 Special Topics 4 Credits
The intensive study of a selected author, movement, genre, or theme. Prerequisite: CHN 303, 304.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
CHN 397 Independent Study 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student allowing the student to study a topic of interest that is presently not offered at WC.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
CHN 494 Special Topics 4 Credits
The intensive study of a selected author, movement, genre, or theme. Prerequisite: CHN 303, 304.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
CHN 497 Independent Study 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student allowing the student to study a topic of interest that is presently not offered at WC.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, All Years
French
FRS SCE Senior Capstone Experience 2 Credits
Majors must successfully complete the Senior Capstone Experience, which may consist of an original research project (open to students with a 3.5 GPA or higher in the major), or a thesis based on a seminar paper. In each case, students consult with the faculty advisor(s) to choose the most appropriate Capstone Experience, which must be approved by the faculty advisor(s). The Senior Capstone Experience is graded Pass, Fail or Honors and should be taken during the semester in which the student plans to graduate.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
FRS 101 Elementary French I 4 Credits
Designed for beginning students and aimed at developing skill in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in French. Emphasis on communication through intensive aural/oral practice and awareness of cultural context.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, All Years
FRS 102 Elementary French II 4 Credits
Designed for beginning students and aimed at developing skill in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in French. Emphasis on communication through intensive aural/oral practice and awareness of cultural context.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, All Years
FRS 194 Special Topics 4 Credits
The intensive study of a selected author, movement, genre, or theme.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
FRS 195 On-Campus Guided Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student, researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted on campus. 45 hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
FRS 196 Off-Campus Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted off-campus. 45 hours per credit required.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
FRS 197 Independent Study 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student allowing the student to study a topic of interest that is presently not offered at WC. 45 hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
FRS 201 Intermediate French I 4 Credits
Continued emphasis on the four basic skills. Intensive aural/oral practice. Review of grammar, expansion of vocabulary, and their application in writing. Development of effective reading strategies in response to both expository and literary texts. Familiarization of the student with French life and the francophone world.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, All Years
FRS 202 Intermediate French II 4 Credits
Continued emphasis on the four basic skills. Intensive aural/oral practice. Review of grammar, expansion of vocabulary, and their application in writing. Development of effective reading strategies in response to both expository and literary texts. Familiarization of the student with French life and the francophone world.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, All Years
FRS 290 French Studies Internship 4 Credits
A learning contract is developed prior to enrollment in an internship. Evaluation of student performance is completed by the faculty mentor based on fulfillment of the contract terms and written evaluation by the internship site supervisor. 45 hours are required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, Non Conforming
FRS 294 Special Topics 4 Credits
The intensive study of a selected author, movement, genre, or theme.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
FRS 295 On-Campus Guided Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student, researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted on campus. 45 hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
FRS 296 Off-Campus Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted off-campus. 45 hours per credit required.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
FRS 297 Independent Study 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student allowing the student to study a topic of interest that is presently not offered at WC. 45 hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
FRS 301 Advanced French I 4 Credits
FRS 301 and FRS 302 is a sequence designed to deepen the student's skills reading, writing, speaking, and listening. FRS 301 focuses on writing: Journalistic, cultural, and literary readings about contemporary French life serve to develop the student's ability to analyze texts and to write clearly and persuasively in varied forms, such as the r sum , analysis, commentary, description, and short narrative. These courses prepare the student for upper-level literature and civilization courses and for study abroad in a Francophone country.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Odd Years
FRS 302 Advanced French II 4 Credits
FRS 301 and FRS 302 is a sequence designed to deepen the student's skills reading, writing, speaking, and listening. FRS 302 focuses on speaking: Class discussion aims at stimulating fluent and spontaneous use of spoken French. The course includes instruction in phonetics as a guide to correct pronunciation as well as multimedia cultural activities intended to improve the student's linguistic and cultural knowledge. These courses prepare the student for upper-level literature and civilization courses and for study abroad in a Francophone country.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Even Years
FRS 303 Intro to French Literature 4 Credits
A course designed to help students answer the questions, How does one talk and write about literature? and What does it mean to read and give a reading to a text? An exploration of selected works representing different genres both in relation to other literary movements and their historical contexts.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Even Years
FRS 304 Intro to French Literature II 4 Credits
A course designed to help students answer the questions, How does one talk and write about literature? and What does it mean to read and give a reading to a text? An exploration of selected works representing different genres both in relation to other literary movements and their historical contexts.
Term(s) Offered: Other, Non Conforming
FRS 311 Contemporary France 4 Credits
Taught in English, this course provides an introductory historical and cultural study of contemporary France. Students are provided tools for cultural interpretation via critical texts and the analysis of French films and their American remakes; they will then apply them to the cultural history of France. We explore the impact of World War II, of the students protests of May '68, and of women's emancipation movements. We examine France's position in the world -- its past as a colonizing nation, its present post-colonial actions, and its multicultural identity enriched be different waves of immigration. We study the political and economic roles of women, their place in the family, health concerns, and struggles for autonomy through works by women. This course counts toward the French major and minor if the journal entries, mid-term exam, and final paper are written in French.
Term(s) Offered: Other, Non Conforming
FRS 312 The Contemporary Francophone World 4 Credits
Taught in English, this course provides an introductory historical and cultural study of the contemporary Francophone world. Designed as a survey of the non-European Francophone world, the course offers for study both literary and cultural documents from the Caribbean, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Canada. Initially students are provided tools for cultural interpretation via critical texts, media analysis (including print and internet sources) and the analysis of Francophone films; they then apply them to the cultural history of the Francophone world. We explore French colonization, the process of decolonization, and subsequent independence movements. We examine social, political, and economic roles of both women and men, changing gender roles, and contemporary divisions of labor. Finally, we reflect on the political, historical, and sociocultural situations of post-colonial Francophone nations.
Term(s) Offered: Other, Non Conforming
FRS 375 Study Abroad Portfolio 2 Credits
This tutorial continues the development of specific listening, speaking, reading, writing, and critical thinking skills in the target language while majors pursue their language-immersion study abroad program. Students create a portfolio remotely with frequent consultation and feedback from a faculty advisor. The study abroad portfolio is assessed for progress in the student's language learning skills and personal development.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
FRS 390 French Studies Internship 4 Credits
A learning contract is developed prior to enrollment in an internship. Evaluation of student performance is completed by the faculty mentor based on fulfillment of the contract terms and written evaluation by the internship site supervisor. 45 hours are required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
FRS 394 Special Topics 4 Credits
The intensive study of a selected author, movement, genre, or theme.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
FRS 395 On-Campus Guided Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student, researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted on campus. 45 hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: Summer, All Years
FRS 396 Off-Campus Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted off-campus. 45 hours per credit required.
Term(s) Offered: Summer, All Years
FRS 397 Independent Study 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student allowing the student to study a topic of interest that is presently not offered at WC. 45 hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, All Years
FRS 411 Love in the Middle Ages 4 Credits
An investigation of the various modes of representation used to define love during the Middle Ages in France. Readings include Ovid, Andreas Capellanus, the troubadours, Chr tien de Troyes, Marie de France, and the letters of Heloise and Abelard
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
FRS 418 Post -World War II France 4 Credits
What are the voices of the post-war period, feminism, and anticolonialism? What is the nature of identity and nationalism? What was the impact of the Algerian War and Mai 68? What is the nouveau roman? Who are some of the critics that have helped shape the visions of this century? Readings are drawn from works by de Beauvoir, Beckett, C saire, Cixous, Duras, Fanon, Foucault, Ionesco, and Robbe-Grillet.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
FRS 419 Studies in Francophone Lit & Cult 4 Credits
This course presents the student with a number of aesthetic, cultural, historical, and political issues relevant to francophone literature. The particular national or regional focus varies.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
FRS 490 French Studies Internship 4 Credits
A learning contract is developed prior to enrollment in an internship. Evaluation of student performance is completed by the faculty mentor based on fulfillment of the contract terms and written evaluation by the internship site supervisor. 45 hours are required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
FRS 494 Special Topics 4 Credits
The intensive study of a selected author, movement, genre, or theme.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
FRS 495 On-Campus Guided Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student, researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted on campus. 45 hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: Summer, All Years
FRS 496 Off-Campus Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted off-campus. 45 hours per credit required.
Term(s) Offered: Summer, All Years
FRS 497 Independent Study 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student allowing the student to study a topic of interest that is presently not offered at WC. 45 hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
German
GRS SCE Senior Capstone Experience 2 Credits
Majors must successfully complete the Senior Capstone Experience, which may consist of an original research project, or a thesis based on a seminar paper. In each case, students consult with the faculty advisor(s) in order to choose the most appropriate Capstone Experience, which must be approved by the faculty advisor(s). Students are enrolled for four SCE credits usually in the spring of their senior year, but the SCE is a year-long project that should be started at the end of the junior year. The Capstone receives a mark of Pass, Fail, or Honors.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
GRS 101 Elementary German I 4 Credits
Designed for beginning students and aimed at developing skill in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in German. Emphasis on communication through intensive aural/oral practice and awareness of cultural context. Students must not have taken or placed into a higher level of German.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, All Years
GRS 102 Elementary German II 4 Credits
Designed for beginning students and aimed at developing skill in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in German. Emphasis on communication through intensive aural/oral practice and awareness of cultural context. Student may not have taken/tested a higher level of German.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, All Years
GRS 190 German Studies Internship 4 Credits
A learning contract is required prior to, enrollment. Evaluation of student performance is, completed by the faculty mentor based on, fulfillment of the contract terms and written, evaluation by the internship site supervisor. 45, hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
GRS 194 Special Topics 4 Credits
The intensive study of a selected author, movement, genre, or theme in German culture studies.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
GRS 195 On-Campus Guided Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student, researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted on campus. 45 hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
GRS 196 Off-Campus Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member a
Term(s) Offered: Summer, All Years
GRS 197 Independent Study 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student allowing the student to study a topic of interest that is presently not offered at WC. 45 hours per credit is required.
GRS 201 Intermediate German I 4 Credits
Continued emphasis on the four basic skills. Intensive aural/oral practice. Review of grammar, expansion of vocabulary, and their application in writing. Development of effective reading strategies. Authentic non-fictional and literary German texts provide the basis for discussion of a wide range of contemporary social, political, and cultural topics.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, All Years
GRS 202 Intermediate German II 4 Credits
Continued emphasis on the four basic skills. Intensive aural/oral practice. Review of grammar, expansion of vocabulary, and their application in writing. Development of effective reading strategies. Authentic non-fictional and literary German texts provide the basis for discussion of a wide range of contemporary social, political, and cultural topics.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, All Years
GRS 290 German Studies Internship 4 Credits
A learning contract is required prior to, enrollment. Evaluation of student performance is, completed by the faculty mentor based on, fulfillment of the contract terms and written, evaluation by the internship site supervisor. 45, hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
GRS 294 Special Topics 4 Credits
The intensive study of a selected author, movement, genre, or theme in German culture studies.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
GRS 295 On-Campus Guided Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student, researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted on campus. 45 hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
GRS 296 Off-Campus Studies 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted off-campus. Students must be enrolled before the research can begin. Graded A-F or Pass/Fail. 45 hours are required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
GRS 297 Independent Study 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student allowing the student to study a topic of interest that is presently not offered at WC. 45 hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
GRS 301 Advanced German Proficiency I 4 Credits
A course designed to enhance students' skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening as well as their cultural knowledge. Engagement with contemporary cultural and literary texts serves to develop students' abilities to analyze texts and to express themselves clearly and according to genre-specific conventions in written and oral communication. This course also includes a review of German grammar.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, All Years
GRS 302 Advanced German Proficiency II 4 Credits
A course designed to enhance students' skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening as well as their cultural knowledge. Engagement with contemporary cultural and literary texts serves to develop students' abilities to analyze texts and to express themselves clearly and according to genre-specific conventions in written and oral communication. This course also includes a review of German grammar.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, All Years
GRS 305 Introduction to German Literature 4 Credits
This course provides students with the analytic tools that facilitate the reading and interpretation of German literature. Specific artistic accomplishments are discussed against the background of historical and social contexts. Brief selections may range from the writings of Martin Luther to works by contemporary women. Particular emphasis is placed on authors of the twentieth century. Students continue to develop language skills, especially reading strategies and vocabulary building.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Non Conforming
GRS 314 Berlin: Symphony of Great City 4 Credits
The course provides an overview of the cultural, sociological, political, and historical significance of Berlin. It presents a survey of its history and culture over the past century, examining how Berlin has come to stand as a symbol of the development of Germany as a whole. Discussion of selected (fictional and nonfictional) texts from specific moments in Berlin's history. Course may be taught in English or German.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Non Conforming
GRS 317 German Cinema (English) 4 Credits
Explores the history and cultural background of German cinema, its topics, forms of representation and relationship to main issues of German history; major themes, movements, and trends, and the construction of identity and difference with special focus on gender. Apart from the historical and narrative context of the films, we also consider how movies produce meaning and how our perspectives as viewers are guided. While this course is not an introduction to Film Studies, it gives students a general idea how to think and write about film in a critical way. Films are screened outside of class; if students cannot attend the screenings, they must watch the films before the class discussion on their own time.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Non Conforming
GRS 318 German Cinema (German) 4 Credits
Explores the history and cultural background of German cinema, its topics, forms of representation and relationship to main issues of German history; major themes, movements, and trends, and the construction of identity and difference with special focus on gender. Apart from the historical and narrative context of the films, we also consider how movies produce meaning and how our perspectives as viewers are guided. While this course is not an introduction to Film Studies, it gives students a general idea how to think and write about film in a critical way. Films are screened outside of class; if students cannot attend the screenings, they must watch the films before the class discussion on their own time.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Non Conforming
GRS 375 Study Abroad Portfolio 2 Credits
This tutorial continues the development of specific listening, speaking, reading, writing, and critical thinking skills in the target language while majors pursue their language-immersion study abroad program. Students create a portfolio remotely with frequent consultation and feedback from a faculty advisor. The study abroad portfolio is assessed for progress in the student's language learning skills and personal development.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
GRS 390 German Studies Internship 4 Credits
A learning contract is required prior to, enrollment. Evaluation of student performance is, completed by the faculty mentor based on, fulfillment of the contract terms and written, evaluation by the internship site supervisor. 45, hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
GRS 394 Special Topics 4 Credits
The intensive study of a selected author, movement, genre, or theme in German culture studies.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
GRS 395 On-Campus Guided Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student, researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted on campus. 45 hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: Summer, All Years
GRS 396 Off-Campus Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member a
Term(s) Offered: Summer, All Years
GRS 397 Independent Study 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student allowing the student to study a topic of interest that is presently not offered at WC. 45 hours per credit is required.
GRS 490 German Studies Internship 4 Credits
A learning contract is required prior to enrollment. Evaluation of student performance is completed by the faculty mentor based on fulfillment of the contract terms and written evaluation by the internship site supervisor. 45 hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
GRS 494 Special Topics 4 Credits
The intensive study of a selected author, movement, genre, or theme in German culture studies.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
GRS 495 On-Campus Guided Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student, researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted on campus. 45 hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: Summer, All Years
GRS 496 Off-Campus Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted off-campus. 45 hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: Summer, All Years
GRS 497 Independent Study 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student allowing the student to study a topic of interest that is presently not offered at WC. 45 hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
Hispanic Studies
HPS SCE Senior Capstone Experience 2 Credits
Majors must successfully complete the Senior Capstone Experience, which may consist of a comprehensive examination, an original research project (open to students with a 3.5 GPA or higher in the major), or a thesis based on a seminar paper. In each case, students will consult with the faculty advisor(s) to choose the most appropriate Capstone Experience, which must be approved by the faculty advisor(s). The Senior Capstone Experience will be graded Pass, Fail or Honors and should be taken during the semester in which the student plans to graduate.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 101 Elementary Spanish I 4 Credits
Designed to develop basic proficiency in aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. A native Spanish-speaking assistant serves as tutor for the course.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, All Years
HPS 102 Elementary Spanish II 4 Credits
Designed to develop basic proficiency in aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing. A native Spanish-speaking assistant serves as tutor for the course.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, All Years
HPS 190 Hispanic Studies Internship 4 Credits
A learning contract is developed prior to enrollment in an internship. Evaluation of student performance is completed by the faculty mentor based on the fulfillment of the contract terms and written evaluation by the internship site supervisor. Students must work at least 45 hours for each internship credit and be enrolled in the course prior to beginning work. Graded A-F or Pass/Fail.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 194 Special Topics 4 Credits
View Available Sections for titles and descriptions of Special Topics offered this semester.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 195 On-Campus Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted on campus. Students must be enrolled before the research can begin. Graded A-F or Pass/Fail. 45 hours are required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 196 Off-Campus Research 4 Credits
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 201 Intermediate Spanish I 4 Credits
Review and intensified practice of language skills. Readings cover a wide range of topics in Spanish and Spanish American culture and literature. A native Spanish-speaking assistant serves as tutor for the course.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 202 Intermediate Spanish II 4 Credits
Review and intensified practice of language skills. Readings cover a wide range of topics in Spanish and Spanish American culture and literature. A native Spanish-speaking assistant serves as tutor for the course.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 290 Hispanic Studies Internship 4 Credits
A learning contract is developed prior to enrollment in an internship. Evaluation of student performance is completed by the faculty mentor based on the fulfillment of the contract terms and written evaluation by the internship site supervisor. Students must work at least 45 hours for each internship credit and be enrolled in the course prior to beginning work. Graded A-F or Pass/Fail.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 294 Special Topics 4 Credits
View Available Sections for titles and descriptions of Special Topics offered this semester.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 295 On-Campus Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted on campus. Students must be enrolled before the research can begin. Graded A-F or Pass/Fail. 45 hours are required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 296 Off-Campus Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted off-campus. Students must be enrolled before the research can begin. Graded A-F or Pass/Fail. 45 hours are required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 297 Independent Study 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty and a student letting the student study a topic of interest not offered at WC. 45 hours are required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, All Years
HPS 301 Advanced Writing & Grammar in Spanish 4 Credits
A course designed to improve reading and writing skills and to augment vocabulary through the use of literary and cultural texts, including film. Spanish grammar is thoroughly reviewed with emphasis on those elements of the structure of Spanish that are often the most troubling to non-native learners.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, All Years
HPS 302 Advanced Oral Proficiency in Spanish 4 Credits
This course is designed especially to improve speaking and listening comprehension skills, again through the use of cultural and literary materials, including film. Emphasis will continue to be placed on vocabulary building and the review of Spanish grammar.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, All Years
HPS 303 Intro to Lit/Cult of Latin America 4 Credits
An introduction to the literature of Latin America. This course provides students with the analytic tools that facilitate the reading and interpretation of the literature of various Latin American countries and their representative authors. The course includes works of poetry, drama, short story, novel and film.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 304 Intro to Literature & Culture of Spain 4 Credits
An introduction to Spanish literature. This course provides students with the analytic tools that facilitate the reading and interpretation of the literature of Spain and its representative authors. The course includes works of poetry, drama, short story, novel, and film.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 305 Intro to Literature of Spain & Latin Am 4 Credits
An introduction to Spanish and Latin American literature. This course provides students with the analytic tools that facilitate the reading and interpretation of the literature of Spain and Latin America and their representative authors. The course includes works of poetry, drama, short story, novel, and essay. This class combines key texts from HPS 303 and HPS 304 and prepares HPS majors for their Senior Capstone Experience.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 306 Cltures&communities Spanish-Speakng Wrld 4 Credits
This interdisciplinary course familiarizes students to the varied societies of the Spanish speaking world, including Spain and a variety of Latin American countries in relation to their cultural production. By drawing on art, film, and mass media, students are able to discuss, explore, and contextualize the major themes and issues that have shaped these linguistic communities. The scope and sequence varies by semester depending on the instructor's research area-region.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 307 Spanish for the Professions 4 Credits
Designed to give students a foundation in the vocabulary of business and international trade and in the expression of basic business concepts in Spanish. Practice in presenting oral reports on business and cultural topics, in reading business reports and other texts of a cultural nature, and in writing various kinds of business correspondence, including r sum s, memos, and letters. All materials are presented within a cultural context intended to expand the student's knowledge and understanding of the manners and mores of Spain and the Spanish-speaking republics of Latin America, as well as of demographic, geographic, and other data related to those nations.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 310 History of Spanish 4 Credits
A study of the evolution (phonological, morphological, semantic, and syntactic of spoken Latin into Castilian through the reading and analysis of medieval texts. The class will also consider the major historical events (social and political that contributed to the formation of modern Spanish. Prerequisite: HPS 301 or 302, or permission of the instructor.
Term(s) Offered: Other, Non Conforming
HPS 375 Study Abroad Portfolio 2 Credits
This tutorial continues the development of specific listening, speaking, reading, writing, and critical thinking skills in the target language while majors pursue their language-immersion study abroad program. Students create a portfolio remotely with frequent consultation and feedback from a faculty advisor. The study abroad portfolio is assessed for progress in the student's language learning skills and personal development.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 390 Hispanic Studies Internship 4 Credits
A learning contract is required prior to enrollment. Evaluation of student performance is completed by the faculty mentor based on fulfillment of the contract terms and written evaluation by the internship site supervisor. 45 hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 394 Special Topics 4 Credits
View Available Sections for titles and descriptions of Special Topics offered this semester.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 395 On-Campus Guided Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student, researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted on campus. 45 hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: Summer, All Years
HPS 396 Off-Campus Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted off-campus. 45 hours of credit is required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: Summer, All Years
HPS 397 Independent Study 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty and a student letting the student study a topic of interest not offered at WC. 45 hours are required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 413 Occult Worlds: the Fantastic in Spain 4 Credits
The course offers a journey through the history of the Fantastic in Spain, from Romanticism to the present day. Throughout the semester we define the concept of the Fantastic, we analyze different formal and thematic varieties of the genre, and we discuss aesthetic, historical and ideological reasons that justify its evolution. Likewise, we see some recurring thematic motifs, as well as the fantastic in the most recent literary and cinematographic manifestations.
Term(s) Offered: Other, Non Conforming
HPS 415 Early Modern Spanish Lit 4 Credits
Spanning the medieval era to the XVIII century, this course focuses on selective works of history, essay, poetry, prose, and theatre that are representative of literary periods such as Medieval, Golden Age, Baroque, and/or the Enlightenment. This class emphasizes close reading as well as contextual analysis, considering the major historical, social, and political events that contributed to each period formation.
HPS 416 Pre-Hispanic Literature 4 Credits
Spanning the pre-hispanic era to the XVIII century, this course focuses on selective works of history, essay, poetry, prose, and theatre that are representative of periods like Pre-Hispanic literature, Colonial Baroque, and/or the Enlightenment. This class emphasizes close reading as well as contextual analysis, considering the major historical, social and political events that contributed to each period formation.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 417 Afro Latin America 4 Credits
This class introduces students to the process of critical thinking through theoretical works on race and through selected historical and contemporary texts about the legacy of Africa in Latin America and the USA. This course explores the effects of race on the relationship between language and the mind and looks at the intersections of race, gender, class and sexuality as socially constructed practices. Students learn to read, think and write critically about different perspectives on being Afro-American, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Mexican, etc. It considers why race still matters in the so-called post-racial America.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Even Years
HPS 421 Latin American Media 4 Credits
The course explores and contextualizes the historical, cultural, and industrial development of telenovelas from a once regional media object to now a globalized media phenomenon. The course's theoretical and video material will consider the performative role of emotions in shaping national constructs, as well as its effects on representations of gender, class, and political ideologies, promoted not only by the telenovela, but also by the industry it supports.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Even Years
HPS 422 Censorship & Repression in Latin America 4 Credits
The course theorizes how the ushering of modernity in Latin America resulted in state censorship and or repression. This process is exemplified through case studies on the experiences of university students in Cuba, Mexico, and Argentina in order to contextualize their role in negotiating and contesting modernity. The course draws from government documents, media, and literary texts to trace student resistance and leadership in paths to non-violence.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Non Conforming
HPS 490 Hispanic Studies Internship 4 Credits
A learning contract is required prior to enrollment. Evaluation of student performance is completed by the faculty mentor based on fulfillment of the contract terms and written evaluation by the internship site supervisor. 45 hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 494 Special Topics 4 Credits
View Available Sections for titles and descriptions of Special Topics offered this semester.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
HPS 495 On-Campus Guided Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student, researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted on campus. 45 hours per credit is required.
Term(s) Offered: Summer, All Years
HPS 496 Off-Campus Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted off-campus. 45 hours of credit is required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: Summer, All Years
HPS 497 HPS Independent Study 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty and a student letting the student study a topic of interest not offered at WC. 45 hours are required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
International Languages and Cultures
ILC SCE Senior Capstone Experience 2 Credits
Students majoring in ILC must complete a Senior Capstone Experience (SCE) which entails producing a thesis or other project related closely to the focus of the major. The project or thesis may be written in English or in the foreign language. Students give a formal oral presentation of the thesis or project before peers and faculty, either in English or the foreign language. ILC students are strongly urged to engage in a semester-long or summer study abroad experience. Graded Pass, Fail or Honors.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
ILC 194 Special Topics 4 Credits
Study of a selected topic within a single national literature or culture, or a comparative study across cultures. Recent offerings include Perspectives on International Film; Food in Film, Literature and Culture; Shakespeare and Cervantes (Honors); The Big City in Literature and Film; Love and the Ideal in European Literature and Film; and The Reception of the Middle Ages.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
ILC 195 On-Campus Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted on campus. Students must be enrolled before the research can begin. Graded A-F or Pass/Fail. 45 hours are required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
ILC 196 Off-Campus Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted off-campus. Students must be enrolled before the research can begin. Graded A-F or Pass/Fail. 45 hours are required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
ILC 294 Special Topics 4 Credits
Study of a selected topic within a single national literature or culture, or a comparative study across cultures. Recent offerings include Perspectives on International Film; Food in Film, Literature and Culture; Shakespeare and Cervantes (Honors); The Big City in Literature and Film; Love and the Ideal in European Literature and Film; and The Reception of the Middle Ages.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
ILC 295 On-Campus Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted on campus. Students must be enrolled before the research can begin. Graded A-F or Pass/Fail. 45 hours are required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
ILC 296 Off-Campus Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted off-campus. Students must be enrolled before the research can begin. Graded A-F or Pass/Fail. 45 hours are required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
ILC 305 European Cinema 4 Credits
Study of European film and its history. Special attention is given to the various dimensions of film structure and criticism, with emphasis on foreign language films (with English subtitles). Selected films are viewed and analyzed.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
ILC 311 Contemporary France 4 Credits
This course provides an introductory historical and cultural study of contemporary France. Students will be provided tools for cultural interpretation via critical texts and the analysis of French films and their American remakes; they will then apply them to the cultural history of France. We will explore the impact of World War II, of the student protests of May '68, and of women's emancipation movements. We will examine France's position in the world -- its past colonizing nation, it present post-colonial actions, and its multicultural identity enriched by different waves of immigration. We will study the political and economic roles of women, their place in the family, health concerns, and struggles for autonomy through works by women. This course counts toward the French major and minor if the journal entries, mid-term exam, and final paper are written in French.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
ILC 312 The Contemporary Francophone World 4 Credits
This course provides an introductory historical and cultural study of the contemporary Francophone world. Designed as a survey of the non-European Francophone world, it will offer for study both literary and cultural documents from the Caribbean, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Canada. Initially students will be provided tools for cultural interpretation via critical texts, media analysis (including print and Internet sources) and the analysis of Francophone films; they will then apply them to the cultural history of the Francophone world. We will explore French colonization, the process of decolonization, and subsequent independence movements. We will examine social, political, and economic roles of both women and men, changing gender roles, and contemporary divisions of labor. Finally, we will reflect on the political, historical, and sociocultural situations of post-colonial Francophone nations. This course counts toward the French major and minor if the journal entries, mid-term exam, and final paper are written in French.
Term(s) Offered: Other, Non Conforming
ILC 318 Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Ed 4 Credits
This course is an examination of contemporary cultural and linguistic diversity within the United States educational environments. Special attention is given to cultural problems and issues that influence opportunities and performance in educational institutions. The basic premise of the course is that teachers play an important role in creating a positive classroom learning environment and bringing school success, especially for English language learners. Students develop understandings of the impact of culture, cultural diversity, immigration, migration, colonialism, and power on language policy and on students currently learning English as a second language.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, All Years
ILC 336 Postcolonial Literature 4 Credits
This course will investigate the impact of British colonialism, national independence movements, postcolonial cultural trends, and women's movements on the global production of literary texts in English. We will read a diverse grouping of writers including Mulk Raj Anand, Kiran Desai and Salman Rushdie from India, Jamaica Kinkaid, Una Marson, and Sam Selvon from the Caribbean, as well as the Kenyan Nugugi Thiong'o and the Zimbabwean Tsitsi Dangarembga among many others. Careful attention will be paid to ethnographic, geographic, and historical modes of understanding the multi-layered effects of colonialism and its' after effects.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, All Years
ILC 351 Chinese Cinema: Ideology & the Box 4 Credits
Taught in English. China is a growing producer of and market for the world's films. Chinese cinematography has a long and distinguished history. This course will examine that history and how the current state of Chinese film has come to be. The content untis will deal with several broad topics rooted in some of the fundamental issues of any of the humanistic arts. The overall theme of the course will be the tension between Chinese identity and commercial success. The students will also explore the creation of proscriptive types in gender and ethnicity, the intersection between politics and film, Globalization and modernity, and the applicability of western theory to the analysis of Chinese film. In addition to regular class periods, there is one mandatory film screening per week which will be listed as an accompanying lab.
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Even Years
ILC 394 Special Topics 4 Credits
Study of a selected topic within a single national literature or culture, or a comparative study across cultures. Recent offerings include Perspectives on International Film; Food in Film, Literature and Culture; Shakespeare and Cervantes (Honors); The Big City in Literature and Film; Love and the Ideal in European Literature and Film; and The Reception of the Middle Ages.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
ILC 395 On-Campus Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted on campus. Students must be enrolled before the research can begin. Graded A-F or Pass/Fail. 45 hours are required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
ILC 396 Off-Campus Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted off-campus. Students must be enrolled before the research can begin. Graded A-F or Pass/Fail. 45 hours are required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
ILC 397 ILC Independent Study 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty and a student letting the student study a topic of interest not offered at WC. 45 hours are required per credit.
ILC 494 Special Topics 4 Credits
Study of a selected topic within a single national literature or culture, or a comparative study across cultures. Recent offerings include Perspectives on International Film; Food in Film, Literature and Culture; Shakespeare and Cervantes (Honors); The Big City in Literature and Film; Love and the Ideal in European Literature and Film; and The Reception of the Middle Ages.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
ILC 495 On-Campus Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted on campus. Students must be enrolled before the research can begin. Graded A-F or Pass/Fail. 45 hours are required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
ILC 496 Off-Campus Research 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty member and a student researching a topic of interest that is relevant to a student's major or minor. Research is conducted off-campus. Students must be enrolled before the research can begin. Graded A-F or Pass/Fail. 45 hours are required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: All Terms, All Years
ILC 497 ILC Independent Study 4 Credits
An agreement between a sponsoring faculty and a student letting the student study a topic of interest not offered at WC. 45 hours are required per credit.
Term(s) Offered: Fall, All Years