WLLC (Courses taught in English) | World Languages, Literatures, & Cultures

WLLC (Courses taught in English)

In addition to language classes, the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures offers a broad variety of courses on cultures taught in English. All courses are 3 credit hours, have no prerequisites, and can be used as an Advanced Elective or apply to some minors(see course description below). All courses meet CLASS Distribution Requirements (either Diversity & Global Issues or Communication & Digital Skills).

COURSES OFFERED:

WLLC 3000 Linguistic Landscapes Around the World

Exploration and analysis of cultural, historical, political and social dimensions of language use, language contact, and multilingualism in a range of linguistic landscapes around the globe.

WLLC 3010: Global Diversity (taught online)

This course examines cultural differences in various parts of the world, particularly in countries whose languages are taught in the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures, creating cultural awareness to prepare global citizens.

WLLC 3100: Arab Cultures in Film & Music (face to face; offered every other year)

This course explores Arab modern histories and cultures through the lens of film and music. Through the medium of movies and songs, students will examine the roots of some of the most prominent social, cultural, political, and gendered norms often attributed to the Arab World. Diverse materials from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt, and beyond will enhance students' global competencies and enable them to reflect upon the varied life experiences of people from around the Arab World.

WLLC 3200: Chinese Culture & Society (face to face; offered every second year)

This course is an introduction to Chinese culture and society. This course familiarizes students with Chinese history, thoughts, religion, politics, economics, language, customs, people, society, and general ways of life so that they may have a better understanding of today's Chinese society. May apply to the Asian Studies minor.

WLLC 3310: The Best of French Pop Culture (taught online)

Students will discover and analyze different aspects of French culture (such as fashion, film, food, comics, music, advertisements, media, sports, language, and other cultural artefacts), and learn to think about how popular culture is constructed and consumed in France. Students are actively engaged in online discussion and share their perspectives and informed opinions, regarding Popular Culture in France and in their home country.

WLLC 3400: The Holocaust & Film (face to face; offered every other year)

This course examines how the Holocaust has been portrayed in feature films and documentaries in different countries. Viewing various cinematic texts, we will discuss these and other questions about the problem and limits of language, the role of trauma, authenticity, memory and post-memory, genocide, storytelling and history, and representation and adaptation of the Holocaust in film in Hollywood, Europe (France, Italy, Hungary, and Germany), and in Israel.

WLLC 3410: German Popular Culture

Exploration of socio-cultural trends and movements in German society from the 1960s to the present through the lens of popular culture. Discussions center on topics related to colonialism, youth rebellion, Cold War, environmental degradation, and confronting the legacy of National Socialism. Selected course materials range from popular music, movies, TV-series, to genres of popular fiction such as science-fiction and eco-thrillers. Taught in English.

WLLC 3530: Cosa Nostra - The Mafia in History and Fiction (face to face)

This course will examine the growth of the Mafia from rural Sicily to Manhattan and beyond, considering both its historical development and its portrayal in popular media.

WLLC 3600: Japanese Popular Culture (face to face; offered every other year) May apply to the Asian Studies minor.

This course examines cultural artefacts to survey contemporary Japanese culture. The scope of the examined objects and practices range from anime, fashion, film, food and games, to manga literature and languages, music, and sports. The course examines our everyday engagement with the Japanese cultural artefacts, belief systems, and social interaction.

WLLC 3700: Classical Mythology (face to face; offered every other year)

Classical Mythology is the study of Ancient (primarily Greek and Roman) stories about gods, heroes, monsters, and the world they inhabit. It is also an attempt to understand the customs, aspirations, and fears these stories encode. Myths delve into perennial problems of intellectual, spiritual, and societal values: relationships of insiders and outsiders in society, the justifications for war, the structure of the home, rites of passage.

COURSES SOON TO BE OFFERED:

WLLC 3540: The Worlds of Dante

Examines the Middle Ages through the divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri.

WLLC 3420: German Graphic Novels

Exploration of socio-cultural topics in German society from the 1980s to the present through the lens of graphic novels. Discussions center on topics related to the Holocaust, the division of Germany, immigration, and confronting the legacies of colonialism, National Socialism, and the Cold War. Taught in English.