In this course students will develop abilities to function in
the French language and in Francophone cultures at the
elementary level. Students will learn about the relationship of
food to well-being and quality of life. They will learn about
the importance of travel and “personal time” in Francophone
cultures, the importance of family and home to one’s identity,
and about the importance of the emerging role of information
technologies and the Internet in the French-speaking world. They
will learn how to use the past tense, including the passé
compose and the imparfait, various irregular verbs, and how to
construct complex sentences. The text is Vis à vis, the same as
in French 101.
In this course you will learn how to communicate with a high
level of proficiency. You will learn important skills relating
to French media, the arts, the economy, and problem-solving
skills, as well as important intercultural differences between
the French-speaking people and Americans. You will continue to
become more fluent in French learning several verb tenses,
including the subjunctive, and precise use of pronouns, as well
as many other fundamental skills relating to how to structure
your ideas in French. At this level, you will become more
confident in your speaking and writing abilities, and more adept
at “sounding French” as you communicate in the language.
Tutorials with native speakers are integral to the course.
Conducted in French.
Development of communication skills in French relative to
grammar, syntax, appropriate registers, necessary vocabulary,
non-verbal cues and culturally-specific idiomatic usage, as well
as skills in French/English and English/French translation. Also
includes the processes of conversation development, thesis
formation and strategies for argumentation operating within
French cultural norms, especially relating to professional life
and the workplace. Conducted in French.
Expected level of proficiency: French 301 or equivalent.
This course uses several sources to gain a deeper
understanding of the theoretical construction of francophone
cultures, their representation on the web, and the problems
associated with web-based cultural research. Inasmuch as the
learning about these cultures takes place in cyberspace and the
world of fiction, the cultural knowledge acquired remains firmly
grounded in some reality. The course will enhance students’
skills in navigating the web in the target language as well as
sharpen their ability to sort out useful material from myriad of
information about the French-speaking world and “La Francophonie”,
synthesize and communicate the findings effectively orally and
in writing. Students will be required to find “net pals” in
different parts of the francophone world with whom they will
chat on a regular basis on various aspects of their culture and
make weekly reports of their newly-gained knowledge to the
class. Course evaluation will be based on: attendance and active
participation in class discussions, weekly reports, several
presentations, written assignments, and a term paper
Experience in teaching French in the classroom or with
individual students under the supervision of an instructor.
Offered on a credit/no credit basis. (.5 unit)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
The Senior Seminar is designed to help graduating French
majors and minors prepare for life after Albion College.
Discussions in this seminar will focus on what students have
learned in their college studies and off-campus experiences,
what skills they have acquired and how these skills are
important professionally, how they should prepare to enter the
work force and how to communicate what they have learned
effectively to future employers or graduate programs. For those
entering the workforce directly, we will also discuss where they
might find jobs, how to prepare a résumé. etc. (.25 unit)
German
GERMAN 102: Elementary German, continued
MWF 11:10 - 12noon
CRN 7146
Staff
Humanities Core Credit / Global Studies Category
German 102 is the continuation of German 101. The course
focuses systematically on the development of all four basic
language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing), and
aims to do this by taking advantage of the cognitive advantages
adult language learners have over children. This means focusing
on material that will engage learners' interest, creativity, and
sense of humor, as well as on the development of effective
language learning strategies. By the end of the semester,
students will have been exposed to all the essentials of German
grammar. Students will be able to cope with a variety of
conversational situations and written texts. In particular, they
will have the necessary "survival skills" for a visit to a
German-speaking country, as well as a foundation for doing
intellectual work in German.
GERMAN 202: Intermediate German, continued
MWF 9:10 - 10:00am
CRN 7147
Catherine Grimm
Humanities Core Credit / Global Studies Category
The most important goal of this class is to improve your
ability to communicate effectively in German. We will also work
towards increasing your knowledge regarding different aspects of
German culture. The pace of the class will be upbeat and
dynamic: active participation is a key component. The topics
will generate lively discussion and deepen your understanding of
contemporary culture and the history of the German speaking
world. We will analyze different text genres such as poetry,
prose and drama as well as different forms of media: television,
radio, the internet and film. This mix of genres will give you
an idea of all that is available to you as you pursue your
studies of German. Our other important goal will be to review
and increase your knowledge of the main topics of German
grammar.
GERMAN 302: MWF
10:10 - 11:00am
German Conversation and Composition:
CRN 7148
Catherine Grimm
Prerequisite: German 202 or equivalent.
Humanities Core Credit / Global Studies Category
This course is intended to help you improve your analytical,
writing and speaking skills. The course will be built on a
selection of German crime/detective stories. Brief historical
content will be introduced for each story. Studying language and
content through a specific theme, genre type in historical
context (meaningful content- based input) will help students
build vocabulary and an increased comfort level with the
material for discussion and written assignments (meaningful
content-based output). In written assignments attention should
be given to the quality of the content, extending your
vocabulary range, and consistent grammar in context. For
in-class discussions more attention will be given to
communicating your intent rather than strict assessment of
grammar. In support of these goals we will cover select grammar
points in Wells. This is an upper division course
and it is assumed that you have already acquired a solid
foundation in grammar. All readings, course content and
discussions will be in German.
GERMAN 389: MWF
12:1`0 - 1:00pm
Postwar German Short Story
CRN 7149
Catherine Grimm
Humanities Core Credit
This class will focus on German language examples of the
literary genre known as the “short story”. (Kurzgeschichte). We
will concentrate on examples of this influential genre that were
written after World War II. The discussions of these works will
center on the manner and style in which these stories produce
meaning, as well as on the historical and cultural issues that
make up their content. Students will have a chance to work on
and improve their reading comprehension, their writing and their
ability to discuss literary topics in German . Authors we will
read include: Wolfgang Borchert, Heinrich Böll, Ilse Aichinger,
Uwe Johnson, Alfred Andersch, Ingeborg Bachmann, Gabriele
Wohmann, Judith Herrmann, and new nobel laureate Herta Müller.
GERMAN 398: Practicum TBA
CRN 7157
Emmanuel Yewah
Practicum offers experience in teaching German in the
classroom or with individual students under the close
supervision of a regular instructor. Offered on a credit/no
credit basis. (.5 unit)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
__________________________________________________________________
JAPANESE
JAPANESE 101: Elementary Japanese MWF
2:10 - 3:00pm
CRN 7150
Global Studies
Takami Mohri
Humanities Core Credit / Global Studies Category
Goals of the Course: This course is designed for students who
will study Japanese for the first time at the college level. In
this course, you will acquire skills in elementary-level
speaking, listening, reading, and writing of modern Japanese. In
addition, this course deepens your understanding and knowledge
of Japanese culture. Emphasis is on ability to communicate and
function in Japanese accurately and appropriately, both in
speech and writing. By the end of the semester, you will be able
to: 1) Read and Write hiragana and katakana characters. 2) Greet
in Japanese. 3) Talk about time and price as well as one’s
schedule such as what time to get up.
Learning Materials: (Textbook) Genki I: An Integrated Course
in Elementary Japanese Vol. I and (Workbook) Genki I: Workbook
JAPANESE 102: Elementary Japanese, continued MWF
11:10 - 12noon
CRN 7151
Global Studies
Takami Mohri
Humanities Core Credit / Global Studies Category
This course is an interdisciplinary communicative Japanese
language class aiming at the improvement of four basic skills:
speaking, listening, reading, and writing. This course will
cover a range of topics and situations where students will carry
out conversation in a meaningful way. The aims of this course
are not only to enhance the linguistic abilities of students but
also to increase awareness of different cultural values in light
of their own. This course will integrate Japanese tangible
pop-culture, such as food, music, and art with the language
lesson in the most effective ways.
JAPANESE 202: Intermediate Japanese, continued MWF
12:10 - 1:00pm
CRN 7152
Global Studies
Takami Mohri
Humanities Core Credit / Global Studies Category
This course is an interdisciplinary communicative Japanese
language class aiming at the improvement of four basic skills:
speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students will learn
more kanji or Chinese letters to enhance their reading and
writing skills. This course will introduce a variety of speech
patterns: formal, informal and honorific expressions. Students
will learn the appropriate expressions for time, place, and the
occasions when to use
these expressions. This course will be the integration of
language learning with discussions on different values and
beliefs as well as tangible culture, such as Japanese “anime,”
and “manga.”
JAPANESE 398: Practicum
CRN 7160
Emmanuel Yewah
Experience in teaching Japanese in the classroom or with
individual students under the supervision of an instructor.
Offered on a credit/no credit basis. (.5 unit)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
__________________________________________________________________
SPANISH
SPANISH 102: Elementary Spanish, continued
Section I MWF 9:10 – 10:00am
CRN 7134
Marcie Noble
Section II MWF 12:10 – 1:00pm
CRN 7135
Marcie Noble
Humanities Core Credit / Global Studies Category
This course is designed for students who completed Spanish
101 at Albion College OR who have some high school experience in
the language. The goal of Spanish 102 is to continue to develop
the four skills necessary to acquire a second language at a
basic level (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and to
learn crucial and interesting information about the cultures
that serve as context for the Spanish language. As a significant
part of this goal you will be provided the opportunity to study
different Hispanic countries and cultures through various
in-class and extra curricular activities (movies, fiestas,
lessons, concerts, interviews, etc.). Since this course will
count for Global Studies Category, the students should be
prepared and excited to learn the Spanish language in its global
context.
Prerequisite: Spanish 101, placement exam or recommendation
of the professor.
SPANISH 202: Intermediate Spanish, continued
Section I MWF 9:10 – 10:00am
CRN 7136
Kalen Oswald
Section II MWF 12:10–1:00pm
CRN 7137
Julia Medina
Humanities Core Credit / Global Studies Category
This course continues to review the language structure
learned in previous Spanish courses, with particular emphasis on
developing conversational skills. All assignments, quizzes and
exams are designed to stimulate discussion in Spanish. Much of
the second language input comes from authentic Hispanic sources
(literary texts, film, TV, newspaper and magazine articles,
etc.) that deal with social, political, geographical,
historical, artistic and otherwise cultural issues from the
Hispanic world. The constant use of Spanish in the classroom
will significantly improve fluency. Tutorials with teaching
assistants are integrated into the course.
Prerequisite: Spanish 201, placement exam or permission of
the instructor.
SPANISH 302:
MWF 10:10 – 11:00am
Advanced Oral and Written Expression
CRN 7138
Marcie Noble
Humanities Core Credit / Global Studies Category
Development of communication skills in Spanish relative to
grammar, syntax, appropriate registers, necessary vocabulary,
non-verbal cues and culturally specific idiomatic usage. Also
includes the processes of conversation development, thesis
formation and strategies for argumentation operating within
Hispanic cultural norms, as well as key contemporary issues of
importance to the Spanish-speaking world. This course is
designed to improve fluency through the viewing, analysis and
interpretation of Hispanic film. Conducted in Spanish.
Expected level of proficiency: Spanish 301 or permission of
instructor.
SPANISH 304: MWF 2:10 - 3:00pm
Creative Writing Workshop
CRN 7139
Kalen Oswald
Humanities Core Credit / Artistic Creation & Analysis Mode
This course endeavors to increase the students’ proficiency
in Spanish and ability to think creatively and critically
through the process of creative writing in the target language,
and through the activities related to that process. The
components of the course will address the need to increase each
student’s vocabulary, grammatical accuracy and understanding of
linguistic and generic structures, but in a much different
context than some traditional language classes. To be successful
in this course a student does not need to be a talented author,
nor does s/he already need to have a highly developed creative
imagination. In the course we will learn how to be creative, how
to effectively communicate in Spanish and how to have fun doing
it. Spanish 304 introduces short stories, poetry and theatre
through the analysis and interpretation of interesting and
entertaining literary models. Then the students write their own
works. Again… you do not need to be “good at” creative writing
to benefit enormously from this course!
SPANISH 360: MWF
11:10 - 12noon
Key Issues in Spanish Literature & Culture -
Spanish Sleuths and the Transition to Democracy
CRN 7140
Kalen Oswald
Humanities Core Credit
In Spain the era known as the “Transición a la democracia”
refers specifically to the years immediately following the death
of Francisco Franco in 1975, when after almost 40 years of
military dictatorship Spain was struggling to redefine itself in
political, social and cul-tural terms. It was a time of marked
urban development, regional posturing, artistic exploration,
genuine fears, social unrest, cultural dynamism, economic
upheaval, poli-tical jostling, high hopes, and bitter
disillu-sionment. During these same years the Spanish detective
genre gained in both popular and critical acclaim, becoming for
the authors a creative way to chronicle the realities of life
during the Transition. In this course we will examine many works
(novels, stories, films) of Spanish detective fiction produced
during the Transition in order to better understand that crucial
time period in Spain’s history. The students will analyze and
interpret entertaining works by some of Spain’s most renowned
authors, thereby playing the role of a critical detective who
deduces the truth about the case of the Transition to Democracy.
Expected level of proficiency: Spanish 314/315, or returned
from an off-campus study program in Spain or Latin America, or
recommendation of the professor.
SPANISH 361:
Key Issues in Latin American Literature & Culture - MWF
1:10 - 2:00pm
Journalism and Literature in Spanish American Culture
CRN 7141
Julia Medina
Humanities Core Credit
This course will explore the interdependence between
journalism and the literary tradition in Spanish America.
Because journals and newspapers are easier to produce than
books, Spanish American authors have depended on these media, or
cultural spaces to publish their work, develop their skills as
writers, and cultivate an audience. Whether it is novels, poems,
or short stories, authors have blended literary production with
journalism and journalism with literary production. Exploring
the intersection between journalism and literature in Spanish
America will allow us to consider what it means to be a writer
in Spanish America and how literary genres, forms and styles
have been influenced by this intersection.
SPANISH 398: Practicum TBA
CRN 7161
Emmanuel Yewah
Practicum offers experience in teaching Spanish in the
classroom or with individual students under the close
supervision of a regular instructor. Offered on a credit/no
credit basis. (.5 unit)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
