Courses Taught in Modern Languages and Classics
MLC 175: Multiculturalism in America
A
multidisciplinary course that investigates the nature of "American" identity
through readings and essay writing, video and debate.
Satisfies the General education
Cultural Diversity and International Perspective requirement.
Cr. 3.
MLC 190: Topics in Modern Languages
Prerequisite: permission
Cr. Ar.
MLC
276: Indo-European Folktales
Just as
French, German and Spanish belong to the same Indo-European language
group as Yiddish, Iranian, and several languages spoken in India,
folktales like "Cinderella" and "Beauty and the
Beast" have a counterpart in nearly every culture in the
world. This course introduces the student to folktale genres
and examines the aesthetic, social, historical, and psychological
values that they reflect. Students will analyze the continuing
influence of folktales on urban legends, music, dance, literature,
art, advertising, political propaganda, and film of English-,
French-, German-, and Spanish-speaking countries. In addition,
by looking at some of the stories and their modern retellings
from both the male and female perspective, course participants
will examine how stereotypical gender role behaviors are both
affirmed and subverted, rejected, or transformed.
Satisfies the General Education Western Cultural Traditional and Cultural Diversity
and International Perspective requirement. Cr. 3.
MLC 293: Study Abroad
Permits the granting of foreign language credit for courses
taken aboard with no exact University of Maine catalog equivalent.
May be repeated for credit.
Cr. 1-6.
MLC
421: World Cinema
Cross-cultural encounters frequently lead
to misunderstanding, conflict and even animosity, but also
comical moments. The medium of film can help students
realize that crossing cultures is not only possible, but
can be a life-transforming experience. In world cinema,
Road Movies have come to represent the myth of mobility and
freedom, their protagonist are groups of people of individuals
who seek to escape their world - either temporarily or permanently
- to set out towards redemption and adventure. The
road either makes or breaks the traveler and thus becomes
the passage to which a new beginning is possible. The
course will investigate how various cultures portray these
quests for change, how many of these trips lead to cross-cultural
(mis) communication and how these themes are both universal
and culturally-specific. By analyzing a variety of
films, it will become clear how national cinema, political
institutions and the socio-cultural makeup of a given society
are interconnected. The fact that Hollywood's film
industry exerts global influence is also apparent in the
many foreign road movies, which take place in the United
States. The variety of movies chosen will present not
only a look at ethnic minorities and majority in various
countries around the world and in the U.S., foreign cultures
from the American point-of-view; but will also demonstrate
how others view America.
Prerequisite: ENG 280, HTY 218 or permission
of instructor
Satisfies the General Education Creative and artistic expression, social contexts
and institutions requirement.
MLC
430: Topics in European Literature
Varies in content from generic studies (the novel, the drama)
to period studies (the Renaissance, Neo-Classicism.) (This
course is identical to ENG 430.)
Prerequisite: 6 hours of literature or permission.
Cr. 3.
MLC
466: Teaching Modern Languages
This course is intended to prepare prospective teachers to make sound decisions
with regard to the content, the approach, the goals and classroom activities
appropriate to foreign language teaching. It is therefore designed to
introduce participants to current theories and practice of foreign language
teaching. In order to achieve this goal, it is essential that participants
understand the linguistic, psychological, anthropological, and educational
theories that contributed to the development of contemporary methodologies. By
seeking to establish the theoretical basis of second language learning/acquisition
and foreign language instruction, course participants will be encouraged to
become reflective and self-critical language instructors. The course
also aims to provide sources of information to which participants can turn
in the years ahead for continued guidance in their professional development.
Cr.
3.
MLC
467: Teaching Literature in the K-12 Language Curriculum
This course is intended for language teachers or language majors seeking teacher
certification. It introduces participants to various methods and techniques
of teaching literature in the target language. Designing a literature
curriculum in a foreign language naturally differs from designing a language
arts curriculum in English for native speakers. Participants will therefore
investigate various text types, projects, and activities geared to various
stages of their students' proficiency level. Several types of assessment,
from testing reading comprehension to grading creativity in language, will
be discussed. These activities are not only designed to help language
students gain a deeper appreciation for literature written in the target language,
but will also enable them to become creative in the language and further their
linguistic development. The types of text a language teacher chooses,
can also enhance other K-12 subject areas and thus make language an integral
and meaningful part of the entire K-12 curriculum.
Cr. 3.
MLC
475: Contributions of European Linguistic Groups to the American
Cultural Heritage
A study of the cultural contributions of European language
groups to the development of America. Examines the roots
of many American traditions, traces origins of characteristic
(place) names and words to early immigrants and investigates
ways in which groups or individuals deal with the new environment
in accordance with their own heritage. A reading knowledge
of foreign language is recommended.
Cr. 3.
MLC 490: Topics in Modern
Languages
Specific topics vary from semester to semester. May be repeated
for credit.
Prerequisite: permission.
Cr. 3.
MLC
493: Study Abroad
Permits
the granting of foreign language credit for courses taken aboard
with no exact University of Maine catalog equivalent. May
be repeated for credit.
Cr. 1-6.
MLC 496: Field Work in Modern
Languages
Supervised
work in either the public or the private sector which is relevant
to the study and use of a modern language. Requirements
include an initial proposal which shows the relevance of the
work experience to the students' program in modern languages
and a final report or paper.
Prerequisite: an appropriate
level of fluency as determined by the department.
Cr. 1-12.
MLC
499: Senior Project in Modern Languages and Classics
Capstone Experience in which majors in French, German, Latin,
Spanish, Modern Languages and Romance Languages and majors in
International Affairs in Foreign Languages (French, German, Spanish)
apply language skills and knowledge gained from all prior language
study. Students work closely with faculty advisor on approved
project, practicum, research, study abroad. Students present
project in major language at student colloquium. Can be
taken for less than 3 credits only in conjunction with MLC 493.
Satisfies the General Education
Western Cultural Tradition, Cultural Diversity and International
Perspectives and Capstone Experience requirements.
Prerequisite: senior standing and permission
Cr. 1-3.
