WLC Courses

ARB 101 Elementary Arabic I

An introduction to formal and spoken Arabic for those students who have never studied the language.  Students learn the sound system and basic grammatical structures, to read and write the Arabic alphabet, and are exposed to important aspects of the Arab culture.

ARB 102 Elementary Arabic II

A continuation of ARB 101.  Designed for students who have had some exposure to modern standard Arabic.  Reinforces and extends reading skills, basic grammatical structures, techniques for vocabulary buildings, and writing basic sentences and paragraphs.  Emphasizes conversational practice and communication in context.

ARB 103 Intermediate Arabic I

A continuation of ARB 102.  Designed for students who can read and write the Arabic alphabet, construct basic sentences, and are familiar with basic Arabic grammatical concepts and vocabulary.  Students learn how to introduce themselves and to conduct simple conversations on a range of everyday subjects.  Students will learn to correctly use present, past, and future tenses, along with more complex vocabulary and grammar.

ARB 104 Intermediate Arabic II

A continuation of ARB 103.  Designed for students who have had prior exposure to modern standard Arabic.  Continues the process of presenting basic grammatical structures, reinforcing reading skills, furthering techniques for vocabulary building, and writing basic sentences and forming paragraphs.  Emphasizes conversational practice and communication in context.  Additional material prepared by instructor will serve to supplement the textbook.

ARB 201 Arabic Composition

Designed for students with intermediate level of proficiency in Arabic.  Students will perfect their knowledge of the Arabic alphabet and phonetic and writing systems.  The basics of reading, writing, listening comprehension and speaking will be covered.  Students will acquire everyday vocabulary, including greetings and other expressions.  Students will also investigate cultural aspects of the Arabic experience with authentic materials provided by the instructor.

ARB 490 Independent Study

Research in a selected area directed by a member of the department.  Topic will be arranged in consultation with the instructor.  Prerequisite: Department chairperson approval.

CHN 101 Elementary Chinese I

An Introduction to modern Mandarin Chinese for those who have never studied the language.  Introduces the sound system of Mandarin Chinese and basic grammatical structures.  Students also learn how to read and write Chinese characters.  Seeks to develop oral and written expression, listening and reading comprehension, and understanding of the culture and society of China.

CHN 102 Elementary Chinese II

Aims to further develop the basic oral and written skills in Mandarin.  Students will gain a greater flexibility of expression, and will be able to communicate in familiar everyday situations such as life at school and other social interactions.  Cultural perspectives will be examined in order to foster a better understanding of the language.

CHN 103 Intermediate Chinese I

Introduces more sophisticated grammatical concepts and vocabulary from daily life.  Seeks to foster greater fluency in utilizing communication skills in everyday situations such as talking about the weather, asking directions, celebrating someone’s birthday, and seeing a doctor.  Students begin to learn different strategies to express similar ideas and feelings, thereby gaining a greater flexibility of expression.

CHN 104 Intermediate Chinese II

Designed to further develop students’ communicative competence in aspects of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.  Through various activities and assignments, students are expected to understand and conduct conversations concerning dating, renting an apartment, sports, travel, and being at an airport.  Students will be able to read simple texts related to the above topics and write essays with the more sophisticated words and expressions learned in class.

Designed to introduce the French language to students who have no previous experience with the language.  The course is communication-centered and develops oral, aural, reading, and writing skills concurrently.  The active learning approach emphasizes pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammatical structures in the context of improving students’ oral and written expression.

A continuation of French 101, this course is appropriate for students who have previously studied French but are not prepared to resume study of the language at the intermediate level.  The course emphasizes pronunciation, vocabulary building, and practice of fundamental grammar points.  The format of this course is designed to improve students’ oral and written expression skills.

Designed to further improve students’ oral and written communication skills through the introduction of more complex grammar points and the acquisition of more extensive vocabulary.  Class discussions and essay topics related to cultural and contemporary issues provide the opportunity for students to express themselves with more sophisticated and individual style.

Provides students with the opportunity to practice, in speaking and in writing, more complex and nuanced linguistic elements in order to achieve a more advanced level of expression. Regular writing assignments and class discussions based on a variety of texts enhance students’ ability to express themselves clearly and intelligently.

This course is designed to continue the development of students’ reading and writing skills, to improve their written expression in terms of both accuracy and content, and to evolve a personal style of expression.  The nuances of the language are examined through analyses of texts from a variety of genres, with particular attention to stylistic techniques. Selected texts will guide the students to varied genres of writing, including description, narration, and expression of opinions.  The course will also comprise a review of the more complex grammatical structures; grammatical work will be closely tied to the written expression.  This course also introduces students to literary terminology, to the discipline of explication de texte, and to the techniques of literary analysis. Conducted in French.

This course is designed for students who aspire to engage in normal conversation with confidence, ease, and near-native fluency.  Since conversation does not follow a simple question/answer format but unfolds spontaneously, one’s contributions cannot be prepared in advance.  In this course students learn to listen actively, i.e. to listen for cues as well as for content and meaning, in order to participate appropriately and intelligently.  Classes are discussion-centered, based on readings and videos on cultural topics and other subjects of interest to students, and emphasize listening skills, speech patterns and conversational strategies as well as intonation and pronunciation.  Conducted in French.

This course examines the development of French civilization from the perspective of the arts as both catalyst and mirror of the changes that transformed an occupied Roman territory into a major political and cultural force, and culminates with a guided tour in French of the outstanding French collection at the Rhode Island School of Design Museum. France’s respect for the past balanced with a vision for the future, a hallmark of France’s identity, is studied here through the arts from the stunning pre-historic cave paintings at Lascaux, through the spectacular Gothic cathedrals, the luxurious châteaux of the Loire Valley, the architecture of Versailles as the earthly expression of the perfect order of the universe (“une foi, un roi, une loi”), the human longing for liberty and freedom of expression that led to the political and artistic Révolution, and the artistic movements of post-Impressionism, Cubism, Surrealism and Post-Modernism.  Conducted in French. Prerequisites: French 201 and 210. Fulfills Fine Arts Core and Oral Proficiency

In this course students examine contemporary French society through analysis and discussion of French customs, values, attitudes, expectations, and responses to situations and events as presented in various media. Conducted in French.  Pre-requisites: French 201 and 210.

Intended primarily for students considering careers in international business or foreign service. This course focuses on commercial, banking, and legal practices and terminology, business letter writing and translation.  Prerequisites: Two FRN courses at the 200-level or above.

Recurring themes in French literature are studied through close reading of selected literary masterpieces. Class discussions include examination of the relationship between literary works and the historical and socio-cultural context in which they are produced, as well as the evolution of particular literary themes over the ages. Conducted in English.

Close reading of selections from major works of the Middle Ages through the 18^th

century with attention to the development of literary genres and to the socio-historical context in which they emerge. Includes oral and written work, explications de texte, and an introduction to a variety of critical perspectives.  Prerequisite: FRN 212. Fulfills Writing II Proficiency

Critical examination of selections from works of the major literary movements of the 19^th, 20^th, and 21^st centuries with emphasis on developing students’ analytical skills. Includes oral and written work, explications de texte, and the study of critical theory.

Prerequisite: FRN 212. Fulfills Writing II Proficiency

In-depth study of a particular topic not covered in existing course offerings. Topics will vary and may be drawn from current issues or other related areas of interest to students (cinema, music, cultural studies, etc.).  Prerequisites: May vary according to topic but always include at least two courses at the 200-level or above.Prerequisite: FRN 212. Fulfills Writing II Proficiency

A critical examination of the evolution of French poetry from the formal structures of the Middle Ages through the liberation of the 18^th century post-Revolution/pre-Romantic era.  Prerequisites: FRN 321 and 322.

A critical examination of major works of French poetry from early 19^th century Romanticism through Symbolism and Surrealism to the modern day.  Prerequisites: FRN 321 and 322.

A study of the emergence of theater as a genre, from the earliest jeux and farces of the Middle Ages through the 17^th century Classical Age and the major works of Molière, Comeille, and Racine.  Prerequisites: FRN 321 and 322.

A critical examination of French theater as a political mode of expression and instrument for social change from the post-Louis XIV era through the Theater of the

Absurd.  Prerequisites: FRN 321 and 322.

Reality masked as fiction is studied through close reading of the penetrating critiques of contemporary society presented by the 17^th century roman précieux and the 18^th century epistolary novel.  Prerequisites: FRN 321 and 322.

Exploration of the characteristics of the modern French novel that unveils the evolution of this genre as a political and cultural force.  Prerequisites: FRN 321 and 322.

Offers French majors at the advanced level the opportunity to apply and deepen their knowledge of the major language/culture in a meaningful way outside the classroom in a full immersion context, such as the French American School of Rhode Island or the Alliance Française de Providence. Interns devote a minimum of 10 hours per week to supervised on-site responsibilities, and meet regularly with the faculty internship advisor to discuss and evaluate the progress of the scholarly project that will emerge from the internship experience.  Prerequisites: Department chairperson approval.

Research in a selected area of French studies directed by a member of the department. Topics will differ from regular course offerings and be arranged in consultation with the instructor.  Prerequisites: Department chairperson approval.

GER 101 Elementary German I

Intended for students who have not had any experience with the German language.  The fundamentals of German grammar necessary for everyday use of the language are introduced as well as cultural material.  Although the emphasis is on oral proficiency, attention is given to reading and writing.

GER 102 Elementary German II

A continuation of GER 101.  Designed for students who have had prior exposure to German.  Presents basic grammatical structures, reinforces and extends reading skills, techniques for vocabulary building, and writing basic sentences and paragraphs.  Emphasizes intensive conversational practices and communication in context.

GER 103 Intermediate German I

Intended for students who have learned the fundamentals of the German language and wish to become more proficient in speaking, reading, and writing, and to gain more knowledge of the culture.  The course also includes a review of the fundamentals of German grammar.

GER 104 Intermediate German II

Intended for students who have learned the fundamentals of the German language and wish to become more proficient in speaking, reading, and writing, and to gain more knowledge of the culture.  The course also includes a review of German grammar.

GER 201 German Conversation I

Intended for students who wish to improve their speaking ability in order to communicate more easily with native speakers of German.  Everyday topics and short literary selections are used for discussion.  Students prepare and present dialogues in German.

GER 202 German Conversation II 

Intended for students who wish to improve their fluency in German.  Students prepare and present oral reports, lead discussions, practice speech patterns, and build vocabulary.

GER 370 Special Topics in German Studies

Provides students with the opportunity for independent, in-depth study of a particular topic.  Topics vary and may be drawn from current events, literary works, art, music, and other themes.  Prerequisite: Two GER courses at the 200-level.

Exercises on grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Cultural readings will include specific topics such as the Italian family, Italian education, geography, literature, and film. This course also intends to develop students’ knowledge of the Italian language and prepare them for study-abroad.

A continuation of the material introduced in Italian 101. New vocabulary, irregular verbs, past tenses, and the present subjunctive. Special attention is given to essential elements of Italian structures, vocabulary, and aspects of Italian culture. Aural comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing are stressed in that order. This course also intends to further develop students’ knowledge of the Italian language and prepare them for study-abroad.

The chief goals of the course are to expand vocabulary and conversational skills, strengthen grammar, and learn about the life and culture of everyday Italy. Develops language skills for communication with increasing emphasis on reading and writing in the context of Italian culture through the Internet and film. This course also intends to further develop students’ knowledge of the Italian language and prepare them for study-abroad.

A continuation of the material introduced in Italian 103. This course seeks to reinforce and expand students’ linguistic and cultural proficiency at a more advanced level through writing and class discussion. This course also intends to further develop students’ intermediate knowledge of the Italian language and prepare them for study-abroad.

This course focuses on developing skills in both spoken and written Italian and is designed for students who have already learned the fundamentals of grammar. Topics for compositions, class discussions and oral reports are based on short literary texts as well as journalistic articles, music, and film.

Course provides conversational practice in Italian to develop speaking fluency. Content includes specially designed exercises in pronunciation, stress and rhythm, and vocabulary development. Class activities include oral presentations and class discussion by examining texts from various media: film, literature, music, television.

A study of the Italy of today through a look at its past in art, history, film and popular culture. A multidisciplinary examination of Italian Civilization from its beginnings in antiquity until the present. Includes a visit to the Rhode Island School of Design and other area museums or galleries. Affords extensive practice in speaking, reading, and writing in Italian. Prerequisites: ITA 201 and 210.

An examination of major movements in Italian literary, cultural, political, and intellectual history, from medieval times through the 16^th century. Includes poetry, epics, treatises, and theatrical excerpts. Texts will be analyzed in their cultural and historical context; authors include St. Francis, Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio. Students will evaluate major themes through a variety of oral and written assignments.

Prerequisite: ITA 212

An examination of major movements in Italian literary, cultural, political, and intellectual history, from the 17^th century to present. Explores the development of literary styles and genres from the Baroque through contemporary writings. Students will evaluate major themes through a variety of oral and written assignments.

Prerequisite: ITA 212.

Topics will vary and may be drawn from current issues or other related areas of interest to students (cinema, music, cultural studies, etc.). Prerequisites: May vary according to topic but always include at least two courses at the 200-level or above.

Provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the literature of the years of the unification of Italy in the mid -1800s. Attention is given to the progression of Neoclassicism and Romanticism as evidenced in the works of authors such as Foscolo, Leopardi, and Manzoni. Prerequisites: ITA 321 and 322.

An intensive survey of Italian literature from the beginning of the 1900s with Decadence and Futurism to the literature of the Fascist years in the 1940s. Attention will be paid especially to major writers such as Pirandello, Svevo, Ungaretti, and

Montale. The course emphasizes the historical evolution of literary forms, themes, and genres.  Prerequisites: ITA 321 and 322.

A study of the icons of modern Italian literature and culture, with special attention given to 20^th century novelists. This course investigates how Italian writers have negotiated two apparently independent postwar traditions: the aesthetic of realism (which purports to show Italian society and landscape without embellishments) and that search for beauty and style which has historically characterized Italian civilization. Special focus in this course will be given to the contribution of women novelists such as Natalia Ginzburg and Elena Ferrante. Prerequisites: ITA 321 and 322.

Analysis of films from World War II to the present. Themes in Italian cinema: literary adaptation, neorealism, a single auteur or period, representations of fascism, industrialization, red/black terrorism, north/south difference, gender, immigration. Lectures and discussion in English. Films in Italian with English subtitles.

Research in selected areas of Italian studies not found in regular course offerings and arranged in consultation with the instructor.  Prerequisite: Department chairperson approval.

The first semester of four consecutive courses designed to develop fluency and accuracy in the Spanish language. The course is communication-centered and develops oral, aural, reading and writing skills concurrently. The active learning approach emphasizes pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammatical structures in the context of improving students’ communicative proficiency. This course is for students who have not previously studied Spanish.

The second semester of four consecutive courses designed to develop fluency and accuracy in the Spanish language. Through a continued communication-centered approach, this course emphasizes pronunciation, vocabulary building, and practice of fundamental grammar points. This course is designed to help students develop skills for more independent communicative proficiency.

The third semester of four consecutive courses designed to develop fluency and accuracy in the Spanish language. This course is designed to review, reinforce, and consolidate the linguistic structures students need for independent and creative communication. Class discussions and essay topics related to cultural and contemporary issues provide the opportunity to deepen student understanding of linguistic and cultural nuances.

The fourth semester of four consecutive courses designed to develop fluency and accuracy in the Spanish language. Provides students with the opportunity to practice, in speaking and in writing, more complex and nuanced linguistic elements in order to achieve a more advanced level of communicative proficiency. Projects and class discussions will enable students to deepen their understanding of Hispanic cultures.

This intermediate level course is specifically designed for students of business to communicate with business professionals in the Spanish-speaking world. This course will help students develop cultural competency while reinforcing their command of the Spanish language. This course is similar enough in content to SPN 103 that students are not permitted to take both concurrently or sequentially for credit.  Prerequisite: SPN 102 or placement test.

This intermediate language emphasizes cultural and linguistic competence in business settings in the Spanish-speaking world. By the end of the semester, students will be able to effectively communicate both orally and in writing, in a Spanish-speaking business environment. This course is similar enough in content to SPN 104 that students are not permitted to take both concurrently or sequentially for credit.  Prerequisite: SPN 103 or SPN 105 or placement test.

This is a course designed for students with an elementary or low-intermediate level of Spanish (the equivalent of SPN 102 or 103) to prepare them to work with Spanish-speaking patients in the fields of medicine, nursing, social work, and mental health. The course will introduce a wide array of vocabulary and grammatical structures particular to the medical field as well as focus on the cultural issues related to successful interactions with Spanish-speaking patients and their families.

This is a course designed for students with an intermediate and advanced-intermediate level of Spanish (the equivalent of SPN 104 or 201). It is a class geared toward individuals who plan to work in health-related areas. The course is devoted to the study of medical Spanish terminology and will help students develop a cultural understanding of medicine and illness in the Spanish-speaking world.

Development of critical reading and writing skills, with emphasis on accuracy of expression and development of personal style. Designed to help students become familiar with authentic texts written in different styles and develop the ability to produce different rhetorical modes including description, narration, exposition, argumentative essay, and others.

Designed for bilingual English/Spanish students that have little or no formal training in the Spanish language. The course emphasizes the enhancement of writing, reading, and vocabulary. Students will also learn more about their cultural heritage as well as about the different groups of Latinxs/Hispanics and their many contributions to life in the United States.  Prerequisites: Placement test and/or instructor consent.

This course surveys the cultural history of Spain and Spanish America through an examination of the arts as a means of access to these civilizations. The painting, sculpture, and architecture of Spain and Spanish America will be analyzed not only as aesthetic expressions, but as instruments of political, philosophical, and religious worldviews. Conducted in Spanish.  Prerequisites: SPN 201 and SPN 214.

This is an advanced intermediate Spanish conversation course structured around contemporary issues related to public health, business, and law and society in the Hispanic community. Films and readings will provide the student with an opportunity to build vocabulary and discuss a wide range of social, economic and medical topics from a cross-cultural perspective. The norms and expectations of professionals in the Hispanic culture will be studied, and essential skills such as communicating with sensitivity and engaging effectively with local institutions and organizations will be practiced. (Previously SPN 210)

A study of the key authors and representative examples of the Spanish and Spanish American short story situation them in their literary, historical and cultural contexts. Some of the themes examined throughout the course will include political resistance, the fantastic, popular culture and gender relations.  Prerequisites: At least two courses at the 200-level or prior consultation with the chair.

This course introduces students to the Hispanic Caribbean focusing on the literature, culture, and history of Cuba, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic by means of a wide range of genres (short story, poetry, novel, film and music) and periods of production. Readings and discussions will address topics such as race, identity, gender, bilingualism and citizenship, among others.  Prerequisites: At least two courses at the 200-level or above or prior consultation with the Chair of the Department.

The aim of this course is to master Spanish pronunciation through the study of sounds and prosodic features such as intonation and stress. Students will become aware of the similarities and differences between English and Spanish pronunciation through the analysis of authentic native speech samples.  Prerequisites: SPN 201 and SPN 214.

This course helps develop critical awareness about the interaction between language, individual, and society in the context of the use of Spanish in the U.S. Among other topics, it examines varieties of Spanish spoken in other countries, Spanish in contact with English, language maintenance and loss, and language attitudes.   Prerequisites: SPN 201/SPN 205 and/or instructor consent.

Traces the development of Spanish literature from the Middle Ages through the 21^st century. Representative writers, together with the main tenets of literary movements, will receive special emphasis. Attention will be given to the cultural and historical ambience in which each work emerges. Students will read works in prose, verse, drama, and essay.  Prerequisite: SPN 212.

This course examines some of the most important Spanish American cultural and literary periods, authors, and works. Spanning from the “conquest,” the colonial period, and the Independence movements, this course will provide an overview of the development of literature of the continent through the present day.  Prerequisite: SPN 212

Investigates the Bildungsroman throughout the Hispanic world. Attention will be paid to how the novel of individual formation reflects and responds to notions of social and national development. Using important examples of the genre from Spain and Latin America, students will explore the creation of a coherent self in literary texts.  Prerequisite: SPN 321

Investigates the aesthetics of the Andalusian writer, Frederico García Lorca. Students will analyze Lorca’s writings and participate in discussions that include the author’s role within the Spanish avant-garde, the relationship between his work and literary tradition – particularly the Spanish Golden Age – and the conflict between reason and passion prevalent in his literary cosmos.  Prerequisite: SPN 321

In-depth study of a particular topic not covered in existing course offerings. Topics will vary and may be drawn from current issues or other related areas of interest to students (cinema, music, cultural studies, etc.).  Prerequisites: Varies according to topic, but always includes at least two SPN courses at the 200-level or above.

Focuses on the Renaissance outlook in Golden Age Spain as reflected in the literary genres of chivalric romance, picaresque and pastoral novels, and poetry of the mystic and lyric traditions. Major selections from Cervantes’ Don Quijote and his shorter novels, the novelas ejemplares, will be read and analyzed from the perspective of the sociopolitical and theological debates of the 16^th century.  Prerequisites: SPN 321 and 322.

Concentrates on playwrights such as Lope de Vega, Tirso de Molina, and Calderón, exploring the historical and cultural conditions underlying 17^th century Spanish theater. Designed to please a paying popular and courtly audience, Spanish drama shaped a collective identity while projecting conflict between personal desire and conformity. Analyzes issues of gender, identity, global expansion, scientific discovery, and the tensions of a multicultural society.  Prerequisites: SPN 321 and 322

A critical study of the literary movements of costumbrismo, realism, and naturalism. Special attention will be given to the novels of Alarcón, Clarín, Galdós, Pardo Bazán, and Valera. Conducted in Spanish.  Prerequisites: SPN 321 and 322.

A critical examination of major works of Hispanic poetry from early 20^th century avant-garde movements and modernism through the present day.  Prerequisites: SPN 321 and 322.

An approach to post-war narrative in Spain, with emphasis on the techniques of the “novel,” particularly in its relationship to European and Latin American models of the genre. Authors include Cela, Fernández Cubas, Juan Goytisolo, Laforet, Llamazares, and others.  Prerequisites: SPN 321 and 322.

This course examines the main dramatic tendencies in 20^th century Spain. Attention will be devoted to key theatrical development within the context of philosophical (existentialism), social (neo-realism), and aesthetic (the theatre of the absurd, postmodernism) tendencies underlying much of Western thought during the 20^th century. Arrabal, Buero Vallejo, Gala, Lorca, Sastre, and Valle-Inclán are among the authors included. Conducted in Spanish.  Prerequisites: SPN 321 and 322

Critical reading and discussion of contemporary Spanish-American fiction writers of the mid-1960s to the present.  Prerequisites: SPN 321 and 322.

Introduces students to the theory and development of the field of Spanish second language acquisition and pedagogy. The course emphasizes and analyzes difficulties English-native speakers encounter while learning Spanish. It also seeks to foster an exchange of ideas through the discussion of current publications related to the field of Spanish second language acquisition.  Prerequisites: At least two 300-level SPN courses or above.

A critical examination of themes, topics, and authors not otherwise covered in traditional genre or period courses. Readings will vary but will focus on marginalized groups such as women writers, Afro-Hispanic, and indigenous literature written in genres such as the essay, testimonio, chronicle, drama, and poetry.  Prerequisites: SPN 321 and 322.

This course studies the development of the Spanish American novel from its inception through 1950 while also focusing on issues of colonization, political, economic, and cultural independence, identity, gender, and race.  Prerequisites: SPN 321 and 322.

Offers majors at the advanced level the opportunity to apply and deepen their knowledge of the major language/culture in a meaningful way outside the classroom in a full immersion context. Interns devote a minimum of 10 hours per week to supervised on-site responsibilities and meet regularly with the faculty advisor to discuss the progress of the scholarly project that will emerge from the internship experience.

Prerequisite: Department chairperson approval.

Offers graduating majors an opportunity to focus in a comprehensive way on a specific time period or theme in the history of the Hispanic world. The subject matter, theories, methodologies, and interdisciplinary approaches presented in previous classes will be integrated in order to emphasize the connections between the Spanish, Spanish American, and Latinx populations.  Prerequisites: SPN 321 and 322.

Research in a selected area of Hispanic studies directed by a member of the department. Topic will differ from regular course offerings and be arranged in consultation with the instructor.  Prerequisite: Department chairperson approval.