Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Department Chair: William Flores
Office: Humanities Office Building (HOB), 246
Phone: (661) 654-2359
Description
The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at CSUB prepares students to interact and succeed in an increasingly global world. Cultural understanding and second language skills offer distinct advantages to graduates, particularly at a time when cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity in society is rapidly increasing. The department offers B.A. and M.A. degrees in Spanish, minors in Spanish, French, and Japanese, and a California Single Subject Credential in Spanish. A Special Major in French is available to interested students.
Goals and Objectives
Goals of the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures are to foster a broader linguistic, literary and cultural understanding of global societies, equip students with skills that are necessary in career fields, and prepare teachers of modern languages with the necessary knowledge and skills for teaching languages and cultures to others. These goals are accomplished by fostering interest in, and understanding of, cultures and peoples, and by developing student proficiency in the fundamental language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the languages offered.
Welcome to the Department of Modern Languages and Literature at CSUB!
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An introduction to the language and history of one of the most ancient and unique cultures of Europe: Basque. In this course, students will learn the basics of the Basque language "Euskera" in order to engage in first-level conversations. They will also explore basic elements of Basque culture. Corequisite: BASQ 1001.
Students will continue their study of the Basque language "Euskera" and further explore Basque history and culture. Students will also explore the impact of the Basque diaspora in California and surrounding areas. Prerequisite: BASQ 1000 with grade of C- or better, placement, or consent of chair. Corequisite: BASQ 1011.
A review of fundamentals and a more in-depth examination of the Basque language leading to student performance at the intermediate-low level. Continued focus on reading, speaking, listening, writing, and increasing knowledge of Basque culture. Active use of language skills. Prerequisite: BASQ 1010 with grade of C- or better, placement, or consent of chair. Corequisite: BASQ 2001.
Continued examination of the Basque language leading to student performance at the intermediate-mid level. Focus on listening, speaking, reading and writing, and increasing knowledge of Basque culture. Active use of language skills. Prerequisite: BASQ 2000 with grade of C- or better, placement, or consent of chair. Corequisite: BASQ 2011
Course designed for lower-level study abroad credit in Basque. May be repeated up to a maximum of 6 units. Prerequisite: Consent of department chair.
An introduction to the nature of the discipline and the fundamentals of language and culture. The main goal of this course is to begin to learn to speak, read, write, and comprehend spoken Chinese at the novice-low level. Special emphasis is placed on developing communication skills and on increasing awareness of cultures in the Chinese-speaking world. Corequisite: CHIN 1001
Language laboratory to accompany CHIN 1000. Offered on a credit/no-credit grade basis. Corequisite: CHIN 1000.
A continuation of CHIN 1000. This course continues to develop the student's ability to speak, read, write and comprehend spoken Chinese. Students should achieve the novice-mid skill level. Special emphasis is placed on developing communication skills and on increasing awareness of cultures in the Chinese-speaking world. Prerequisite: CHIN 1000 with grade of C- or better, placement, or consent of chair.
Language laboratory to accompany CHIN 1010. Offered on a credit/no-credit grade basis. Corequisite: CHIN 1010.
A review of fundamentals and a more in-depth examination of the Chinese language leading to student performance at the novice-high level. Continued focus on listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and increasing knowledge of Chinese-speaking cultures. Active use of language skills. Prerequisite: CHIN 1010 with grade of C- or better, placement, or consent of chair.
Language laboratory to accompany CHIN 2000. Offered on a credit/no-credit grade basis. Corequisite: CHIN 2000.
A continuation of CHIN 2000. Continued examination of the Chinese language leading to student performance at the intermediate-low level. Focus on listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and increasing knowledge of Chinese-speaking cultures. Active use of language skills. Prerequisite: CHIN 2000 with grade of C- or better, placement, or consent of chair.
Language laboratory to accompany CHIN 2010. Offered on a credit/no-credit grade basis. Corequisite: CHIN 2010.
Course designed for lower level study abroad credit in Chinese. May be repeated up to a maximum of 6 units. Prerequisite: Consent of chair.
Beginning study of French designed for students with minimal or no experience in French. The main goal of this course is to begin to learn to speak, read, write, and comprehend spoken French at the novice-mid level. Special emphasis is placed on developing communication skills and on increasing awareness of cultures in the French-speaking world.
Language laboratory to accompany FREN 1000. Offered on a credit/no-credit grade basis.
This course continues to develop the student's ability to speak, read, write and comprehend spoken French. Students should achieve the novice-high skill level. Special emphasis is placed on developing communication skills and on increasing awareness of cultures in the French-speaking world.
Language laboratory to accompany FREN 1010. Offered on a credit/no-credit grade basis.
A review of fundamentals and a more in-depth examination of the French language leading to student performance at the intermediate-low level. Continued focus on listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and increasing knowledge of Francophone cultures. Active use of language skills.
Language laboratory to accompany FREN 2000. Offered on a credit/no-credit grade basis.
Continued examination of the French language leading to student performance at the intermediate-med level. Focus on listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and increasing knowledge of Francophone cultures. Active use of language skills.
Language laboratory to accompany FREN 2010. Offered on a credit/no-credit grade basis.
A course designed to develop fluency in oral communication and to enhance command of vocabulary and grammatical structures.
Course designed for lower level study abroad credit in French. May be repeated up to a maximum of 6 units.
An intensive review of French grammar and focus on oral and written language production. Coursework is designed to further develop fluency in the four areas of French and to prepare students for more advanced language classes.
An overview of French literature from the Middle Ages to 1800.
An overview of French literature from 1800 to the present.
An introduction to conventional and theoretical linguistics, with a contrastive approach to French and English structure.
A course in written and verbal stylistics with emphasis on French syntax.
An examination of the music, arts, literature, folklore, customs, institutions, and peoples, past and present of French and Francophone cultures.
A study of a selection of Colette's novels with emphasis on her career as a major French novelist. Attention will be given to the history of the novel in France and to Colette's contribution to the twentieth century French novel.
A study of twentieth century French women novelists with a special emphasis on the history and role of the female novelist in France. Attention is given to methods of female and male characterization as well as to the exploration of common themes found in these novels.
An analysis of the French sound system and intonation patterns. Intensive laboratory practice. Contrastive aspects of the English and French languages.
A study of the components of French grammar in view of practical translation exercises consisting of both French and English texts to be rendered fluently into the opposite language.
Advanced thematic study of topics in French and Francophone literature, language, or cultures. May be repeated for credit with different topics.
Course designed for study abroad credit. May be repeated up to a maximum of 6 units.
Course designed for independent study of approved topics leading to a written report or course project. May be repeated for credit with different topics.
Course designed for language-related community internships. May be repeated with different topics.
Capstone course that integrates knowledge and experience acquired through study and trajectory of French coursework. Students are required to complete the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview at their own expense.
An introduction to the nature of the discipline and the fundamentals of language and culture. The main goal of this course is to begin to learn to speak, read, write, and comprehend spoken German at the novice-mid level. Special emphasis is placed on developing communication skills and on increasing awareness of cultures in the German-speaking world. Corequisite: GERM 1001.
Language laboratory to accompany GERM 1000. Offered on a credit/no-credit grade basis. Corequisite: GERM 1000
A continuation of GERM 1000. This course continues to develop the student's ability to speak, read, write and comprehend spoken German. Students should achieve the novice-high skill level. Special emphasis is placed on developing communication skills and on increasing awareness of cultures in the German-speaking world. Prerequisite: GERM 1000 with grade of C- or better, placement, or consent of chair. Corequisite: GERM 1011.
Language laboratory to accompany GERM 1010. Offered on a credit/no-credit grade basis. Corequisite: GERM 1010.
A review of fundamentals and a more in-depth examination of the German language leading to student performance at the intermediate-low level. Continued focus on listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and increasing knowledge of German-speaking cultures. Active use of language skills. Prerequisite: GERM 1010 with grade of C- or better, placement, or consent of chair. Corequisite: GERM 2001.
Language laboratory to accompany GERM 2000. Offered on a credit/no-credit grade basis. Corequisite: GERM 2000.
A continuation of GERM 2000. Continued examination of the German language leading to student performance at the intermediate-mid level. Focus on listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and increasing knowledge of German-speaking cultures. Active use of language skills. Prerequisite: GERM 2000 with grade of C- or better, placement, or consent of chair. Corequisite: GERM 2011.
Language laboratory to accompany GERM 2010. Offered on a credit/no-credit grade basis. Corequisite: GERM 2010.
Course designed for lower level study abroad credit in German. May be repeated up to a maximum of 6 units. Prerequisite: Consent of chair.
An introduction to the fundamentals of Classical and New Testament Greek, with practice in reading and writing the Greek language. Typically offered Fall, Spring.
Second semester course in Classical and New Testament Greek; completion of the fundamentals of Greek grammar. Emphasis on translation practice and composition skills. Prerequisite: GRK 1000 or permission of instructor. Typically offered Fall, Spring.
An introduction to the nature of the discipline and the fundamentals of language and culture. Development of the basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading, writing. Two hours of independent laboratory practice per week.
Language laboratory to accompany JPNS 1000. Offered on a credit/no-credit grade basis.
A continuation of JPNS 1000. Oral drills, reading of selected texts, written exercises. Two hours of independent laboratory practice per week.
Language laboratory to accompany JPNS 1010. Offered on a credit/no-credit grade basis.
Language laboratory to accompany JPNS 2000. Offered on a credit/no-credit grade basis.
A continuation of JPNS 2000. Continued examination of the Japanese language leading to student performance at the intermediate-mid level. Focus on listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and increasing knowledge of Japanese-speaking cultures. Active use of language skills.
Language laboratory to accompany JPNS 2010. Offered on a credit/no-credit grade basis.
Course designed for lower level study abroad credit in Japanese.
Beginning study of Spanish designed for students with minimal or no experience in Spanish. The main goal of this course is to begin to learn to speak, read, write, and comprehend spoken Spanish at the novice-mid level. Special emphasis is placed on developing communication skills and on increasing awareness of cultures in the Spanish-speaking world. Corequisite: SPAN 1001
Language laboratory to accompany SPAN 1000. Offered on a credit/no-credit grade basis.
Continuation of SPAN 1000. This course continues to develop the student's ability to speak, read, write and comprehend spoken Spanish. Students should achieve the novice-high skill level. Special emphasis is placed on developing communication skills and on increasing awareness of cultures in the Spanish-speaking world.
Language laboratory to accompany SPAN 1010. Offered on a credit/no-credit grade basis.
A review of fundamentals and a more in-depth examination of the Spanish language leading to student performance at the intermediate-low level. Continued focus on listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and increasing knowledge of Latin American, Caribbean, Spanish, and U.S. Latino cultures. Active use of language skills.
Language laboratory to accompany SPAN 2000. Offered on a credit/no-credit grade basis.
A continuation of SPAN 2000. Continued examination of the Spanish language leading to student performance at the intermediate-mid level. Focus on listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and increasing knowledge of Latin American, Caribbean, Spanish, and U.S. Latino cultures. Active use of language skills.
Language laboratory to accompany SPAN 2010. Offered on a credit/no-credit grade basis.
Accelerated study of formal Spanish at the beginning levels for those who already speak Spanish, designed specifically for heritage speakers. Special attention given to rules of grammar, basic reading and writing skills, and enhancement of cultural knowledge. Designed to prepare students for intermediate Spanish language study. To be taken in place of the SPAN 1000, SPAN 1010, SPAN 2000 series.
A continuation of SPAN 2020. Accelerated study of formal Spanish at the intermediate level for those who already speak Spanish, designed specifically for heritage speakers. Special attention given to rules of grammar, reading and writing skills, and enhancement of cultural knowledge. Designed to prepare students for more advanced Spanish language study. To be taken in place of SPAN 2010.
A course designed to develop fluency in oral communication and vocabulary building. Conversations in small groups and discussion of a wide range of topics from contemporary issues, literature, and cultural concerns.
The course is designed to meet the communication needs of those in health professions. The course reinforces grammatical structures of Spanish and focuses on the vocabulary associated with the medical field.
The course is designed to meet the communication needs of those in law enforcement. The course reinforces grammatical structures of Spanish and focuses on the vocabulary associated with law enforcement.
The course is designed to meet the communication needs of those in business fields. The course reinforces grammatical structures of Spanish and focuses on the vocabulary associated with professional settings.
Course designed for lower level study abroad credit in Spanish.
An intensive review of Spanish grammar and focus on oral and written language production. Coursework is designed to further develop fluency in the four areas of Spanish and to prepare students for more advanced language classes.
An overview of Spanish literature from medieval times to the 18th century.
An overview of Spanish literature from the ideological renewal of the 18th century to the present.
An overview of Latin American literature ranging from the Pre-Columbian era through the independence movements in Latin America.
An overview of Latin American literature post-independence.
Textual reading and examination of U.S. Latino literature, including poetry, short story, novel, and theatre.
Introduction to phonology, morphology and syntax, as well as historical and sociolinguistic aspects of the Spanish language.
Study of the Spanish sound system, especially as contrasted with English, through phonetic transcription. basic linguistic terminology, and accurate description of the production and perception of Spanish sounds. Also introduces contemporary variants of spoken Spanish in the U.S. and world.
A course focused on Spanish grammar in its social context, including how it varies by social group and situational factors. Students learn to identify and describe grammatical categories and features, as well as how they connect to prestige hierarchies.
An examination of the historical processes and demographic trends that have shaped the use of Spanish in the United States. Students study the impact of language attitudes and Spanish-English contact on Spanish speakers and their language varieties.
An overview of the social, political, economic, religious, and artistic components of historical to modern Spain. Will include discussion of the balancing of relations with Latin America, the United States and the European Union.
An overview of arts, literature, customs, institutions, and peoples, past and present, as they affect the development of Latin American culture and civilization.
An examination of the music, arts, literature, folklore, customs, institutions, and peoples, past and present of Mexico and the Chicano/Mexican-American.
An introduction to the study of folklore and a survey of the major Southwest Hispanic folklore genres, including folk literature, folk speech, folk belief, folk art, folk music, and custom.
Interactive course where students review and further their Spanish language skills through dramatic production. Students will read, write, rehearse and perform one-act plays in Spanish, as well as critically evaluate Hispanic dramatic works.
Theme course that focuses on specific topics in Spanish, Latin American, or U.S. Latino Literature. May be repeated with different course content.
Theme course that focuses on specific topics in Spanish linguistics. May be repeated with different course content.
Theme course that focuses on specific topics related to Spanish, Latin American, or U.S. Latino cultures. May be repeated with different course content.
An overview of outstanding Spanish works of the 16th and 17th centuries: prose, poetry and theatre.
An exploration of significant works in contemporary Spanish literature, relationships between the essay and novel, and politics and society since 1975.
A study of Modernismo and its poetic motifs in verse and prose; Representative significant works of Rubén Darío and others.
An exploration of the works of contemporary Latin American authors like Cortázar and García Márquez, among others, and their impact on the field of Latin American literature.
Introduction to the theory and practice of translation and interpretation. Students will experience different modes of interpretation and gain experience with community and group translation and interpretation.
The descriptive study of the effect of any and all aspects of society, including cultural norms, expectations, and context, on the way language is used and the effects of language use on society. Themes like bilingualism, languages in contact, and linguistic attitudes will be explored.
Study of the evolution of the Spanish language from its Latin roots through the Romance dialectology of the Middle Ages up to the codification of modern Castilian and Latin American Spanish. The course will emphasize the sociolinguistic aspects of language change. Prerequisite: SPAN 3000 or consent of chair.
An examination of variant features within the Spanish language, their history, differences of form and meaning, interrelationships, distribution, and distinctions in spoken and literary forms.
An examination of the stimuli that prompted widespread revolution in Latin American societies and its effect on subsequent generations and movements.
Study of Spanish and/or Latin American cinema, their aesthetics, and the sociocultural factors that engendered them.
Critical examination of Mexican Americans in the United States, including immigration and the historical inclusion of Mexican citizens in U.S. society, the Chicano movement, and Mexican American identity and cultural production in a post-movement society.
An examination of border lives, specifically the impacts of geographical and metaphorical borders in the lives and livelihoods of Latin Americans and Latinos in the U.S.
May be repeated for credit with different topics.
Course designed for independent study of approved topics leading to a written report or course project. May be repeated for credit with different topics up to a maximum of 20 units.
Course designed for language-related community internships.
Capstone course that integrates knowledge and experience acquired within the student's major area. Students are required to complete the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview at their own expense.
An introduction to research at the graduate level including principles for undertaking empirical research, quantitative and qualitative methods for conducting research, hands-on experience with research design, instruments for data collection, data analysis, evaluation of published research, and writing research reports.
An examination of various theoretical approaches and concepts of narrative and poetic analysis and practice of their application in Peninsular Spanish, Latin American, and U.S. Latino literatures.
Advanced methods, techniques and skills necessary for teachers at the secondary and adult levels to promote culturally sensitive second-language instruction and development. Presentation of second-language development philosophy and theory will be covered, in addition to the use of emerging technology in language instruction. Students will develop and practice implementing teaching techniques.
An exploration of selected masterpieces of Peninsular Spanish literature.
An exploration of selected masterpieces of Latin American Spanish literature.
An exploration of selected masterpieces of U.S. Latino literature.
An overview of outstanding Spanish works of the 16th and 17th centuries: prose, poetry and theatre.
An exploration of significant works in contemporary Spanish literature, relationships between the essay and novel, and politics and society since 1975.
A study of Modernismo and its poetic motifs in verse and prose; Representative significant works of Rubén Darío and others.
An exploration of the works of contemporary Latin American authors like Cortázar and García Márquez, among others, and their impact on the field of Latin American literature.
Introduction to the theory and practice of translation and interpretation. Students will experience different modes of interpretation and gain experience with community and group translation and interpretation.
The descriptive study of the effect of any and all aspects of society, including cultural norms, expectations, and context, on the way language is used and the effects of language use on society. Themes like bilingualism, languages in contact, and linguistic attitudes will be explored.
Study of the evolution of the Spanish language from its Latin roots through the Romance dialectology of the Middle Ages up to the codification of modern Castilian and Latin American Spanish. The course will emphasize the sociolinguistic aspects of language change.
An examination of variant features within the Spanish language, their history, differences of form and meaning, interrelationships, distribution, and distinctions in spoken and literary forms.
An examination of the stimuli that prompted widespread revolution in Latin American societies and its effect on subsequent generations and movements. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Study of Spanish and/or Latin American cinema, their aesthetics, and the sociocultural factors that engendered them.
Critical examination of Mexican Americans in the United States, including immigration and the historical inclusion of Mexican citizens in U.S. society, the Chicano movement, and Mexican American identity and cultural production in a post-movement society.
An examination of border lives, specifically the impacts of geographical and metaphorical borders in the lives and livelihoods of Latin Americans and Latinos in the U.S.
Advanced thematic study of topics in Spanish, Latin American, or U.S. Latino literature, language, or cultures. May be repeated for credit with different topics.
Course designed for independent study of approved topics leading to a written report or course project.
Culminating course that integrates knowledge and experience acquired over the course of graduate study and results in an approved culminating experience (i.e. thesis, culminating project, comprehensive exam, etc.). To be completed in the final semester of graduate study.
Graduate students who have completed the majority of their coursework but have not completed their culminating experience or thesis may enroll in this 0-unit course for the purpose of maintaining continuous enrollment.