Languages, Cultures and Religions Courses

This course builds on the translation skills acquired in prior coursework, centering on comparative study of French and English in the domains of syntax, stylistics and pragmatics, and their practical application in translation. May be taught concurrently with FRN 510. Cannot receive credit for both FRN 510 and FRN 610.

This graduate seminar focuses on specific issues in Francophone linguistics. Topics may include the study of French in its social and political contexts, French phonetics and phonology, French syntax and morphology, language variation and change in the French-speaking world, historical perspectives, and developments in theoretical and applied French linguistics. May be taught concurrently with FRN 524. Cannot receive credit for both FRN 524 and FRN 624.

Students improve their mastery of complex grammatical features in French through the analysis of authentic spoken and written texts. Through iterative processes of text development, they will produce advanced narratives on different themes. They will also explore theories pertaining to the acquisition of language structures, and related approaches to teaching grammar to second-language learners. May be taught concurrently with FRN 590. Cannot receive credit for both FRN 590 and FRN 690.

This course will enhance students' language proficiency and cultural competence through the interpretation and analysis of selected literary, philosophical, and cultural texts from the Francophone tradition. Variable content course. May be repeated once with changed content.

This course designation is used to grant credit for prior learning on the basis of established proficiency assessments. No more than three hours of FRN 735 credit may be applied toward the requirements of any master's program or certificate.

Selected topics in Latin literature such as genre studies, period studies, or concentration on one or more authors. Variable content course. May be repeated once with changed content. May be taught concurrently with LTN 525. Cannot receive credit for both LTN 525 and LTN 625.

In this course, students explore new ways to comprehend and adapt to different cultural situations and perspectives, focusing on U.S. educational practices, cross-cultural communication issues, and traditions and conventions in academia. Students reflect about their beliefs, expectations, and work ethics to gain insights for personal growth. Considering the demands of graduate school, they work on perfecting their organizational skills, defining a path for success, and reviewing resources available on and outside campus to support their goals. Students are encouraged to share the good, the bad, and the ugly of their experiences, develop positive relationships, and engage in practices that boost their sense of belonging and help them plan for success. This course is taught in English.

Study in an area of the world where the target language is spoken. This may be taken through the Department's existing program or at any accredited institution. May be taught concurrently with MCL 550. Cannot receive credit for both MCL 550 and MCL 650.

This course explores various sociolinguistic topics, with an emphasis on those relevant for language teaching, such as language attitudes; standard languages; literacy; language variation; multilingualism; language planning and policy; and language maintenance and loss. Cannot receive credit for MCL 688 and ENG 688 or ENG 592.

This advanced survey of linguistics covers areas such as phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, discourse, pragmatics, language change, and language variation. Cannot receive credit for both MCL 691 and ENG 691 or 591.

This course blends a historical overview of language acquisition theories with a focus on recent developments and their impact on second-language instructional methodologies. Cannot receive credit for both MCL 695 and ENG 695 or ENG 595.

Topics of discipline-specific interest to foreign language teachers, e.g., specialized technological resources or contemporary cultural materials. Variable content course. Sections may be specific to a particular language or concern general pedagogical issues. May be repeated to a maximum of six hours. May be taught concurrently with MCL 597. Cannot receive credit for both MCL 597 and MCL 697.

This course will acquaint language teachers with current second language research and teaching practice, with emphasis on the uses of technology.

An independent studies option designed to allow students to work closely with a graduate faculty mentor to develop and implement a project that integrates principles and/or practices pertinent to second language acquisition or applied linguistics. Variable content course. May be repeated, as content changes, to a maximum of six hours.

Prerequisite MCL 700. This course reviews theoretical perspectives in foreign language teaching and learning, addressing their practical applications for the development of classroom materials and assessments. Students design teaching activities to promote the development of language knowledge and skills that focus on speaking, listening, reading, pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, pragmatics and cultural competence.

This course focuses on methods of conducting research in the area of second-language acquisition. Students will learn how to read, interpret, synthesize, and apply SLA research and how to design and conduct studies and disseminate results.

Focused exploration of topics in linguistics, phonetics and phonology, semantics, grammar and syntax, language history, language variation and change, and language acquisition as they pertain to French and/or Spanish. May be repeated, as content changes, to a maximum of six hours.

An intensive course in the writing process and the writing curriculum, designed for experienced K-16 teachers across the disciplines using the National Writing Project model. Readings of current theory and research will be related to participants' experiences as writers and as teachers. Cannot receive credit for both MCL 730 and ENG 730.

After an assessment of their language proficiency, students receive personalized guidance and complete assessments designed to help them to strengthen their interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational skills in the target language. This course is open to students at the Intermediate Level on the ACTFL Proficiency Scale. Graded Pass/Not Pass only.

This course designation is used to grant credit for prior language learning on the basis of established proficiency assessments. Students may receive up to 12 credit hours depending on their test scores in any world languages other than Spanish and French. (3-12) D

Independent research and writing toward completion of degree papers. Consultation with a designated MCL/ENG graduate faculty member and topic approval from the Program Coordinator or the Department Head are required. Not open to students writing theses to satisfy the master's research requirement. May not be repeated. Graded Pass/Not Pass only.

In consultation with MCL and Education advisors, a student may elect to write a thesis on a topic within the discipline. May be repeated to a maximum of six hours.

Recommended Prerequisite: REL 101 or REL 102. Advanced study of canonical and non-canonical texts and related subjects. Examples: Genesis, The Social World of Ancient Israel, Dead Sea Scrolls, Historical Jesus, Acts as History and Literature, Revelation and Apocalyptic Literature. Variable content course. May be repeated to a maximum of nine hours as topics change. May be taught concurrently with REL 510. Cannot receive credit for both REL 510 and REL 615 for the same topic.

Recommended prerequisite: REL 100 or REL 131. Explores the relationship of religion and popular culture in multiple areas of American life, including film, television, sports, politics, popular music, and the comics. Examining the presence of religious stories and symbols in popular media, this course pays special attention to the influence of different religious traditions (Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Muslim, etc.) while recognizing the internal diversity within each tradition. May be taught concurrently with REL 532. Cannot receive credit for both REL 532 and REL 632.

Recommended Prerequisite: REL 100 or REL 131. Explores advanced issues in the study of religion as a component of cultural life including issues of gender, race, and ethnicity. Examples of topics: Religion and Politics; Religion, Media, and Popular Culture; Religion and Visual Culture; American Religious Communities; Lived Religion; Bible Belt Religion; Food and Religion; Women and Religion. Variable content course. May be repeated to a maximum of nine hours as topics change. May be taught concurrently with REL 530. Cannot receive credit for both REL 530 and REL 635 for the same topic.

An historical overview of Pentecostalism in the United States from the early twentieth century to the present. Course themes include Beginnings, Healing, Media, Gentrification, Controversy, and Prosperity. Students will engage a range of sources, including primary texts, films and videos, artwork and photography, music and testimony. Combining attention to change-over-time with a topical focus on broader themes, students will recognize the fascinating nuances and variety of Pentecostal history. May be taught concurrently with REL 538. Cannot receive credit for both REL 538 and REL 638.

Recommended Prerequisite: REL 110. Studies of advanced topics in the comparative religions of Asia or in the history of a particular religious tradition. Topics may include material ranging from ancient history to the present day. Examples: Colonialism, Religion and Culture, Yoga, Fundamentalism. Variable content course. May be repeated to a maximum of nine hours as topics change. May be taught concurrently with REL 540. Cannot receive credit for both REL 540 and REL 645 for the same topic.

Recommended Prerequisite: REL 330, REL 340, or REL 350. Selected topics of advanced content in Judaism, Christianity, and/or Islam. Examples: Jewish Mysticism; Jewish Philosophy; The Spirituality of Martin Luther and John Calvin; Women in the History of Christianity; Islamic Law and Ethics; Sufism. Variable content course. May be repeated to a maximum of nine hours as topics change. May be taught concurrently with REL 550. Cannot receive credit for both REL 655 and REL 550 for the same topic.

Recommended Prerequisite: REL 101 or REL 102. Archaeological discoveries in their relation to the literary, cultural, and religious background of the Bible. Methods and objectives of archaeological research, including a brief history of Near Eastern archaeology. May be taught concurrently with REL 570. Cannot receive credit for both REL 570 and REL 675.

This required course for graduate students surveys influential theories of religion from the Enlightenment to the present. Students will write a major research paper involving theoretical perspectives learned in the course. May be taught concurrently with REL 580. Cannot receive credit for both REL 580 and REL 685.

This seminar will examine a specific topic or tradition within Asian religions. Students can expect to do focused reading, discussion, and research on a particular subject related to the Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, and/or other traditions of Asia. Historical and contemporary material, along with critiques of scholarship in the field, may be considered. May be repeated once if topic is different.

Recommended Prerequisite: REL 730. This seminar examines a specific topic within the history and literature of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and/or New Testament. Students can expect to do focused reading, discussion, and research on a particular historical, literary, and/or methodological issue pertaining to the topic. Variable content course. May be repeated once if topic is different.

Detailed study of selected persons, authors, movements, and eras in the history of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, or other religions of Europe and the Middle East. Variable content course. May be repeated once if topic is different.

Recommended Prerequisite: REL 770. A seminar applying various perspectives to individual religious practice and religious institutions in selected Western and non-Western societies. May be repeated once if topic is different.

Arranged program of readings for the individual student directed by a member of the graduate faculty. Before enrolling in the course, student and instructor must sign an agreement that details the course requirements. Variable content course. May be repeated to a maximum of nine hours when topics vary.

The student will prepare an in-depth thesis on a clearly-defined topic within his or her area of specialization. Before enrolling in the course, student and thesis advisor must sign an agreement that details the course requirements. May be repeated to a maximum of six hours.

Builds on the translation and interpreting skills acquired in SPN 410. Students will be exposed to a variety of translation theories and methods and will increase their overall language proficiency as they gain further practical translation experience in a number of genres. May be taught concurrently with SPN 510. Cannot receive credit for both SPN 510 and SPN 610.

This course focuses on specific issues in Hispanic linguistics with an emphasis on their applicability to learning and teaching Spanish. Topics may include the study of Spanish in its social and political contexts, Spanish phonetics and phonology, Spanish syntax and morphology, language variation and change in the Spanish-speaking world, historical perspectives, and developments in theoretical and applied Spanish linguistics. May be taught concurrently with SPN 524. Cannot receive credit for both SPN 524 and SPN 624.

Students improve their mastery of complex grammatical features in Spanish through analysis of authentic written texts and spoken language and through practice and application. They will also explore theories pertaining to the acquisition of language structures and related approaches to teaching grammar to second language learners. May be taught concurrently with SPN 590. Cannot receive credit for both SPN 590 and SPN 690.

This course will enhance students' language proficiency and cultural competence through the interpretation and analysis of selected literary, philosophical, and cultural texts from the Hispanic tradition. Variable content course. May be repeated once with changed content.

This course designation is used to grant credit for prior learning on the basis of established proficiency assessments. No more than three hours of SPN 735 credit may be applied toward the requirements of any master's program or certificate.