American Studies
  Astronomy
  Celtic Studies
  East Asian Languages and Cultures
  Chinese
  Japanese
  Korean
  Tibetan
  Environmental Design
  Environmental Science, Policy, and Management
  Gender and Women's Studies
  Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Studies
  Geography
  German
  Dutch
  History
  Information
  Italian Studies
  Letters and Science
  Near Eastern Studies
  New Media
  Physics
  Plant and Microbial Biology
  Religious Studies
  Scandinavian
  Slavic Languages and Literature
  Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies
  Undergraduate and Interdisciplinary Studies
  Democratic Education at Cal (DE-Cal)
  Culture and Literature Courses in English Translation

 
American Studies

C112A   American Cultural Landscapes, 1600 to 1900 (4)
Introduces ways of seeing and interpreting American histories and cultures, as revealed in everyday built surroundings-homes, highways, farms, factories, stores, recreation areas, small towns, city districts, and regions. Encourages students to read landscapes as records of past and present social relations, and to speculate for themselves about cultural meaning. Cross-listed with Geography C160A section 1 and Environmental Design C169A section 1.
 
Astronomy

C10   Introduction to General Astronomy (4)
This course is designed to provide, for both non-science and science majors, a description of the fantastic universe in which we live. Recent newsworthy events such as the detection of planets around other stars, the possible evidence of primitive life on Mars, and the discovery of gravitationally repulsive "dark energy" are some of what is featured. This course will inspire students to become more inquisitive about the world around them, and will develop their skills in arriving at conclusions based on logical, physical reasoning. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Physical Science. Cross-listed with Letters and Science C70U section 1.
 
Celtic Studies

70   The World of the Celts (4)
An overview of the history of Celtic-speaking peoples from Indo-European times, including linguistic/archaeological evidence for the emergence of the Celtic language group in 1st millenium BC Europe. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Historical Studies or Social and Behavioral Sciences.

C168   Celtic Mythology and Oral Tradition (4)
The course will introduce students to the pre-Christian beliefs of the Celtic and Indo-European worlds, to the historical narratives in which such beliefs are embedded, and to the methodology of investigating ancient and medieval belief systems. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature.

171   Celtic Romanticism (4)
This course explores the ways in which the Romantic idealizations of Celts have been appropriated by native nationalist political movements and by European imperialist ventures. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature.
 
East Asian Languages and Cultures
 
Chinese

7A   Introduction to Premodern Chinese Literature and Culture (4)
An introduction to Chinese literature in translation. In addition to literary sources, a wide range of philosophical and historical texts will be covered, as well as aspects of visual and material culture. We will focus on early and premodern Chinese up to and including the Yuan Dynasty (14th century) and also on the development of sound writing skills for freshman/sophomore level students.
 
Japanese

7A   Introduction to Premodern Japanese Literature and Culture (4)
A survey of Japanese literature in English translation. This course covers one thousand years of Japanese writing, including a myth-history detailing the origins of Japan, the development of the rich poetic tradition, female diaries, the classic, The Tale of Genji, medieval tales of wars and hermits, the no drama, and the haiku and travel diaries of Basho. It will focus on such key binaries as orality and literacy, poetry and prose, native and foreign, and masculine and feminine. The course will also stress student writing and principles of literary analysis.
 
Korean

7A   Introduction to Premodern Korean Literature and Culture (4)
A survey of premodern Korean literature and culture from the 7th century to the 19th century, focusing on the relation between literary texts and various aspects of performance tradition. Topics include literati culture, gender relations, humor, and material culture. Texts to be examined include ritual songs, sijo, kasa, p'ansori, prose narratives, art, and contemporary media representation of performance traditions. All readings are in English.
 
Tibetan

1A   Elementary Tibetan (5)
This course is an intensive introduction to both standard spoken Tibetan (Lhasa dialect) and written literary Tibetan. As such, it will serve the needs of students who intend to continue the study of modern Tibetan so as to function in a Tibetan-speaking environment, as well as the needs of students who will concentrate on classical Tibetan and its rich literature. Prerequisites: None.
 
Environmental Design

C169A   American Cultural Landscapes, 1600 to 1900 (4)
Introduces ways of seeing and interpreting American histories and cultures, as revealed in everyday built surroundings-homes, highways, farms, factories, stores, recreation areas, small towns, city districts, and regions. Encourages students to read landscapes as records of past and present social relations, and to speculate for themselves about cultural meaning. Cross-listed with Geography C160A section 1 and American Studies C112A section 1.
 
Environmental Science, Policy, and Management

6   Environmental Biology (3)
This course is intended for non-science majors. Basic biological and ecological principles are discussed in relation to environmental disruptions. Human interactions with the environment; their meaning for animals and plants. Discussion of basic ecological processes as a basis for understanding environmental problems and formulating strategies for their solution.

C11   Americans and the Global Forest (4)
This course challenges students to think about how individual and American consumer decisions affect forest ecosystems around the world. A survey course that highlights the consequences of different ways of thinking about the forest as a global ecosystem and as a source of goods like trees, water, wildlife, food, jobs, and services. The scientific tools and concepts that have guided management of the forest for the last 100 years, and the laws, rules, and informal institutions that have shaped use of the forests, are analyzed. Cross-listed with Letters and Science C30U section 1.

50AC   Introduction to Culture and Natural Resource Management (4)
An introduction to how culture affects the way we use and manage fire, wildland and urban forests, rangelands, parks and preserves, and croplands in America. The basic concepts and tools for evaluating the role of culture in resource use and management are introduced and used to examine the experience of American cultural groups in the development and management of western natural resources. This course satisfies the American cultures requirement.
 
Gender and Women's Studies

130   Gender and Health (4)
The role of gender in health care status, definitions and experiences of health, and in practices of medicine. Feminist perspectives on health care disparities, the medicalization of society, and transnational processes relating to health.
 
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Studies

C146A   Cultural Representations of Sexualities: Queer Literary Culture (4)
This course examines modern visual cultures that construct ways of seeing diverse sexualities. Considering Western conventions of representation during the modern period, we will investigate film, television, and video. Cross-listed with Gender and Women's Studies C146A section 1.
 
Geography

10   World Regions, Peoples, and States (4)
This course will provide a framework for recognizing and analyzing the major distinctive regions of the world in comparative context. The most important interrelations between environment, economy, ethnicity, and the national identity and viability of states will be explored.

C160A   American Cultural Landscapes, 1600 to 1900 (4)
Introduces ways of seeing and interpreting American histories and cultures, as revealed in everyday built surroundings-homes, highways, farms, factories, stores, recreation areas, small towns, city districts, and regions. Encourages students to read landscapes as records of past and present social relations, and to speculate for themselves about cultural meaning. Cross-listed with Environmental Design C169A section 1 and American Studies C112A section 1.
 
German
 
Dutch

170   The Dutch: Stereotypes, Culture and History (3)
This course will focus on the cultural aspects of protest and youth cultures in the two cities that were influential in the sixties: Amsterdam and Berkeley. Particular attention will be paid to how American popular culture was perceived in a European context. All readings and discussions in English.
 
History

4A   Origins of Western Civilization (4)
Rather than present a superficial chronological survey of a 1000 year period, we will examine two quite different periods of middle ages: the age of the Carolingians and Anglo-Saxons, and the later middle ages (primarily the 13th and 14th centuries).

5   European Civilization from the Renaissance to the Present (4)
A survey of Europe from the Renaissance to the present.

7A   The History of the United States: From the Colonial Era through the Civil War (4)
Major topics include the origin, growth, and eventual destruction of slavery; the creation, expansion, limits, and changing meanings of democratic political institutions; and the development of market institutions in agriculture and industry.
 
Information

190   Technology and Poverty (3)
This course will encourage students to think broadly about the interplay between technological systems, social processes, economic activities, and political contingencies in efforts to alleviate poverty. Students will come to understand poverty not only in terms of high-level indicators, but from a ground-level perspective as "the poor" experience and describe it for themselves. The role played by individuals and societies of the developing world as active agents in processes of technology adoption and use will be a central theme.
 
Italian Studies

40   Italian Culture (4)
An introduction to the life and culture of the Italian peninsula, from the Roman empire to the present day. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature or Historical Studies or Social and Behavioral Sciences.

120 Section 2   Topics in Italian Studies: Shakespeare in Italy (4)
Shakespeare was touched by and touched Italy in many ways. We will look at some of the works of Italian literature that he read and rewrote in his plays, plays of his that are set in Italy, Italian operas, and works of literature, and films. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Historical Studies or Social and Behavioral Sciences.

163   Special Topics in Italian Literature: Catholic Fictions (4)
Dante Alighieri (1265-1321), Alessandro Manzoni (1785-1873), and Pier Paolo Pasolini (1922-1975) are recognized as three of Italy's greatest writers. Despite the chronological and ideological distance between them, they share a deep interest in Christian faith and the institutional role of the Catholic Church in society. In this course we will explore the often surprising ways in which this interest reveals itself, by studying selections from their poetry, fiction, and cinema. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature.
 
Letters and Science

1   Exploring the Liberal Arts (2)
For entering freshman, undecided about their major: an introduction to the intellectual landscape of a liberal arts education. The goal of this course is to transform students into informed participants in their own educational experiences.

C70U   Introduction to General Astronomy (4)
For non-science and science majors: a description of the fantastic universe in which we live. This course will inspire students to become more inquisitive about the world around them, and develop their logical reasoning skills. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Physical Science. Cross-listed with Astronomy C10 section 1.

170AC   Crossroads of Earth Resources and Society (4)
America currently faces a crossroads in resource policy, which we will explore through lectures, documentary and popular films, an optional overnight field trip, and a vision quest. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Physical Science or Social and Behavioral Sciences and satisfies the American cultures requirement. Cross-listed with Earth and Planetary Science 170AC section 1.
 
Near Eastern Studies

10   Introduction to the Near East (4)
This course introduces the background and present status of the ethnic and religious groups in the Arab states, Turkey, Israel, and Iran.

18   Introduction to Ancient Egypt (4)
This course introduces students to ancient Egyptian culture and society (history, art, religion, literature, language, social structure), and Egyptian archaeology (pyramids, tombs, mummies, temples, cities, monuments, daily life).
 
New Media

190 section 1   Digital Culture (1)
Digital media have transformed almost every facet of modern life including the arts. This non-technical course looks back out at digital media through the lens of digital art, introducing students to challenging new art forms and creating the building blocks for digital media literacy. In addition to weekly topical lectures, this lecture-based class will feature guest lectures by working media artists speaking about how their work relates to the larger issue under discussion.
 
Physics

C10   Physics for Future Presidents (3)
What you need to know to be a world leader or wise voter (e.g. energy conservation, radioactivity, nuclear weapons, earthquakes, microwaves, spy satellites, medical imaging). The course stresses conceptual understanding rather than math. Please check the Physics for Future Presidents website for current details. Cross-listed with Letters and Science C70V section 1.
 
Plant and Microbial Biology

10   Plants, Agriculture, and Society (2)
Changing patterns of agriculture in relation to population growth; biology and social impact of plant disease; GMO's; effects of human activity on plant ecosystems. Knowledge of the physical sciences is neither required nor assumed.
 
Religious Studies

90A   Introductory Topics in Religious Studies: The Rg Veda (4)
For centuries, Hinduism has traced its origins back to the sacred texts of the Vedas, of which the Rg Veda is the oldest and most important. The Rg Veda has also been a fundamental text for modern studies of early religion and mythology. What is the Rg Veda and what does it say? What is Vedic religion and what is its connection to Hinduism? We will read substantial portions of this fascinating and sometimes mysterious text in translation, along with scholarship on the nature of early Vedic religion and society, its interpretation and its current importance. Students who have completed, or are currently enrolled in, Religious Studies 90A or 90B are eligible to declare the Religious Studies major.
 
Scandinavian

C107   The Plays of Ibsen (4)
Reading and discussion of Ibsen's major plays. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature. Cross-listed with Theater, Dance, and Performance St C107 section 1.

123   Viking and Medieval Scandinavia (4)
Internal and external history of Scandinavian culture and civilization from the late 8th century through the 15th century. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Historical Studies.

150   Studies in Scandinavian Literature (4)
Special Topic to be arranged. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature.
 
Slavic Languages and Literatures

45   19th Century Russian Literature (3)
Development of Russian literature from Pushkin to Chekhov focusing on major masterpieces. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature.

134F   Nabokov (4)
We will study the work of Vladimir Nabokov as a novelist on two continents over a period of nearly sixty years. The course will be structured (more or less) chronologically and evenly divided between novels translated from Russian and written in English. After beginning with Nabokov's second novel and two short stories, we will examine the major fiction of his European period, which culminates with the publication in Paris of (most of) The Gift. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature.

158   The Rise and Fall of Yugoslavia (4)
This course will consider the phenomenon of Yugoslavia (1918-1991) from two different but closely related standpoints -- that of history and politics, and that of literature and culture. Literature and other artistic expression take as their primary topics historical and current politically charged events, and major political actions. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Social and Behavioral Sciences or Historical Studies or Arts and Literature.
 
Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies

10   Introduction to Acting (3)
This course is a gateway class to the more advanced acting sequence. It is a theory and performance course which provides an overview of the actor's creative process. Audition required (experience not necessary). See the Online Schedule of classes for more information.

26   Introduction to Performance Studies (4)
This course introduces the critical terms and practices of the contemporary study of performance. Several key terms and important genres of artistic and social performance will be engaged; the course will draw critical and disciplinary methods from anthropology and ethnography, from the theory of dance and theater, from literary and cultural theory.

60   Stagecraft (3)
This is an introductory course focusing on various technical aspects of theatrical production. Course ranges from theatrical conception to actual performance and includes emphasis on safety, collaborative process, shop tools, set construction, lighting, rigging, costumes, props and scenic treatments. This course involves a laboratory dimension.
 
Undergraduate and Interdisciplinary Studies

110   Introduction to Disability (3)
This course focuses on the social and personal meaning of disability and chronic illness. The course will investigate the interaction of disability with social factors such as gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and class. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Social and Behavioral Sciences.
 
Democratic Education at Cal (DE-Cal)

The DE-Cal program sponsors a wide variety of student-initiated courses each term. Many of these courses cover topics which are not otherwise explored within the existing campus curriculum. All courses are offered for academic credit. For a listing of courses, and for guidelines regarding enrollment, check out the DE-Cal website, visit their office at 320 Eshleman Hall, or call (510) 642-9127.
 
Culture And Literature Courses In English Translation

The following courses are offered by faculty in foreign language departments, but no previous training in a foreign language is required for the course. All readings will be available in English, and the language of instruction will be English. Complete course information is available under the department listings.

Celtic Studies 70. The World of the Celts. K. A. Klar

Celtic Studies C168. Celtic Mythology and Oral Tradition. A. C. Rejhon
(Cross-listed with Religious Studies C109 section 1.)

Celtic Studies 171. Celtic Romanticism. K. A. Klar

Chinese 7A. Introduction to Chinese Literature and Culture.
P. M. Varsano

Japanese 7A. Introduction to Japanese Literature and Culture-Premodern. H. M. Horton

Korean 7A. Introduction to Pre-Modern Korean Literature and Culture. J. Shin

Dutch 170. The Dutch: Stereotypes, Culture and History. J. Dewulf

Italian Studies 40. Italian Culture. M. G. Fuller

Italian Studies 120 Section 2. Topics in Italian Studies: Shakespeare in Italy. A. R. Ascoli

Italian Studies 163. Special Topics in Italian Literature: Catholic Fictions. S. N. Botterill

Italian Studies 170. The Italian Cinema: History, Genres, Authors. G. J. Moses

Scandinavian C107. The Plays of Ibsen. M. B. Sandberg
(Cross-listed with Theater, Dance, and Performance St C107 section 1.)

Scandinavian 123. Viking and Medieval Scandinavia. J. Lindow

Scandinavian 150. Studies in Scandinavian Literature.

Slavic Languages and Literatures 45. 19th Century Russian Literature. L. Golburt

Slavic Languages and Literatures 134F. Nabokov. E. Naiman

Slavic Languages and Literatures 140. The Performing Arts in Russia in the 20th Century (1900-1940). A. Muza

Slavic Languages and Literatures 158. The Rise and Fall of Yugoslavia. R. Alexander