Celtic Studies
  Geography
  German
  Dutch
  Italian Studies
  Scandinavian
  Slavic Languages and Literatures
  Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies
  Democratic Education at Cal (DE-Cal)
  Culture and Literature Courses in English Translation

 
Celtic Studies

129   Modern Celtic Cultures and Folklore (4)
A comparative introduction to modern Celtic cultures: principally Irish, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic and Breton. The development of the distinctive cultures of the Celtic "nations without states" from 1500 to the present; an examination of the role of minority cultures and minority languages in larger political cultural entities. Theme topics will vary with instructor, but will include folklore, nationalism and linguistic history from time to time. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement either in Social and Behavioral Studies or Historical Studies or Arts and Literature.

139   Irish Literature from 1800 - Present (4)
Irish was the language spoken by most Irish people until the middle of the 19th century and had a flourishing literary tradition (mainly poetic), but there was little published in the language until the end of the 19th century. How much interpenetration was there between the two literary traditions of Ireland and Britain? What sort of audiences existed for different kinds of literature? What was the Irish Literary Renaissance? What part did colonialism and nationalism play in the development of both language traditions in Ireland? All these questions will be addressed, if not answered to everyone's satisfaction in this course. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature.

170   Celtic Christianity (4)
In this course we will explore the history of Christianity among Celtic-speaking populations. The main themes are how the nature of pre-Christian belief systems influenced the reception and spread of Christian beliefs, and the influence that Celtic Christianity had on the wider Christian experience in Western Europe and the New World. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature.
 
Geography

20   Globalization (4)
How and why are geographical patterns of employment, production and consumption unstable in the contemporary world? What are the consequences of NAFTA, an expanded European Community and post-colonial migration flows? How is global restructuring culturally reworked locally and nationally?.

51   Political Economy of Development in East Asia (3)
This course focuses on the political economy of development in East and Southeast Asia. Topics include the colonial histories and legacies in East Asia, the transition of the development state, transformation of former socialist economies, technology exchanges and transfers across the Pacific, new generations of women workers in the global economy, the politics of deforestation, and Asian financial crises and recovery.

130   Natural Resources and Population (4)
Are there enough energy, water, mineral and land resources for the world's population? The role of natural resources in the world economy, national development and human welfare focusing on the Third World. The origins of scarcity and abundance, population growth and migration, hunger and poverty.
 
German

39J   The Odyssey in Western Culture (3)
Homer's Odyssey inaugurated a unique literary theme in Western culture: the narrative of wandering, exploration, and colonization. If Homer and Virgil's heroes still remain within the Mediterranean space, Dante's Ulysses ventures into the unknown, heralding the European exploration of the new world and the subsequent making of modern global society. In this course we will study the figure of Odysseus in Western culture from Homer to our time. All readings will be in English translation. Knowledge of German is not required. Taught in English.
 
Dutch

C178   The Dutch-speaking Caribbean: Hybridity, Race and Identity in the Antilles and Surinam (3)
Although the Caribbean has been recognized in recent years as being one the most compelling areas in regard to questions of interculturality, hybridity and miscegenation, the Dutch-speaking part of it has somehow been neglected. This course intends to give an opportunity to those who do not necessarily have a command of Dutch language, but wish to complete their knowledge of Latin-American and Caribbean history, culture and literature. Cross-listed with African American Studies C178 section 1 and Spanish C178 section 1. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Social and Behavioral Sciences.
 
Italian Studies

130B   Dante's Purgatorio and Paradiso (in English) (4)
An introduction to Dante's Purgatorio and Paradiso in the context of his other works. Taught in English. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature.

170   The Italian Cinema: Neorealism (4)
For the special topic description, please check the Department of Italian Studies website. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature.
 
Scandinavian

106   The Works of Hans Christian Andersen (4)
Reading and discussion of Hans Christian Andersen's major works, including fairy tales, short stories, novels, autobiographies, and diaries. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature.

120   The Novel in Scandinavian: Ecology in Scandinavia (4)
The Scandinavian countries are known internationally for their concerted efforts to preserve their environments, which in the case of Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, remain largely wild. This course will consider how the ideas of "nature" and "environment" are formulated through cultural concepts and practice, in literature, film, and other arts. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature.

165   Scandinavian Folklore (4)
Scandinavian folklore, emphasizing oral narrative traditions (legends and folk belief, folktales, ballads) and their contexts. Such minor verbal forms as proverbs, riddles, and formulas will also be considered. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature or Social and Behavioral Sciences.
 
Slavic Languages and Literatures

46   20th Century Russian Literature (3)
20th Century Russia saw major social and political changes brought about by the Revolution in 1917 and its aftermath. The readings: the experimental teens, revolutionary twenties, Stalinist thirties, dissident sixties and seventies, and post-Soviet eighties. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature.

50   Introduction to Russian/East European/Eurasian Cultures (3)
An introduction to the cultures of the peoples of the former Soviet bloc (Russia and other areas of the former Soviet Union, including Central Asia and the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe), from early times to the present, with the emphasis on cultural identity. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature or Social and Behavioral Sciences.
 
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. Fundamental acting techniques are presented in conjunction with exercises, improvisation, and text work designed to enhance concentration, imagination, vocal resonance and projection as well as self-confidence and communication skills. Audition required (experience not necessary).

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. Critical and theoretical concepts will be used to analyze a wide range of live and recorded performances, as well as performance texts.

60   Stagecraft (3)
This course is a practical introduction to the theories, approaches, and applications of construction techniques for the scenic environment, and includes attention to such aspects of production as scenery, lights and costumes. Special emphasis will be placed on theater safety, stage machinery and rigging, scenery building, scenery painting and stage properties. The course involves a laboratory dimension. Students will work on departmental productions.
 
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 129. Modern Celtic Cultures and Folklore. K. A. Klar

Celtic Studies 139. Irish Literature from 1800 - Present. D. F. Melia

Celtic Studies 170. Celtic Christianity. K. A. Klar

Italian Studies 130B. Dante's Purgatorio and Paradiso. S. N. Botterill

Italian Studies 170. The Italian Cinema: Neorealism. G. J. Moses

Near Eastern Studies 160. Religions of Ancient Iran. M. Schwartz

Scandinavian 106. The Works of Hans Christian Andersen. L. K. Sanders

Scandinavian 120. The Novel in Scandinavian: Ecology in Scandinavia. L. H. Rugg

Scandinavian 165. Scandinavian Folklore.

Slavic Languages and Literatures 46. 20th Century Russian Literature. H. Ram

Slavic Languages and Literatures 50. Introduction to Russian/East European/Eurasian Cultures. A. Timberlake

Slavic Languages and Literatures 134C. Dostoevsky. O. Matich

Slavic Languages and Literatures 158 section 1. The Many Springs of Prague: History and Culture of the Czech Lands. E. R. Langer