Fall 2013 General Interest Courses

These courses are of special interest and must satisfy the following criteria:

• Relevant to broad areas of current interest
• New, innovative or experimental
• Interdisciplinary
• Open to non-majors and without specific prerequisites, unless the prerequisite course is taken by many students

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.

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 either Historical Studies or Social and Behavioral Sciences.

138 Irish Literature (700-1800) (4)

Gaelic literature 700-1800 studying prose saga-cycles, satire, classical lyric poetry, and bardic poetry developing the mythological and traditional background of modern Irish literature. All works will be read in English. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature.

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.

Classics

17A Introduction to the Archaeology of the Greek World (4)

This course is an introduction to the material culture of the Ancient Greeks from the Neolithic to the Hellenistic period. Monuments and sites (the Shaft Graves of Mycenae, the Panhellenic Sanctuaries of Olympia and Delphi, the Acropolis of Athens) will be examined in detail together with many new discoveries "fresh out of the ground". Fulfills the L & S breadth requirements in either Arts and Literature or Historical Studies.

R44 Roots of Western Civilization (5)

Literature of the ancient Mediterranean world influencing cultural, intellectual, political, and religious traditions often described by the term "Western civilization." Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in either Arts and Literature, Historical Studies, or Social and Behavioral Sciences. Also satisfies the reading and composition requirement.

121 Ancient Religion (4)

Religious practices of the Ancient Greeks c. 1500 BC to c. 400 AD. Emphasis on public and private cult, ritual and festival. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in either Historical Studies, Philosophy and Values, or Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Comparative Literature

112A Modern Greek Language (4)

Modern Greek is unique among languages in that it is the only modern language directly descended from Ancient Greek. Students study reading, writing, pronunciation and use of contemporary spoken idiom, all within the historical and cultural context of the language. (No prerequisites)

171 Outside the Norm: History, Culture and Deviant Women in Modern Greek Fiction (4)

An examination of female deviance from the accepted standards of society in terms of attitude and behavior.  Examines representations of deviance and the violation of the norms (social, cultural, gender, biological) by central female characters in 19th and 20th century Modern Greek fiction.  All Greek materials for the course are available in English translation. Foreign Films are subtitled.

Computer Science

10 The Beauty and Joy of Computing (4)

Computing empowers discovery and progress in other fields and changes the world.  Learn how to program a computer using a friendly, graphical language, and complete a substantial team programming project related to student interests.

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.

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. (No prerequisites)

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.

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.

Ethnic Studies

C73AC Indigenous Peoples in Global Inequality (4)

This course examines the history of indigenous, aboriginal, native, or "tribal" peoples over the last five centuries. Particular attention is paid to how these groups were brought into relations with an expanding Europe, capitalist development, and modern nation-states. How have these peoples survived, what are the contemporary challenges they face, and what resources and allies have they drawn on in the present? Cross-listed with Native American Studies C73AC section 1. This course satisfies the American Cultures requirement.

Gender and Women's Studies

111 Sexuality, Revolution and Exile in the Middle East and North Africa (1-4)

Women in the Middle East and North Africa have played an active role in nationalist movements and anti-colonial revolution in the late 20th century. Yet a recurring theme of contemporary feminist memoir, semi-autobiographical literature and artwork from this region involves a critique of revolutionary nationalist movements that have compromised women’s rights and promoted a sense of divided loyalty among women.

Geography

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.

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. This course satisfies the American history and American cultures requirement.

Italian Studies

50 The Italian Renaissance (4)

In this interdisciplinary course, we will discuss the various aspects of Renaissance life and culture that made this era both distinct within and formative for the history of western society. We will focus primarily on art, literature and political philosophy to draw a picture of the major cultural forces shaping the Renaissance. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in either Arts and Literature, Historical Studies or Social and Behavioral Sciences.

160 Studies in the History, Society, and Politics of the Italian Peninsula (4)

Study of Italian culture from the perspective of social and historical forces. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in either Arts and Literature, Historical Studies or Social and Behavioral Sciences.

170 The Italian Cinema (4)

An analysis of Italian cinema as seen in the development of film genres such as neorealism, comedy, or self-reflexive 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.

C70V 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 Physics C10 section 1.

Native American Studies

C73AC Indigenous Peoples in Global Inequality (4)

This course examines the history of indigenous, aboriginal, native, or "tribal" peoples over the last five centuries. Particular attention is paid to how these groups were brought into relations with an expanding Europe, capitalist development, and modern nation-states. How have these peoples survived, what are the contemporary challenges they face, and what resources and allies have they drawn on in the present? Cross-listed with Ethnic Studies C73AC section 1. This course satisfies the American Cultures requirement.

Near Eastern Studies

10 Introduction to the Near East (4)

The Middle East is an area of vital concern to American citizens, an area where exciting events are taking place. To understand these events, we will discuss history, politics, religion, and more.

Egyptian

100A Elementary Egyptian (5)

Explore the mysteries of ancient Egypt! Introductory course covering the grammar, syntax, and vocabulary necessary to begin reading Middle Egyptian hieroglyphic texts, the most important stage of the ancient language. Open to freshmen and sophomores.

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.

Scandinavian

125 Old Norse Literature (4)

Reading and discussion of some of the Icelandic sagas and selections from the Eddas and skaldic verse. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature. Taught in English.

150 Studies in Scandinavian Literature: Murder on Ice: Scandinavian Crime Fiction (4)

An exploration of the narrative strategies of crime stories, the reader's role in detection, social implications of the detective genre, the transition of writing into film, and the basis for the genre's popularity. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature.

180 Literature and Art in the Archeological Imagination (4)

Archaeological artifacts rarely, if ever, tell one single story about the past. As material objects and cultural artifacts, they serve perfectly our need to crystallize the past into some manageable form, and have sparked the imagination of archaeologists, historians, poets, writers, and visual artists alike. We will examine how the archaeological imaginary is expressed from the 19th to the 21st centuries both in Scandinavia and in other European nations. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature.

Slavic Languages and Literatures

45 Survey of 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.

134A The Works of Nikolai Gogol (4)

Gogol's fiction and plays, treated in relation to his life and to developments in Russian and European literature. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature.

170 Survey of Yugoslav Literatures (3)

An overview of major developments in Serbian (including Montenegrin) and Croatian (including Dalmatian) literatures from the beginning to the present. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in Arts and Literature.

South and Southeast Asian Studies

C52 Introduction to the Study of Buddhism (4)

This course will provide a basic understanding of the teachings and practices of Buddhism. Fulfills the L & S breadth requirement in Philosophy and Values. Cross-listed with East Asian Languages and Cultures C50 section 1 and Group in Buddhist Studies C50 section 1.

120 section 1 Philippine Myths, Legends, Poetry and Epics (4)

120 section 2 South India on the Seas: Premodern Maritime History and Culture (4)

South Asian

1A Introduction to the Civilization of Early India (4)

The history, culture and religion of the Indian subcontinent, from the Indus Valley civilization in the third millennium, ending with Islam in the 13th century. Fulfills the L & S breadth requirement in Historical Studies.

C140 Hindu Mythology (4)

A survey of myths, divinities, doctrines and themes of religious literature of Hindu India from the Vedas through Sanskrit Epics and Puranas. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in either Arts and Literature or Philosophy and Values. Cross-listed with Religious Studies C165 section 1.

146 Mughal India through Memoirs, Chronicles and other Texts (4)

The Mughal Empire is synonymous with wealth, power, artistic and architectural achievement, cultural transmission between the Islamic world, South Asian and Hinduism, and powerful royal women. Fulfills the L&S breadth requirement in either Historical Studies 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. Audition required (experience not necessary). See the Online Schedule of classes for more information.

60 Stagecraft (3)

This introductory course focuses 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 Studies (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 112 Hearst Gym Station 15, email decalprogram@gmail.com, 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.

Celtic Studies 138

Irish Literature (700-1800).

Celtic Studies C168

Celtic Mythology and Oral Tradition. A. C. Rejhon

East Asian Languages and Cultures

Chinese 7A

Introduction to Premodern Chinese Literature and Culture. P. M. Varsano

Japanese 7A

Introduction to Premodern Japanese Literature and Culture. J. Wallace

Korean 7A

Introduction to Premodern Korean Literature and Culture.

Italian Studies 50

The Italian Renaissance.

Italian Studies 160

Studies in the History, Society, and Politics of the Italian Peninsula. D. Pirillo

Italian Studies 170

The Italian Cinema. G. J. Moses

Scandinavian 125

Old Norse Literature. J. Wellendorf

Scandinavian 150

Studies in Scandinavian Literature: Murder on Ice: Scandinavian Crime Fiction. L. H. Rugg

Scandinavian 180

Literature and Art in the Archeological Imagination. K. L. Sanders

Slavic Languages and Literatures 45

Survey of 19th Century Russian Literature. L. Golburt

Slavic Languages and Literatures 131

The European Avant-garde. H. Ram

Slavic Languages and Literatures 134A

The Works of Nikolai Gogol. L. Golburt

Slavic Languages and Literatures 170

Survey of Yugoslav Literatures. R. Alexander