Faculty
Link to Department Personnel
Link to Profiles of Full-time Faculty
Professors: Tama L. Engelking (Chairperson), Edward R. Haymes; Professors Emeriti: Bruce A. Beatie, Laura Martin, John M. Purcell, Anita Stoll, Philippa Brown Yin; Associate Professors: Delia V. Galván, Annie Jouan-Westlund, Antonio Medina-Rivera, Diana Orendi, Lee Wilberschied; Assistant Professors: Hebat El-Attar, Stephen Gingerich, Abed Tayyara.
Course Descriptions
MLA courses include culture and literature courses taught in English, in addition to language courses in areas of expanding need in today's global culture. The culture courses and literature courses may cross borders and time periods. The language courses provide both practical linguistic training in the written and spoken languages and an introduction to the cultures of these languages. Building a good resume for career travel or work overseas, or your interests in other languages and cultures that work well with another major, are all reasons to study Portuguese, Russian, or Quechua.
All language courses have the following divisions and courses numbered from:
100-114 (200-214, etc.) concern the development of performance skills;
115-34 (215-234, etc.), the nature of language;
135-64 (235-264, etc.), culture and civilization;
165-89 (265-289, etc.), literature;
190-99 (290-299, etc.), independent and specialized courses.
As performance skills develop through progression in the learning sequence, the skills are used increasingly to introduce students to subject matter in the areas of culture, linguistics, and literature.
All language skill courses require work outside of class time in the language laboratory. Students who are to some degree native speakers of a particular language or who have acquired a speaking ability in a particular language will generally not be permitted to enroll in 100-level courses for credit in that language.
English majors should talk with their English adviser for information on counting courses offered by the Department of Modern Languages toward their major.
Courses listed below cut across the boundaries of specific languages. For courses in specific languages, literatures, and civilizations, see the course listings under Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish.
MLA 101 102 Modern Languages I, II (4-2-5). Prerequisites: For MLA 101: None: For MLA 102 in a sequence: Completion of MLA 101 with a C or better or permission of instructor. Development of proficiency in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing a foreign language (such as Portuguese, Russian, Quechua) which are not regularly offered by the department. May be repeated for credit with a change of language. Lab fee. Return to top
MLA 115 Contemporary Western Cultures (3-0-3). Introduction to two contemporary cultures, for example: France and Germany, or Spain and Italy. Taught in English. Return to top
MLA 116 Contemporary Nonwestern Cultures (3-0-3). Introduction to two or more Nonwestern cultures, for example: Francophone and Hispanic Caribbean. Taught in English. Return to top
MLA 140 240 - 340 - 440 Field Experience Abroad (1 to 6 Credits). Prerequisites: Permission of instructor, departmental approval. The amount of language preparation necessary to participate in any given field experience to be determined by the department and instructor; specially arranged field experience abroad providing intensive exposure to students' target countries and languages. May be preceded by a special preparatory course. Examples include supervised individual or group work-study experience in the target country followed by a period of travel; and supervised two- to six-week group travel for students interested in a language- or culture-oriented project in the target country. See semester course schedule and contact the department office for further information. Return to top
MLA 192 292 - 392 - 492 Special Topics: Study Abroad (1 to 6 Credits). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Study of a particular topic in a foreign language, literature, or civilization as part of the university’s Study Abroad Program. May be repeated with change of topic. Return to top
MLA 196 296 - 396 - 496 Independent Study (1 to 4 Credits). Prerequisites: Student must have sophomore, junior, or senior standing. Proposed projects must be approved by a full-time department faculty member (who will serve as the project adviser) and the department chairman. Student-initiated supervised projects involving non-native languages or literatures. Examples include in-depth study of a particular writer, special readings in linguistics or significance of Hungarian culture in Cleveland politics. Independent study may be used to cover the materials of a listed course not offered in a given year. Projects arranged between individual students and instructor; title of the project will appear on the student's transcript; abbreviation of the course will reflect the language area or be designated MLA. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. Return to top
MLA 200 300-400 Practicum in Language (1 to 4 Credits). Prerequisites: Permission of instructor, departmental approval. Specially arranged projects or supervised experiences using non-native languages conducted in the university and in the community. Examples include special work in the Instructional Media Laboratory, participation in a foreign-language play, tutorial activity in a basic language skills course, and a study or service project involving field work in one of the Cleveland ethnic communities. Projects arranged between individual students and instructors; title of the project will appear on the student's transcript; abbreviation of the course will reflect the language area or be designated MLA. May be repeated for credit. S/U only. Return to top
MLA 201 Words: An Introduction to Etymology (3-0-3). A study of the way English words came to have the meanings they do, with emphasis on the Greek and Latin roots of English words; increases both active and passive vocabulary and refines accuracy of understanding and use of English. Especially useful for students in the sciences and in law. Return to top
MLA 204 Nonwestern World Literature (4-0-4). An introduction to nonwestern literature that examines a range of texts by indigenous and diasporic peoples. This course considers the diverse and changing shape of non-western literatures from a variety of different regions that may include the Americas, Asia, Africa, the Pacific Rim, and the African diaspora. May be cross-listed with ENG 204. Return to top
MLA 230 330 Introduction to Mythology (3-0-3). Introduction to mythology with emphasis on classical mythology. Study of texts, criticism, and interpretation of the classical myths; usually contrasted with a more modern mythic work or tradition. Return to top
MLA 235 Arabic Film (4-0-4). Course effective Spring 2009. This course uses Arab films to introduce students to major cultural features of the Arab world. Course is taught in English. May be cross-listed with ARB 335. Return to top
MLA 243 343 Introduction to Urban Folklore (3-0-3). An introduction to the subject matter and the methodology of folklore, with specific reference to the kinds of folklore prevalent in the Greater Cleveland area. Practice in field research methods. Return to top
MLA 245 Arabic Resources of Cleveland/ Service Learning (1 to 4 variable credits). Course effective Spring 2009. Prerequisite: ARB 102, or permission of instructor. This is a service learning course that complements class meetings with field study assignments to engage students with Arabic-speaking communities in the Cleveland area. Readings and writings in English, but some knowledge of Arabic required. May be cross-listed with ARB 345. Return to top
MLA 255 Western European Film (4-0-4). Effective Spring 2009. An overview of Western European film during the rise of the European Union. Students will learn to analyze and discuss recent European movies and relate the narratives and representational strategies for films from a variety of countries to the moment of production in contemporary Europe and to social and political issues that European cultures share with the United States. Return to top
MLA 260 Language, Society, and Culture (3-0-3). Introduction to the study of linguistics and of language in its social and cultural contexts. Return to top
MLA 265 Francophone Literature in Translation (4-0-4). Survey of literary works originally written in French from across the Francophone world. Includes Northern and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and immigrant communities in France and Quebec. Works are examined in their cultural contexts in order to compare features such as the impact of colonialism and the role of women. May be cross-listed with FRN 375. Return to top
MLA 273 373 King Arthur in History, Legend and Literature (4-0-4). Development of the Arthurian legend from its historical roots in the sixth century, through the early-, high-, and late-middle ages to the Arthurian revival in the 19th- and 20th-centuries, including versions of the legend on film. Focus of the course changes; may be repeated for credit with change of focus. Sometimes cross-listed with ENF 259. Return to top
MLA 280 Women in the Arab World (4-0-4). Course effective Spring 2009. Examines women in Arab societies as portrayed in literature, film and art. Focuses on questions of identity related to topics such as family roles, religion, education, and politics. Readings and writings in Arabic. May be cross-listed with ARB 380. Return to top
MLA 318 Language Analysis (2 to 4 credits). Prerequisite: Introductory linguistics course or strong background in a foreign language. Topics may include Sanskrit, Hittite, Classical Armenian, Old English, Old Norse, or Gothic, studied with an emphasis on grammar and linguistic issues. May be repeated as the continuing study of one language, or with a change of topic. A two-semester sequence of one language (such as Sanskrit I and II), or a semester of Old English followed by a semester of Old Norse or Gothic, may count toward satisfying the foreign language requirement. Students who take Sanskrit I and II (4 credits each) may take a second year of Sanskrit III and IV (2 credits each). Cross-listed with LIN 318 and ENG 318. Return to top
MLA 325 Introduction to Linguistics (3-0-3). Introduction to the scientific study of language; emphasis on languages other than English. Topics include principles of linguistic analysis, languages and culture, and linguistics in relation to other fields. Recommended for language majors. Return to top
MLA 332 Comparative Mythology (3-0-3). A study of mythic texts in two or more cultural traditions. The course may consider both the common elements of these mythic traditions and/or the significance of their differences. Return to top
MLA 342 Languages in Contact (4-0-4). Exploration of relationships between language usage and cultural behavior. Central issues include connections between linguistic and cultural categories, social and institutional effects of language variation, consequences of linguistic and cultural change, language and social role, and role of language in forming social policy. Seminar format emphasizing skills of analysis, synthesis, and problem-solving. Cross-listed with ANT 342 and LIN 342. Linguistic Studies course. Return to top
MLA 347 Maya Hieroglyphic Writing I (4-0-4). Introduction to Classic Maya writing and texts from a linguistic and anthropological perspective. Students study the origins and functions of writing in Ancient Mesoamerica, examine the relationship of spoken languages to the script, and learn to decipher, analyze and interpret Maya hieroglyphic texts for information of general anthropological and linguistic interest such as dynastic history, social organization, ritual, cosmology and belief system. Return to top
MLA 416 Special Topics in Linguistics (1 to 6). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Topics to be announced in semester course schedule. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. Linguistic Studies course. Return to top
MLA 447 Maya Hieroglyphic Writing II (4-0-4). Prerequisite: MLA 347, Maya Hieroglyphic Writing I. Building on the basic knowledge and skills learned in MLA 347, students will decipher increasingly more challenging texts in order to reach a more sophisticated understanding of Maya hieroglyphic decipherment, and its indications for understanding and revising history of Classic Maya civilizations. Return to top
MLA 493 Special Topics in Culture and Civilization (1 to 6). Topics to be announced in semester course schedule. May be repeated for credit with change of topic. Return to top
