TEMPLE UNIVERSITY

Undergraduate Bulletin for 1998-99

Temple University switchboard: 215-204-7000
TDD: 215-204-5919

Temple University Home Page -- Undergraduate Bulletin Main Page

College of Arts and Sciences Main Page -- College of Arts and Sciences Main Programs Page


College of Arts and Sciences
Course Descriptions


01825/Greek , Hebrew & Roman Classics

The department offers two types of courses. (a) Classics courses in English on various aspects of Mediterranean life and literature. No knowledge of Greek, Hebrew or Latin languages is required. (b) Courses in Greek, Hebrew or Latin in which the student acquires the basic skills necessary to read texts in the original, and, at advanced levels, reads extensively in texts by major authors.

CLASSICS

LOWER LEVEL

C071. Greek Drama (3 s.h.) (AR)
Introduction to literature and performing arts of Ancient Greece: theater, rituals, athletic contests, political debates, architecture, and city planning.

C077. Introduction to the Ancient City (3 s.h.) (IS)
Introduction to the people, urban forms, and urban institutions of the ancient Greco-Roman world. Readings from translations of primary materials and from modern authors will survey such cities as Corinth, Pergamon, and Ostia. Audio-visual enhancement.

UPPER LEVEL

R112. Race: Ancient and Modern (3 s.h.)
Comparative case studies on race and ethnicity in the ancient and modern worlds, concentrating on events and themes in the modern world that originate in or share key traits with racial/ethnic relations in Greek and Roman antiquity. These include: notions of racial information and racial origins: theories of ethnic superiority; the relationship among slavery, trade and colonization, imperialism, genocide, assimilation, and native revolts; racial migration; linguistic and cultural differentiation; Indo-European language and culture; and ethnic differentiation in modern Mediterranean cultures.

The following Writing Intensive courses (W) are sometimes offered as non -writing instensive courses.

W160 Ancient Greek Historians (3 s.h.) F
This course will survey Greek history from c. 800 BCE until the death of Alexander the Great (323 BCE) and the works of two of the most important Greek historians: Herodotus and Thucydides. A major component of the course will be an examination of the historiographical methods of these writers, but attention also will be paid to the other types of sources which are available.

W161. Ancient Roman Historians (3 s.h.) S
This course will survey Greek history from c. 800 BCE until the death of Alexander the Great (323 BCE) and the works of two of the most important Greek historians: Herodotus and Thucydides. A major component of the course will be an examination of the historiographical methods of these writers, but attention also will be paid to the other types of sources which are available.

W251. Classical Greek and Roman Mythologyy (3 s.h.) (D1) F
A survey of the gods, heroes, and governing concepts of Greek and Roman mythology with close attention to their importance in ancient society, religion, and culture; to the ways in which myths are treated by the major ancient authors; to the survival of mythic archetypes in the Middle ages, Renaissance, and modern world. Audiovisual materials used. Students encouraged to write.

W252. Comparative Mythology (3 s.h.) S 98 and alternate S
Materials from a variety of cultures will show how human beings deal with such ideas as the creation of the universe and mankind, the definition of the hero, order in the cosmos, and eschatology. Greek and Roman myths will serve throughout as the basis for comparison with a varying selection of myths from other cultures.

W261. Topics in Classics Culture (3 s.h.)
Topics from classical antiquity which are of general and current interest based on reading Greek and Roman texts in translation. Lectures, audiovisual presentations, and large and small group work used to explore the significance of the texts.

W263. Ancient City: Periclean Athens (3 s.h.) S99
Focusing on Athens in the 5th centure B.C.E., this course will survey the history of the period but will concentrate on life in a major ancient participatory democracy. We will cover drama, philosophy, archaeology, and daily life.

W264. Ancient City: Hellenistic Alexandria (3 s.h.) S00
At the death of Alexaander his general Ptolemy moved the capital of Egypt from Memphis to Alexandria, which soon became renowned for buildings such as the Library and the Lighthouse, and as a center for commerce and arts. We will survey the art, literature, philosophy, social and economic foundations, and urban problems of this largest of Greek cities.

W265. Ancient City: Augustan Rome (3 s.h.) S01
As first princeps (emperor of Rome, Augustus claimed to re-establish republican Rome after years of external and internal wars. We will study the city that emerged from the efforts of architects, engineers and artists of all kinds enlisted to assist Augustus in the new founding of Rome.

W266. Ancient City: Jerusalem (3 s.h.) S02
Jerusalem, the ancient eternal magnet for Islam, Christianity and Judaism, is always in the news. 5000 years old, the city whose name means harmony and peace was destroyed and rebuilt twenty times. The course will explore the centrality of the city in mid-eastern history and will try to answer the eternal question: Why Jerusalem?

W278. Jewish Humor - Past and Present (3 s.h.) (D1) S
This survey of development of Jewish humor from the medieval ages through the Enlightenment through modern Israel focuses on the different literary forms of wit and humor. Representative works and authors are Ibn Zabara, Book of Delight; Perl, The Discovery of Secrets; and Sholom Aleichem selections. The course concludes with selections from Kishon, Ben-Amotz (Israel), Woody Allen, Sam Levenson, and Nadir (U.S.) Offered in English.

W279.Literature and Art of the Holocaust (3 s.h.) (D1) FS
One of the main assumptions of the course is that the Holocaust, which was considered to be a Jewish catastrophe, is humanity's catastrophe and affirmation of the bankruptcy and failing of Western civilization. The literature of the Holocaust transmits the horrors and terrors in concentration camps, on the trains and in the snowy fields. The course will be conducted in English. (Cross-listed with Jewish Studies 02331)

0210. History of the Hebrew Language (3 s.h.)
Selected readings from representative Hebrew sources showing the development, growth, and usage of the modern Hebrew Language. (Cross-listed with Jewish Studies 0201)

0236. Israel in the middle East (3 s.h.) S
Law, geography, education, religion, politics, Eastern and Western communities, and culture examined by experts in these fields. Offered in English. (Cross-listed with Jewish Studies 0232)

0253. Hebrew, Myth and Legend (3 s.h.) S
The course will cover a selection of 3000 years of Hebrew legend and folktale. Two sources will be used. The first is stories that are included in the Bible, Mishnah, Talmud, and other written collections of stories. The second source is a collection of oral stories published by the Israel Institute for Folklore. Themes and literary devices will be analyzed, and the use of allegory, fable, and symbol will be explored. Stories and motifs will be compared to the international classification of motifs by S. Thompson. References will be made to the social religious functions of the legend. This be conducted in English. (Cross listed with Jewish Studies 0302)

0275. Israelis and Arabs (3 s.h.) (D1)
The four phases of the relationship between Israelis and Arabs as reflected in Israeli literature will be examined. The first phase is the romantic, erotic phase exemplified by the works of Smilansky. The second phase is the moral phase, which will be illustrated by the works of S.Izhar. The third phase is the realistic phase. The fourth is the most problematic one, as it reflects the guilt feelings hatred, fear, and confusion of the present. Offered in English.(Cross-listed with Jewish Studies. 0331)

0352. Humor and Satire in Modern Hebrew Literature: 1800-1960 (3 s.h.) S
Humor and satire (1900-1960 explored through short stories of Y. Erter, Y. Perl, Ashalom Aleichem, and A Meged. (Cross-listed with Jewish Studies 0322)

0354. Love Themes in Hebrew Literature: 1800-1960 (3 s.h.) S
The development of the different love themes from the Song of Songs through the golden age of Spain, Hebrew poetry in Italy, the Enlightenment, revival period, and Israeli literature. Among the themes will be great expectations, happiness and unity, and the happy hell of withered love. Changes in style, form, and context will be emphasized and recurring symbols will be discussed. A special place in the course will be devoted to love poetry written by women. (Cross-listed with Jewish Studies 0312)

0368. Development of Modern Short Story (3 s.h.) (D1) F
A systematic analysis of the elements of the short story and its development from the organized "traditional" short story to the disorganized "modern" short story. Among the selections are stories by Y Stienberg, Brenner, Bialik, and D. Frishman. (Cross-listed with Jewish Studies 0321)

0379. Holocaust and Resistance (3 s.h.)
Selection from the literature of the Holocaust and resistance during the Second World War. Through the selections, the class will explore life and death on another planet where logic is non-existent and where terror, disbelief, and loss of faith are dominant. An attempt will be made to reveal the challenge of portraying the experiences of the Holocaust.

0380-0381-0382. Independent Study (2,3,4 s.h.) FS
Permission of department chairperson. Intensive study under individual guidance in a specific area suggested by the student and approved by the department adviser. 

LATIN AND ANCIENT GREEK

NOTE: Any student taking Greek, Hebrew or Latin at any level for the first time should consult the GHR Classics Department for detailed information. Please note: The GHR Classics Department offers courses in classical Latin and Greek and in both classical and modern Hebrew.

For modern Greek, see Critical Languages.

Basic course descriptions for the three levels of Greek and Latin are as follows:

Return to the list of courses.


01826/Latin

LOWER LEVEL

0151-0052. Elements I-II (4 s.h. each) (LA) (D4) FS
Beginning courses in Latin, with basic grammar and readings.

C061-0062. Intermediate I-II (3 s.h. each) (LB) (D4) FS
Prerequisite: Latin 0052 or permission of the instructor.
Readings in Latin prose and poetry.

UPPER LEVEL

W101-102. Readings in Latin Literature I-II (3 s.h. each) (D1) FS
Prerequisite: Latin 0062 or permission of the instructor.

0123. Prose Composition (3 s.h.)
An introduction to Latin prose style by composition of short passages and close study of the style of important Latin authors.

0380-0381-0382. Independent Study (2, 3, 4 s.h., respectively) FS
Prerequisite: Latin 0062 or permission of the instructor.
Concentrated work at an advanced level on a topic chosen by student and teacher. Weekly tutorial sessions.

Return to the list of courses.


01844/ Ancient Greek

LOWER LEVEL

0051-0052. Elements I-II (4 s.h. each) (LA) (D4) FS
Beginning courses in Ancient Greek with basic grammar and readings.

C061-0062. Intermediate I-II (3 s.h. each) (LB) (D4) FS
Prerequisite: Greek 0052 or permission of the instructor.
Readings in Ancient Greek prose and poetry.

UPPER LEVEL

W101-102. Readings in Greek Literature I-II (3 s.h. each) (D1) FS
Prerequisite: Greek 0062 or permission of the instructor.
All language courses listed are ancient Greek only. For modern Greek see Critical Languages.

0380-0381-0382. Independent Study (2, 3, 4 s.h., respectively) FS
Prerequisite: Greek 0062 or permission of the instructor.
Concentrated work at an advanced level on a topic chosen by student and teacher. Weekly tutorial sessions.

Return to the list of courses.


01829/Hebrew

0051. Beginners' Hebrew I (4 s.h.) (LA) (D4) FS
Cultivation of the ability to read, write, and speak the language. Study of a basic vocabulary and fundamental rules of grammar. (Cross-listed with Jewish Studies 0001.)

0052. Beginners' Hebrew II (4 s.h.) (LA) (D4) FS
Continuation of Hebrew I with emphasis on conversation and composition. Reading of easy vocalized literature and reports. (Cross-listed with Jewish Studies 0002.)

C061. Intermediate I (3 s.h.) (D4) F
Reading of moderately difficult Hebrew texts with discussion in Hebrew. Introduction to nonvocalized literature. Principles of vocalization and the irregular verb in all its conjugations. Laboratory work emphasizes the retelling of literature. (Cross-listed with Jewish Studies 0003)

0062. Intermediate II (3 s.h.) (LB) S
Reading of moderately difficult Hebrew texts with discussion in Hebrew. Introduction to nonvocalized literature. Principles of vocalization and the irregular verb in all its conjugations. Laboratory work emphasizes the retelling of literature. NOTE: Hebrew 0062 is not included as a distribution course in the formal studies category. (Cross-listed with Jewish Studies 0004.)

0071. Biblical Hebrew I (4 s.h.) F
(Formerly 101.) This course provides an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the Hebrew language, the grammar, a working vocabulary to gain knowledge of selections from the Pentateuch, Psalms and Prophets, and discipline in the use of Lexica commentaries. (Cross-listed with Jewish Studies 0101.)

0073. Biblical Readings-Torah (4 s.h.) (D1) F
(Formerly 103.) Selections from the Pentateuch will be read and interpreted by traditional interpreters as well as modern commentators. Methodology of reading the Bible will be taught, and the historical background will be explored. (Cross-listed with Jewish Studies 0102.)

UPPER LEVEL

0121. Modern Readings I (3 s.h.)
Selections of unvocalized, unedited texts. A dual approach emphasizing literary and linguistic qualities of the text. (Cross-listed with Jewish Studies 0202.)

0122. Bible-Prose and Poetry I (3 s.h.) F
Narrative and poetic portions of the literature of the Old Testament in the original Hebrew. (Cross-listed with Jewish Studies 0301.)

0380-0381-0382. Independent Study (2,3,4 s.h.) FS
Permission of department chairperson. Intensive study under individual guidance in a specific area suggested by the student and approved by the department adviser.

Return to the list of courses.


01820/Intellectual Heritage Program

LOWER LEVEL

X051. Intellectual Heritage I (3 s.h.) FS
Prerequisite: Completion of all English 40 and English C050 requirements.
The first course in a required two-course sequence. Close reading and discussion of a common syllabus reflecting values and seminal ideas explored through primary texts and documents in literature, philosophy, religion, and science, from ancient times to the Renaissance.

X052. Intellectual Heritage II (3 s.h.) FS
Prerequisite: Completion of all English 40 and English C050 requirements and IH X051. Second course in IH X051-X052 sequence. Close reading and discussion of a common syllabus reflecting values and seminal ideas explored through primary texts and documents in literature, philosophy, religion, and science, from the Enlightenment to the present.

X091. Intellectual Heritage I Honors (3 s.h.) FS

X092. Intellectual Heritage II Honors (3 s.h.) FS

Return to the list of courses.


01845/Italian

LOWER LEVEL

0051. Elements I (4 s.h.) (LA) (D4) FS
Introduction to the use of Italian as a spoken language. Fundamentals of grammar. Basic patterns of oral communication and writing, acquisition of practical survival skills; simple graded readings.

0052. Elements II (4 s.h.) (LA) (D4) FS
Prerequisite: Italian 0051 or equivalent.
A continuation of the activities of Italian 0051. The basics already learned are practiced, and new patterns of oral communication and writing are introduced. Additional fundamentals of grammar; graded cultural readings.

C061. Intermediate I (3 s.h.) (D4) FS
Prerequisite: Italian 0052 or equivalent.
A continuation of the activities designed to achieve communicative competence. Systematic review of material typically covered in first year Italian, and a study of more sophisticated structures and grammar. Emphasis on vocabulary building, on the practical use of communicative patterns in speaking and writing, and on reading comprehension.

0062. Intermediate II (3 s.h.) (D4) FS
Prerequisite: Italian C061 or equivalent.
Selected readings in modern prose and poetry. Using a variety of texts, the students will gradually broaden their vocabulary, will learn to organize ideas both in speaking and writing, and will begin to appreciate the written text. Since the class will be conducted (almost) entirely in Italian, the students' communicative skill in speaking and writing will continue to expand. Grammatical points will be reviewed when needed. Students will be encouraged to use the Net for special projects.

UPPER LEVEL

W133. Composition and Conversation (3 s.h.) (D4) S
Intensive work on communicative skills in speaking and writing. Having assimilated essentials of the Italian language, by the end of this course the students should be able to express themselves easily in conversational situations and in basic narrative prose. Emphasis placed on vocabulary, phonetics, and sentence patterns, in unsimplified language. Grammar review when needed.

0195. Independent Study (4 s.h.) FS
Prerequisites: Italian 0062 or equivalent. Permission of adviser and Department Chair required. Considered only for extraordinary reasons. Written petition to be submitted by student(s) and instructor before the end of the pre-registration period. Does not replace required courses.

0220. Italian Culture and Civilization (3 s.h.) S 00
Prerequisite: Italian 0062 or equivalent.
Depending on the expertise(s) of the teacher and the interests of the students, this multi-disciplinary course will cover major historical and cultural periods and phenomena. Examples: the emergence of Italian language and dialects: medieval, Renaissance, and baroque art and architecture; folk literature and music; opera; the history of the Risorgimento and the Unification; women and feminism; modern Italian culture and politics; cinema.

0223. Introduction to Italian Literature I (3 s.h.) F
Reading and discussion of representative works of Italian literature from the origins through the Renaissance. The course will cover such authors as Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio, Machiavelli, Ariosto.

0224. Introduction to Literature II (3 s.h.) S
Reading and discussion of representative works of Italian Literature from the Renaissance to modern times. The course will cover such authors as Marino, Metastasio, Alfieri, Goldoni, Leopardi, Manzoni, Ungaretti, Saba, Montale.

W250. Advanced Grammar (3 s.h.) F 99
This course has been designed to develop writing skills and reading comprehension, gradually and consistently. The emphasis of the course is practice in writing short essays, and in translating different types of language. Introduction to literary analysis. Attention to grammar, syntax and orthography. (Capstone W course).

0301. Modern Italian Prose (3 s.h.) F
A study of the major literary movements of the twentieth century. The course will cover authors such as Svevo, Pirandello, Moravia, Pavese, Vittorini.

0304. Italian Poetry (3 s.h.) S
A study of major figures and movements in the history of Italian poetry. According to the expertise(s) of the teacher and interests of the students, the following might be covered: medieval and Renaissance schools of poetry, Dante, Petrarch, Poliziano, Bembo, Michelangelo, Gaspara Stampa, and/or other women Renaissance poets; the baroque, Foscolo, Leopardi, Pascoli, Carducci, D'Annunzio, I crepuscolari, Futurism, Ungaretti, Montale, Quasimodo, neorealism, avant-garde, and experimental movements of the post-World War II period, Zanzotto, Luzi, etc.

0345. Dante and the Middle Ages (3 s.h.) F 99
A study of Dante in the context of the medieval world. A selection from The Inferno.

0352. Studies in the Renaissance (3 s.h.) S 00
The course will focus on Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks, sketches, paintings, and city planning; Michaelangelo's letters, poems, painting, sculpture, and architecture; and the poetesses del Cinquencento, especially Gaspara Stampa. Related studies upon need.

0395. Special Topics (3 s.h.) FS
Prerequisites: Permission of adviser and Department Chair required. Considered only for extraordinary reasons. Written petition to be submitted by students and instructor before the end of the pre-registration period. Does not replace required courses. A group tutorial on a topic not currently offered.

Return to the list of courses.


01849/Latin American Studies

Latin American Studies Semester (LASS) S
A total immersion program (15 credits) in Spanish and Latin American Studies including a trip to Latin America during the spring break. For more information, contact the Latin American Studies Center, Anderson Hall, Room 411 (215-204-7527).

C050. Perspectives of Latin America (3 s.h.) (IS) FS
Examines essential characteristics and values of Latin American societies, including class and ethnic matters, religious traditions, intellectual life (art, music, and literature), and social change. Meets International Studies Core Curriculum requirement. One section fulfills the Studies in Race requirement.

UPPER LEVEL

0100. Latin America Through Film and Fiction (3 s.h.) S
Economic and political change; role of institutional forces including the military and church. Cultural and intellectual traditions and trends, past and present. Multi-media approach. Given in Spanish as part of the LASS program (see above).

0129. Politics of Development in Latin America (3 s.h.) FS
An examination of Latin America's struggle for economic development, one of the most important human dramas of the 20th century. Emphasis on the relationships that have prevailed over the last few decades between developmental theories and the everyday lives of Latin American peoples. Discussion of the political and ideological questions involved in Latin American development. Exploration of how Latin American developmental issues affect the United States through matters such as job relocations and trade pacts.

0130. Democracy in Latin America (3 s.h.)
An examination of the structure and culture of Latin American democracies organized around three major themes: (1) a discussion of theories of democracy; (2) the formation and development of democratic institutions in Latin America; and (3) the political culture of Latin American democracy. Uses a social problems approach to look at two controversial Latin American issues since the late 1960's: the tension between adopting a procedural vs. a substantive definition of democracy, and the emphasis on political vs. socioeconomic factors in explaining democratization.

0141. Religion in Latin America (3 s.h.)
Trends in Latin American religion, including the impact of liberation theology, the challenge of evangelical Protestantism to Catholicism, and the continuing vitality of Afro-Latin American religion.

0145. Other Voices: Black, Native Peoples, and Women in Latin American Literature (3 s.h.) S
The literature of Latin America includes many works which are not part of the canon. Often these are writings of the oppressed: persons of color, women, indigenous peoples. The texts such authors produce are often not considered as deserving of literary attention or as having artistic merit. By giving attention to these writers, we can analyze their viewpoints on Latin American society, history, and culture, comparing their vision as outsiders with that of the official version.

0148. Puerto Ricans in Philadelphia (3 s.h.)
The history and present state of Philadelphia Puerto Rican community with comparisons to other mainland Puerto Rican communities. Course includes use of Puerto Rican materials in the Paley Library Urban Archives.

0160. Environmental Issues in Latin America: A Social Problems Perspective (3 s.h.) 98-99
Examination of the complex interrelationship between social problems and environmental degradation in Latin America. Consideration of the relationship between poverty and the destruction of the environment. Emphasis upon three topics: (1) the impact of human activity and resource utilization on the Latin American environment; (2) the role of political and economic factors in generating the Latin American environmental crisis; and (3) the interaction between development priorities and environmental protection.

0167. Gender and Society in Latin America (3 s.h.)
An interdisciplinary examination of the nature of gender relations and women's subordination in Latin America with a focus on contemporary societies. Issues discussed include: the impact of family and kinship relations on women's participation in both urban and rural labor markets and informal economies; ideologies of gender subordination; cultural expression in the writings of Latin American women as agents of history and ideology; the significance of gender-based politics and movements; and the impact of both national and grassroots development efforts on the status and identity of women.

0170. Historical Continuity and Social Change in Latin America (3 s.h.) F
Overview of Latin American history from a social change/social problems perspective. Some of the historical themes addressed include: social inequality and unequal exchange, cultural domination and resistance, racial minorities and indigenism, the role of women in Latin American societies, political imposition and democracy, and national independence.

0189. Indians and the Nation-State in Latin America (3 s.h.) S
An examination of the lived experiences of contemporary Indians struggling for human dignity in the lowest strata of Latin American class structures. A focus from an indigenous point of view upon issues such as land rights, environmental health, and political and economic self-determination.

0302. Contemporary Brazilian Scene (3 s.h.)
Modern and contemporary Brazilian themes including democracy, neoliberalism and nationalism, cultural and ideological dissent, and popular social movements. Course materials include Brazilian writings, documents and films.

W315. Latin American Studies Seminar (3 s.h.)
A multidisciplinary course open to Latin American Certificate candidates and juniors, seniors, and graduate students. Uses seminar format to prepare and discuss individual student research projects on Latin America.

Return to the list of courses.


Comments and questions concerning this web version of the bulletin or requests for adding reference marks for linking to subsections of a page may be sent to Robert Schneider.