BSU Catalog Home| Modern Languages Program | All-University Courses and Descriptions

• Modern Languages
• Chinese
• German
• Japanese
• Ojibwe
• Spanish

Modern Languages (ML)

Check with department for semester when these courses are offered. Read each course description for prerequisites.

1111/ED 1111 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 1 (3 credits) In this introductory course, students learn basic sign vocabulary, grammatical structure, and fingerspelling. Introduction to the Deaf community as a linguistic and cultural minority in the United States. Explores differences in hearing and Deaf cultures throughout the world. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

1112/ED 1112 AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 2 (3 credits) In this introductory course, students continue to learn basic sign vocabulary, grammatical structure, and fingerspelling. Students deepen their knowledge of the Deaf community as a linguistic and cultural minority in the United States. Explores differences in hearing and Deaf cultures throughout the world. Prerequisite: ED 1111 or ML 1111. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

3430 LINGUISTICS (3 credits) The general linguistic topics of phonology, morphology, syntax, lexicography, historical linguistics, and language acquisition theory. Students explore various topics in the language of their interest (German, Spanish, Ojibwe, English).

3470 METHODS OF TEACHING MODERN LANGUAGES (4 credits) Principles and practices in modern language teaching at both the high school and elementary levels. Prerequisites: GER 3312 or OJIB 3312 or SPAN 3312 or consent of instructor and ED 3110.

Chinese (CHIN)

Check with department for semester when these courses are offered. Read each course description for prerequisites.

1111 ELEMENTARY CHINESE I (4 credits) For students with no previous knowledge of Chinese. Practice in understanding, speaking, reading and writing, including work with pronunciation, grammar and culture. The language lab is used to reinforce classroom instruction. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

1112 ELEMENTARY CHINESE II (4 credits) For students with no previous knowledge of Chinese. Practice in understanding, speaking, reading and writing, including work with pronunciation, grammar and culture. The language lab is used to reinforce classroom instruction. Prerequisite: CHIN 1111. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

German (GER)

Check with department for semester when these courses are offered. Read each course description for prerequisites.

1100 INTRODUCTION TO GERMANY (1-3 credits) Students acquire a basic understanding of the German culture and language. This course is taught in English. Basic German expressions and customs are emphasized. Particularly suitable for student who have never studied a foreign language. Complements the study of all academic areas including International Studies. (Might not be offered every year)

1111 ELEMENTARY GERMAN I (4 credits) An introductory course in listening, speaking, understanding, and writing German. The cultures of German-speaking countries are introduced. Regular use of the tape-program is an integral part of the course. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

1112 ELEMENTARY GERMAN II (4 credits) An introductory course in listening, speaking, understanding, and writing German. The cultures of German-speaking countries are introduced. Regular use of the tape-program is an integral part of the course. Prerequisite: GER 1111 or consent of instructor. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

2211 INTERMEDIATE GERMAN I (3 credits) Advancement of the four basic skills; understanding, speaking, reading, and writing, especially through expansion of vocabulary. Increased focus on accuracy. Deeper understanding of German culture. Selections from German literature, as well as other fields, are used as topics for discussion. Prerequisite: GER 1112 or consent of instructor. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

2212 INTERMEDIATE GERMAN II (3 credits) Advancement of the four basic skills; understanding, speaking, reading, and writing, especially through expansion of vocabulary. Increased focus on accuracy. Deeper understanding of German culture. Selections from German literature, as well as other fields, are used as topics for discussion. Prerequisites: GER 2211 or consent of instructor. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

2925 PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT: THE "GREEN MOVEMENTS" IN GERMANY AND AUSTRIA (3 credits) Course to include a diachronic as well as synchronic study of the "Green Movements" in Germany and Austria. Environmental policies of the relatively newly constituted united Europe will be reviewed. Literary texts, essays, and official documents will be discussed, specifically with regard to how political policies affect cultural behaviors. Cultural and geographical concerns such as population density, land use, and land availability will be included. The implications of the "opening" of the eastern block countries to western influences will be discussed. Liberal Education Goal Area 10

3300 STUDY ABROAD (1-18 credits) Variable semester credits granted to Bemidji State University students for resident work and/or study in a German language area.

3311 CONVERSATION AND COMPOSITION (3 credits) Advancement of the production skills of speaking and writing to the Intermediate-High level and the passive skills of reading and listening to the Advanced level. Emphasis on the more complex grammatical points to give the student greater accuracy and control of the language. Development of good control over elementary vocabulary (1000 word basic vocabulary). Contemporary topics will form the core of language use practice with accurate use of present, past and future time. Development of ability to use dictionary effectively. Prerequisites: GER 2212 or consent of instructor. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

3312 INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF GERMAN CULTURE AND LITERATURE (3 credits) A study of the educational political, religious and social institutions for German speaking countries. an introduction to the study of literature and basic literary concepts and genres. Continual advancement of all four skills: speaking listening, writing and reading. Prerequisites: GER 3311 or consent of instructor. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

3317 ADVANCED CONVERSATION AND VOCABULARY BUILDING (2 credits) Intensive oral practice to develop speaking ability to the advanced level. Vocabulary building through use of assigned topics. Prerequisite: GER 2212 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year)

3318 ADVANCED LISTENING COMPREHENSION (2 credits) Development of listening skills to the Advanced-High level through use of video and tape material, including news broadcasts, drama, radio plays, and films. Prerequisite: GER 2212 or consent of instructor.(Might not be offered every year)

3319 ADVANCED COMPOSITION (2 credits) Intensive practice in written German to develop skill to the advanced level. Emphasis on grammatical accuracy, cohesive devices, coherent structure, and precision in vocabulary selection. Prerequisite: GER 2212 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year)

3320 ADVANCED READING SKILLS (2 credits) Development of reading skills to the Advanced-High level through extensive reading, that is, reading for pleasure, using a variety of written texts chosen by the students. Prerequisites: GER 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year)

4410 CONTEMPORARY GERMANY (3 credits) A study of post-war Germany (the "Wirtschaftswunder," the wall, reunification) through cultural and literary texts, including the writers of post-war literature, "Gruppe 47", and the literature of east and west. Advancement of all four skills. Prerequisites: GER 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year)

4417 GERMAN UNIFICATION THROUGH WORLD WAR II: 1870-1945 (3 credits) A study of the historical and cultural events of the period, including the unification of Germany, World War I, the rise of Nazism, and World War II using cultural and literary texts. Advancement of all four skills. Prerequisite: GER 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year)

4418 REALISM AND NATURALISM (3 credits) A study of the major authors and cultural background of the late nineteenth century, including Droste-Hulshoff, Fontane and Hauptmann. advancement of all four skills. Prerequisites: GER 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year)

4419 ROMANTICISM, BIEDERMEIER, AND JUNGES DEUTSCHLAND (3 credits) A study of the major authors and cultural background of Romanticism, Biedermeier, and Junges Deutschland, including Eichendorff, Grillparzer, Heine. Advancement of all four skills. Prerequisite: GER 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year)

4420 THE ENLIGHTENMENT AND CLASSICISM (3 credits) Literary works and cultural background of the period between 1700 and 1832, emphasizing the works of Lessing, Goethe, and Schiller. Advancement of all four skills. Prerequisite: GER 3312 or consent of instructor.

4427 THE EARLY YEARS: 800-1700 (3 credits) A study of the origins of the German language, culture, an literature through texts of the period. Advancement of all four skills. Prerequisite: GER 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year)

4430 GERMAN GRAMMAR AND LINGUISTICS (1 credit) The application of knowledge from ML 3430 Linguistics to the German language. Intensive grammar review as needed. Emphasis on aspects of the language that enhance the teaching of German to English-speaking students. Prerequisite: GER 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year)

4467 STUDIES IN THE GERMAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE (1-3 credits) Possible topics: War and Language; the effect of political upheaval on language; Germanic beginnings and the German language. Consideration given to special problems and interests of the students. Prerequisite: GER 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year)

4468 STUDIES IN GERMAN LITERATURE (1-3 credits) Possible topics: The German Democratic Republic and its Literature, political thought and literature of eighteenth, nineteenth, or twentieth century, literature as social comment/Brecht and Grass. Consideration given to special problems and interests of students. Prerequisite: GER 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year)

Japanese (JPNS)

Check with department for semester when these courses are offered. Read each course description for prerequisites.

1111 ELEMENTARY JAPANESE I (4 credits) For students with no previous knowledge of Japanese. Practice in understanding, speaking, reading and writing, including work with pronunciation, grammar and culture. The language lab is used to reinforce classroom instruction. (Might not be offered every year)

1112 ELEMENTARY JAPANESE II (4 credits) For students with no previous knowledge of Japanese. Practice in understanding, speaking, reading and writing, including work with pronunciation, grammar and culture. The language lab is used to reinforce classroom instruction. Prerequisite: JPNS 1111. (Might not be offered every year)

Ojibwe (OJIB)

Check with department for semester when these courses are offered. Read each course description for prerequisites.

1100 OJIBWE CULTURE (4 credits) Surveys aspects of Ojibwe culture and history from pre-contact to the present. Liberal Education Goal Areas 6 & 7 (Might not be offered every year)

1111 ELEMENTARY OJIBWE I (4 credits) The language of the Ojibwe with an emphasis on oral-aural skills as well as non-linguistic aspects of cultural background and surroundings. Prerequisite: Please consult with program faculty. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

1112 ELEMENTARY OJIBWE II (4 credits) The language of the Ojibwe with an emphasis on oral-aural skills as well as non-linguistic aspects of cultural background and surroundings. Prerequisite: OJIB 1111 or consent of instructor. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

2211 INTERMEDIATE OJIBWE I (4 credits) The language of the Ojibwe with continued emphasis on oral-aural skills as well as non-linguistic aspects of cultural background and surroundings. Prerequisite: OJIB 1112 or consent of instructor. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

2212 INTERMEDIATE OJIBWE II (4 credits) The language of the Ojibwe with continued emphasis on oral-aural skills as well as non-linguistic aspects of cultural background and surroundings. Prerequisite: OJIB 2211 or consent of instructor. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

3213 OJIBWE ORAL LITERATURE (4 credits) Students meet for the first several weeks to discuss, learn, and be tested on their knowledge of Ojibwe oral literature and methodologies for its collection. The last several weeks of the course are designed for students to meet, record, transcribe, translate, and analyze oral literature that they themselves collect from fluent speakers in the region. Guidance will be given at all stages. Prerequisite: OJIB 2212 or consent of instructor. Liberal Education Goal Area 6 (Might not be offered every year)

3311 ADVANCED OJIBWE I (4 credits) Continued development of all skills in Ojibwe with special attention to grammar and oral tradition. Prerequisite: OJIB 2212 or consent of instructor. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

3312 ADVANCED OJIBWE II (4 credits) Continued development of all skills in Ojibwe with special attention to grammar and oral tradition. Prerequisite: OJIB 3311 or consent of instructor. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

3400 INSTRUCTION OF OJIBWE LANGUAGE (4 credits) Students meet for the first several weeks to discuss, learn, and be tested on their knowledge of Ojibwe curriculum, teaching strategies, and grammar paradigms. The last several weeks of the course are designed for students to develop their own lesson plans or methodological research on the instruction of the Ojibwe language. Guidance will be given at all stages. Prerequisite: OJIB 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year)

4430 OJIBWE GRAMMAR AND LINGUISTICS (1 credit) The application of knowledge from ML 3430 Linguistics to the Ojibwe language. Intensive grammar review as needed. Emphasis on aspects of the language that enhance the teaching of Ojibwe to English-speaking students. Prerequisite: OJIB 3312 or consent of instructor.

Spanish (SPAN)

Check with department for semester when these courses are offered. Read each course description for prerequisites.

1100 HISPANIC CULTURE AND SPANISH LANGUAGE (1-3 credits) Students acquire a basic understanding of the Hispanic culture and language. This course is taught in English, but basic Spanish expressions and Hispanic customs are emphasized. It is particularly suitable for students who have never studied a foreign language. The multidisciplinary composition of this course complements the study of all academic areas including International Studies.

1111 ELEMENTARY SPANISH I (4 credits) Study and practice of the four basic skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Stress on pronunciation, basic grammatical forms, and language patterns. Special emphasis on the Hispanic culture and civilization. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

1112 ELEMENTARY SPANISH II (4 credits) Study and practice of the four basic skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Stress on pronunciation, basic grammatical forms, and language patterns. Special emphasis on the Hispanic culture and civilization. Prerequisite: SPAN 1111 or consent of instructor. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

2211 INTERMEDIATE SPANISH I (3 credits) Continuation of practice in the development of the four basic language skills. Continued acquisition of grammatical forms. Strong emphasis on the culture and civilization of Spain and Latin America. Prerequisite: SPAN 1112 or consent of instructor. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

2212 INTERMEDIATE SPANISH II (3 credits) Continuation of practice in the development of the four basic language skills. Continued acquisition of grammatical forms. Strong emphasis on the culture and civilization of Spain and Latin America. Prerequisite: SPAN 2211 or consent of instructor. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

3300 STUDY ABROAD (1-18 credits) Variable semester credits granted to Bemidji State University students for resident study in Spanish language area.

3311 COMPOSITION AND CONVERSATION (3 credits) A course designed to refine the basic skills of understanding oral and written Spanish and improving the correct grammatical writing of Spanish. The emphasis is on Spanish composition through literature. Prerequisite: SPAN 2212 or consent of instructor. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

3312 ADVANCED READINGS AND CONVERSATION (3 credits) Continuation of the practice in the skills of speaking, listening, and writing, with emphasis on reading both Spanish and Latin American short stories and plays. Prerequisite: SPAN 3311 or consent of instructor. Liberal Education Goal Area 8

3313 SPANISH CONVERSATION WORKSHOP (1-4 credits) A course designed to refine the basic skills of understanding oral Spanish. Prerequisite: SPAN 2212 or consent of instructor; Corequisite: SPAN 3311 and SPAN 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year.)

3314 SPANISH FOR THE PROFESSIONS (3 credits) A course designed to develop the Spanish vocabulary necessary for work in a specific field. Professional areas change as announced: medical professions, education, business and finance, social work, criminal justice, law and the courtroom. Prerequisites: SPAN 3311 and SPAN 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year.)

3315 ADVANCED SPANISH GRAMMAR REVIEW (2 credits) A course for advanced students who need a systematic review of Spanish morphology and syntax. Emphasis on special problems such as accentuation, uses of the subjunctive, prepositions and pronouns, "ser/estar." Prerequisites: SPAN 2212 or SPAN 3311. (Might not be offered every year.)

4413 HISPANIC SHORT FICTION (3 credits) A study of selected works of short fiction from Spain and Latin America. Prerequisite: SPAN 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year.)

4414 THE HISPANIC NOVEL (3 credits) A study of selected novels from Spain and Latin America. Prerequisite: SPAN 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year.)

4415 HISPANIC DRAMA (3 credits) A study of selected works. Prerequisite: SPAN 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year.)

4416 HISPANIC POETRY (3 credits) A study of selected works. Prerequisite: SPAN 3312. (Might not be offered every year.)

4418 MEDIEVAL AND GOLDEN AGE LITERATURE (3 credits) A study of selected works of early Spanish literature and the Siglo de Oro and their social and cultural context. Prerequisite: SPAN 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year)

4419 EIGHTEENTH AND NINETEENTH CENTURY SPANISH LITERATURE (3 credits) A study of selected works representative of the Spanish literary movements of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and/or content determined by instructor to meet specific needs of students and a particular class. Prerequisite: SPAN 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year)

4420 TWENTIETH CENTURY LITERATURE (3 credits) A study of selected works of twentieth century Spanish and Latin American authors and their social and cultural context. Prerequisite: SPAN 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year)

4421 WOMEN IN HISPANIC LITERATURE AND CULTURE (3 credits) A study of selected literature from a broad range of Hispanic women writers from antiquity to the present. Prerequisite: SPAN 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year.)

4422 HISPANIC LITERATURE AND CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES (3 credits) A bilingual offering of selected works of authors of Hispanic literature in the United States. Prerequisite: ENGL 2152. (Might not be offered every year.)

4423 FROM TEXT TO IMAGE: HISPANIC FILM AND LITERATURE (3 credits) A study of the relationship between narrative and cinema in the Hispanic world. (Might not be offered every year.)

4426 LATIN AMERICAN CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION (3 credits) History of Spanish American culture and civilization from antiquity to the present. Prerequisite: SPAN 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year.)

4427 SPANISH CULTURE AND CIVILIZATION (3 credits) History of Spanish culture and civilization from antiquity to the present. Prerequisite: SPAN 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year)

4428 MODERN LANGUAGE HONORS (2-4 credits) See Department Chair for course requirements. Prerequisite: SPAN 3312 or consent of instructor. (Might not be offered every year)

4430 SPANISH GRAMMAR AND LINGUISTICS (1 credit) The application of knowledge from ML 3430 Linguistics to the Spanish language. Intensive grammar review as needed. Emphasis on aspects of the language that enhance the teaching of Spanish to English-speaking students. Corequisite: ML 3430.