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Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures

Chair

  • Russell Ganim

Professors

  • W. South Coblin, Chuanren Ke, Philip Lutgendorf, Margaret H. Mills, Frederick Smith (Religious Studies/Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures), Russell Valentino

Professors emeriti

  • Vadim Kreyd, Ray J. Parrott Jr., Helene A. Scriabine

Associate professors

  • Robert W. Leutner, Maureen Robertson (Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures/Cinema and Comparative Literature), Helen Shen

Associate professor emeritus

  • Christopher A. Wertz

Assistant professors

  • Jennifer Feeley, Rebecca Gould

Assistant professor emerita

  • Miriam J. Gelfand

Lecturers

  • Yasuko Akiyama, Kiyomi Kawakami, Irina Kostina, Kuriko Mizuno, Jitka Sonkova, Xiaoyuan Zhao
Undergraduate degrees: B.A. in Asian Languages and Literature, Russian
Undergraduate nondegree programs: Minor in Asian Languages, Russian
Graduate degree: M.A. in Asian Civilizations
Web site: http://clas.uiowa.edu/dwllc/asll

The Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures offers instruction in languages of Asia and eastern Europe as well as in the literatures, civilizations, and cultures of the regions. In addition to offering degree programs, the department welcomes undergraduate and graduate students from across the University to enroll in courses that complement their degree programs or satisfy their personal interests.

The department offers language study in Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Sanskrit, and Uzbek.

Undergraduate students in all majors may satisfy the World Languages requirement of the General Education Program with courses in Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Russian, or Sanskrit; see "Language for General Education" below. They also may get acquainted with Asia and Eastern Europe by taking any of the department's General Education Program courses on Asian humanities and on Russian and Slavic literature and culture, all taught in English. Entering students may take the department's First-Year Seminars, one on Asian culture and civilization, the other on Slavic culture and civilization.

The Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures is one of five academic units in the Division of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.

Undergraduate Programs

  • Major in Asian languages and literature (Bachelor of Arts)
  • Major in Russian (Bachelor of Arts)
  • Minor in Asian languages
  • Minor in Russian

The major in Asian languages and literature gives students the opportunity to develop advanced skills in an Asian language while they study the people, literatures, and cultures of Asia. Students choose one of four tracks: Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, or Sanskrit.

Students interested in Asian studies may add a second major in international studies with an emphasis in Asian studies; see International Studies in the Catalog. Many other disciplines work well as second majors for Asian languages and literature students, such as history, art history, political science, religion, sociology, journalism, business, and anthropology.

Graduates have found careers in education, government, communications, business, and other fields in the United States and abroad. The program also provides excellent background for advanced study in a variety of fields in the humanities and social sciences and for professional schools, such as law and business.

The Russian major trains students in both written and spoken Russian and in Russian literature, culture, and civilization. The department encourages students to pursue a second major (e.g., global health, history, linguistics, political science) and to develop their interests in related or complementary fields. Students interested in focusing on a broader interdisciplinary understanding of the region may earn a second major in International Studies.

Training in Russian is often an important asset to careers in the natural and physical sciences, engineering, medicine, business, journalism, library and information science, and the social and military sciences. It also may be appropriate preparation for study of law or international relations as well as Slavic languages and literatures, comparative literature, and other humanistic disciplines.

Some governmental agencies are interested in job candidates who have advanced training in Russian; these agencies give preference to applicants who combine strong language proficiency with a well-rounded background in area studies. Students who develop an exceptional facility with the Russian language may pursue careers in literary and technical translation and interpretation.

Bachelor of Arts: Asian Languages and Literature

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in Asian languages and literature requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including 30-34 s.h. of work for the major. Students choose one of four tracks: Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, or Sanskrit. Credit required for the major depends on choice of track; requirements for each track are listed below. Transfer credit is accepted to satisfy some requirements of the major, but at least half of the semester hours of advanced work required for the major must be earned at The University of Iowa. Students must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Program.

Chinese Track

The Chinese track requires a minimum of 30 s.h. of work for the major. Students must complete the following courses.

Chinese Language

Students must successfully complete 039:105 Second-Year Chinese: First Semester and 039:106 Second-Year Chinese: Second Semester (total of 10 s.h.) at The University of Iowa with a grade of C or higher, or the equivalent, before they may enroll in the following required courses.

039:108 Classical Chinese: First Semester 3 s.h.
039:115-039:116 Third-Year Chinese: First Semester - Third-Year Chinese: Second Semester 6 s.h.
039:128-039:129 Fourth-Year Chinese: First Semester - Fourth-Year Chinese: Second Semester 6 s.h.
Advanced Chinese Language

One of these:

039:165 Fifth-Year Chinese: First Semester 3 s.h.
039:166 Fifth-Year Chinese: Second Semester 3 s.h.
039:171 Readings in Chinese Literature 3 s.h.
039:215 Individual Chinese for Advanced Students arr.
Chinese Literature and Cinema

One of these: 

039:141 Chinese Literature: Poetry 3 s.h.
039:142 Chinese Literature: Prose 3 s.h.

One of these:

039:173 Transnational Chinese Cinemas 3 s.h.
039:180 Modern Chinese Writers 3 s.h.
Chinese Literature and Culture

The following courses support the study of literature and culture. Courses that pertain to Chinese culture (the arts, history, literature, politics, religion, and translation) and to the methodology of literary or cultural students, and are cross-listed with the Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures or are offered by other departments, may be counted toward this requirement. Course content may vary by semester or instructor; students should consult their advisors for approval.

Two of these:

039:032 Chinese Popular Culture 3 s.h.
039:140 The Literature of Daoism 3 s.h.
039:158 East-West Literary Relations 3 s.h.
039:198 Topics in Asian Studies arr.
039:213 Advanced Classical Chinese 3 s.h.
039:240 Seminar in Chinese Fiction 3 s.h.
039:241 Seminar in Chinese Literature arr.
Hindi Track

The Hindi track requires a minimum of 30 s.h. of work for the major. Students must complete the following courses.

039:126-039:127 Second-Year Hindi: First Semester - Second-Year Hindi: Second Semester 8 s.h.
039:184-039:185 Third-Year Hindi: First Semester - Third-Year Hindi: Second Semester (students may substitute 6 s.h. of 100-level courses in South Asian studies, with the approval of their major advisors) 6 s.h.
039:136 Indian Literature 3 s.h.
Additional advanced courses (100-level) in South Asian studies, including 1-3 s.h. of independent study 13 s.h.

A list of advanced courses is available from the department.

Hindi track students are urged to fulfill the General Education Program Historical Perspectives requirement (3 s.h.) by completing 016:007 Civilizations of Asia: South Asia.

Japanese Track

The Japanese track requires a minimum of 34 s.h. of work for the major. Students must complete the following courses.

39J:101-39J:102 Second-Year Japanese: First Semester - Second-Year Japanese: Second Semester 10 s.h.
39J:105-39J:106 Third-Year Japanese I-II 6 s.h.
39J:107-39J:108 Fourth-Year Japanese I-II 6 s.h.
Advanced courses in Japanese literature taught by faculty members in the department (e.g. 39J:141, 39J:142, 39J:143) 6 s.h.
Additional advanced courses taught by faculty members in the department 6 s.h.

Lists of advanced courses are available from the department.

Sanskrit Track

The Sanskrit track requires a minimum of 30 s.h. for the major. Students must complete the following courses.

039:112-039:113 Second-Year Sanskrit: First Semester - Second-Year Sanskrit: Second Semester 6 s.h.
039:186-039:187 Third-Year Sanskrit: First Semester - Third-Year Sanskrit: Second Semester (students may substitute 6 s.h. of advanced courses (100-level) in South Asian studies, with the approval of their major advisors) 6 s.h.
039:136 Indian Literature 3 s.h.
039:163 Indian Religious Texts 3 s.h.
Additional advanced courses (100-level) in South Asian studies, including 1-3 s.h. of independent study 12 s.h.

A list of advanced courses is available from the department.

Sanskrit track students are urged to fulfill the General Education Program Historical Perspectives requirement (3 s.h.) by completing 016:007 Civilizations of Asia: South Asia.

Bachelor of Arts: Russian

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in Russian requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including 31 s.h. of work for the major earned in advanced Russian courses. Students must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Program.

The major in Russian requires the following courses.

One of these: 

041:109 Beginning Composition and Conversation I 4 s.h.
041:110 Beginning Composition and Conversation II 4 s.h.

Both of these sequences: 

041:111-041:112 Third-Year Russian I-II 8 s.h.
041:113-041:114 Fourth-Year Russian I-II 8 s.h.

Four of these (Russian/East European culture): 

041:058 Diversities of Eastern Europe: Culture, Art, and Politics 3 s.h.
041:093 Slavic Folklore 3 s.h.
041:094 Religion and Culture of Slavs 3 s.h.
041:096 Islamic Women in Russia 3 s.h.
041:097 Istria 3 s.h.
041:098 Introduction to Russian Culture 3 s.h.
041:099 Russia Today 3 s.h.
041:102 Russian Literature in Translation 1860-1917 3 s.h.
041:104 Health Care and Health Reforms in Russia 3 s.h.
041:155 Tolstoy and Dostoevsky 3 s.h.
041:156 Invitation to Nabokov 3 s.h.
041:160 Women in Russian Society 3 s.h.
041:164 Topics in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies arr.
041:165 West and East: Women in the Slavic World 3 s.h.
041:168 Twentieth-Century Czech Authors 3 s.h.

Students may substitute one of the following Slavic language two-course sequences for one of the four required Russian/East European culture courses (see list above). Availability of Croatian and Polish language courses varies. 

041:141-041:142 First-Year Czech I-II 8 s.h.
041:143-041:144 Second-Year Czech I-II 8 s.h.
041:181-041:182 First-Year Croatian I-II 8 s.h.
041:183-041:184 Second-Year Croatian I-II 8 s.h.

Students majoring in Russian are urged to choose elective courses in economics, geography, history, political science, global health, and international studies. Nearly every avenue of professional training and employment requires a solid background in Russian area studies. For example, criteria for U.S. government employment include substantive knowledge in history, economics, political science, sociological disciplines, scientific specialties, demography, military-related skills, and in some cases, cultural and religious background. In-depth knowledge of literature or linguistics without other substantive background may be of limited practical use in finding employment.

B.A. with Teacher Licensure

Teacher Licensure in Chinese and Japanese

Chinese and Japanese majors interested in licensure to teach in elementary and/or secondary schools must successfully complete the requirements for a major, or the equivalent, plus designated pedagogy and linguistics courses in the Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures. In addition, students must complete the College of Education's Teacher Education Program (TEP). Several courses in the College of Education and a semester of student teaching are required. Contact the College of Education's Office of Education Services for more information.

Students who plan to use a Chinese or Japanese minor to teach at the elementary and/or secondary level should contact the Office of Teacher Education and Student Services about requirements.

Teacher Licensure in Russian

Russian majors interested in licensure to teach in elementary and/or secondary schools must successfully complete the requirements for a major in Russian and must complete the College of Education's Teacher Education Program (TEP). Several courses in the College of Education and a semester of student teaching are required. Contact the College of Education's Office of Education Services for more information.

Students who plan to use a Russian minor to teach at the elementary and/or secondary level should contact the Office of Teacher Education and Student Services about requirements.

Four-Year Graduation Plan

Bachelor of Arts: Asian Languages and Literature

The following checkpoints list the minimum requirements students must complete by certain semesters in order to stay on the University's Four-Year Graduation Plan. (Courses in the major are those required to complete the major; they may be offered by departments other than the major department.)

Before the third semester begins: for students in Chinese and Japanese tracks, language work begun (students in the Hindi and Sanskrit tracks may begin language work in their sophomore year) and at least one-quarter of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the fifth semester begins: at least first-year language competency and at least one-half of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the seventh semester begins: at least second-year language competency and at least three-quarters of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the eighth semester begins: at least third-year, first-semester language competency and one additional course in the major (two additional courses in the Japanese track)

During the eighth semester: enrollment in all remaining course work in the major, all remaining General Education courses, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate

Bachelor of Arts: Russian

Before the third semester begins: competence in first-year Russian and at least one-quarter of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the fifth semester begins: competence in second-year Russian and at least one-half of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the seventh semester begins: competence in third-year Russian, an additional course in the major, and at least three-quarters of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the eighth semester: competence in fourth-year Russian and two more courses in the major

During the eighth semester: enrollment in all remaining course work in the major, all remaining General Education courses, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate

Honors

Honors in Asian Languages and Literature

Students who maintain a cumulative University of Iowa g.p.a. of at least 3.33 are encouraged to enroll in the University of Iowa Honors Program. With consent of the department chair and a faculty sponsor (an Asian specialist from any department), students register for 039:191 Honors Tutorial and 039:195 Senior Honors Thesis. To graduate with honors in Asian languages and literature, students must complete an acceptable thesis based on original research.

Honors in Russian

Russian majors with junior or senior standing, a g.p.a. of at least 3.33 in Russian, and a cumulative University of Iowa g.p.a. of at least 3.33 may enroll in the honors program in Russian. An extensive reading program with discussions, regular reports, and a semester paper constitute each 3 s.h. honors work unit. Students may take up to 9 s.h. of honors work in Russian. Contact the department for information about how to graduate with honors in the Russian major. Contact the University of Iowa Honors Program for more information about honors study at Iowa.

Related Programs

Certificate in International Business

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Tippie College of Business offer the Certificate in International Business. The program entails study of international business and economics; international relations and institutions; a language; and the art, literature, culture, and/or politics of a geographic area. Students of Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, or Russian are likely to satisfy the certificate's language requirement while completing the requirements for their major. For information about the certificate, see International Business in the Catalog.

Minor in Asian Languages

The minor in Asian languages requires a minimum of 15 s.h. (or 14 s.h. for the Hindi emphasis), including 12 s.h. in advanced courses taken at The University of Iowa. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in the minor. Course work in the minor may not be taken pass/nonpass. Students may earn the minor with an emphasis in Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, or Sanskrit. Course work for each emphasis is as follows.

Students with a Chinese emphasis must complete 039:115 Third-Year Chinese: First Semester and 039:116 Third-Year Chinese: Second Semester, 039:128 Fourth-Year Chinese: First Semester and 039:129 Fourth-Year Chinese: Second Semester, and one course chosen from 039:141 Chinese Literature: Poetry, 039:142 Chinese Literature: Prose, 039:173 Transnational Chinese Cinemas, or 039:180 Modern Chinese Writers.

Students with a Hindi emphasis may complete the advanced course requirement with 11 s.h., and the minor with a total of 14 s.h. The courses 039:123 First-Year Hindi: First Semester and 039:124 First-Year Hindi: Second Semester do not count as advanced courses for the minor.

Students with a Japanese emphasis must choose one of the advanced courses from literature, culture, or linguistics courses. A list of courses approved for the minor is available from the department.

Students with a Sanskrit emphasis must complete at least 12 s.h. of advanced courses chosen from 039:111 First-Year Sanskrit: Second Semester, 039:112 Second-Year Sanskrit: First Semester, 039:113 Second-Year Sanskrit: Second Semester, 039:186 Third-Year Sanskrit: First Semester, 039:187 Third-Year Sanskrit: Second Semester, and 039:216 Individual Sanskrit for Advanced Students. They may not count 039:110 First-Year Sanskrit: First Semester as an advanced course for the minor.

Minor in Russian

The minor in Russian requires a minimum of 15 s.h. in Russian, including 12 s.h. in advanced courses taken at The University of Iowa. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in the minor. Course work in the minor may not be taken pass/nonpass. Students may count a maximum of 3 s.h. taught in English toward the minor. The department recommends that students choose 100-level courses for the minor, such as the sequences 041:109 Beginning Composition and Conversation I and 041:110 Beginning Composition and Conversation II, 041:111 Third-Year Russian I and 041:112 Third-Year Russian II, and 041:113 Fourth-Year Russian I and 041:114 Fourth-Year Russian II.

Language for General Education

Undergraduate students in all majors may satisfy the World Languages requirement of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Program with course sequences in Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Sanskrit.

Students who have had experience with Japanese or Russian should take the online World Languages Placement Test, which helps determine the level at which a student should begin Japanese or Russian language study at The University of Iowa. Students with backgrounds in Chinese, Hindi, Korean, or Sanskrit may receive individual evaluations from the department.

Chinese

The following sequence fulfills the General Education Program's World Languages requirement and is most appropriate for students who have no background in Chinese.

039:008 First-Year Chinese: First Semester 5 s.h.
039:009 First-Year Chinese: Second Semester 5 s.h.
039:105 Second-Year Chinese: First Semester 5 s.h.
039:106 Second-Year Chinese: Second Semester 5 s.h.

Students who have participated in 165:814 Iowa in Tianjin after completing 039:008 and 039:009, and students from Chinese-speaking families who perform exceptionally well in 039:008 and 039:009, may fulfill the World Languages requirement with the following sequence.

039:008 First-Year Chinese: First Semester 5 s.h.
039:009 First-Year Chinese: Second Semester 5 s.h.
039:107 Accelerated Second-Year Chinese: First Semester 3 s.h.
039:114 Accelerated Second-Year Chinese: Second Semester 3 s.h.

Students who have taken 039:107 and/or 039:114 should not enroll in 039:105 and/or 039:106.

Additional course work is available, including advanced Chinese, classical Chinese, and business Chinese.

Hindi

The following sequence fulfills the General Education Program's World Languages requirement. Additional courses are available.

039:123 First-Year Hindi: First Semester 5 s.h.
039:124 First-Year Hindi: Second Semester 5 s.h.
039:126 Second-Year Hindi: First Semester 4 s.h.
039:127 Second-Year Hindi: Second Semester 4 s.h.
Japanese

The following sequence fulfills the General Education Program's World Languages requirement and is appropriate for students who have not studied Japanese.

39J:010 First-Year Japanese: First Semester 5 s.h.
39J:012 First-Year Japanese: Second Semester 5 s.h.
39J:101 Second-Year Japanese: First Semester 4-5 s.h.
39J:102 Second-Year Japanese: Second Semester 4-5 s.h.

Students with some prior study of Japanese should substitute 39J:011 Elementary Japanese: Review for 39J:010 in the sequence above in order to fulfill the World Languages requirement. Additional course work is available, including classical Japanese.

Korean

The following sequence fulfills the General Education Program's World Languages requirement and leads to elementary/intermediate proficiency in Korean. Students interested in Korean language study beyond the General Education requirement may take Third-Year Korean (039:150 and 039:151.)

039:040 First-Year Korean: First Semester 4 s.h.
039:041 First-Year Korean: Second Semester 4 s.h.
039:042 Second-Year Korean: First Semester 4 s.h.
039:043 Second-Year Korean: Second Semester 4 s.h.
Russian

The following sequence fulfills the General Education Program's World Languages requirement.

041:001 First-Year Russian I 5 s.h.
041:002 First-Year Russian II 4 s.h.
041:003 Second-Year Russian I 4 s.h.
041:004 Second-Year Russian II 4 s.h.
Sanskrit

The following sequence fulfills the General Education Program's World Languages requirement. Students interested in Sanskrit language study beyond the General Education requirement may take Third-Year Sanskrit (039:186 and 039:187).

039:110 First-Year Sanskrit: First Semester 4 s.h.
039:111 First-Year Sanskrit: Second Semester 4 s.h.
039:112 Second-Year Sanskrit: First Semester 3 s.h.
039:113 Second-Year Sanskrit: Second Semester 3 s.h.

 

Graduate Programs

  • Master of Arts in Asian civilizations

The master's degree program in Asian civilizations prepares students for doctoral study in a variety of disciplines. It also may be good choice for students planning nonacademic careers in which advanced knowledge of Asian civilizations could be useful. For example, students working toward professional degrees, such as an M.D. or J.D., may decide to earn the M.A. in Asian civilizations while completing the professional degree.

Master of Arts

The Master of Arts program in Asian Civilizations requires a minimum of 30 s.h. of graduate credit, including 24 s.h. earned in residence at The University of Iowa. All students must maintain a g.p.a. of 3.00 or higher. Detailed information on degree requirements is sent to all applicants.

M.A. students choose from several tracks: Hindi language and literature, Sanskrit language and literature, South Asian studies, Chinese literature and culture, Chinese linguistics, teaching Chinese as a foreign language, interdisciplinary Chinese studies, teaching Japanese as a foreign language, Japanese studies, and interdisciplinary Japanese studies.

By the end of the first semester in residence, students propose a study plan developed in consultation with their advisor and in accordance with guidelines for specializations within the program.

By the end of the final semester in residence, students are expected to demonstrate, either by departmental examination or the successful completion of courses at the appropriate level, advanced competence in Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, or Sanskrit. Advanced competence is defined generally as fourth-year level course work in Chinese or Japanese and third-year level in Hindi and Sanskrit.

Admission

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College or the Graduate College section of the Catalog. The Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures requires a g.p.a. of at least 3.00 for regular admission and a g.p.a. of at least 2.75 for conditional admission.

Applicants must submit a statement of purpose, a research paper written in English, three letters of recommendation, and scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test. Applicants whose first language is not English must score at least 590 (paper-based), 243 (computer-based), or 97 (Internet-based) on the Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL).

Both international and U.S. graduate applications requesting financial support for the following academic year are due February 1. All other applications are accepted until April 15 for fall admission and October 1 for spring admission.

Application materials are available from the department.

Study Abroad

The department strongly urges its students to seek opportunities for summer language study and study abroad to accelerate the language acquisition process. The University's memberships in the American Institute of Indian Studies and the China Cooperative Language and Study Programs consortium help facilitate students' access to quality international programs in India and China. The government of the People's Republic of China offers scholarships for two students to live and study in Mainland China each year.

The UI-Nanzan Exchange allows Iowa students to pay Iowa tuition, room, and board while attending the Center for Japanese Studies at Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan. There also is a cooperative agreement with the Landour Language School in the Himalayan foothills of India. The South Asian Studies Program has launched a new study abroad program in Mysore and Bangalore, India, where students have the opportunity to study a variety of aspects of traditional and modern Indian civilization.

Iowa students participate in summer, semester, or academic year programs in Russian under the auspices of the American Council of Teachers of Russian (ACTR), the association that directs academic language training programs in the cities of Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Vladimir.

Many students participate in summer, semester-long, and year-long study abroad programs in India, China, and Japan offered through other U.S. universities. In many cases credit is transferable, and it is possible for a student to study abroad and still complete the Four-Year Graduation Plan. There are many resources available for funding research and study abroad. It also may be possible for students to apply University of Iowa financial aid to their study abroad programs.

Contact the Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures or the Office for Study Abroad for more information.

Summer Study, Internships

The department offers an intensive course of language study (second year) each summer in which students complete the equivalent of one academic year of study (equivalent of one course for each of two semesters, totaling 8 s.h.). Scholarships are available for summer intensive Russian.

Students are encouraged to enrich their programs of study through internships designed to combine work experience in Asia or the United States with study or research projects. The University's Pomerantz Career Center keeps a list of internships.

Activities

Student Associations

Students have many opportunities to enrich their studies in Asian languages and literature while living in Iowa City. The University sponsors student associations for students from many Asian countries, including mainland China, Japan, Korea, India, Pakistan, and Taiwan. All University of Iowa students are welcome to join. Various international community groups sponsor cultural events and holiday celebrations throughout the year.

Residence in Living-Learning Community

The Global Village Living-Learning Community welcomes both American and international undergraduate students who wish to broaden their knowledge of international issues, languages, and cultures. Global Village members live in Mayflower Residence Hall and enjoy a variety of programs, such as celebrations of international holidays, theatrical performances and film screenings, conversations with the University's international visitors, field trips, presentations on studying and working in other countries, and opportunities for service projects. They also take a course together. Students must apply to live in the Global Village Living-Learning Community; see the Living-Learning Communities web page.

Facilities

Language Media Center

The University's Language Media Center provides facilities for language learning, teaching, and research. Equipment in the center includes state-of-the-art computer, audio, and video facilities as well as standard and short-wave radios, tape and cassette recorders, record players, and soundproof recording rooms. An electronic classroom, a soundproof workroom, and a library of tape, disc, and cassette recordings also are available.

University of Iowa Libraries

Since 1960 University of Iowa Libraries has routinely acquired most American titles in Asian studies and selected overseas scholarly publications in English and other Western languages. The Main Library's Asian collection includes approximately 80,000 volumes in Asian languages and about 140,000 Western-language volumes on Asian subjects. The University has been a member of the Library of Congress Foreign Currency Exchange Program for Indian books and periodicals since 1975. The library's nonprint media collection includes a growing number of Asian feature films. A Chinese-Japanese-Korean computer terminal gives students and faculty access to the growing Research Libraries Information Network database in Asian languages.

Financial Support

Undergraduate and graduate students have access to the following financial aid and scholarship resources. Contact the Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures for application information.

Cheng/Liu Scholarship: Undergraduate and graduate students currently majoring in Chinese in the Department of Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures at The University of Iowa may apply for the Cheng/Liu Scholarship. The award can be used for summer Chinese language study.

Fairall Scholarship: Undergraduate or graduate majors who have attended and/or graduated from Iowa elementary or secondary schools may be nominated by the department to receive a Fairall Scholarship. Preference is given to Japanese studies students. Applications are available late spring, with scholarships to be awarded the following fall semester.

Foreign language and area studies fellowships: Only U.S. citizens are eligible. Graduate students combining work in Asian languages at an advanced level with interdisciplinary or professional programs may apply. The award is offered by International Programs for academic year and summer language study.

Graduate assistantships: The department offers teaching assistantships for graduate students in the program. All applicants to graduate study in the program receive information on applying for an assistantship. Assistantships are awarded each spring for the following academic year.

Graduate international research: Opportunities for funding research abroad include Stanley Fellowships for Graduate Student Research Abroad, CIREH Research Scholarships in International Health, Fulbright Grants, and Foreign Language Area Scholarships.

Summer language scholarships: Currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students may compete for a Stanley-University of Iowa Foundation Support Organization Summer Language Scholarship, to be used for intensive summer language study in Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, or Sanskrit. Eight to ten awards of $2,000-$2,500 are made each summer. Applications are due March 1.

Support for undergraduate study abroad: Opportunities for undergraduates to study abroad include the Presidential Scholarships for Study Abroad and the Stanley Scholarships for International Research and Study.

Courses

Language for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Chinese

High school students and University of Iowa students who would like to learn Chinese but do not plan to use Chinese to satisfy the World Languages requirement of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Program may wish to take the beginning Chinese courses 039:003, 039:004, 039:010, and 039:011 in sequence and may follow them with the second-year courses 039:105 and 039:106. See the course descriptions below.

039:001 Conversational Chinese I 1 s.h.
Introduction to modern Chinese, with focus on communication "survival" skills for discussing oneself, family, daily activities, interests, personal preferences, food, shopping, travel, lodging; situational activities and performance.
 
039:002 Conversational Chinese II 1 s.h.
Continuation of 039:001, with focus on speaking and listening.
 
039:003 Beginning Chinese I 3 s.h.
Beginning Chinese; offered through UI Confucius Institute; first of a four-course sequence.
 
039:004 Beginning Chinese II 3 s.h.
Continuation of 039:003; offered through UI Confucius Institute; second of a four-course sequence. Prerequisites: 039:003.
 
039:008 First-Year Chinese: First Semester 5 s.h.
Sound system of Mandarin Chinese, basic sentence patterns; aural understanding, speaking, reading, writing. Offered fall semesters. Requirements: undergraduate standing. GE: World Languages First Level Proficiency.
 
039:009 First-Year Chinese: Second Semester 5 s.h.
Continuation of 039:008. Offered spring semesters. Prerequisites: 039:008. Requirements: undergraduate standing. GE: World Languages Second Level Proficiency.
 
039:010 Beginning Chinese III 3 s.h.
Continuation of 039:004; offered through UI Confucius Institute; third of a four-course sequence. Prerequisites: 039:004.
 
039:011 Beginning Chinese IV 3 s.h.
Continuation of 039:010; offered through UI Confucius Institute; last of a four-course sequence. Prerequisites: 039:010.
 
039:105 Second-Year Chinese: First Semester 5 s.h.
Continuation of 039:009. Offered fall semesters. Prerequisites: 039:009. Requirements: undergraduate standing. GE: World Languages Second Level Proficiency.
 
039:106 Second-Year Chinese: Second Semester 5 s.h.
Continuation of 039:105. Offered spring semesters. Prerequisites: 039:105. Requirements: undergraduate standing. GE: World Languages Fourth Level Proficiency.
 
039:107 Accelerated Second-Year Chinese: First Semester 3 s.h.
Intermediate Chinese. Requirements: grades of C or higher in 039:008 and 039:009, and one summer of Chinese study in China. GE: World Languages First Level Proficiency.
 
039:108 Classical Chinese: First Semester 3 s.h.
Late Zhou period; readings from Zhanguoce, Mengzi, Zhuangzi; focus on grammatical analysis, exact translation. Offered fall semesters. Prerequisites: 039:106.
 
039:109 Classical Chinese: Second Semester 3 s.h.
Continuation of 039:108. Offered spring semesters. Prerequisites: 039:108.
 
039:114 Accelerated Second-Year Chinese: Second Semester 3 s.h.
Intermediate Chinese. Requirements: grade of C or higher in 039:107. GE: World Languages Fourth Level Proficiency.
 
039:115 Third-Year Chinese: First Semester 3 s.h.
Reading of advanced modern Chinese texts; speaking, writing. Offered fall semesters. Prerequisites: 039:106.
 
039:116 Third-Year Chinese: Second Semester 3 s.h.
Continuation of 039:115. Offered spring semesters. Prerequisites: 039:115.
 
039:117 Business Chinese I 3 s.h.
Skill development in communicating with Chinese counterparts on a number of domains in business translations; first of a two-course sequence. Prerequisites: 039:106.
 
039:118 Business Chinese II 3 s.h.
Skill development in communicating with Chinese counterparts on a number of domains in business translations; second of a two-course sequence. Prerequisites: 039:117.
 
039:128 Fourth-Year Chinese: First Semester 3 s.h.
Proficiency through oral and written discussions of modern texts. Offered fall semesters. Prerequisites: 039:116.
 
039:129 Fourth-Year Chinese: Second Semester 3 s.h.
Offered spring semesters. Prerequisites: 039:128.
 
039:165 Fifth-Year Chinese: First Semester 3 s.h.
Improvement of language skills in modern Chinese: listening, speaking, reading, writing; skill development in reading authentic texts related to topics of student interest. Prerequisites: 039:129.
 
039:166 Fifth-Year Chinese: Second Semester 3 s.h.
Continuation of 039:165. Prerequisites: 039:165.
 
039:171 Readings in Chinese Literature 3 s.h.
Readings for advanced modern Chinese learners to elevate reading and writing abilities; essays, fiction, poetry by contemporary Chinese writers. Taught in Chinese.
 
039:213 Advanced Classical Chinese 3 s.h.
Readings from Zuozhuan, Guoyu, other texts of early classical period. Prerequisites: 039:109.
 
039:220 Literary Chinese I 3 s.h.
Readings from literary and historical texts of Han and Wei-Jin periods. Prerequisites: 039:109.
 

Croatian

041:181 First-Year Croatian I arr.
Basic language skills--listening, reading, speaking, and writing Croatian; fundamentals of grammar; emphasis on student participation; first of a two-semester sequence.
 
041:182 First-Year Croatian II arr.
Continuation of 041:181. Prerequisites: 041:181.
 
041:183 Second-Year Croatian I 4 s.h.
Continuation of 041:182; proficiency in vocabulary and grammatical foundations of understanding, speaking, reading, and writing Croatian (Bosnian, Serbian). Prerequisites: 041:182.
 
041:184 Second-Year Croatian II 4 s.h.
Continuation of 041:183; basic grammatical forms; practice listening, speaking, and writing Croatian (Bosnian, Serbian). Prerequisites: 041:183.
 

Czech

041:141 First-Year Czech I 4 s.h.
Basic language skills--listening, reading, speaking, and writing Czech; fundamentals of grammar; emphasis on student participation; first of a four-semester sequence.
 
041:142 First-Year Czech II 4 s.h.
Continuation of 041:141; second of a four-semester sequence. Prerequisites: 041:141.
 
041:143 Second-Year Czech I 4 s.h.
Proficiency building in vocabulary and grammatical foundations of elementary Czech; use and recognition of oral, aural, written, and reading language skills; third of a four-semester sequence. Prerequisite: 041:142.
 
041:144 Second-Year Czech II 4 s.h.
Continuation of 041:143; last of a four-semester sequence. Prerequisites: 041:143.
 
041:145 Third-Year Czech I 4 s.h.
Advance knowledge of Czech grammar, as well as reading, comprehension, conversation, and writing skills; varied techniques and activities for proficiency in Czech; conversation in small groups, present oral reports, written compositions, group projects; read and discuss articles from the press and contemporary Czech short stories; videotapes and DVDs of contemporary Czech cultural scene. Prerequisites: 041:144.
 
041:146 Third-Year Czech II 4 s.h.
 

Hindi

039:123 First-Year Hindi: First Semester 5 s.h.
Reading, writing, speaking. Offered fall semesters of odd years. GE: World Languages First Level Proficiency.
 
039:124 First-Year Hindi: Second Semester 5 s.h.
Continuation of 039:123. Offered spring semesters of even years. Prerequisites: 039:123. Requirements: undergraduate standing. GE: World Languages Second Level Proficiency.
 
039:126 Second-Year Hindi: First Semester 4 s.h.
Conversation, reading of folktales and modern short stories. Offered fall semesters of even years. Prerequisites: 039:124. Requirements: undergraduate standing. GE: World Languages Second Level Proficiency.
 
039:127 Second-Year Hindi: Second Semester 4 s.h.
Continuation of 039:126. Offered spring semesters of odd years. Prerequisites: 039:126. Requirements: undergraduate standing. GE: World Languages Fourth Level Proficiency.
 
039:184 Third-Year Hindi: First Semester 3 s.h.
Advanced level Hindi texts; speaking, writing. Offered fall semesters. Prerequisites: 039:127.
 
039:185 Third-Year Hindi: Second Semester 3 s.h.
Continuation of 039:184. Offered spring semesters. Prerequisite: 039:185.
 

Japanese

39J:010 First-Year Japanese: First Semester 5 s.h.
Modern Japanese. Offered fall semesters. Prerequisite: undergraduate standing. GE: World Languages First Level Proficiency.
 
39J:011 Elementary Japanese: Review 3 s.h.
Review of material presented in 39J:010. Requirements: Japanese language study, and first-year or new transfer standing. GE: World Languages First Level Proficiency.
 
39J:012 First-Year Japanese: Second Semester 5 s.h.
Continuation of 39J:010 or 39J:011. Offered spring semesters. Prerequisites: 39J:010. Requirements: undergraduate standing. GE: World Languages Second Level Proficiency.
 
39J:101 Second-Year Japanese: First Semester 4-5 s.h.
Continuation of 39J:012. Offered fall semesters. Prerequisites: 39J:012. Requirements: undergraduate standing. GE: World Languages Second Level Proficiency.
 
39J:102 Second-Year Japanese: Second Semester 4-5 s.h.
Continuation of 39J:101. Offered spring semesters. Prerequisites: 39J:101. Requirements: undergraduate standing. GE: World Languages Fourth Level Proficiency.
 
39J:105 Third-Year Japanese I 3 s.h.
Modern Japanese; focus on speaking, listening, reading, writing; materials related to everyday life and civilization in Japan. Offered fall semesters. Prerequisites: 39J:102.
 
39J:106 Third-Year Japanese II 3 s.h.
Continuation of 39J:105. Offered spring semesters. Prerequisites: 39J:105.
 
39J:107 Fourth-Year Japanese I 3 s.h.
Modern Japanese; focus on reading, writing, speaking, listening. Offered fall semesters. Prerequisites: 39J:102.
 
39J:108 Fourth-Year Japanese II 3 s.h.
Continuation of 39J:107. Offered spring semesters. Prerequisites: 39J:107.
 
39J:119 Classical Japanese: First Semester 3 s.h.
Grammar, readings in classical Japanese. Offered fall semesters. Prerequisites: 39J:106.
 
39J:121 Fifth-Year Japanese I 3 s.h.
Modern Japanese; emphasis on communication skills. Offered fall semesters. Prerequisites: 39J:107 and 39J:108.
 
39J:122 Fifth-Year Japanese II 3 s.h.
Continuation of 39J:121. Offered spring semesters. Prerequisites: 39J:121.
 
39J:131 Sixth-Year Japanese I 3 s.h.
Improvement of Japanese for academic and professional purposes. Offered fall semesters. Prerequisites: 39J:122.
 
39J:132 Sixth-Year Japanese II 3 s.h.
Continuation of 39J:131. Offered spring semesters. Prerequisites: 39J:131.
 

Korean

039:040 First-Year Korean: First Semester 4 s.h.
Modern Korean; speaking, listening, reading, writing. Offered fall semesters. GE: World Languages First Level Proficiency.
 
039:041 First-Year Korean: Second Semester 4 s.h.
Continuation of 039:040. Offered spring semesters. Prerequisites: 039:040. GE: World Languages Second Level Proficiency.
 
039:042 Second-Year Korean: First Semester 4 s.h.
Continuation of 039:041; conversation and readings in intermediate Korean language; Korean culture. Prerequisites: 039:041. GE: World Languages Second Level Proficiency.
 
039:043 Second-Year Korean: Second Semester 4 s.h.
Continuation of 039:042. Prerequisites: 039:042. GE: World Languages Fourth Level Proficiency.
 
039:150 Third-Year Korean: First Semester 3 s.h.
Continuation of 039:043; advanced intermediate Korean--conversation and grammar skills beyond basic intermediate level; vocabulary expansion with increasingly complex, abstract concepts; how to advance one's opinion and discuss thoughts, ideas. Prerequisites: 039:043.
 
039:151 Third-Year Korean: Second Semester 3 s.h.
Continuation of 039:150; conversation and grammar skills beyond basic intermediate level; writing skills for formal occasions; advanced discussion skills--how to advance one's opinion and share thoughts and ideas; traditional and modern Korean culture. Prerequisites: 039:150.
 

Russian

041:001 First-Year Russian I 5 s.h.
Basic language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing Russian; fundamentals of Russian grammar. GE: World Languages First Level Proficiency.
 
041:002 First-Year Russian II 4-5 s.h.
Continuation of 041:001. Prerequisites: 041:001. GE: World Languages Second Level Proficiency.
 
041:003 Second-Year Russian I 4 s.h.
Transition to upper-level study through oral practice, grammar exercises, tapes, videos, readings from the Russian press. Prerequisites: 041:002. GE: World Languages Second Level Proficiency.
 
041:004 Second-Year Russian II 4 s.h.
Continuation of 041:003. Prerequisites: 041:003. GE: World Languages Fourth Level Proficiency.
 
041:005 Conversational Russian I 3 s.h.
Basic elements of Russian for travel and business; for adult learners.
 
041:006 Conversational Russian II 3 s.h.
Continuation of 041:005; basic elements of Russian for travel or business; for adult learners.
 
041:109 Beginning Composition and Conversation I 4 s.h.
Russian oral and aural skills developed through idiomatic usage, stylistics, phonetics, intonation, grammar review; supplemented by short stories, newspaper texts. Taught in Russian. Prerequisites: 041:004.
 
041:110 Beginning Composition and Conversation II 4 s.h.
Russian oral and aural skills developed through idiomatic usage, stylistics, phonetics, intonation, grammar review; supplemented by short stories, conversation handbooks, current periodicals. Taught in Russian. Prerequisites: 041:004.
 
041:111 Third-Year Russian I 4 s.h.
Advanced Russian grammar, reading, conversation, and written skills through oral reports, compositions, conversation. Prerequisites: 041:004.
 
041:112 Third-Year Russian II 4 s.h.
Advanced Russian grammar, reading, conversation, and written skills through oral reports, compositions, conversation. Prerequisites: 041:111.
 
041:113 Fourth-Year Russian I 4 s.h.
Perfecting spoken Russian and aural comprehension of native speech. Taught in Russian. Requirements: 041:112 or three years of college-level Russian.
 
041:114 Fourth-Year Russian II 4 s.h.
Perfecting spoken Russian and aural comprehension of native speech. Taught in Russian. Requirements: 041:113 or three years of college-level Russian.
 
041:119 Russian for Heritage Learners 3 s.h.
Linguistic problems (grammar and vocabulary), communicative problems (understanding of written and oral advanced Russian speech), cultural problems (similarities and differences between cultures); for Russian heritage speakers.
 
041:120 Russian for Heritage Learners II 3 s.h.
Continuation of 041:119.
 

Sanskrit

039:110 First-Year Sanskrit: First Semester 4 s.h.
Grammar, basic vocabulary; elementary readings. Offered fall semesters of even years. Requirements: undergraduate standing. GE: World Languages First Level Proficiency. Same as 20E:110.
 
039:111 First-Year Sanskrit: Second Semester 4 s.h.
Readings in epic and story literature. Offered spring semesters of odd years. Prerequisites: 039:110. Requirements: undergraduate standing. GE: World Languages Second Level Proficiency. Same as 20E:111.
 
039:112 Second-Year Sanskrit: First Semester 3 s.h.
Readings in epic and puranic texts. Offered fall semesters of odd years. Prerequisites: 039:111. Requirements: undergraduate standing. GE: World Languages Second Level Proficiency. Same as 20E:121.
 
039:113 Second-Year Sanskrit: Second Semester 3 s.h.
The Bhagavadgita and related religious/philosophical texts. Offered spring semesters of even years. Prerequisites: 039:112. Requirements: undergraduate standing. GE: World Languages Fourth Level Proficiency. Same as 20E:122.
 
039:186 Third-Year Sanskrit: First Semester 3 s.h.
Readings in philosophical and literary Sanskrit. Offered fall semesters. Prerequisites: 039:113.
 
039:187 Third-Year Sanskrit: Second Semester 3 s.h.
Continuation of 039:186. Offered spring semesters. Prerequisites: 039:186.
 

Uzbek

041:171 First-Year Uzbek I 3-4 s.h.
Reading, listening, speaking, and writing Uzbek.
 
041:172 First-Year Uzbek II 3-4 s.h.
Continuation of 041:171. Prerequisites: 041:171.
 
041:173 Second-Year Uzbek I 4 s.h.
Continuation of 041:172. Prerequisites: 041:172.
 
041:174 Second-Year Uzbek II 4 s.h.
Continuation of 041:173. Prerequisites: 041:173.
 

For Undergraduates

Asian Culture and Civilization

039:006 Introduction to Buddhism 3 s.h.
Basic tenets, religious paradigms, historical phases important in the development of Buddhism; from the Buddha's life to evolution of Mahāyāna Buddhism; readings from India, Tibet, China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia. GE: Values, Society, and Diversity. Same as 032:006.
 
039:007 Chinese Religions 3 s.h.
Survey of Chinese religions; Chinese traditional religious beliefs and practices among the elite and the general population; recent developments in mainland China, Taiwan, and the West; religious ideas of Confucianism, Daoism, aspects of Buddhism, ancestor worship, cults of deities, practices such as spirit possession, faith healing, ghost marriages. Same as 032:010.
 
039:015 Introduction to Chinese Culture 3 s.h.
Key aspects of traditional and modern Chinese culture as insights into the Chinese experience and worldview; development of the Chinese language and writing system, calligraphy and brush painting, cultural geography, urban life, martial arts, mainstream popular culture, music, cuisine.
 
039:016 Asian Art and Culture 3 s.h.
Art from India, China, and Japan in many media and forms, in their cultural and historical contexts; cultural distinctions of these Asian civilizations as seen through the visual arts; chronology used to highlight historical processes and provide perspectives on continuity and change. GE: Historical Perspectives; Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts. Same as 01H:016.
 
039:017 Asian Humanities: Middle East 3 s.h.
How the self has been constructed in literary texts from premodern and modern Islamic world.
 
039:018 Asian Humanities: India 3 s.h.
Introduction to four thousand years of South Asian civilization, through popular stories. GE: Values, Society, and Diversity.
 
039:019 Asian Humanities: China 3 s.h.
Literary and philosophical texts of China in English translation. GE: Values, Society, and Diversity.
 
039:020 Asian Humanities: Japan 3 s.h.
Introduction to premodern, modern, and contemporary Japanese images, myths, and literature in English translation. GE: Values, Society, and Diversity.
 
039:028 Introduction to the Art of China 3 s.h.
Visual arts of China and their history; emphasis on understanding in context of Chinese civilization, history. Same as 01H:031.
 
039:029 First-Year Seminar 1-2 s.h.
Small discussion class taught by a faculty member; topics chosen by instructor; may include outside activities (e.g., films, lectures, performances, readings, visits to research facilities). Requirements: first- or second-semester standing.
 
039:032 Chinese Popular Culture 3 s.h.
Introduction to popular culture from the People's Republic of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Chinese diaspora; shifting relationships among cultural production, media and technology, and political thought; influences of Japan, Korea, and the West; materials drawn from film, television shows, music, new media, popular literature, comics, magazines, advertising, fashion, art, and material culture; no previous knowledge of Chinese is required.
 
039:034 The Languages of Asia in Cultural and Historical Perspective 3 s.h.
Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Sanskrit and Hindi; cultural and ethnic factors which have affected and are affected by each language; nontechnical introduction to the structure of the language, discussion of the script in which the language is written, and the history of the language, including a brief outline of the political and cultural history of each pertinent linguistic area and the ways linguistic history has been affected by these factors.
 
039:036 Understanding Korean Culture Wave 3 s.h.
Introduction to the Korean culture wave and characteristics of contemporary Korean popular culture; lectures with discussions of readings, various audio-visual references (i.e., films, television dramas, music videos, cartoon, Internet contents, etc.).
 
039:044 Envision India 3 s.h.
Introduction to world view and civilization of the South Asian subcontinent, not as a timeless and isolated culture, but as a dynamic and interactive part of evolving global cultural exchanges.
 
039:055 Civilizations of Asia: China 3 s.h.
GE: Historical Perspectives; International and Global Issues. Same as 016:005.
 
039:056 Civilizations of Asia: Japan 3-4 s.h.
GE: Historical Perspectives; International and Global Issues. Same as 016:006.
 
039:057 Civilizations of Asia: South Asia 3-4 s.h.
GE: Historical Perspectives; International and Global Issues. Same as 016:007.
 
039:064 Living Religions of the East 3 s.h.
Religious beliefs, practices in India, China, Japan. GE: Values, Society, and Diversity. Same as 032:004.
 
039:191 Honors Tutorial arr.
 
039:195 Senior Honors Thesis arr.
 

Japanese Culture and Civilization

39J:017 Japanese Religions 3 s.h.
Religions of Japan from ancient times to the present day; elite and popular Japanese interpretations of Chinese Buddhist and Daoist traditions; the parallel development of an indigenous kami tradition; contemporary new religious movements; focus on the codification of a variety of religious (and sometimes quasi-religious) paths, including the way of tea, the way of the brush, and the way of the samurai. Same as 032:017.
 
39J:033 Introduction to the Art of Japan 3 s.h.
Chronological survey of Japan's visual arts in their historical and cultural contexts from Neolithic age to present; extensive use of slides, films, other visual materials. Same as 01H:033.
 

Slavic Culture and Civilization

041:029 First-Year Seminar 1 s.h.
Cultural, literary, architectural, and historical beauty of Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. Requirements: first- or second-semester standing.
 
041:058 Diversities of Eastern Europe: Culture, Art, and Politics 3 s.h.
Exploration of major cultural and social changes in Central Europe since the 1950s; very similar, yet different experiences of four nations with a communist takeover, including crushed attempts to reform and humanize socialism and their final reach for freedom and democracy in 1989; current cultural and social situations of each country as they took advantage of newly available opportunities.
 
041:082 Youth Subcultures After Socialism 3 s.h.
Examination of youth subculture (i.e., distinct style and identity, beliefs, value system, fashion and favorite music) on the territory of post-communist Europe and its relations with the mainstream culture; how young people of Russia express their individuality after years of dullness and monotony.
 
041:086 Russian Media Today 3 s.h.
Contemporary conditions of the Russian mass media; tensions of the effective work of mass media under the pressure of state control and tendencies in the progress of independent media outlets; developments in Russian media since 1991, including the printed press, radio, television and new media (i.e., Internet and the like); the impact of the Putin presidency on the media and their role in securing his election victories in 2000 and 2004.
 
041:093 Slavic Folklore 3 s.h.
Introduction to culture, history, and art of eastern European peoples; pagan, dualistic, and animistic beliefs and their coexistence with Christian faith in eastern Europe. GE: Historical Perspectives; Values, Society, and Diversity.
 
041:094 Religion and Culture of Slavs 3 s.h.
Early and medieval Slavic history, with focus on Russian and Czech art, literature, and religion from 10th through 17th century. GE: Historical Perspectives; Values, Society, and Diversity.
 
041:095 Istria in Istria, Past and Present 3 s.h.
The Istrian laboratory as a locale for students of European history and development to reflect on the Europeanization of regional and border territories.
 
041:096 Islamic Women in Russia 3 s.h.
Lives of Islamic women in Dagestan, Russia, throughout late Soviet period and during post-1991 Islamic revolution; dramatic transitions and reversals of women's roles.
 
041:097 Istria 3 s.h.
Istria; focus on its historically mixed ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and political status.
 
041:098 Introduction to Russian Culture 3 s.h.
Development of cultural history in Russia from middle ages to present; painting, music architecture, literature viewed against their political, historical, and social settings. Taught in English. GE: Values, Society, and Diversity.
 
041:099 Russia Today 3 s.h.
Contemporary Russia, with focus on prevailing social, political, economic, ethnic, environmental conditions; attention to historical evolution of problems, current factors; what these factors might portend for the future. Taught in English. GE: International and Global Issues; Values, Society, and Diversity.
 
041:199 Honors arr.
 

For Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Asian Culture and Civilization

039:119 Popular Culture in South Asia 3 s.h.
Popular cultural forms (films, calendar art, music, comics, advertising) and their role in formation and expression of collective identities based on gender, ethnicity, caste, religion, and so forth in South Asia. Same as 113:120.
 
039:120 Chinese Painting I 3 s.h.
Early Chinese painting from fourth century B.C.E. through 14th century C.E.; figural style, religious art, emergence of landscape, other nonreligious subjects, interconnectedness of painting and calligraphy as fine arts. Prerequisites: 01H:016 or 01H:031. Same as 01H:120.
 
039:122 Language/Politics of Culture in South Asia 3 s.h.
Key moments in the sociolinguistic history of premodern, colonial, and postcolonial linguistic communities in South Asia; roles of language in mediation of cultural and political processes. Same as 113:129.
 
039:125 Islam, Secularity, Modernity 3 s.h.
How religiosity and secularity are experienced in the Muslim world today.
 
039:130 Business Chinese 1 s.h.
Intermediate language and culture. Recommendations: for business major or student with two years Chinese learning experience who is interested in doing business in China.
 
039:131 Themes in Asian Art History 3 s.h.
Prerequisites: 01H:016 or 039:016. Same as 01H:124.
 
039:136 Indian Literature 3 s.h.
Readings from medieval and modern periods in English translation. Same as 032:177.
 
039:139 Chinese Historical Phonology 3 s.h.
Phonology of Mandarin, other major Chinese dialect groups; reconstruction of the sound system of Middle and Old Chinese. Same as 103:139.
 
039:140 The Literature of Daoism 3 s.h.
Texts of philosophical, religious Daoism; Daoism in traditional Chinese political theory, literature, the arts, alchemy and medicine, sexual custom, combat. Taught in English. Same as 032:186.
 
039:141 Chinese Literature: Poetry 3 s.h.
Readings in classical and modern Chinese poetry in English translation. Same as 048:141.
 
039:142 Chinese Literature: Prose 3 s.h.
Readings in Chinese prose, primarily fiction, from third century B.C. to 1900 A.D., in English translation.
 
039:144 Introduction to Chinese Linguistics 3 s.h.
Aspects of modern Chinese linguistics, such as Chinese phonology, syntax, pedagogical grammar, history of the language. Taught in English. Same as 103:144, 164:181.
 
039:145 Topics in Asian Cinema 3 s.h.
Issues or topics in East or South Asian cinemas. Same as 048:106.
 
039:156 The Karma of Words 3 s.h.
Key issues in the relationship between Buddhism and the literary arts. Same as 032:156.
 
039:158 East-West Literary Relations 3 s.h.
Same as 048:158.
 
039:159 Chinese Art and Culture 3 s.h.
Archaeological discoveries, sculpture, painting, architecture, calligraphy, other arts of Greater China area in historical and cultural contexts of past 5,000 years. Prerequisites: 01H:006 or 01H:031. Same as 01H:119.
 
039:161 Insurgency and Globalization of Discontent 3 s.h.
Political theories of revolutionary African American and Japanese intellectuals, artists, and activists; how the theories have influenced social justice movements. Same as 129:161.
 
039:162 Turning East 3 s.h.
The global nature of pilgrimage, primarily religious travel in or to Asia; journeys to single sacred sites, travel circuits to multiple destinations, internal or metaphorical pilgrimages. Same as 032:163.
 
039:163 Indian Religious Texts 3 s.h.
Same as 032:171.
 
039:164 Topics in Global Cinema 3 s.h.
Identification of new models and methods to investigate cinema's relationship to current global issues beyond traditional scholarly focus in Western Europe and the United States; exploration of an emerging field, moving away from the paradigm of national cinema and bringing together shared theoretical frameworks while acknowledging different historical and cultural contexts. Same as 048:182, 218:160, 39J:162.
 
039:168 Topics in Asian Religions 3 s.h.
Same as 032:170.
 
039:170 Zen Buddhism 3 s.h.
Prerequisites: 032:004 or 032:006 or 032:010. Same as 032:188.
 
039:172 Comparative Ritual 3 s.h.
Practice and theory; rituals from religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Indian religions; theories of interpretation. Same as 032:172.
 
039:173 Transnational Chinese Cinemas 3 s.h.
Films from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Chinese diasporic communities, silent era to present; relationship of film to nation-state, cultural interflows, media technologies, ideologies. English subtitles. Same as 048:174.
 
039:175 Topics in Asian History 3 s.h.
Same as 16W:178.
 
039:177 Second Language Classroom Learning 3 s.h.
Synthesis of empirical findings on children's and adults' learning of a second or foreign language; emphasis on theoretical underpinnings of approaches, methods, techniques in language teaching. Same as 07S:183, 164:171.
 
039:178 Government and Politics of the Far East 3 s.h.
Functions, institutions of government in countries of Far East; focus on social, economic, historical environments. GE: International and Global Issues; Social Sciences. Same as 030:143.
 
039:180 Modern Chinese Writers 3 s.h.
Readings in modern and contemporary Chinese fiction; in English translation. Same as 048:183.
 
039:183 Enlightenment: Cross-Cultural Experiments in Religious Realization 3 s.h.
Enlightenment as one of the most important ideas that feeds contemporary religious and spiritual imagination; exploration of this concept in contemporary religious and spiritual discourse. Same as 032:182.
 
039:188 East Meets West: The Western Reception of Eastern Religion 3 s.h.
Introduction of religious ideas and forms from India, China, and Japan into Europe and America to late 20th century, from Greeks to New Age. Same as 032:178.
 
039:192 East Meets West: A Cross-Cultural Course 3 s.h.
Perceptions in the modern period based on analyses of films, literary and philosophical texts from East and West. Same as 048:192.
 
039:196 China Since 1927 3 s.h.
Communist revolution from 1920s to founding of People's Republic of China in 1949; Mao Zedong's radical policies, Cultural Revolution; Deng Xiaoping's economic reforms; China today. GE: International and Global Issues. Same as 16W:198.
 
039:197 Chinese History from 1600 to 1927 3 s.h.
Chinese history from the 17th to early 20th century, history of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911); Qing's role in shaping aspects of today's politics in China and the mentality of Chinese people; foundation of Manchu state in early 17th century, Ming-Qing transition in 1644, politics and society during the high Qing era, decline of the empire under foreign invasion and inner rebellions in the 19th century, collapse of the dynasty in 1911. Same as 16W:197.
 
039:198 Topics in Asian Studies arr.
Topics vary.
 
039:199 Asian Studies arr.
 

Japanese Culture and Civilization
 

39J:103 Language in Japanese Society 3 s.h.
Aspects of the Japanese language that reflect culture, social structures of Japan; communication styles and strategies, cross-cultural communication, language in media, metaphors.
 
39J:109 Japanese Religion and Thought 3 s.h.
Same as 032:116.
 
39J:123 Japanese Painting 3 s.h.
Japanese painting in its historical, cultural contexts; focus on developments of successive eras--religious art; narrative, other literary connections; Zen; decorative traditions; popular arts; Japan and the modern world. Same as 01H:123.
 
39J:125 Japanese Society and Culture 3 s.h.
Cultural anthropology of Japan, including historical tradition, religious ethos, social organization, human ecology, educational and political institutions; emphasis on how these aspects relate to and influence one another. GE: Values, Society, and Diversity. Same as 113:125.
 
39J:129 Japan: Culture and Communication 3 s.h.
 
39J:130 Workshop in Japanese Literary Translation 3 s.h.
Workshop in translation from Japanese to English, with emphasis on literary translation; issues in theory and practice of translation; special features of Japanese as a source language for translation. Prerequisites: 39J:012.
 
39J:135 Postmodern Aesthetics and Japanese Culture 3 s.h.
Japanese postmodern trends (from Zen Buddhism to the habits of contemporary otaku consumers); examination of aesthetics including works of literature, film, visual art, and electronic media.
 
39J:141 Traditional Japanese Literature in Translation 3 s.h.
From seventh century to early modern times. Same as 048:143.
 
39J:142 Modern Japanese Fiction in Translation 3 s.h.
Nineteenth century to present. Same as 048:142.
 
39J:143 Topics in Japanese Literature in Translation 3 s.h.
Topics vary.
 
39J:144 Major Authors in Modern Japanese Literature 3 s.h.
Modern Japanese literary works in English translation.
 
39J:145 The Tale of Genji 3 s.h.
Close reading in English of Murasaki Shikibu's Tale of Genji; tale's literary and social contexts, and later reception. Same as 048:144.
 
39J:146 Warriors Dreams 3 s.h.
Images of the warrior in traditional Japanese literature, from poetry of the eighth century to romances of the 19th century; readings in English. Same as 048:147.
 
39J:155 Contemporary Japanese Culture 3 s.h.
Cultural texts and practices in contemporary Japan: literature, film, television, manga.
 
39J:156 Japanese Art and Culture 3 s.h.
Art of Japan in historical, religious, cultural contexts; what is specifically Japanese about Japanese arts and culture; non-Japanese influences, contributions. Prerequisites: 01H:006 or 01H:033. Same as 01H:122.
 
39J:162 Topics in Global Cinema 3 s.h.
Identification of new models and methods to investigate cinema's relationship to current global issues beyond traditional scholarly focus in Western Europe and the United States; exploration of an emerging field, moving away from the paradigm of national cinema and bringing together shared theoretical frameworks while acknowledging different historical and cultural contexts. Same as 039:164, 048:182, 218:160.
 
39J:172 Japan--Age of the Samurai 3 s.h.
Society, culture, and politics of feudal Japan; social class, gender, norms, and political and economic developments explored through cinema and literature. Same as 16W:172.
 
39J:173 Modern Japan 3 s.h.
Political, social, and cultural developments of Japanese feudalism; feature films, fiction. Same as 16W:173.
 
39J:175 Japan--U.S. Relations 3 s.h.
Political, social, economic, and cultural developments in Japan mid-19th to late-20th century. Same as 16W:175.
 

Slavic Culture and Civilization

041:102 Russian Literature in Translation 1860-1917 3 s.h.
Survey of major works, figures, and trends of 19th- and 20th-century Russian literature; age of the Russian novel; development of short fiction, drama, poetry of the Silver Age. Same as 048:107.
 
041:104 Health Care and Health Reforms in Russia 3 s.h.
Societal changes and their continuing effect on the Russian health care system since 1991; guest lectures from public health, nursing, medicine, cultural anthropology. Same as 152:170.
 
041:108 Special Readings arr.
Russian-language materials determined by student and instructor. Requirements: 16 s.h. of Russian language instruction.
 
041:126 Cult Films of the Last Soviet Generation 3 s.h.
Same as 048:126.
 
041:134 Forbidden Masterpieces: Russian and Czech Authors Who Changed History 3 s.h.
Examination of 20th-century literature written by authors fighting for the freedom of their nations, often suppressed, banned, imprisoned, or even stripped of their citizenship by the totalitarian communist governments; film screenings; works and films that made serious political statements, often at great risk to the artists involved, that influenced political changes. Taught in English.
 
041:155 Tolstoy and Dostoevsky 3-4 s.h.
Tolstoy's War and Peace, Anna Karenina; Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, The Brothers Karamazov, and short stories. Taught in English. Same as 048:149.
 
041:156 Invitation to Nabokov 3 s.h.
Nabokov's works and his writings on Russian literature. Same as 008:156, 048:156.
 
041:160 Women in Russian Society 3 s.h.
Historical developments that have shaped women's roles in contemporary Russian society; readings in cultural history, political science, autobiographical and fictional literature, contemporary film. Taught in English.
 
041:164 Topics in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies arr.
Same as 048:164.
 
041:165 West and East: Women in the Slavic World 3 s.h.
Roles of women in two Slavic countries--Islamic Republic of Dagestan in Russia, and the Czech Republic--using approaches from the social sciences and humanities; Christian/Catholic traditions in the western Slavic country (i.e., Czechoslovakia/Czech Republic) and Islamic influences in eastern parts of Russia; analysis of women's egalitarian roles in socialist societies of 1980s, the impact of the major political, economic, and social transitions on women’s lives in 1990s.
 
041:168 Twentieth-Century Czech Authors 3 s.h.
Twentieth-century prose literature of Czechoslovakia; philosophical works of Capek, Hrabal, Kundera, Klima, Havel. Taught in English. Same as 048:154.
 
041:180 Literature and Translation 3 s.h.
Translation in the broadest sense; originality, authority, authorship, accuracy, ownership, audience; issues problematizing differences between medium and message. Same as 048:180, 160:180.
 
041:189 Russian Thinkers 3 s.h.
Same as 026:184, 048:189.
 
041:190 Readings in Russian Literature 3 s.h.
Readings of poetry and prose by Russian authors. Requirements: third-year Russian.
 
041:195 Russian Translation Workshop 3 s.h.
Current training for professional work in translation and interpretation; concurrent activities, such as localization (adaptation of products or services to cultural, legal, linguistic, and technical requirements of specific locales), proofreading, editing, comparative analysis of English and Russian, rewriting, and so forth; consecutive, sight, simultaneous modes of interpretation; written proficiency in translation; contrastive grammar. Requirements: third-year standing in Russian language.
 
041:196 Russian Translation Workshop II 3 s.h.
Single presentation of source language material. Prerequisites: 041:195.
 

Primarily for Graduate Students

Asian Culture, Linguistics, Pedagogy, Individual Study

039:200 Second Language Acquisition Research and Theory I 3 s.h.
Theories regarding success and failure in acquisition of second or subsequent languages; research, issues. Same as 009:237, 035:201, 164:201, 39J:201.
 
039:201 Second Language Acquisition Research and Theory II 3 s.h.
Continuation of 164:201. Prerequisites: 164:201. Same as 035:202, 164:202.
 
039:202 Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language I: Theories/Research 3 s.h.
Research, theory on acquisition of Chinese as a non-native language. Same as 164:281.
 
039:203 Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language II 3 s.h.
Multiple levels of major Chinese textbooks, curricular organizational schemes, language programs, communicative language instruction; development of supplementary materials for a University of Iowa Chinese course. Same as 164:282.
 
039:204 Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language III 3 s.h.
Development, application of technological teaching/learning materials; emphasis on designing computer-based materials that increase learner interaction in contextualized cultural environments.
 
039:205 Analysis of L1 and L2 Data 3 s.h.
Issues in qualitative and quantitative analysis of first- and second-language data; data collection, analytical frameworks and approaches. Prerequisites: 164:201. Same as 164:205.
 
039:207 Sociolinguistics 3 s.h.
Topics such as discourse and conversation analyses, linguistic pragmatics, linguistic variations, issues of language and gender. Prerequisites: 103:100. Same as 164:207.
 
039:208 Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language IV 3 s.h.
Overview of goals, concepts, principles, research, and issues in assessment and testing of Chinese as a foreign language. Same as 164:274.
 
039:209 Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language V 3 s.h.
Seminar on research design; for M.A. students planning to write a thesis or project, or graduate students seeking knowledge in designing qualitative or quantitative studies. Prerequisites: 07P:143 and 039:202. Same as 164:275.
 
039:210 Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language VI: Pedagogical/Research Project 3 s.h.
Participation in Chinese as a Foreign Language material development projects under instructor's guidance.
 
039:214 Individual Korean for Advanced Students arr.
Korea's modern/traditional culture, history, and current social issues; reading, translating authentic articles. Prerequisites: 039:151.
 
039:215 Individual Chinese for Advanced Students arr.
Research, translation projects. Repeatable. Prerequisites: 039:129.
 
039:216 Individual Sanskrit for Advanced Students arr.
Research, translation projects. Repeatable. Requirements: fourth-year proficiency.
 
039:217 Individual Hindi for Advanced Students arr.
Readings in medieval and modern Hindi. Repeatable.
 
039:223 Topics in Second Language Acquisition: Listening 3 s.h.
Theory, pedagogy, research, and assessment in second language listening. Same as 164:223.
 
039:233 Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language VII: Pegagogical Grammar 3 s.h.
Introduction to Chinese grammar system from perspective of teaching Chinese as a foreign language; students teach a unit of Chinese grammar to demonstrate understanding of assigned grammar unit and pedagogical approach involved.
 
039:234 Principles of Teaching and Learning Foreign Languages 3 s.h.
Same as 009:234, 013:221, 041:234.
 
039:235 Seminar: South Asian Religion 3 s.h.
Topics in South Asian religions. Same as 032:235.
 
039:237 Seminar: East Asian Religion 3 s.h.
Emphasis on China and/or Japan. Same as 032:237.
 
039:239 Seminar in Chinese Linguistics: Historical Phonology 3 s.h.
Topics in Chinese historical phonology. Repeatable. Prerequisites: 039:139.
 
039:240 Seminar in Chinese Fiction 3 s.h.
Novels, novelettes; 16th to 18th centuries (Ming and Qing periods). Requirements: ability to read original texts. Same as 048:233.
 
039:241 Seminar in Chinese Literature arr.
Requirements: two years of modern Chinese and one year of classical Chinese. Same as 048:441.
 
039:250 South Asian Research Seminar arr.
Faculty and student research. Repeatable.
 
039:258 Readings in Chinese History arr.
Same as 016:292.
 
039:291 M.A. Thesis arr.
Offered fall semesters.
 
039:292 M.A. Thesis arr.
Offered spring semesters.
 

Japanese Culture, Linguistics, Pedagogy, Individual Study

39J:200 Japanese Linguistics 3 s.h.
Japanese language as linguistic system; basic linguistic terminology; sound systems, grammar, meanings, usages. Prerequisites: 39J:122.
 
39J:201 Second Language Acquisition Research and Theory I 3 s.h.
Theories regarding success and failure in acquisition of second or subsequent languages; research, issues. Same as 009:237, 035:201, 039:200, 164:201.
 
39J:202 Japanese as a Foreign Language: Practical Applications 3 s.h.
Instructional methodology, curriculum, and material design; hands-on experience. Prerequisites: 39J:122. Same as 164:276.
 
39J:203 Advanced Japanese Pedagogy 3 s.h.
Instructional methods and management issues relevant to teaching Japanese language at advanced levels. Prerequisites: 39J:202. Same as 164:222.
 
39J:204 Practicum in Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language 1-3 s.h.
Teaching apprenticeship guided and supervised by a faculty member skilled in University curriculum and instruction.
 
39J:215 Individual Japanese for Advanced Students arr.
Repeatable.
 
39J:239 Special Topics in Japanese Linguistics 3 s.h.
Topics in applied linguistics and language pedagogy related to Japanese language. Same as 164:228.
 
39J:245 Seminar in Japanese Literature 3 s.h.
Repeatable. Requirements: three years of Japanese.
 
39J:251 Readings in Modern Japanese 3 s.h.
Readings in modern Japanese. Repeatable.
 
39J:257 Readings: Japanese History arr.
Same as 016:294.
 

Slavic Linguistics, Pedagogy, Individual Study

041:234 Principles of Teaching and Learning Foreign Languages 3 s.h.
Same as 009:234, 013:221, 039:234.
 
041:276 Seminar: Russian Linguistics 3 s.h.
Topics may include Russian morphosyntax, colloquial Russian, Russian pragmatics, Slavic gender linguistics.
 
041:279 Independent Research arr.
Directed study.
 

 
Copyright 2011 The University of Iowa. All rights reserved.
Updated October 2011
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