2022-23 Academic Catalog

LCST 101 Buddhist Studies in India Program: Elementary Tibetan This course seeks to develop students’ level of proficiency in spoken Tibetan for basic communication, as well as the ability to read and write simple sentence constructions. Learning is grounded in written Tibetan, covering the alphabet, pronunciation, grammar, and basic vocabulary. Reading and comprehension skills are enhanced through direct translation of essential texts such as the Heart Sutra and a prayer of Manjushri. Students gain facility with spoken Tibetan through classroom drills and informal practice with Tibetans in Bodh Gaya. Students will also improve their understanding of Tibetan culture and society through this course. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Buddhist Studies India program. 8 credits; NE; Fall; Arthur P McKeown

LCST 101 Buddhist Studies in India: Elementary Thai Language This course provides instruction for non-native speakers to basic Thai language for daily use. Language instruction is based in Thai social context and Thai manners for communication. Students are introduced to the Thai language’s fundamental grammar rules, and its tonal system and sounds. Students gain facility with spoken Thai through classroom instruction and informal practice with native speakers. Prerequisite: Acceptance in Buddhist Studies in India Program. 8 credits; NE; Not offered 2022-23

LCST 101 Buddhist Studies India Program: Elementary Hindi An introduction to basic colloquial Hindi speaking and writing skills for everyday interactions in Northern India. Essential grammar is introduced and reviewed in morning meetings, and conversational and reading abilities are developed in afternoon practice. Students are encouraged to practice speaking and listening comprehension by conversing with Hindi speakers outside of class. Prerequisite: Acceptance in Buddhist Studies India Program. 8 credits; NE; Fall; Arthur P McKeown

LCST 101 Cross-Cultural Psychology in Prague: Elementary Czech This highly recommended language course will meet twice per week and emphasize basic listening and speaking skills. Students will be challenged to utilize their new language skills in everyday situations. Prerequisite: Enrollment in Cross-Cultural Psychology in Prague Program. 4 credits; S/CR/NC; NE; Fall; Ken B Abrams

LCST 101 Ecology and Anthropology Tanzania Program: Elementary Swahili Elementary Swahili introduces students to the communicative use of Swahili, emphasizing communicative competence in real contexts. Ninety percent of instruction is conducted in the target language. Vocabulary and grammar are taught in context. Instruction pays attention to the cultural information in relevant contexts of communication. The main learning/teaching styles used include role plays, prepared presentations, interactive lectures, classroom conversations, and dramatization. In addition to the class textbook, authentic source materials are used, such as pictures, songs, short stories, poems and essays. Student assessment is continuous, and includes classroom participation, homework, written exams and oral exams. Prerequisite: Participation in Ecology & Anthropology in Tanzania. 7-8 credits; NE; Fall; Anna B Estes

LCST 101 Elementary Italian This course focuses on building students' skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing Italian through instruction basic grammar and vocabulary. Developing facility in basic conversational Italian as well as an understanding of cultural and linguistic conventions is also an important part of the course.   Prerequisite: Future participation in the Rome OCS Program or permission of the instructor. 3 credits; S/CR/NC; NE; Winter; William L North

LCST 101 Globalizaton & Local Responses in India Program: Elementary Hindi This course will introduce students to the basics of spoken and written Hindi. This will give students an investment in Indian culture and allow them to interact with their surroundings with some degree of familiarity. Prerequisite: Enrollment in Globalization & Local Responses in India Program. 3 credits; S/CR/NC; NE, IS; Winter; Brendan P LaRocque

LCST 101 Rome Program: Elementary Italian This highly-recommended language course will emphasize basic listening and speaking skills. Students will be challenged to utilize their new language skills in everyday situations. Prerequisite: Enrollment in Rome OCS program next term. 3 credits; S/CR/NC; NE; Spring; William L North

LCST 103 Buddhist Studies India Program: Intermediate Hindi This course builds on the student’s previous training in spoken and written Hindi language.  Students will gain the ability to initiate and sustain conversations with Hindi speakers, read and write in Hindi about personal and social situations, as well as extract the main idea and information from descriptive and narrative texts. Students will apply their language learning and deepen their understanding of Indian culture through interaction with local residents and participation in seasonal festivals and other activities. Prerequisite: Acceptance in Buddhist Studies India OCS Program required. 8 credits; NE; Fall; Arthur P McKeown

LCST 245 The Critical Toolbox: Who's Afraid of Theory? This class introduces students to the various theoretical frameworks and the many approaches scholars can use when analyzing a text (whether this text is a film, an image, a literary piece or a performance). What do words like ‘structuralism,’ ‘ecocriticism,’ 'cultural studies,' and ‘postcolonial studies’ refer to? Most importantly, how do they help us understand the world around us? This class will be organized around interdisciplinary theoretical readings and exercises in cultural analysis. Prerequisite: At least one 200- or 300-level course in Literary/Artistic Analysis (in any language) or instructor permission. 6 credits; LA, WR2, IS; Winter; Seth E Peabody

LCST 250 Songs and Stories: Music and/as Language Can music tell a story? Can a novel be symphonic? Drawing principally on the French tradition, this course will investigate these “simple” questions, exploring the relationship between language and music. Starting with basic concepts of syntax and narration, we will trace the intertwining of these two modes of expression in works from the eighteenth through the twenty-first centuries. The class will then explore the relationship of language in musical genres such as the chanson, advertising jingles, pop, and  hip hop, in works by Debussy, Satie, d’Indy, Messiaen, MC Solaar, and others. Readings include such authors as Poe, Baudelaire, Mallarmé, Ernaux, and more. Some knowledge of French and/or musical notation is helpful. Students taking the course for French credit will do some work in French, and must also sign up for French 211, a two-credit trailer course. 6 credits; LA, IS; Winter; Scott D Carpenter, Ronald Rodman