ILC - International Languages and Cultures

Course Descriptions

 

ILC 1000 The Power of Languages (3)

Language is a central part of what makes us human. It allows us to identify with one another and form communities but at the same time, it can also create obstacles and tensions between people. The objective of this course is to understand how language intersects with external factors such as race/ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation, as well as how these interactions reveal differential power relations. For example, how does the domination of certain languages alter global relations and cultures? How do languages impact the way we perceive the world around us? Students will approach language as a phenomenon from multiple perspectives and acquire a global understanding of its universal dynamics and mechanisms. No background in linguistics is required for this interdisciplinary course.

ILC 1070 Intensive Introduction to Language: Level I (1-3)

A beginning-level course offered in a variety of formats. It teaches listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The goal is to develop basic linguistic structures and vocabularies for specific needs: e.g. travel, business, medicine, law enforcement. The target language varies. May be repeated once for credit with permission of the department chair.

ILC 1080 Intensive Introduction to Language: Level II (1-3)

This course is a continuation of ILC 1070. It teaches further listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The goal is to improve basic linguistic structures and vocabularies for specific needs: e.g. travel, business, medicine, law enforcement. The target language varies. May be repeated once for credit with permission of department chair. Prerequisite: ILC 1070 or equivalent.

ILC 1090 Elementary Language: Level I (1-4)

Develops listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The goal is fluency in basic linguistic structures needed for expression in everyday situations and the recognition of challenges in intercultural communication. The target language varies. May be repeated for credit with permission of the department chair.* GCP Coding: (GLBL) (INTC).

ILC 1091 Workshop (1-2)

This workshop is intended for listening and speaking practice, vocabulary building, and grammar review. May be repeated for credit with permission of department chair. 

ILC 1100 Elementary Language: Level II (1-4)

This course is a continuation of ILC 1090. Teaches listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing, with emphasis on understanding and speaking. The goal is fluency in basic linguistic structures needed for everyday situations and an understanding of the origin of specific cultural differences. May be repeated for credit with permission of the department chair.* Prerequisite: ILC 1090 or equivalent.

ILC 1101 Workshop (1-2)

This workshop is intended for listening and speaking practice, vocabulary building, and grammar review. Students will be exposed to appropriate video and software programs, as well as internet resources. May be repeated for credit with permission of the department chair. 

ILC 1170 Elementary Conversation (1-3)

Uses the basic elementary vocabulary of the language to develop basic oral communication and cultural understanding. Functions as a preparation for travel abroad or to give additional oral practice to students currently enrolled in a language course. May be repeated for credit with permission of the department chair.

ILC 2000 Study Abroad: Intermediate (1-13)

Intermediate-level language study program offered abroad by Webster University or in cooperation with an approved study abroad program. May be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisites: Intermediate level in appropriate foreign language and permission of the department chair.

ILC 2090 Intermediate Language: Level I (1-4)

Strengthens listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills with the emphasis on understanding and speaking. Proceeds from the concrete basic language of everyday situations to expressions of ideas and opinions, with the goal of achieving intermediate low level fluency and basic intercultural competence. May be repeated for credit with permission of the department chair.* Prerequisite: ILC 1100 or equivalent.

ILC 2091 Workshop (1-2)

This workshop is intended for listening and speaking practice, vocabulary building, and grammar review. May be repeated for credit with permission of the department chair. 

ILC 2100 Intermediate Language: Level II (1-4)

This course is a continuation of ILC 2090. The goal is intermediate mid-level fluency and basic intercultural competence. May be repeated for credit with permission of the department chair.* Prerequisite: ILC 2090 or equivalent.

ILC 2101 Workshop (1-2)

This workshop is intended for listening and speaking practice, vocabulary building, and grammar review. May be repeated for credit with permission of the department chair. .

ILC 2150 Topics in Culture(s) (1-3)

An introduction to the culture; including customs, history, literature, and arts of a particular region or country, taught by faculty trained and experienced in the target culture or language. Through single or multiple themes, students will learn about the historical and sociopolitical contexts for areas where the target culture differs significantly from U.S. culture and develop their intercultural competence skills. Students may also learn linguistic tools, such as greetings, polite and ceremonial formulas, and culturally specific terms that do not exist in English, that would help them establish contact with the people of the target region. May be repeated for credit if content differs. GCP Coding: (GLBL) (INTC).

ILC 2250 Food, Language and Identity (3)

Like language, food is a culturally loaded commodity tightly linked to cultural identity and used and needed by all human communities. Peoples and cultures develop their gastronomies using staple ingredients autochthonous to their regions. Food items move, travel, are shared, traded or exchanged, and enter in contact with foreign cultures that integrate and acculturate them to their own gastronomy and cuisine thus creating new cultural hybrids. Globalization imposes and facilitates this particular cultural exchange more intensely and faster than ever. This course explores the intrinsic relationship between food, language and identity: how food, like linguistic practices constitutes one of the most powerful vehicles of cultural identity. This course will be taught in English. Topics may vary. May be repeated for credit if content differs. 

ILC 2610 Intermediate Language: Readings (1-3)

Strengthens and develops reading skills. The goal is to encourage students to enhance their linguistic abilities, particularly discipline-specific reading skills. Sections are offered in various languages (e.g., French, German, Chinese [Mandarin], Japanese, Italian, Spanish, etc). May be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisites: ILC 2100 or equivalent and permission of the instructor or the department chair.

ILC 3000 Study Abroad: Advanced Level I (1-13)

Advanced-level language study program offered abroad by Webster University or in cooperation with an approved study abroad program. May be repeated once for credit if content differs, with permission of department chair. Prerequisite: High-intermediate or advanced level in appropriate language and permission of the department chair.

ILC 3090 Advanced Language: Level I (1-3)

Provides a thorough review of the language linguistic structures. The goal is to strengthen previous language knowledge and to lead students to advanced levels of proficiency in the spoken and written language. May be repeated for credit with permission of the department chair. Prerequisite: ILC 2100 or equivalent.

ILC 3250 Comparative Global Literatures (3)

An exploration of literature in a comparative context: what is it, how does it function and what value does it offer both local and global communities today? How does literature transcend cultural and linguistic boundaries and how is it defined by these? Students will develop skills that will help them interpret, both in writing and verbally, literary texts. They will also examine the production of these literary artifacts and the ways in which gender, sexuality, race, geography and history impact literary production and reception. By looking at literatures from at least two different cultural traditions, either in the original languages or in translation, students will consider theories of translation and the concept of untranslatability. Topics differ and may look at one genre across cultures and historical periods or may examine themes across multiple genres such as world literature, postcolonial literature, ecocriticism, etc. May be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisite: Intermediate-level reading proficiency in French, German or Spanish (FREN 2090/GRMN 2090/SPAN 2090 or equivalent). 

ILC 3550 Language Practicum (1-6)

Provides practical experience in projects utilizing languages in different fields: teaching, development of teaching materials, translating, interpreting, etc. May be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisite: Permission of the department chair.

ILC 4000 Study Abroad: Advanced Level II (1-13)

Advanced-level language study program offered abroad by Webster University or in cooperation with an approved study abroad program. May be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisites: Advanced level in appropriate foreign language and permission of the department chair.

ILC 4050 Translation and/or Interpretation (1-3)

Studies the art and science of translation, with emphasis on clear, logical transmission of the message from foreign language into English or vice versa. This activity enables and encourages students to think critically about the nature of languages. Comparative linguistics, psycholinguistics, and in-depth cultural understanding are important components of the course. May be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisite: Advanced level in appropriate language.

ILC 4060 Methods in Teaching Languages (1-4)

Includes study of the nature of language and psycholinguistics, analysis of historical approaches to language teaching, and recent developments in techniques and materials for grades K-12. May be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor, acceptance to the Teacher Certification Program, or permission of the director of teacher certification and field experiences.

ILC 4150 Contemporary Issues (1-3)

Studies contemporary news issues from French-, German-, or Spanish-speaking countries, using radio broadcasts, TV programs, the internet, etc. The study of cultures and the understanding of socio-historical and political events leading to contemporary issues are important components of these courses. May be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisite: Advanced level in appropriate language.

ILC 4200 Lyric Diction (1-3)

Teaches voice students the correct pronunciation of language sounds, using the International Phonetic Alphabet. May be repeated for credit if content differs.

ILC 4600 Topics in Language(s) (1-3)

Exploration of an interdisciplinary topic related to the appropriate language and culture. May be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisite: Advanced level in appropriate language or permission of the instructor.

ILC 4610 Reading Course (1-4)

Involves preparing a bibliography on a topic chosen by the student and submitted to the instructor for approval, reading the listed books, meeting with the instructor, and writing a term paper. May be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisites: Advanced level in appropriate language and permission of the instructor.

ILC 4700 Overview (0-1)

An oral exam and portfolio review required of all language majors. The topic must be approved by the department beforehand, and the exam date must be set at least two weeks before the exam takes place. See department for more details. Prerequisites: Senior standing, admission into department as major, and approval of the department chair.

*When Latin is the subject, the goal is not to speak the language but to prepare the students to read classical texts. Acquisition of vocabulary and grammatical forms enables students to decipher ever more complex sentences and encourages them to think critically about the nature not only of this complicated and interesting language, but also of their own native language.