Curriculum Links
Approved Trips: Wintersession 2008
Vienna | Paris | Morocco | Barcelona | Rome | Kyoto | Hawaii | Washington, DC
FREN 228 Wintersession in Paris
Tranvouez
Topic for 2008: The Paris of Balzac and Zola. An examination
of the rapid modernization and urbanization (haussmanization) of Paris in the
Nineteenth Century and the changes it brought to the life of Parisians. Two authors
fond of Paris: Balzac, the eternal Parisian wanderer, and Zola, the social scientist,
will be the focus of this course. Balzac witnesses the birth of the bourgeoisie
and of the power of money; Zola evokes the monsters they engender. While in Paris,
we will follow their steps and explore the neighborhoods dear to Balzac as well
as the modern Paris Zola describes in his novel. Not offered every year.
Subject to Dean’s Office approval.
Prerequisite: At least one unit of 206, 207, 208, 209 or above, an SAT II score
of 690-800, an AP score of 5, or an equivalent departmental placement score.
Application required.
Distribution: Language and Literature
Semester: Wintersession Unit: 1.0
GEOS 220 Volcanoes: Agents of Global and Regional
Change with Wintersession Laboratory
Besancon
From Mount Saint Helens to Vesuvius to Krakatau, volcanoes affect global climate,
change landscape evolution, and are sometimes the cause of tremendous disasters.
Understanding the wide variety of phenomena associated with volcanoes provides
a broad perspective on how science can be used to protect lives and further human
needs and interests. Using geologic literature, Internet search, and a general
text, we will study case histories of volcanoes on earth and through the solar
system. Written papers and oral presentations will be important parts of the
course. Required laboratory will be two weeks in and near Hawaii Volcanoes National
Park during Wintersession, with a final project due after return. Normally
offered in alternate years. Subject to Dean’s Office Approval.
Prerequisite: GEOS 100 [GEOL 100], GEOS 101, GEOS 102 [GEOL 102] or ES 100 and
permission of the instructor. Not open to students who have taken [GEOL 220].
Distribution: Natural and Physical Science
Semester: Fall, Wintersession Laboratory Unit: 1.25
GER 202W Intermediate German in Vienna
Nolden
Like 202 on campus, this course strengthens and expands all language skills
including idiomatic grammar review, oral and listening practice, readings
on contemporary and historical topics, and practice in composition. This
course is offered as an immersion experience and will feature an important
cultural component. Not offered every year. Subject to Dean’s Office
approval.
Prerequisite: 201 or permission of instructor. Application required.
Distribution: Language and Literature
Semester: Wintersession Unit: 1.0
HIST 290 Morocco: History and Culture (Wintersession in Morocco)
Rollman
An introduction to Moroccan culture, history, and society through experiential
and classroom learning. Students will participate in seminars and attend lectures
given by Moroccan faculty at the Center for Crosscultural Learning in Rabat.
Program themes include: women in private and public life, Berber culture, Islam,
Arabic, Morocco’s Jewish heritage and history, and the legacy of European
cultural rule. Students will travel as a group to the central and southern
regions of the country to study historic sites and contemporary life and culture
in a variety of rural and urban settings. Not offered every year. Subject
to Dean’s Office approval.
Prerequisite: None. Application required.
Distribution: Historical Studies
Semester: Wintersession Unit: 1.0
ITAS 202 Intermediate Italian in Rome
Laviosa
Held over Wintersession in Rome, the aim of this intensive course is to develop
students’ fluency in spoken and written Italian. The reading of short stories,
articles from Italian newspapers, and selected texts on Italian culture are used
to promote critical and analytical skills. Listening is practiced through the
viewing of Italian films. Both reading and listening activities are followed
by in-class discussions. Students must have received credit for ITAS 201
in order to receive credit for ITAS 202. Not offered every year. Subject to Dean’s
Office approval.
Prerequisite: 101, 102, 201, or permission of instructor.
Distribution: Language and Literature
Semester: Wintersession Unit: 1.0
POL1 213 Washington Decision-Making
Schechter
Intensive Wintersession course on American politics. Analysis of the political
process based on readings and discussions of contemporary political and legal
issues and interaction with members of Congress, congressional staff, executive
department officials, activists in nonprofit organizations, Supreme Court law
clerks, political campaign professionals, and reporters. This course will meet
for the first week of Wintersession in Wellesley and then will move to Washington
for two weeks of briefings, seminar, and policy research. Mandatory credit/noncredit.
Not offered every year. Subject to Dean’s Office approval.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor required. Enrollment limited
to juniors and seniors. One unit in American politics or law strongly recommended.
Interested
students must fill out a course application available in the political science
office.
Distribution: Social and Behavioral Analysis
Semester: Wintersession Unit: 0.5
REL 290 Kyoto: Center
of Japan’s Religion and Culture (Wintersession in Kyoto)
Kodera
Hands-on observation and critical analyses of religion and culture in Kyoto,
Japan’s capital for over a millennium. Topics include: Shinto and Buddhism
in traditional Japanese art and culture, such as “tea ceremony,” calligraphy,
poetry, theater and martial arts; Shinto and Japan’s appreciation of nature;
Japan’s selective memory of the Pacific War and Japan’s growing nationalism;
today’s Buddhist clergy as specialists of the world of the dead, in sharp
contrast to the earlier (pre-seventeenth century) focus on meditation and acts
of mercy for the living; “new religions” in contemporary Japanese
society and politics; Japan’s assimilation of Western religions, as manifested
in youth culture; the complicity of religion in the resurgence of nationalism
and xenophobia; the contemporary Japanese fascination with the “other world”.
Kyoto will be the center of operation with possible side trips to Nara, Hiroshima,
and perhaps Tokyo. Not offered every year. Subject to Dean’s Office
approval.
Prerequisite: At least one course in Asian religion; though not required, preference
given to students of Asian religions and of East Asian Studies. Application required.
Distribution: Religion, Ethics, and Moral Philosophy
Semester: Wintersession Unit: 0.5
SPAN 258 Barcelona and the
Spirit of Modernity: Art, History, and Culture (1859–2005)
Ramos
The city of Barcelona offers a unique site to study the twentieth century,
in both the Spanish and the global context. In the historical arena, the city
has gone from political upheaval and anarchistic rebellions early in the century,
to the fight against fascism in the middle years, and finally to the struggle
for nationhood and democracy at the end of the century. Students will learn
about modernity and modernization in Spain in general and Barcelona in particular
with special attention to Gaudí, Picasso, Miró, Mies van der
Rohe, Sert and Dalí in the historical, aesthetic, and philosophic context
that inspired their works. In Spain. Not offered every year. Subject
to Dean’s
Office approval.
Prerequisite: One course above 241/242. Application required.
Distribution: Language and Literature or Arts, Music, Theatre, Film, Video
Semester: Wintersession Unit: 0.5