World Literature and Culture Studies
The Program in World Literature and Culture Studies is dedicated to the study of literature and cultures in a broad interlingual, intercultural and interdisciplinary framework. It offers students the opportunity to explore various cultures and literatures through the study of texts, either in their original language or in translation and to develop a more global consciousness and awareness. World Literature and Culture Studies introduces students to
- The literatures of two or more languages and cultures
- Questions and theories about literatures and cultures
- Contemporary and/or historical perspectives on two or more cultures
The study of different texts and cultures will enrich and enhance students understanding of their own as well as of other cultures. This process is facilitated by the systematic comparison of such questions as literary genres, periods, movements, and dominant themes and motifs, or in the context of the mutual impact of two or more national or regional cultures.
Why World Language and Culture Studies?
Globalization, democratization, and post-colonial forces continue to powerfully shape our increasingly complex and interconnected world. World Literature and Culture Studies provides a valuable opportunity to study these relationships as expressed in literary and other cultural texts from a variety of perspectives.
Those who would otherwise choose to study one national or regional literature may find here a broader frame of reference for their interest. Students have the opportunity to read intriguing and challenging texts from around the world while discovering the connections between literature and other disciplines and among the various literatures studied in the program; this program offers students the possibility of exploring the relations between literature and such areas as ideology, colonialism, film and other visual arts, gender studies, political thought, and International Development Studies.
World Literature and Culture Studies allows students to improve their analytical and critical thinking skills, develop their abilities in expository writing and oral communications, expand the context of functionality in a second or even third language. Finally, students not only gain perspective on the world, but also deeper insights into their own culture.
Program Structure
Students planning to major in World Literature and Culture Studies will normally take the following sequence of courses, with adjustments for Honours or combined programs:
Year I
- Either 6 ch in World Literature (WLCS 1001 and 1002) or 6 ch in Introductory Culture courses. (Both alternatives count as Humanities for first-year Arts requirements)
- 6ch in a second language (Introductory level)
Year II
- Either 6 ch in World Literature (WLCS 1001 and 1002) or 6 ch in Introductory WLCS Culture courses (depending on which of the two were taken in Year I)
- 6 ch in a second language (Intermediate level)
- 3-6 ch recommended (but not required) in related courses, incl ANTH1001, CLAS 1003, 1403, 1413, 1503; HIST 2015; IDS 2001
Year III/IV
- 30 upper level credit hours including at least 6 ch WLCS, 18 ch from Group A, drawn from at least three disciplines, plus 6 ch from Group B. In addition, students are strongly encouraged to continue in the study of at least one second language
Major in World Language and Culture Studies
WLCS 1001/1002
6 credit hours in Introductory Culture courses
12 credit hours in a second language
30 credit hours in advanced-level courses including:
6-9ch WLCS courses
15-18 ch from Group A
6 ch from Group B
Honours and Joint Honours
Double Majors
The same as for majors except:
24 credit hours in advanced-level courses including:
6-9 ch WLCS courses
9-12 ch from Group A
6 ch from Group B
Honours
The same as for majors except:
36 credit hours in advanced-level courses including:
12 ch WLCS courses including WLCS 5000 (Honours Thesis)
18 ch from Group A
6 ch from Group B
Joint Honours
The same as for majors except:
30 credit hours in advanced-level courses including:
12 ch WLCS courses including WLCS 5000 (Honours Thesis)
12 ch from Group A
6 ch from Group B
WLCS Courses
NOTES:
All readings and lectures are in English.
1000-level courses are open to all students, and have no prerequisites.
Upper level courses are open to all students who have completed at least 30 credit hours of university or by permission of the instructor.
Introductory WLCS Courses
(see below under German, Russian, Spanish for course descriptions)
WLCS 1013/SPAN1013 The Culture of Spain and Latin America I - 3 ch (3C) [w]
WLCS 1014/SPAN1014 The Culture of Spain and Latin America I - 3 ch (3C) [w]
WLCS 1043/RUSS1043 Russian Culture I - 3 ch (3C) [w]
WLCS 1053/RUSS1053 Russian Culture II - 3 ch (3C) [w]
WLCS 1061/GER/GS 1061 German Culture I - 3 ch (3C) [w]
WLCS 1071/GER/GS 1071 German Culture II - 3 ch (3C) [w]
Group A
Any advanced-level literature courses from the following disciplines: Classics, English, French, German, Greek, Latin, Russian and Spanish as well as courses in film studies. Individual departmental prerequisites must be met. Course selection should be discussed with and approved by the Chair of the Department of Culture and Language Studies.
Group B
Approved courses (listed below) from other university departments. Individual departmental prerequisites must be met. Other courses may be appropriate for this group as well. Course selection should be discussed with the Chair of the Department of World Literature and Culture Studies.
ANTH 3412 Language and Culture
ED 5361 Challenging the Authority of Texts
PHIL 2703 Introduction to Issues in Aesthetics
PHIL 2704 Introduction to Classics in Aesthetics
PHIL 3634 Phenomenology of Existence (Heidegger)
SOCI 3243 Sociology and Culture
SOCI 3253 Sociology of the Media
SOCI 4225 Language and Society
Please refer to the UNB Undergraduate Calendar for course descriptions.
Contact
| Allan Reid |
| Dept of Culture and Language Studies |
| University of New Brunswick |
| Carleton Hall, 301 |
| 1 506 458-7714 |
