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African Studies Course Offerings

Please see the section on "Course Description Symbols and Terms" in the University Catalog for an explanation of course description terminology and symbols, the course numbering system, and course credit units. All courses are lecture and discussion and employ letter grading unless otherwise stated. Some prerequisites may be waived with faculty permission. Many syllabi are available on the Chico Web.

An interdisciplinary approach to modern and traditional aspects of African life in the fields of history, geography, politics, ethnography, and socio-economic development. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western course. This course is also offered as AFAM 100.

Through dance, song, reading, and discussion, students will experience the rich cultural traditions of West Africa and the island of Haiti, where African traditions have evolved and flourished in a "New World" setting for 300 years. Both dance forms challenge the strength and athleticism of the body. The African dances are high energy and polyrhythmic, with fast footwork, expressive and sweeping movements and free use of the back, head, shoulders, and pelvis. Haitian dance mixes African roots with indigenous, Spanish, and French colonial influences to create a unique form emphasizing spinal waves and torso, hip, and shoulder movements over rhythmic foot patterns. 2.0 hours field studies. This course is also offered as PHED 115.

Series of in-depth studies, both thematic and topical, concerning major issues and current problems in sub-Saharan Africa, employing an interdisciplinary approach. Topics covered include South Africa, and revolution and ecological crises in Africa. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western course.

This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0–3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading only.

Asian Studies Course Offerings

An introduction to the people and cultures of Asia, emphasizing India, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. The course employs a multimediated approach to learning. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western course. This course is also offered as ANTH 200.

Study of problems and prospects related to Asia. This course will include a series of in-depth analyses of major issues, current problems, and prospects of Asia. Extensive research, writing, and oral presentations will be required. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western course. This course is also offered as AAST 300.

This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0–3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading only.

Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher.

This variable-content capstone seminar is devoted to the critical reading, evaluation, and discussion of major recent scholarship on Asia. Works are selected from a variety of disciplinary perspectives with an effort to cover several Asian areas (Japan, China, Southeast Asia, South Asia) and to deal with critical issues of the day. Students will lead discussions, evaluate arguments, and write critical essays at a level appropriate to graduating seniors with a major in Asian Studies. Required seminar for majors. This is a writing proficiency, WP, course; a grade of C- or better certifies writing proficiency for majors.

Prerequisites: Admission to the Honors in the Major program.

Honors candidates will write a senior thesis over two semesters on an approved topic related to Asia. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

International Studies Course Offerings

This course is for special topics offered for 1.0–3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered.

A series of presentations on a wide variety of topics of international concern. Lectures, debates, and panel discussions on areas of current international importance. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading only.

A global overview of the cultural dimensions of international business. Transnational socio-cultural processes are explored, including the impact of technology and natural resources.

This course is for special topics offered for 1.0–3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered.

This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0–3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading only.

May be taken for 1 to 15 units. You must register with the campus Study Abroad advisor. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units.

Analysis of the international relations of the Pacific Basin area, with emphasis on the period since 1975. This course is also offered as POLS 346, and POLS 446D.

This course is for special topics offered for 1.0–3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered.

May be taken for 1 to 8 units. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 8.0 units.

This is a graduate-level independent study course offered for 1.0–3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

This course is offered for 1.0–3.0. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

This course is offered for 1.0–3.0. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

Latin American Studies Course Offerings

A survey of the history, geography, culture, and society of Latin America. This course is designed to provide students who are majoring in Latin American Studies, as well as General Education students, with an initial orientation in the study of Latin America on an interdisciplinary basis. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western course.

Introduction to the Mexico Program of intercultural experiential learning in Mexico. The course will survey Mexican geography, anthropology, development, culture, adjustment to cultural differences, and intercultural communication. The course is intended to prepare the student for the six-week program in Mexico.

An interdisciplinary survey of the history and politics of Central America. This course is designed to be a component of the Upper-Division Theme on Mexico and Central America. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western course. This course is also offered as POLS 321.

An interdisciplinary approach to the history and politics of Mexico. This course will introduce students to the panorama of Mexican history while delineating the roots and development of the current Mexican political system. This course is designed to be a component of the Upper-Division Theme on Mexico and Central America. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western course. This course is also offered as HIST 382.

See LAST 350. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western course.

Prerequisites: Completion of the lower-division GE Breadth Area B requirement or faculty permission.

LAST 351 explores the natural and human-modified environments of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It introduces students to the biological and physical processes that create the natural environments of the region and examines the complex interactions between people and these environments, both past and present. This course is designed to be the Area B course in the General Education Upper-Division Theme I: Mexico and Central America. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western course.

See LAST 351. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western course.

An interdisciplinary examination of how artistic manifestations (art, music, and literature) respond to the social and cultural roots of the people of Mexico and Central America. This course is designed to be a component of the General Education Upper-Division Thematic Program on Mexico and Central America. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western course.

See LAST 352. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western course.

An interdisciplinary examination of how artistic manifestations (art, music, and literature) respond to the social and cultural roots of the people of a Latin American region. This course is designed to be a component of the General Education Upper-Division Thematic Program on Mexico and Central America. This is an approved Non-Western course.

An interdisciplinary approach to the study of social institutions and culture in terms of family, neighborhood, community, region, and nation, with specific emphasis on Mexico. This course is designed to be a component of the Upper-Division Theme on Mexico and Central America. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western course. This course is also offered as GEOG 354.

Study of the physical environment, human settlement, development, and modern problems of the nations of Central America and the Caribbean. This course is designed to be a component of the Upper-Division Theme on Mexico and Central America. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western course. This course is also offered as GEOG 355.

This course is for special topics offered for 1.0–3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered.

This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0–3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units. Credit/no credit grading only.

Prerequisites: LAST 150, faculty permission.

This course will provide students with a genuine cross-cultural experience which will enable them to understand Latin American life from the point of view of the Latin American family with which they will live and the Latin American people with whom they will work. Students will live with a Latin American family and work in a Latin American organization for a six-week period. Students will keep a log of their experiences and prepare a written evaluation of their families and jobs. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units. Special fee required; see the Class Schedule.

Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher, LAST 110.

An in-depth, interdisciplinary seminar that examines selected topics in Latin American culture and society, past and present, through critical reading of, and commentary on, recent scholarship devoted to the region. Readings may include Spanish language sources. Topics vary by semester. Required for majors and minors. This is a writing proficiency, WP, course; a grade of C- or better certifies writing proficiency for majors.

Middle Eastern Studies Course Offerings

Cultural and historical background of the Middle East, plus government, family, social classes, religion, politics, and conflict in the Middle East today. This course is also offered as HIST 260.

An introduction to Islam as a religious and cultural system. Topics include pre-Islamic Arabia, the Prophet Muhammad and the first Muslims, the Qur'an and shari'a, basic ritual practices, mysticism, theology and philosophy, Shi'ism, the visual and musical arts, women, modernism, "fundamentalism," and Islam in the USA. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western course. This course is also offered as HIST 261, and RELS 202.

An intensive introduction to the sacred text of Islam, exploring different accounts of its formation, content, and use in various settings. Emphasis on the Qur'an as a text and on the contrasting interpretations given to it by Muslims and non-Muslims. This course is also offered as RELS 302.

Introduction to some major aspects of society and culture in the Middle East, including the family, styles of living, roles of men and women, and Islamic religion. Examination of the nationalist movements and of politics in Turkey, Egypt, Iran, and Israel. Analyses of cultural and political issues, such as the Palestinian question, Arab-Israel conflict, Islamic resurgence, and modernization. This course is designed to be a component of the General Education Upper-Division Thematic Program on Cross-Cultural Exploration. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western course. This course is also offered as HIST 362.

Islamic civilization 600-1800; religion, philosophy, law, education, literature, and political thought and activity. This course is also offered as HIST 463.

Social, intellectual, and political changes in Turkey, Iran, and the Arab countries in the twentieth century. This course is also offered as HIST 464.

The development of Zionism and Arab nationalism since 1900; international politics and the creation of Israel; Arab-Israeli conflict since 1948 to the present; politics and society in Israel; Palestinian refugees and guerrilla groups; P.L.O. and the Palestinian nationalist movement; efforts and prospects for Arab-Israeli peace. This course is also offered as HIST 466.

A series of in-depth studies pertaining to issues and problems related to the Middle East, approached on an interdisciplinary basis. Content is variable. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 6.0 units.

Modern Jewish and Israel Studies Course Offerings

History of Judaism from biblical to modern times. A study of the literature, faith, and events that shaped Jewish life. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Ethnic course. This course is also offered as RELS 204.

Through lectures, readings, discussions, video, guest speakers, and use of WWW sites (including the archives at Jerusalem 1, Shamash, the US Holocaust Museum, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and other Web sources) we will explore the roles of what Raul Hilberg calls the perpetrators, victims, and bystanders of this horrific period in the 20th Century. This is an approved General Education course. This course is also offered as SOCI 253.

An introduction to the Hebrew Bible (also known as the Old Testament of Christianity and the Tanakh of Judaism) in English translation. Readings from the Pentateuch, the prophetic books, and the hagiographa. The course emphasizes the analysis of the biblical books in their ancient Near Eastern contexts, the documentary hypotheses, Israelite history and religion, the formation of the biblical canon, and early Jewish and Christian scriptural interpretation. This course is also offered as RELS 303.

An exploration of the forces influencing, and the important events in, the emergence of Judaism in America. Attention will be given to issues of community identity and the interaction of Judaism with the larger culture of the context of society and politics in America. This course is also offered as RELS 304.

Lectures, guest speakers, and films are used to explore the rhetorical, historical, social, and cultural impact of genocide in the 20th century, with special focus on mass persuasion and propaganda. In addition, the moral implications of genocide are considered. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western course. This course is also offered as CMST 356, and SOCI 356.

Prerequisites: Acceptance into the Honors Program.

Lectures, guest speakers, and films are used to explore the rhetorical, historical, social, and cultural impact of genocide in the 20th century, with special focus on mass persuasion and propaganda. In addition, the moral implications of genocide are considered. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Non-Western course. This course is also offered as CMST 356H, and SOCI 356H.

This course explores the major philosophical trends and traditions affecting Jewish life. Hellenistic and rabbinical philosophy, Philo to Maimonides, Spinoza to Moses Mendelsohn and the Enlightenment, and Hebrew-Yiddish renaissance to modern Zionism will be examined. This course is also offered as PHIL 386.

This course will examine the Israeli political system from its early development to the present. The class will focus on the Zionist ideology of the founders and the transformation of that ideology during the state-building period. Israeli political institutions will be examined along with historical and contemporary political conflicts, the vagaries of the peace process, and Israeli-American relations. This course is also offered as POLS 418.

Prerequisites: ENGL 130 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher (MJIS majors). CMST 131, CMST 233, CMST 331, and CMST 255 or CMST 354 with a grade of C- or higher for CMST majors only.

This course will explore the major persuasive sacred and secular texts and speeches of Jewish culture from the Bible to the present. Included in the course will be explorations of Moses' last speech, rabbinical talmudic argumentation, rabbinical homiletics, Jewish rhetorical influences on early Christianity, Medieval disputations, the impact of the Haskalah movement, the Holocaust, the creation of the state of Israel, and modern Jewish political rhetoric. Note: This course fulfills the writing proficiency requirement for the major in Modern Jewish Studies, but does not fulfill the writing proficiency requirement for the Communication Studies major. This is a writing proficiency, WP, course; a grade of C- or better certifies writing proficiency for majors.

Prerequisites: CMST 131, CMST 233, CMST 331, and CMST 255 or CMST 354 with a grade of C- or higher for CMST majors only.

This course is an in-depth exploration of the history of the creation of the State of Israel and its changes through rhetorical analysis and criticism of Israeli public address. The course begins with speeches from the late 19th century and moves to the present. The course explores Arab and Jewish-Israeli public address as well as the public address concerning the Arab/Israeli conflict from the Israeli, Arab, European, and American perspectives.

This course is an internship offered for 1.0–3.0 units. You must register with a supervising faculty member. You may take this course more than once for a maximum of 15.0 units.

This is a special topics course offered for 1.0–3.0 units. Typically, topics are offered on a one-time-only basis. Topics vary from term to term and from section to section. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered.

The study of genocide has been mandated as part of the educational curriculum in the State of California. In particular, the Holocaust, the Soviet Union under Stalin, and the Cambodian slaughter are emphasized in the Social Science Framework. We will explore these major acts of genocide in the 20th century along with others, such as the continuing massacres of Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda and Burundi. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the rhetorical and mass persuasive basis of genocide. This course is also offered as SOCI 456.

Self-Instructional Language Program (SILP)

The Self-Instructional Language Program provides motivated students the opportunity to acquire basic skills in languages not commonly taught on campus. Tutoring sessions are limited to 10 students. Being essentially self-instructional, these program offerings should be regarded as somewhat more demanding of time than a regular classroom course taught in the traditional manner. Students learn through three hours of weekly sessions with a native speaker and self instruction using texts and cassette tapes or Web-based tutorials. Courses are graded by final examination only. SILP courses do not satisfy the General Education language requirement, with the exception of HBRW 101 and HBRW 102.

Self-Instruction Language Program Course Offerings

Introduction to basic Arabic language and culture. Emphasis of the course is on speaking and listening. Students learn through three hours of weekly sessions with a native speaker and self-instruction using texts and cassette tapes.

Prerequisites: ARAB 101.

Continuation of ARAB 101 in the self-instructional format.

Prerequisites: ARAB 102.

Continuation of ARAB 102 in the self-instructional format. Emphasis on developing reading and writing.

Prerequisites: ARAB 103.

Continuation of ARAB 103 in the self-instructional format. Further development of reading and writing.

Introduction to Chinese language and culture. Development of basic skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and awareness of cultural concepts. Emphasis of the course is on listening and speaking. About 100 Chinese characters are introduced for reading and writing.

Prerequisites: CHNS 101.

Continuation of CHNS 101. Emphasis on the basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Development of reading and writing ability using about 200 Chinese characters. Rapid expansion of vocabulary, basic grammatical structures, and understanding of cultural aspects in language use.

Prerequisites: CHNS 102.

Reviewing and expanding of language skills introduced in Chinese 101 and 102. Emphasis on developing writing and reading.

Prerequisites: CHNS 103.

Reviewing and expanding of language skills introduced in Chinese 101, 102, and 103. Further development of writing and reading.

Introduction to basic Hebrew language and Jewish culture. Emphasis of the course is on speaking and listening. This is an approved General Education course.

Prerequisites: HBRW 101.

Continuation of basic Hebrew language and Jewish culture, with emphasis on speaking and listening. This is an approved General Education course.

Prerequisites: HBRW 102.

Continuation of HBRW 102 in the self-instructional format. Emphasis on developing reading and writing.

Prerequisites: HBRW 103.

Continuation of HBRW 103 in the self-instructional format. Further development of reading and writing.

Introduction to basic Hindi language and Indian culture. Emphasis of the course is on speaking and listening.

Continuation of Hindi 101. Emphasis of the course is on speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

Introduction to basic Portuguese and Brazilian culture. Emphasis on speaking and listening.

Prerequisites: PORT 101.

Continuation of PORT 101 in the self-instructional format.

Prerequisites: PORT 102.

Continuation of PORT 102 in the self-instructional format. Emphasis on developing reading and writing.

Prerequisites: PORT 103.

Continuation of PORT 103 in the self-instructional format. Further development of reading and writing.

Introduction to basic Russian language and culture. Emphasis of the course is on speaking and listening.

Prerequisites: RUSS 101.

Continuation of RUSS 101 in the self-instructional format.

Prerequisites: RUSS 102.

Continuation of RUSS 102 in the self-instructional format. Emphasis on developing reading and writing.

Prerequisites: RUSS 103.

Continuation of RUSS 103 in the self-instructional format. Further development of reading and writing.

Introduction to basic Thai language and culture. Emphasis of the course is on speaking and listening. Students learn through three hours of weekly sessions with a native speaker in addition to self-instruction using texts and cassette tapes.

Prerequisites: THAI 101.

Continuation of THAI 101. Emphasis of the course is on speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students learn through three hours of weekly sessions with a native speaker in addition to self-instruction using texts and cassette tapes.

Introduction to basic Vietnamese language and culture. Emphasis in on speaking and listening. Students learn through three hours of weekly sessions with a native speaker and self-instruction using texts and audio tapes.

Continuation of VIET 101. Emphasis is on speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students learn through three hours of weekly sessions with a native speaker and self-instruction using texts and audio tapes.

Prerequisites: VIET 102.

Continuation of VIET 102 in the self-instructional format.

Prerequisites: VIET 103.

Continuation of VIET 103 in the self-instructional format.