Modern Languages & Literature (MLL)

MLL 027 Russian Classics 4 Credits

Russian classics in translation.
Attribute/Distribution: CC, HE, HU, W

MLL 050 (ASIA 050, WGSS 050) Dreaming in Pre-modern China 4 Credits

Life is a cosmic allegory experienced by a group of all-too-human incarnated spirits of the 18th century novel Story of the Stone (aka Dream of the Red Chamber). A unique depiction on the inner emotional landscape of young women and the quest for identity by Precious Jade--is he a real boy? Read and discuss in English. Option to combine with CHIN 371 for those who wish to also read and research it in Chinese.
Attribute/Distribution: HE, HU, W

MLL 070 (GS 070) Other Voices: Being Human around the Globe 4 Credits

How do the processes of globalization affect human society and our concepts of culture and identity? What do societies gain and lose from their interactions with the rest of the world? What does it mean to be human in a globalized yet diverse world? This course grapples with such questions from the humanist’s point of view. Course materials include a broad selection of film, fiction, art, music, and theory, including both well-known pieces and newer works from under-represented global communities.
Attribute/Distribution: CC, HE, HU

MLL 072 (ASIA 072) Ghosts, Monsters, and J-Horror 4 Credits

What’s behind our fascination with the ghost stories? What are some of the social issues that the horror stories examine? What makes us afraid? Examining Japan’s long tradition of horror stories of ghosts and monsters, this course introduces students to various Japanese horror stories, ranging from the classical texts to “J-Horror,” and explores how contemporary forms of popular culture such as anime, manga, and films draw on, or depart from, the traditional images of supernatural beings. No prerequisites. In English.
Attribute/Distribution: HE, HU, W

MLL 074 (ASIA 074) Chinese Cultural Program 1-8 Credits

A summer program in China, taught in English.
Attribute/Distribution: HE, HU

MLL 075 (ASIA 075, HIST 075) Chinese Civilization 4 Credits

This course reviews the evolution of Chinese culture from the Neolithic up to the end of the imperial age in 1911. While the framework is historical, students are exposed to all facets of what defines civilization, including social traditions, philosophy, religion, material culture, literature, art and architecture, military science, education, law, and institutional history. Students are encouraged to continue their study of China afterwards with the course on Modern Chinese Civilization.
Attribute/Distribution: CC, HE, HU, SS, W

MLL 078 (ASIA 078) Asian-American Studies 4 Credits

A survey of issues concerning Asians living in the United States from the perspectives of history, language, literature, and film.
Attribute/Distribution: CC, HE, HU

MLL 091 Special Topics 1-4 Credits

Materials not covered by regularly taught courses.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Attribute/Distribution: AL, CC, HE, HU, W

MLL 099 (ARAB 099, ASIA 099, CHIN 099, FREN 099, GERM 099, HEBR 099, JPNS 099, RUSS 099, SPAN 099) Language & Culture Abroad I 0-8 Credits

Beginning level of languages, literatures, or culture courses not regularly taught at Lehigh University.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Attribute/Distribution: AL, CC, HE, HU, W

MLL 100 (FILM 100) Introduction to International Film 4 Credits

An introduction to international film traditions and theory. We look at the importance of cinema as both art and entertainment and consider the social, political, and economic role of film in national and global contexts.
Attribute/Distribution: HE, HU

MLL 110 (ASIA 110, REL 110) Drinking and Immortality 4 Credits

This class explores modes of transcendence and their expression in literature and art, but most especially poetry. The primary focus is the role of drinking alcoholic beverages in traditional Chinese society and religion, but also on other modes and what is meant by the search for immortality - and the use of inner versus outer alchemy - will be examined.
Attribute/Distribution: HE, HU, W

MLL 115 (ASIA 115, WGSS 115) Sex, War, Women, Art 4 Credits

Through the study of selected visual and literary works in their historical and social contexts, students will gain knowledge of Japan. This course examines various cultures from the perspectives of gender and sexuality as constitutive factors of Japanese society. Materials include a film depicting a romantic life of samurai, art works by contemporary women artists, and writings on sex workers, impacted by the Japanese empire. Students will be exposed to feminist theories in this course; taking WGSS001 is recommended prior.
Attribute/Distribution: CC, HE, HU, W

MLL 129 (GS 129) The Global Workplace: Preparing to Work around the World 4 Credits

This course uses modern literature and film to explore current theories of global and intercultural competence as well as practical approaches to the acquisition and development of skills needed to function effectively across cultural boundaries. We’ll investigate changing definitions of work over time and across cultures and actively engage with contemporary global issues and the complexities of diverse cultural traditions.
Attribute/Distribution: CC, HE, HU, W

MLL 130 (ASIA 130, REL 130) Monkey Business 4 Credits

Read and discuss in English the premodern Chinese enlightenment odyssey, the Journey To The West, featuring the famous mischievous and magical martial arts master, the Monkey King. Familiarize yourself with a cultural icon that has entertained and inspired since the 16th century and continues to inspire spin-off dramas, comics, acrobatic and TV shows, movies, and video games.
Attribute/Distribution: HE, HU, W

MLL 135 (ASIA 135, WGSS 135) POWER, (WO)MEN, SILENCE 4 Credits

What do women say in their writings when their voices are silenced? How does silence speak to you? How do gender, sexuality, class, and power articulate one another? Through the study of selected short stories, novels, films, and anime, this course examines various voices, cultures, histories, and societies in Japan. No prior knowledge of Japanese language is required. An introductory course taught in English.
Attribute/Distribution: HE, HU, W

MLL 140 (ANTH 140, COGS 140) Introduction to Linguistics 4 Credits

Relationship between language and mind; formal properties of language; language and society; how languages change over time. May not be taken pass/fail.
Attribute/Distribution: SS, SW

MLL 152 (ASIA 152, GS 152) Chinese Literature in the World 4 Credits

What place does Chinese literature occupy in the world? In this course we will read and discuss important works of modern Chinese fiction and drama alongside critical and theoretical writings on world literature. Student papers will integrate these discussions to reflect on questions such as center/periphery, national form, and canon formation. The course objectives are to introduce students to current debates on the topic of world literature and to resplendent modern Chinese short stories, novellas, and plays. Taught in English.
Attribute/Distribution: CC, HU, W

MLL 191 Special Topics 1-4 Credits

Materials not covered by regularly taught courses.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Attribute/Distribution: AL, CC, HE, HU, W

MLL 199 (ARAB 199, ASIA 199, CHIN 199, FREN 199, GERM 199, HEBR 199, JPNS 199, RUSS 199, SPAN 199) Language & Culture Abroad II 0-8 Credits

Intermediate level of languages, literatures, and culture courses not regularly taught at Lehigh University.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Attribute/Distribution: AL, CC, HE, HU, W

MLL 202 (ENGL 202, GS 202, LAS 202) Latin America In Fact, In Fiction 4 Credits

This class couples a survey of Latin American literature in translation with an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Latin America. Departing initially from readings of literary and cinematographic works, our analyses will engage methodologies from multiple disciplines including history, sociology, and cultural studies. Accordingly, this course will examine critical developments in Latin American aesthetics along with the cultural climates in which they matured. This course assumes no prior study of Spanish, Portuguese, or Latin American culture.
Attribute/Distribution: HE, HU

MLL 231 (FILM 231, GERM 231) New German Cinema 4 Credits

Viewing, discussion, and written analysis of selected German films.
Attribute/Distribution: CC, HE, HU, W

MLL 256 (ASIA 256, HIST 256, WGSS 256) Women in Pre-Industrial China 4 Credits

This seminar focuses on the role of women as defined by medical, philosophical, legal, historical, religious, literary and other Chinese texts from ancient through early modern times. Attention is how women contributed to the evolution of traditional Chinese civilization and culture. The course materials are in English.
Attribute/Distribution: HE, HU, W

MLL 257 (ASIA 257, HIST 257, HMS 257) Traditional Chinese Medicine: Historical Perspectives 4 Credits

This seminar focuses on conceptions of the human body and health that evolved from the ancient through early modern times. Special attention is paid to healing strategies, the roles of healers and patients, and the evolution of a medical canon. The course materials are in English.
Attribute/Distribution: HE, HU, W

MLL 291 Special Topics 1-4 Credits

Materials not covered by regularly taught courses.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Attribute/Distribution: CC, HU, W

MLL 299 (ARAB 299, ASIA 299, CHIN 299, FREN 299, GERM 299, HEBR 299, RUSS 299, SPAN 299) Language & Culture Abroad III 0-8 Credits

Advanced level of languages, literatures, and other culture courses not regularly taught at Lehigh University.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Attribute/Distribution: CC, HU, W

MLL 300 Apprentice Teaching 1-4 Credits

MLL 302 (ENGL 302, GS 302, LAS 302) Travel and Adventure in Latin American Fiction 4 Credits

Centering on a corpus of works presenting tales of travel and adventure, this class offers an overview of Latin American narrative genres (including “fantastic” narrative, magical realism, and postmodern fiction) from the mid 20th century to present day. Through close readings of works by Adolfo Bioy Casares and Roberto Bolaño, among others, and the analysis of filmic representations of travel in Latin America, we will examine differing modes of perceiving the region defined as Latin America.
Attribute/Distribution: CC, HU

MLL 303 (ENGL 303, FILM 303, GERM 303, WGSS 303) Grimms' Fairy Tales: Folklore, Feminism, Film 4 Credits

This intercultural history of the Grimms’ fairy tales investigates how folktale types and gender stereotypes developed and became models for children and adults. The course covers the literary fairy tale in Germany, Europe and America. “Little Red Riding Hood”, “Cinderella”, or “Sleeping Beauty” exist not only in the Grimms’ collection but in many forms of world literature/film. Modern authors have rewritten fairy tales in feminist ways, promoting social change. Taught in English. German language students may receive a German component.
Attribute/Distribution: CC, HE, HU, W

MLL 312 (AAS 312, FREN 312) Modernity in the Maghreb 4 Credits

Emergence of the modern self through a comparative study of textual as well as visual representations of postcolonial subjects by male and female writers and film makers. Study of the way the sociopolitical context of countries such as Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia informs the constitution of subjectivity within a multicultural and multilingual community. Issues such as patriarchy, nationalism, colonialism, postcolonialism, identity, gender, and Islam in North African literature and film from Franco-Arab traditions.
Attribute/Distribution: HU, W

MLL 389 (IR 389) IR/MLL Capstone Project 4 Credits

A research project on international politics that will include original research in at least one foreign language under the joint supervision of an adviser in IR and one in the relevant language in MLL. Consent of department required.
Attribute/Distribution: CC, SS, W

MLL 391 Special Topics 1-4 Credits

Materials not covered by regularly taught courses.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Attribute/Distribution: CC, HU, W

MLL 399 (ARAB 399, CHIN 399, FREN 399, GERM 399, HEBR 399, JPNS 399, RUSS 399, SPAN 399) Language & Culture Abroad IV 0-8 Credits

Professional level of languages, literatures, or culture courses not regularly taught at Lehigh University.
Repeat Status: Course may be repeated.
Attribute/Distribution: AL, CC, HE, HU, W

MLL 403 (WGSS 403) Grimms' Fairy Tales: Folklore, Feminism, Film 3 Credits

This intercultural history of the Grimms’ fairy tales investigates how folktale types and gender stereotypes developed and became models for children and adults. The course covers the literary fairy tale in Germany as well as Europe and America. Versions of “Little Red Riding Hood”, “Cinderella”, or “Sleeping Beauty” exist not only in the Grimms’ collection but in films and many forms of world literature. Modern authors have rewritten fairy tales in feminist ways, promoting social change. Taught in English. German language students may receive a German component.