Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures (AMELC)

B27 Cabell Hall
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400781
Charlottesville, VA 22904-4781
(434) 982-2304 Fax: (434) 924-6977
amelc@virginia.edu
www.virginia.edu/amelc

Course Descriptions

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Independent Research

AMEL 801, 802 - (1-3) (S)
Independent Research–Topics in Asian and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures
Prerequisite: Instructor permission.
A course of specialized language and/or literature study intended to meet the specific needs of advanced students. This course may take the form of directed readings, or of specialized training and work in cognate languages not generally taught.

AMTR 511 - (3) (IR)
Women and Middle Eastern Literatures
Analyzes some of the basic issues of women’s identity in Middle Eastern literature. In a variety of readings (poetry, short-story, novel, and autobiography) by men and women, it explores both the image and presence of women in a rich and too-often neglected literature. Taught in English.

Arabic

ARAB 501, 502 - (3) (Y)
Readings in Literary Arabic
Prerequisite: ARAB 202, or equivalent, or instructor permission.
Readings of modern texts for oral/aural practice, as well as writing, use of translation being minimal. A test every two weeks usually, with frequent homework assignments. Recorded materials for use outside the classroom provided in language laboratory.

ARAB 523 - (3) (Y)
Arabic Conversation and Composition
Prerequisite: ARAB 302 or instructor permission.
Development of writing and speaking skills, emphasizing grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and the organization and style of different genres.

ARAB 524 - (3) (Y)
Advanced Arabic Conversation and Composition
Prerequisite: ARAB 323 or equivalent, or instructor permission.
Development of oral and written proficiency to an advanced level of fluency, with emphasis on speaking and writing.

ARAB 528 - (3) (SI)
The History of the Arabic Language
Prerequisite: At least one year of Arabic or Hebrew, and/or historical linguistics.
Study of the history of Arabic and its development up to present days. Studies relation of Arabic to other languages that come in contact with it either through genetic relationship, such as Hebrew and Aramaic, or through conquest, such as Persian, Coptic, Berber, and others. Emphasizes external and internal factors of linguistic change.

ARAB 583, 584 - (3) (Y)
Topics in Arabic Prose
Prerequisite: For ARAB 583, ARAB 506 or equivalent, or instructor permission; for ARAB 584, ARAB 583 or equivalent, or instructor permission.
Readings in modern Arabic prose and writing descriptive and narrative short essays.

ARAB 585 - (3) (Y)
Media Arabic
Prerequisite: ARAB 583 and 584, or 505 and 506, or instructor permission.
Examines electronic (television and radio) and print (newspapers, magazines, periodic publications) Arabic.

ARAB 586 - (3) (Y)
Nineteenth Century Arabic Prose
Prerequisite: ARAB 583 and 584, or instructor permission.
Examines Arabic writing in the 19th century, a period of renaissance in the Arabic language.

ARAB 701 - (3) (Y)
Modern Arabic Fiction (in Arabic)
Prerequisite: ARAB 583 and 584, or instructor permission.
Studies the emergence of fiction as a genre in Arabic writing at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, the development of this genre, its maturity, and its contribution to the creative process of fiction writing in the world.

ARAB 702 - (3) (Y)
Modern Arabic Drama (in Arabic)
Prerequisite: ARAB 583 and 584, or instructor permission.
Studies the emergence of drama as a genre in Arabic writing at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, the development of this genre, its maturity, and its contribution to the creative process of drama writing in the world.

ARAB 703 - (3) (Y)
Modern Arabic Poetry (in Arabic)
Prerequisite: ARAB 583 and 584, or instructor permission.
Studies the development of Arabic Poetry in the 19th and 20th centuries, leading to the emergence of modern Arabic poetry in the fifth decade of the 20th century.

ARAB 783 - (3) (Y)
Readings in Arabic/Islamic Text
Prerequisite: ARAB 583 and 584, or instructor permission.
Close reading, with emphasis on linguistic and textual analysis, of Arabic texts selected from the historical, geographical, grammatical, philological, or religious traditions from both the classical and modern period, determined by interest of students or instructor.

ARAB 801, 802 - (1-3) (IR)
Independent Study in Arabic

ARTR 529 - (3) (Y)
Modern Arabic Literature in Translation
Introduces the development and themes of modern Arabic literature (poetry, short stories, novels and plays). No knowledge of Arabic is required. Taught in English.

Chinese

CHIN 501, 502 - (3) (Y)
Readings in Modern Chinese Literature
Prerequisite: CHIN 202 or equivalent, or instructor permission.
Studies modern Chinese at the advanced level. Includes listening comprehension, reading and discussion in Chinese of various aspects of Chinese culture, society, and literature, using radio broadcasts and selections from newspapers, recent essays, short stories, etc.

CHIN 523 - (3) (Y)
Chinese Conversation and Composition (in Chinese)
Prerequisite: CHIN 502 or equivalent, or instructor permission.
Development of writing and speaking skills at a higher level than CHIN 502.

CHIN 524 - (3) (Y)
Advanced Chinese Conversation and Composition (in Chinese)
Prerequisite: CHIN 523 or equivalent, or instructor permission.
Further develops writing and speaking skills to an advanced level.

CHIN 528 - (3) (Y)
History of the Chinese Language (in Chinese)
Prerequisite: CHIN 523 or equivalent, or instructor permission.
Examines the evolution of the spoken and written language, diachronically and synchronically, from syntactic, phonological, lexical, and graphic perspectives.

CHIN 550 - (1-3) (SS)
Introduction to Chinese History, Culture and Society
An integral part of the UVa summer Chinese language program in Shanghai, this course combines lectures and guest presentations with field trips, using the resources specifically available in Shanghai and other parts of China to offer an introduction to China’s long history, splendid culture, and dynamic and changing society. Taught in English.

CHIN 581 - (3) (Y)
Media Chinese I
Prerequisite: CHIN 502 or equivalent, or instructor permission.
Studies electronic and print media in Chinese, emphasizing current events as reported in the Chinese speaking world, to further develop oral and written proficiency.

CHIN 582 - (3) (Y)
Media Chinese II
Prerequisite: CHIN 581 or equivalent, or instructor permission.
A continuation of CHIN 581. Studies the electronic and print media in Chinese with special emphasis on current events as reported in the Chinese speaking world.

CHIN 583, 584 - (3) (Y)
Introduction to Classical Chinese
Prerequisite: CHIN 583 or equivalent, or instructor permission.
Introduces the grammar and structure of classical Chinese.

CHIN 585, 586 - (3) (Y)
Classical Chinese Literature
Prerequisite: CHIN 583, 584, or equivalent.
Advanced readings in classical Chinese.

CHIN 701 - (3) (Y)
Advanced Readings in Modern Chinese
Prerequisite: CHIN 302, 502, or instructor permission.
The goal of this course is to help students understand journalistic essays through systematic study of sentence patterns and formal writing styles.

CHIN 702 - (3) (Y)
Advanced Readings in Modern Chinese
Prerequisite: CHIN 701 or instructor permission.
Students will earn to read or understand various styles of modern Chinese, including essays, documentaries, prose fiction, and movies.

CHIN 703 - (3) (Y)
Modern Chinese Poetry
Prerequisite: CHIN 583, 584 or equivalent, or instructor permission.
Studies the development of modern poetry as a genre in Chinese at the beginning of the 20th century, the influences on its development, its maturity, and its contribution to the creative process writing in the world.

CHIN 704 - (3) (Y)
Traditional Chinese Poetry (in Chinese)
Prerequisite: CHIN 583, 584 or equivalent, or instructor permission.
Studies the development of poetry as a genre in Chinese up to the beginning of the 20th century, the influences on its development, its maturity, and its contribution to the creative process of poetry writing in the world.

CHIN 705 - (3) (Y)
Classical Chinese Prose
Prerequisite: CHIN 583, 584 or equivalent, or instructor permission.
Introduces classical Chinese prose from the sixth century B.C. to the third century A.D.

CHIN 706 - (3) (Y)
Classical Chinese Poetry
Prerequisite: CHIN 583, 584 or equivalent, or instructor permission.
Introduces classical Chinese poetry.

CHIN 783 - (3) (Y)
Readings in Confucian Texts
Prerequisite: CHIN 583, 584 or equivalent, or instructor permission.
Introduces a broad range of Confucian texts.

CHIN 801, 802 - (1-3) (IR)
Independent Study in Chinese

Hindi

HIND 501, 502 - (3) (Y)
Advanced Hindi
Prerequisite: HIND 202 or equivalent, or instructor permission.
Readings are drawn from areas of student interest and include various disciplines. Restricted to area studies majors and minors.

HIND 801, 802 - (1-3) (IR)
Independent Study in Hindi
Restricted to area studies majors and minors.

Japanese

JAPN 501, 502 - (3) (Y)
Third Year Japanese
Prerequisite: JAPN 202 or equivalent, or instructor permission.
Emphasizes comprehension and active reproduction of modern Japanese beyond the basic patterns of speech and writing. Various topics on current Japanese cultures and society are introduced.

JAPN 593/594 - (3) (Y)
Advanced Readings on Society and Culture I and II
Prerequisite: JAPN 481, 482, 483, or instructor permission.
Advanced training in modern Japanese language. Students read, interpret, and discuss books written by Japanese authors for a general Japanese audience on such subjects as the cultural differences between U. S. and Japan, economics, education, journalism and politics.

JAPN 701/702 - (3) (Y)
Reading Japanese I and II: Advanced Topics
Designed for graduate students who need to fulfill Japanese language competency.

JAPN 801, 802 - (1-3) (IR)
Independent Study in Japanese

JPTR 521 - (3) (Y)
The Tale of Genji, the World’s First Psychological Novel: Court Romance
Introduction to the elegant world of classical Japanese literary tradition represented by one of the world’s materpieces. The Tale of Genji (1010 A.D.) written by Lady Murasaki, examines the courtship ritual, the marriage institution, the gendering of sexuality and desire, and the aesthetics of mono no aware.

JPTR 522 - (3) (Y)
The Modern Japanese Canon
Introduction to the modern Japanese canon (1890's to the present). Writers studied include Natsume Sôseki, the first modern writer to delve into the human psyche; Mori Ôgai, the surgeon-turned writer; Rynôsuke Akutagawa, the consummate writer of short stories; Shiga Naoya, the "god" of "I-Novel" Japanese fiction; Yukio Mishima, whose seppuku suicide caused a sensation world-wide; Endô Shôsaku, the Christian writer; two Nobel laureates, Yasunari Kawabata, the pure aesthetician, and Kenzaburo Ôe, the political gadfly.

JPTR 535 - (3) (IR)
Spirits, Romance, and Political Intrigue: An Introduction to Classical Japanese Literature
This course introduces the literary arts of Japan’s classical period (Nara period 710-794 and Heian period 794-1185). The main goals of this course are to read, interpret, become conversant in, and enjoy this body of literature. A wide range of topics and issues, including the supernatural, jealousy, birth, fashion, marriage, death, poetry vs. prose, history vs. literature, gender, exile, politics, Buddhism, war, and innumerable others, will be encountered.

JPTR 536 - (3) (IR)
Warriors, Merchants, & Courtesans: An Introduction to Japan’s Medieval and Early Modern Literary and Popular Arts
This course introduces, in English translation, the literary arts of Japan’s medieval (1200-1600) and early modern (1600-1868) periods.

JPTR 581 - (3) (Y)
Classical Japanese Women Writers
Prerequisite: JPTR 321/521 or instructor permission.
Introduces the most celebrated period in Japanese literary history in which women of the Heian court (797-1190) produced the flowing of vernacular literature, nikki bunqaku (a mixture of prose and poetry called a poetic diary).

JPTR 582 - (3) (Y)
Modern Japanese Women Writers
Prerequisite: JPTR 522 or equivalent, or instructor permission.
Introduces the resurgence of the female literary tradition from 1904 to the present. Focuses on how literary women in Japan express their subversive voice often through the autobiographical fiction. Taught in English. Restricted to area studies majors and minors.

Persian

PERS 501 - (3) (S)
Readings in Modern Persian Poetry
Prerequisite: PERS 202 or equivalent, or instructor permission.
Studies the works of major and some minor poets of the 20th century. The form and content of "New Poetry" is discussed as distinguished features of 20th-century Persian poetry in contrast with those of classical Persian poetry. Emphasizes the themes of modern poetry as reflections of Iranian society.

PERS 502 - (3) (S)
Readings in Modern Persian Prose Fiction
Prerequisite: PERS 202 or equivalent, or instructor permission.
Examines the works of this century’s major writers, focusing on the development of modern Persian fiction as it reflects a changing society. Improves Persian reading ability and familiarity with Iran, its people, and its culture.

PERS 801, 802 - (1-3) (IR)
Independent Study in Persian

PETR 521 - (3) (IR)
Persian Literature in Translation
Reading from the works of major figures in classical Persian literature, especially Rudaki, Ferdowsi, Khayyam, Attar, Mowlavi, Sa’adi, and Hafez, as well as the most important minor writers of each period. Emphasizes the role of the Ma’shuq (the beloved), Mamduh (the praised one), and Ma’bud (the worshiped one) in classical verse, as well as the use of allegory and similar devices in both prose and verse. Taught in English.

PETR 522 - (3) (IR)
Twentieth-Century Persian Literature in Translation
Introduces modern Persian literature in the context of Iranian society and civilization. Lectures and discussions follow the development of modern Persian poetry and prose, and trace the influence of Western and other literature, as well as Iranian literary and cultural heritage, on the works of contemporary Iranian writers. Facilitates understanding of contemporary Iran, especially its people, both individually and collectively, with their particular problems and aspirations in the twentieth-century world. Taught in English.

Sanskrit

SANS 501 - (4) (Y)
Elementary Sanskrit I
A study of sounds of Sanskrit, the Devanagari script and the basic grammar.

SANS 502 - (4) (Y)
Elementary Sanskrit II
Prerequisite: SANS 501, or instructor permission.
A continuation of SANS 501.

SANS 503 - (4) (IR)
Selections from the Mahabharata
Prerequisite: SANS 502 and graduate standing.
This second-year course focuses on developing reading fluency in Sanskrit. Selections are chosen to reinforce students’ knowledge of grammar from SANS 502, to expand vocabulary and to introduce the Mahabharata, one of ancient India’s major epics.

SANS 504 - (4) (IR)
The Bhagavadgita
Prerequisite: SANS 502 and graduate standing.
A second-year course focusing on developing reading fluency in Sanskrit. Selections are chosen to reinforce students’ knowledge of grammar from SANS 502, to expand vocabulary and to introduce the Bhagavadgita, a major religious text of ancient India.

SANS 505 - (3) (IR)
Selections from the Ramayana of Valmiki
Prerequisite: SANS 502.
A second-year course focusing on developing reading fluency in Sanskrit. Selections are chosen to reinforce student’s knowledge of grammar from SANS 502, to expand vocabulary, and to introduce the Ramayana of Valmiki, one of two major epics of ancient India, and the "first poem" in Sanskrit.

SANS 506 - (4) (Y)
Selection from the Upanisads
Prerequisite: SANS 502.
A second-year course focusing on developing reading fluency in Sanskrit. Selections are chosen to reinforce student’s knowledge of grammar from SANS 502, to expand vocabulary, and to introduce the Upanisads, a major spiritual text of ancient India.

SANS 507 - (3) (IR)
Selection from the Kathasaritsagara of Somadeva
Prerequisite: SANS 502.
A second-year course focusing on developing reading fluency in Sanskrit. Selections are chosen to reinforce student’s knowledge of grammar from SANS 502, to expand vocabulary, and to introduce the Kathasaritsagara of Somadeva, the most important collection of story literature in Sanskrit.

SANS 508 - (3) (IR)
Selection from the Puranas
Prerequisite: SANS 502.
A second-year course focusing on developing reading fluency in Sanskrit. Selections are chosen to reinforce student’s knowledge of grammar from SANS 502, to expand vocabulary, and to introduce the huge corpus of Puranic texts.

SANS 801, 802 - (1-3) (IR)
Independent Study in Sanskrit
For other courses in Asian and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures, consult the Undergraduate Record.

South Asian Studies

SAST 755 - (3) (IR)
The Languages of South Asia
An examination of the phonological, morphological, and syntactic structures of South Asian languages from typological, social, and historical perspectives. No knowledge of a South Asian language or linguistics is required.