This course examines recurring issues facing the Russian state and its citizens focusing on the complex interplay between formal institutions and informal politics as well as patterns of cooperation and antagonism in relationships with other countries, in particulare the former Soviet republics of Central Asia. We will examine history to provide sufficient background information for the class, but will concentrate on the period between the end of the Soviet Union and the present day. Enrollment limited to 40.

A study of the politics and governance in the United States. Special emphasis is placed on how the major institutions of American government are influenced by public opinion and citizen behavior, and how all of these forces interact in the determination of government policy.

A study of the leading ideas of the Western political tradition, focusing on such topics as justice, power, legitimacy, revolution, freedom, equality and forms of government--democracy especially. Open to all students. Entering students considering a major in government are encouraged to take the course in their first year, either in the fall or the spring semester.

This eight-week lecture series provides an overview of the financial system and the role of financial institutions in the global economy; domestic and international regulation; domestic and international banking. Faculty and guest lecturers reflect on contemporary developments and challenges in their fields.

This advanced German language class is based on the principle of learning through practice. In a hands-on exploration of the contemporary German media scene, language learners acquire increased stylistic flexibility and the rhetorical means to communicate effectively with different audiences. Focusing on newspapers, magazines and TV, students compare and analyze these media, study the kind of language they produce, and practice the stylistic conventions and features of each medium in a series of experiments. Prerequisites: GER 250 or 260. (E).

Explore and examine the Third Reich’s media dictatorship: how spectacle and entertainment can engineer consent with manipulative distractions; how mass media can serve a totalitarian regime by responding to festering resentments with nationalist fantasies of cultural renewal; how seemingly harmless entertainment can promote a politics of fear and racism to horrific ends. Course emphasizes entertainment films of the Third Reich, with special attention to the works of Leni Riefenstahl. Conducted in English.

An exploration of contemporary German culture through literary and journalistic texts, with regular practice in written and oral expression. A review of basic grammatical concepts and the study of new ones, with emphasis on vocabulary building. Prerequisite: 110Y, permission of the instructor, or by placement.

An exploration of contemporary German culture through literary and journalistic texts, with regular practice in written and oral expression. A review of basic grammatical concepts and the study of new ones, with emphasis on vocabulary building. Prerequisite: 110Y, permission of the instructor, or by placement.

Offered as GER 189 and ITL 189. This series of interdepartmental lectures by a selection of Smith faculty examines the myth of cultural
homogeneity perpetuated by the ideal of “native” linguistic competency. These lectures explore
hybridity and interaction between cultures and languages as the rule, not the exception. The goal is to help students comprehend the transnational, multilingual web into which we are woven, and to
appreciate how they contribute to that web, to appreciate their own position as transnational subjects.

An introduction to spoken and written German, and to the culture and history of German-speaking peoples and countries. Emphasis on grammar and practical vocabulary for use in conversational practice, written exercises, and listening and reading comprehension. By the end of the year, students are able to read short, edited literary and journalistic texts as a basis for classroom discussion and to compose short written assignments. Yearlong courses cannot be divided at midyear with credit for the first semester.