WRLD 203. Cultural Texts and Contexts: ____. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Through the analysis and interpretation of literary, cinematic and other cultural texts, this course explores the ways cultural and national identities have been shaped, imagined and contested in various regions of the world. While responding to the readings and films as artistic manifestations or social documents, students will also become familiar with the aesthetic, political and social contexts in which the works were and are produced. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.
WRLD 210. International Social Justice Studies. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An overview of the issues, themes, disciplines, and areas of research and teaching that comprise international social justice studies in a variety of global contexts.
WRLD 220. Human Rights and Literature. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Explores how literature and other forms of aesthetic expression address the concept of human rights. Particular attention will be given to works that bear witness to and resist human rights violations. In addition, students will examine the role of literature, the arts and media more broadly in illuminating tensions between the theory and practice of human rights in different cultural and social contexts.
WRLD 230. Introduction to World Cinema. 3 Hours.
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Semester course; 5 lecture/screening hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. An overview of the main theoretical frameworks, critical concepts and debates devoted to non-Hollywood world cinemas, with special emphasis on the rethinking of national cinema and the problematizing of identity in an increasingly transnational era. Broad interdisciplinary readings in film theory, film history and cultural studies will be supplemented by case studies of particular cinemas and filmmakers, so as to convey an appreciation of the main international movements in the history of cinema.
WRLD 240. Representations of Race in Cinema. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online or face-to-face). 3 credits. An inquiry into the representations of race and racism in films from the United States and other countries. Through theoretical readings students will consider how perspective and positioning within a filmic space create specific power relations. Graded as pass/fail.
WRLD 291. Topics in World Languages and Cultures. 1-3 Hours.
Semester course; variable hours. 1-3 credits. May be repeated with different content for a maximum of 6 credits. A study of a specialized topic in world cultures and languages. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester.
WRLD 294. Foundations in Experiential Research. 1-2 Hours.
Semester course; 1-2 research hours. 1-2 credits. Prerequisites: UNIV 200 or HONR 200; minimum of 9 credit hours earned in a specified field within the School of World Studies. Enrollment requires permission of the faculty supervisor. Introduces students to directed study of research processes undertaken in a specified field. Guides students through various phases of a research project (design, data collection, data analysis, manuscript writing) in conjunction with a School of World Studies faculty member. Provides students the opportunity to pursue research activity from the onset of their academic careers. Designed to prepare students for a progression of research engagement. Graded as pass/fail.
WRLD 302. Communicating Across Cultures. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Designed to increase understanding of the foundational concepts of communication and intercultural dialogue. Examines (among others) such concepts as individualism, collectivism, ethnocentrism, xenophobia, uncertainty avoidance, nonverbal communication and stereotyping.
WRLD 311. Civilization of the Mediterranean. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Exploration of the Mediterranean from pre-history to modernity, with an emphasis on cross-cultural engagement. Aims at exploring the interaction and cross-cultural fertilization between societies and cultures of the lands of the Middle Sea: North Africa, Middle East and southern Europe.
WRLD 325. The Humanities in International Studies. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: UNIV 200. Examines a wide range of humanistic texts (such as fiction, poetry, visual arts and philosophical discussions) from around the world and considers the question of what it means to be human in an international or global context. Explores how texts mediate cultures across time and space, what is gained and what is lost in transit and translation, and how ideas of identity and difference are transferred and redefined across disparate historical, cultural and national boundaries.
WRLD 330. Global Film Studies. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. An overview of film studies with special attention given to the elements of cinematographic language and filmic analysis from both a technical and aesthetic standpoint. Applies these elements to the study of curated films from around the world. Also introduces critical paradigms of the major film theories and debates informing the periodization of film history.
WRLD 335. Language and Society: Sociolinguistics in ____. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of six credits. An introduction to topics in sociolinguistics, including language variation, language attitudes, language planning, language contact and multilingualism, language and gender, language and identity, and more. Crosslisted as: ANTH 335.
WRLD 351. Exploring Languages Through Culture: ____. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. This course will give students the opportunity to learn about a topic through the exploration of cultural texts such as literature and film in French, German or Spanish in translation. The topics and focus will vary depending on the course instructor. This course will include a foreign language component, which means that students with sufficient language ability (202 or equivalent) will have the opportunity to take the course for foreign language credit through the completion of designated assignments in the target language. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester. Crosslisted as: FRLG 351.
WRLD 354. Religion and Film: ____. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. May be repeated with different themes for a total of six credits. Explores central themes present in all global religious traditions, such as ritual, faith, myth, suffering, redemption, the religious quest/pilgrimage, the nature of good and evil and perceptions of the sacred. Using readings from sacred texts and contemporary film critiques, the course juxtaposes ancient story and wisdom with contemporary narratives in film. Possible themes would include women and religion in world cinema, Christology in world cinema, and violence and redemption in film. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester. Crosslisted as: CINE 354/RELS 354.
WRLD 359. International Media Coverage: The Middle East. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 2 lecture and 2 laboratory hours. 3 credits. Prerequisite: MASC 101 or MASC 151 with a minimum grade of C. This interdisciplinary course explores the media's role in covering cultural, political, religious and other issues in the Middle East. Students will examine the role and impact of the media in both the United States and Middle East in shaping global and regional public opinion. Using webcam and online technology, VCU students will discuss cross-cultural perspectives with students from the other U.S. universities and universities in the Middle East. Crosslisted as: MASC 359.
WRLD 391. Topics in World Languages and Cultures. 1-3 Hours.
Semester course; variable hours. 1-3 credits. May be repeated with different content for a maximum of 6 credits. An in-depth study of a specialized topic in world cultures and languages. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester and prerequisites.
WRLD 394. Research Assistantship. 1-3 Hours.
Semester course; 1-3 research hours. 1-3 credits (40 clock hours/credit). Prerequisites: UNIV 200 or HONR 200; minimum of 18 credits, including 12 upper-level, earned within a specified discipline in the School of World Studies. Enrollment requires permission of the faculty mentor. Engages students in research processes undertaken in their field. Intended for advanced students capable of undertaking more complicated projects, but not yet prepared for 400-level independent study or internship. Students will work on various phases of a research project (design, data collection, data analysis, manuscript writing) under a School of World Studies faculty mentor's close supervision. Designed to enhance the student's career pursuits for either graduate-level training or post-baccalaureate employment. Meets the experiential learning requirement for the School of World Studies. Graded as pass/fail.
WRLD 422. World Cinema Cultures. 1-3 Hours.
Semester course; 1-3 lecture hours. 1-3 credits. May be repeated with different themes for a maximum of six credits. Tracing the development of cinematic traditions across national and international contexts, this course focuses on the thematic selections and stylistic techniques particular to cinematographic cultures. See the Schedule of Classes for the specific theme to be offered each semester.
WRLD 430. Film and the City. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Focuses on cinematic representations of cities worldwide, so as to probe the increasingly cross-cultural dynamics of urban landscapes. Films discussed will span the entire history of cinema across genres and national traditions.
WRLD 490. Seminar in World Cultures and Languages. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Restricted to seniors in world cultures and languages with at least 85 credit hours earned toward the degree. Research and analysis of a selected topic in world cultures and languages in a seminar setting.
WRLD 491. Topics in World Languages and Cultures. 1-3 Hours.
Semester course; variable hours. 1-3 credits. May be repeated with different content for a maximum of 6 credits. An intensive and comprehensive examination of specialized areas of interest in world cultures and languages. See the Schedule of Classes for specific topics to be offered each semester and prerequisites.
WRLD 493. World Cultures Internship. 1-3 Hours.
Semester course; 1-3 field experience hours. 1-3 credits (40 clock hours per credit). May be repeated for a maximum of six credits, however only three credits can count toward the major concentration. Student must be in good academic standing with a minimum major GPA of 2.25. Designed for the advanced student to gain workplace experience in internationally oriented public and private organizations and agencies.
WRLD 495. World ePass Portfolio. 0 Hours.
Semester course; variable independent study hours (delivered online). 0 credits. Corequisite: WRLD 490, INTL 490, ANTH 490 or RELS 490. Enrollment is restricted to students with senior standing (90 credits earned) majoring in anthropology, international studies, foreign language or religious studies in the School of World Studies. Students create a personalized online portfolio, highlighting academic and experiential learning achievements and articulate post-graduation goals.
WRLD 499. Senior Capstone Seminar. 1 Hour.
Semester course; 1 lecture hour. 1 credit. Prerequisite: completion of 6 credits of 400-level courses in the major and senior standing. Open only to students enrolled as majors in the School of World Studies, including anthropology, religious studies, and world cultures and languages. Capstone seminar summarizing and synthesizing studies in World Studies programs. Preparation for entry into career search. Organization and polishing of written works representing skills aquired in programs. Assembly of individual portfolio as means of assessment and career tool.
WRLD 530. Concepts in World Cinema. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Can be repeated for credit with different themes. Prerequisites: permission of instructor and/or graduate standing. Exploration of aspects of film theory combined with a study of cinema across national traditions and movements. Each semester a different thematic focus is engaged to illuminate issues in film composition and reception. Themes will include: the Holocaust, film and screen theory in the digital era, decolonizing the gaze: Black African and Caribbean cinema.
WRLD 535. World Filmmakers. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Can be repeated for credit with different themes. Prerequisites: permission of instructor and/or graduate standing. Centers on the distinct yet interrelated roles of directors (as individual "authors" or as part of a movement or tradition), studios, audiences, national film industries, etc. in the production, development and interpretation of screen media. Each semester a different vantage point, i.e. gender, is used to open new perspectives on film, a critical evaluation of national film traditions and the elements of cinematographic style. Topics include: women filmmakers in world cinema, Spanish and Latin American filmmakers, filmmakers of the "New German Cinema.".
WRLD 593. Internship With French Film Festival. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 8 hours per week in festival office during semester and 8 hours per day during festival in Byrd Theatre. 3 credits. Provides students practical hands-on experience working in the French Film Festival office. Students will research and write questions to ask French actors, directors and cinematographers during the festival. The students edit a final audiovisual project of their actor/director interviews. Students work closely with the founders/directors of the French Film Festival.