New subjects

• 21G.015 Introduction to Buddhism, Mindfulness, and Meditation (First-Year Discovery)
• 21G.042 Three Kingdoms: From History to Fiction, Comic, Film, and Game
• 21G.087 Introduction to Russian Studies
• 21G.353 Understanding Contemporary French Politics
• 21G.440 The World of Charlemagne (German Language Option)
• 21G.554 Inventing the Samurai (Japanese Language Option)
• 21G.556 World War II in Asia (Japanese Language Option)
• 21G.616 Advanced Russian: Explorations in Russian Culture, Society, and Media
• 21G.906 Korean VI
• 21G.952 Arabic II

Special subjects

• A Tour of Belgium in 80 Days (21G.312 Basic Themes in French Literature and Culture)
• Masterpieces of French Cinema (21G.346 Topics in Modern French Literature and Culture)
• Cuban Travels: Culture, Politics, and Society from 1959 – Present (21G.735 Advanced Topics in Hispanic Literature and Film)
• Spanish for Medicine and Health (21G.S05 Special Subject)

Descriptions

21G.015 Introduction to Buddhism, Mindfulness, and Meditation (First-Year Discovery)

Companion to the Fitness and Meditation class offered through MIT’s Wellness program. Introduces students to the basic ideas of Buddhism, the history of Buddhism’s transmission through East Asia, and core aspects of the philosophy of Humanistic Buddhism, including the role of meditation and mindfulness in Buddhist practice. Meets with the MIT Wellness Fitness and Meditation class; students must enroll in both to receive credit. More info. Taught in English by Emma Teng.

21G.042 Three Kingdoms: From History to Fiction, Comic, Film, and Game

Tracing adaptations of the great Chinese epic novel, Three Kingdoms, across diverse media, and considers what underlies the appeal of this classic narrative over the centuries. Through focus on historical events in the period 206 BC to AD 280, examines the representation of power, diplomacy, war, and strategy, and explores the tension among competing models of political authority and legitimacy. Taught in English by Emma Teng.

21G.087 Introduction to Russian Studies

Explores Russian culture and society by analyzing its unique position at the crossroads of Europe and Asia throughout medieval, Imperial, Soviet, and contemporary periods. Investigates a variety of topics: defining the borders of the country and shaping its relationship with the outside world; changes in living spaces from rural to urban, development of cultural centers; and daily life, customs, and traditions. Taught in English by Elizabeth Wood and Maria Khotimsky.

21G.312: Basic Themes in French Literature and Culture: A Tour of Belgium in 80 Days

Gain a better understanding of contemporary Belgium through an exploration of Belgian culture with a study of its history and its successes in various areas including the arts and international politics. Topics such as Belgian history, Belgian colonization, Art Nouveau, comic strips, the European Union, Belgian surrealism and Belgian literature among others will be explored. Taught in French by Cathy Culot.

21G.346 Topics in Modern French Literature and Culture: Masterpieces of French Cinema

We will visit the “masterpieces” of French cinema – world-renowned works by legendary French directors to better understand the central position Cinema occupies within French culture. From the earliest short films of the Lumière Brothers to contemporary feature length works, we will examine both the qualities of individual films and the cultural and historical factors that have shaped the development of the medium. Taught in French by Isadora Nicholas.

21G.353 Understanding Contemporary French Politics

Examines French politics since 1958. Analyzes how politics has deeply influenced cultural and social life in France, including daily interactions. Questions public controversies and history’s political cleavages, from the Algerian war to postcolonial issues, from the birth of the European construction to the Covid crisis. Taught in French by Bruno Perreau.

21G.440 The World of Charlemagne (German Language Option)

Investigates the world of the medieval emperor Charles “the Great” or Charlemagne (768-814), the first post-Roman ruler to unite Europe. Examines how Charlemagne and his dynasty, the “Carolingians” (ruled 714-987), expanded the kingdom of the Franks and forged a vast empire out of the diverse peoples and territories of the West. Taught in English with a project that requires research in German. Taught by Eric Goldberg.

21G.554 Inventing the Samurai (Japanese Language Option)

Explores the historical origins of the Japanese warrior class as well as its reinvention throughout the archipelago’s history.  Highlights key historical contexts including the rise of the imperial court, interactions with the broader world, and the establishment of a warrior-dominated state. Taught in English with a project that requires research in Japanese.  Taught by Hiromu Nagahara.

21G.556 World War II in Asia (Japanese Language Option)

Examines World War II in the Asia-Pacific region, starting with the rise of the Japanese Empire after World War I and ending with the Allied occupation of Japan from 1945 to 1952. Highlights the diverse and, at times, contradictory forces in politics, society, and culture that shaped the wartime experiences of the empire’s inhabitants. Taught in English with a project that requires research in Japanese.  Taught by Hiromu Nagahara.

21G.616 Advanced Russian: Explorations in Russian Culture, Society, and Media

Explores various topics in contemporary Russian culture and society, such as the major cultural centers and regions of the country; contemporary music, film, and visual arts; food and culture of hospitality; and ways of behavior and cultural traditions. Engages students in cross-cultural comparisons and offers an opportunity to interact with Russian-speaking professionals of the Boston area. Taught in Russian by Maria Khotimsky.

21G.735 Advanced Topics in Hispanic Literature and Film: Cuban Travels: Culture, Politics, and Society from 1959 – Present

An introduction to modern Cuban culture, politics, and society through the lens of travel narratives produced about and within Cuba from the 1959 Revolution to the present. Like the trip to Soviet Russia before, the trip to Cuba became a rite of passage among Latin American, North American, and European artists, activists, and intellectuals from 1959 onward, becoming a genre in its own right. In turn, since the Cuban Revolution, a steady flow of emigrants has produced a parallel cultural archive of travel, exile, and diaspora. Taught in Spanish by Paloma Duong.

21G.906 Korean VI

Enables students to understand current social trends in Korea and develop cross-cultural insights. A variety of topics addressed, such as Korean proverbs, traditional and contemporary lifestyles of Korean people, contemporary pop culture, and other related topics. Placement interview with instructors on or before Registration Day required of students who have had prior exposure to Korean elsewhere. Conducted entirely in Korean by Hee-Jeong Jeong.

21G.952 Arabic II

Enables students to continue developing skills in basic Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) using an integrated approach to develop skills in formal and colloquial Arabic. Extends student knowledge of some of the diverse cultures of the Arabic-speaking world in order to intercultural, communicative, and linguistic competencies. Taught in Arabic by Greg Halaby.

21G.S05 Special Subject: Spanish for Medicine and Health

This course focuses on building specialized medical terminology and developing the linguistic skills to effectively communicate with, assess, and care for Spanish-speaking patients in clinical settings. Cultural differences discussed, and how they may impact the doctor-patient relationship. Also discussed: major health issues (such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, HIV) that affect Hispanic communities in the US, with a focus on prevention and education, as well as barriers to access medical care.  Taught in Spanish by Mariana San Martin.