CLAC Course Archive

Fall 2021

Voices in Marketing: Advertising in French, Mandarin, and in Spanish MMS 273T/FREN 275T/SPAN 275T/CHIN 275T

Girl standing in front of shoe adThis discussion-based course trains students to analyze all forms of advertising in French or Spanish. Classes explore the history and theories of advertising in the Francophone or Hispanophone worlds, as well as hands-on strategies for analyzing ads, with particular attention to issues such as translation, localization and ethics. Tutorials meet weekly for 75 minutes. Prereq: 204 or equivalent.

  • Advertising in French (FR 275T) Mondays 1:45-3. (Professor Deborah Reisinger)
  • Advertising in Spanish (SPAN 275T) Mondays 1:45-3. (Professor Joseph Mulligan)
  • Advertising in Mandarin Chinese (CHIN 275T) Mondays 1:45-3:00 (Professor Carolyn Lee)

Past courses

Spring 2021

Spring 2021

Voices in Marketing: Advertising in French and in Spanish MMS 273T/FREN 275T/SPAN 275T

Girl standing in front of shoe adThis discussion-based course trains students to analyze all forms of advertising in French or Spanish. Classes explore the history and theories of advertising in the Francophone or Hispanophone worlds, as well as hands-on strategies for analyzing ads, with particular attention to issues such as translation, localization and ethics. Tutorials meet weekly for 75 minutes. Prereq: 204 or equivalent.

  • Advertising in French (FR 275T) Mondays 1:45-3. (Professor Deborah Reisinger)
  • Advertising in Spanish (SPAN 275T) Monday 1:45-3. (Professor Lisa Merschel)

Voices in GLOBAL HEALTH: Mandarin

GLHLTH 270T/AMES 270T-5

Man wearing mask sticking his head out of construction gate under Mandarin signThrough practical and theoretical discussions around case studies, visual texts, and interviews in the target language, we examine healthcare issues from preventing and controlling COVID-19 and healthcare systems to traditional Chinese medicine and environmental health. Guest speakers help us explore the underlying reasons for different beliefs and behaviors, with the goal of creating culturally appropriate interventions. Tutorials meet weekly for 75-minutes. Prerequisite: 4 semesters of language or equivalent – heritage and native speakers are welcome to enroll. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

  • Mandarin (GLHLTH270T-1/ AMES 270T-5) Monday 1:45-3pm
  • Professor: Tianshu He

*while you do not need to be enrolled in GLHLTH 101 to sign up for this course, you may find it rewarding to do so!*

Voices in PUBLIC POLICY in Spanish

PUBPOL 273T/SPAN 273T

Collage of 4 photos: a student at a sound mixer, a radio station, a radio tower, and a man at a microphone

Students will study the development and regulation of community radio stations in Latin America and Latinx America, as well as the politics of radio production. The emergence and regulation of community radio stations has played a crucial role in the design of cultural policies that advocate for cultural diversity and citizen participation. Taking radio as a site of analysis, students will explore the impact of language and culture on public policy and practice. Through case studies, students will examine how radio intersects with issues of social justice, freedom of speech, and language politics, among others. Likewise, students will become familiar with radio as a site of cultural contestation mediated by the State, religion, politics, capitalism, cultural identities, notions of citizenship and participation, and agency. Case studies range from La Voz del Pueblo in rural California to rural radio in the Colombian Andes to Mapuche radio in Chile.

  • Tuesday 1:45-3pm
  • Professor: Silvia Serrano

Fall 2020

Icon showing green city on top of a globeVoices in the Environment: French, Chinese, Spanish (ENVIRON 269T)

Voices in the Environment explores how language and culture impact environmental beliefs, behaviors, and interventions. Through practical and theoretical discussions around case studies, visual texts, and interviews, we will examine global environmental challenges from local perspectives. Guest speakers will help us explore the underlying reasons for different beliefs and behaviors, with the goal of creating appropriate interventions related to sustainability.

This course loosely follows the structure of ENVIRON 201. While students are encouraged to enroll in both courses, concurrent enrollment is not required. Tutorials are taught entirely in the target language. Prerequisite: 4 semesters-level of language study or equivalent. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.

  • Spanish (ENVIRON 269T-1/ SPAN 2T2-1) Mondays 1:25-2:40 (Edgar Viguez)
  • French (ENVIRON 269T-2/ FREN 272T-2) Mondays 1:25-2:40 (Sandra Valnes Quammen)
  • Mandarin (ENVIRON 269T-3/ AMES 272T-3) Mondays 1:25-2:40 (Yan Liu)

Spring 2020

Voices in Cultural Anthropology: Advertising (CULANTH 275T.01/02)

This discussion-based course trains students to analyze all forms of advertising in French or Spanish, typically in conjunction with the lecture course Advertising and Society (Culanth 170/Ling 170/Soc 160/ VMS 170). Classes explore the history and theories of advertising in the Francophone or Hispanophone worlds, as well as hands-on strategies for analyzing ads, with particular attention to issues such as translation, localization and ethics. Tutorials meet weekly for 75 minutes. Prereq: 204 or equivalent.

  • Advertising in French (FR 275T) Wednesdays 11:45-1:00. (Professor Deborah Reisinger)
  • Advertising in Spanish (SPAN 275T) Fridays 10:05-11:20. (Professor Lisa Merschel)

*while you do not need to be enrolled in Dr. Timke’s Advertising and Society course, you may find it rewarding to do so!*

Yin Yang symbolVoices in Philosophy: CHINESE (AMES 271T/CHN 271T)

This discussion-based course will train students who are learning or who know Chinese to read and analyze core philosophical texts in Chinese. Classes include close readings of original texts, discussions of interpretation and application in a variety of other forms (including film, documentary, multimedia) and real-life situations. Students will examine how language and culture impact our understanding of core philosophical texts through attention to issues such as translation, vernacular, and word choice. Tutorials meet weekly for 75 minutes. Recommended prerequisite: CHIN 306. Professor Carolyn Lee.

Wednesdays 4:55-6:10

*while you do not need to be enrolled in Dr. Wong’s Chinese Philosophy PHIL/263 to sign up for this course, you may find it rewarding to do so!*

A group of people waiting in lineVoices in PUBLIC POLICY in Spanish (PUBPOL 273T/SPAN 273T) : Whose Line is it Anyway? What is really means to “Get in Line” to Immigrate Legally

Students will study and scrutinize the complex patchwork of laws that define the United States’ Immigration System to understand ways to immigrate to the US both with and without documentation. Common hot topics and myths in immigration rhetoric such as “anchor babies”, “chain migration”, “getting in line”, and “immigrating the ‘right’ way” will be examined and critiqued, and students will evaluate the intersections of immigration, race, nationality, class and language. Through authentic text, video, and expert guest lectures in Spanish, students will analyze legal and political issues regarding immigrating to the US and will answer the common question, “Why don’t they just get in line like everybody else?”

Tues 1:25-2:40
Instructor: Rebecca Ewing

A pair of Black hands holding a globeVoices in GLOBAL HEALTH (GLHLTH 270T)

Through practical and theoretical discussions around case studies, visual texts, and interviews in the target language, we examine healthcare issues in both local and global communities. Guest speakers help us explore the underlying reasons for different beliefs and behaviors, with the goal of creating culturally appropriate interventions. Tutorials meet weekly for 75-minutes. Prerequisite: 4 semesters of language or equivalent – heritage and native speakers are welcome to enroll. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.

  • Arabic (GLHLTH270T-1/ AMES 270T-1) Wed 4:55-6:10 (Azzedine Chergui)

Megan Rapinoe kneeling during national anthemSoccer Politics (ROMST 204D/ICS 204D/HISTORY 266D/ARTS&SCI 204D)

How and why has soccer become the most popular sport on the planet? What explains the its powerful impact on culture, economics, and politics? In this course we’ll explore the global history of soccer, drawing on examples from the U.S., Europe, Africa, and Latin America. The major research project will focus on producing a guide to be published on the Soccer Politics Blog (sites.duke.edu/wcwp) on how to watch and understand the 2019 Women’s World Cup. The class is taught in three languages: English, French and Spanish. All students must enroll in the group lecture on Tuesdays along with one of the Thursday discussion sections. Students enrolled in the French and Spanish sections will do much of their reading, as well as all their writing, research, and class discussion in the second language.

Tues-Thurs 10:05-11:20
Instructor: Professor Laurent Dubois

Fall 2019

Portrait of a woman in front of a bookVoices in Philosophy: German (PHIL 331T/ German 331)
Wednesdays 4:55-6:10

This discussion-based course will train students who have studied German to read and analyze core philosophical texts in German. Classes include close readings of original texts, discussions of interpretation and application in a variety of other forms (including film, documentary, multimedia) and real-life situations. Students will examine how language and culture impact our understanding of core philosophical texts through attention to issues such as translation, vernacular, and word choice. Tutorials meet weekly for 75 minutes. Recommended prerequisite: German 204 or equivalent. Instructor: Staff

*while you do not need to be enrolled in PHIL 331: KANT to sign up for this course, you may find it rewarding to do so!*

A child smiling in front of her deskVoices in the ENVIRONMENT: Spanish (ENVR 269T-1/ SPAN 272T-1)
Tuesdays 4:40-5:55

Are the environmental challenges that communities face in Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) countries comparable to other environmental problems across the globe?

How can ecotourism and biodiversity conservation improve the life of Galapagos Islands inhabitants? Can paramos enhance the water distribution system in Colombia while helping local community markets? Do local tribes in the Amazon Jungle contribute to the preservation of endemic species?

Hikers walk through the desertVOICES in the Environment explores how language and culture impact beliefs, behaviors, and interventions. Through practical and theoretical discussions around case studies, visual texts, and interviews, we examine environmental challenges in Latin American and the Caribbean. Guest speakers will help us explore the underlying reasons for different beliefs and behaviors, with the goal of creating culturally appropriate interventions. Prerequisite: 300-level of Spanish or equivalent.  Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Instructor: Edgar Virguez

Spring 2019

A pair of hands holding a globeVoices in GLOBAL HEALTH (GLHLTH 270T): Explore how language and culture impact global health.

Through practical and theoretical discussions around case studies, visual texts, and interviews in the target language, we examine healthcare issues in both local and global communities. Guest speakers help us explore the underlying reasons for different beliefs and behaviors, with the goal of creating culturally appropriate interventions. Tutorials meet weekly for 75-minutes. Prerequisite: 4 semesters of language or equivalent – heritage and native speakers are welcome to enroll. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.

  • Arabic (GLHLTH270T-1/ AMES 270T-1) Wed 4:55-6:10 (Maha Houssami)
  • French (GLHLTH 270T-3/ FREN 270T) Wed 4:55-6:10 (Christelle Gonthier)
  • Mandarin (GLHLTH 270T-5/ AMES 270T-5) Wed 4:55-6:10 (Yan Liu)

Top down photo of a cityVoices in PUBLIC POLICY in Spanish (PUBPOL 273T/SPAN 273T)

¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to the study of Latin American Politics. This course will cover the main policy challenges in Latin America. The first part of the course will focus on understanding the challenges for the economic development of the region. It will address how and why Latin America is different by examining its economic outcomes, economic and social policies. We will also study various cases and examples of how institutions shape policy outcomes. The second part of the course will focus on how groups — such as civil society or violent actors — can shape policymaking and welfare in this region. Tutorials meet weekly for 75-minutes. Prerequisite: 4 semesters of Spanish or equivalent – heritage and native speakers are welcome to enroll. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.

Tues 4:40-5:55
Instructor: Ana Maria Montoya

Megan Rapinoe kneeling during national anthemSoccer Politics (ROMST 204D/ICS 204D/HISTORY 266D/ARTS&SCI 204D)

How and why has soccer become the most popular sport on the planet? What explains the its powerful impact on culture, economics, and politics? In this course we’ll explore the global history of soccer, drawing on examples from the U.S., Europe, Africa, and Latin America. The major research project will focus on producing a guide to be published on the Soccer Politics Blog (sites.duke.edu/wcwp) on how to watch and understand the 2019 Women’s World Cup. The class is taught in three languages: English, French and Spanish. All students must enroll in the group lecture on Tuesdays along with one of the Thursday discussion sections. Students enrolled in the French and Spanish sections will do much of their reading, as well as all their writing, research, and class discussion in the second language.

Tues-Thurs 10:05-11:20
Instructor: Professor Laurent Dubois

Fall 2018

Top down photo of a cityVoices in PUBLIC POLICY in Spanish (PUBPOL 273T/SPAN 273T)

Learning Spanish? Interested in studying or working in Latin America? This course will help to prepare you for research and fieldwork abroad by exploring how language and culture impact policy issues and practice. Students will explore the intersections of language, public policy, and Latino American politics. Through authentic text, video, interviews, radio, and case studies in Spanish, we will examine how communities in North, Central and South America approach policy issues from immigration and voting rights to poverty and inequality.

1/2 credit. Pass/fail. Tutorials meet for 75 minutes/week. Taught in Spanish. Pre-requisite: 4 semesters or equivalent of Spanish.

Instructor: Ana María Montoya
Tuesdays: 4:40-5:55

Spring 2018

A pair of hands holding a globeVoices in GLOBAL HEALTH (GLHLTH 270T): Explore how language and culture impact global health.

Through practical and theoretical discussions around case studies, visual texts, and interviews in the target language, we examine healthcare issues in both local and global communities. Guest speakers help us explore the underlying reasons for different beliefs and behaviors, with the goal of creating culturally appropriate interventions. Tutorials meet weekly for 75-minutes. Prerequisite: 4 semesters of language or equivalent. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.

  • Arabic (GLHLTH270T-1/ AMES 270T-1) Tues 4:40-5:55 (Maha Houssami)
  • French (GLHLTH 270T-3/ FREN 270T) Tues 4:55-6:10 (Christelle Gonthier)
  • Mandarin (GLHLTH 270T-5/ AMES 270T-5) Wed 4:55-6:10 (Yan Liu)
  • Spanish (GLHLTH 270T-6/ SPAN 270T) Wed 4:55-6:10 (Bethzaida Fernandez)

Photos of a young boy and an old coupleVoices in the ENVIRONMENT: Spanish (ENVR 269T-1/ SPAN 272T-1)

This course focuses on environmental challenges affecting communities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Mon 4:55-6:10

Instructor: Edgar Virguez

Megan Rapinoe kneeling during national anthemSoccer Politics (ROMST 204D/ICS 204D/HISTORY 266D/ARTS&SCI 204D)

How and why has soccer become the most popular sport on the planet? What explains the its powerful impact on culture, economics, and politics? In this course we’ll explore the global history of soccer, drawing on examples from the U.S., Europe, Africa, and Latin America. The major research project will focus on producing a guide to be published on the Soccer Politics Blog (sites.duke.edu/wcwp) on how to watch and understand the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The class is taught in four languages: English, French, Italian and Spanish. All students must enroll in the group lecture on Tuesdays along with one of the Thursday discussion sections. Students enrolled in the French, Italian and Spanish sections will do much of their reading, as well as all their writing, research, and class discussion in the foreign language.

Tues-Thurs 10:05-11:20.

Instructor: Professor Laurent Dubois

Fall 2017

Voices in Public Policy: Spanish: Language, Policy, and the Law in the US and abroad (PUBPOL 271T/SPAN 273T)

Students will explore how language, culture, and legal systems impact public policy and practice. Students will examine the intersections of public policy, language, and the law with regards to immigrants to and from the US. Through authentic text, video, and case studies in Spanish, students will analyze legal and political issues in Latino sending and receiving communities to develop their understanding of core issues in the field.

Instructor: Rebecca Ewing
Tuesdays 4:40-5:55

Spring 2017

Arabic writingVoices in Global Health: ARABIC (GLHLTH 270T-2/AMES 270T)

Learning Arabic? Explore how language and culture impact health beliefs, behaviors, and interventions. Through practical and theoretical discussions around case studies, visual texts, and interviews in Arabic, students will examine issues including gender, the environment and social norms. Guest speakers will help us explore the underlying reasons for different beliefs and behaviors, with the goal of creating culturally appropriate interventions.

Prerequisite: 3rd-semester or equivalent of Arabic. Half course. Sat/Unsat. Professor Azeddine Chergui and Maha Houssami. Wednesdays 4:55-6:10.

A pair of hands holding a globeVoices in Global Health: FRENCH (GLHLTH 270T-3/FREN 270T)

Want to combine your knowledge of French with studies in Global Health? Through critical analyses of case studies, film, and interviews, we will explore how language and culture impact our understanding of beliefs, health care, and education. Our focus this semester will be on creating culturally appropriate interventions in local Francophone communities.

Prerequisite: 300-level or equivalent of French. Half course. Sat/Unsat. Professor Deborah Reisinger. Wednesdays 11:45-1. NB: This course has a service learning designation. Student in this course will be paired with community partners from Central Africa.

Graphic design reading "Kiswahili" in different colorsNEW! Voices in Global Health: Swahili (GLHLTH 270T-6)

Interested in studying or working in East Africa? This course will introduce you to Kiswahili through community-based exchanges with partners from Central Africa. We will examine how language and culture impact shape beliefs and behaviors, and how together, these impact global health interventions. No prior knowledge of Swahili is required! Half course. Sat/Unsat. Wednesdays 4:40-5:55.

NB: This course has a service learning designation.

Voices in Global Health: MANDARIN CHINESE (GLHLTH 270T-5/AMES 270T)

Want to practice your Mandarin? Explore how language and culture impact health beliefs, behaviors, and interventions. Through practical and theoretical discussions around case studies, visual texts, and interviews in Chinese, students will examine issues from disease prevention to health care systems. Guest speakers will help us explore the underlying reasons for different beliefs and behaviors, with the goal of creating culturally appropriate interventions.

Prerequisite: 300-level or equivalent of Chinese. Half course. Sat/Unsat. Professor Yan Liu. Wednesdays 4:55-6:10.

A child's face with Africa painted on itVoices in the Environment: SPANISH (ENVR 269T/SPAN 272T)

Interested in combining your knowledge of Spanish and Environmental Studies? This course will help prepare you for research and fieldwork abroad by exploring how language and culture impact environmental policy and practice. Through interviews, case studies, and authentic documents in Spanish, we will explore how communities in North, Central and South America approach issues from energy and biodiversity to conservation and sustainability.

Prerequisite: 300-level or equivalent of Spanish. Half course. Sat/Unsat. Mondays 4:55-6:10.

Fall 2016

Voices in PUBLIC POLICY in Spanish (PUBPOL 273T/SPAN 273T )

In this course, students will explore how language and culture impact public policy and practice. Through authentic text, video, and case studies in Spanish, students will analyze policy issues in Latino communities to develop their understanding of core issues in the field. 1/2 credit. Pass/fail. Tutorials meet for 75 minutes/week. Taught in Spanish. Pre-requisite: 4 semesters or equivalent of Spanish.

Spring 2016

A crowd of people in the Arabic worldVoices in Global Health: ARABIC (GLHLTH 270T-2/AMES 270T)

Learning Arabic? Explore how language and culture impact health beliefs, behaviors, and interventions. Through practical and theoretical discussions around case studies, visual texts, and interviews in Arabic, students will examine issues including gender, the environment and social norms. Guest speakers will help us explore the underlying reasons for different beliefs and behaviors, with the goal of creating culturally appropriate interventions. Prerequisite: 3rd-semester or equivalent of Arabic. Half course. Sat/Unsat. Professor Azeddine Chergui. Wednesdays 6:15-7:30.

A pair of hands holding a globeVoices in Global Health: FRENCH (GLHLTH 270T-3/FREN 270T)

Want to combine your knowledge of French with studies in Global Health? Through critical analyses of case studies, film, and interviews, we will explore how language and culture impact our understanding of beliefs, health care, and education. Our focus this semester will be on creating culturally appropriate interventions in local Francophone communities. Prerequisite: 300-level or equivalent of French. Half course. Sat/Unsat. Professor Deborah Reisinger. Wednesdays 11:45-1.

A crowd of people in IndiaNEW! Voices in Global Health: INDIA (GLHLTH 270T-4/AMES 270T)

Interested in India? Want to learn more about Global Health Issues? Explore how language and culture impact health beliefs, behaviors, and interventions. Through practical and theoretical discussions around testimony, case studies, and interviews, we will explore the underlying reasons for different beliefs and behaviors, with the goal of creating culturally appropriate interventions. No language prerequisite! Half course. Sat/Unsat. Instructor: Divya Rajan. Wednesdays 4:40-5:55.

Voices in Global Health: MANDARIN CHINESE (GLHLTH 270T-5/AMES 270T)

Want to practice your Mandarin? Explore how language and culture impact health beliefs, behaviors, and interventions. Through practical and theoretical discussions around case studies, visual texts, and interviews in Chinese, students will examine issues from disease prevention to health care systems. Guest speakers will help us explore the underlying reasons for different beliefs and behaviors, with the goal of creating culturally appropriate interventions. Prerequisite: 300-level or equivalent of Chinese. Half course. Sat/Unsat. Professor Tianshu He. Wednesdays 3:05-4:20.

A child's face with Africa painted on itNEW! Voices in the Environment: SPANISH (ENVR 269T/SPAN 272T)

Interested in combining your knowledge of Spanish and Environmental Studies? This course will help prepare you for research and fieldwork abroad by exploring how language and culture impact environmental policy and practice. Through interviews, case studies, and authentic documents in Spanish, we will explore how communities in North, Central and South America approach issues from energy and biodiversity to conservation and sustainability. Prerequisite: 300-level or equivalent of Spanish. Half course. Sat/Unsat. Instructor: Mariano González Roglich. Wednesdays 4:55-6:10.

Soccer Politics (ROMST 204/ICS 204) (Discussion sections in French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese)

This course explores the history of soccer and of its premier competition, the World Cup, in order to understand how and why it has become the most popular sport in the world. We will examine the development and spread of the game, the institutions that have grown up around it (such as F.I.F.A.), and the economics of the sport. We will also study the biographies of legendary players and the return to legendary World Cup games stretching from the 1930s to 2006. Throughout the course, we will focus particularly on the way in which soccer condenses, channels, and at times transforms politics. Our examples will be drawn from Europe, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. We will read works of history, anthropology, literature, journalism, as well as memoirs and biographies, and watch several documentary and feature films as well as clips of classic games.

Students will be able to participate in smaller discussion sections, either in English or in one of several foreign languages – French, German, Spanish, or Portuguese. In the foreign language sections, students will work with instructors to gather journalist and literary materials in the language and prepare portions of the Soccer Politics website in that language with the goal of dialoguing with fans and constituencies in the relevant countries. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:05-11:20. Professor Laurent Dubois.

Fall 2015

A crowd of people in IndiaVoices in GLOBAL HEALTH in Hindi (GLHLTH 270T-4/AMES 270T/HINDI 270T)

Interested in India? Want to learn more about Global Health Issues? Explore how language and culture impact health beliefs, behaviors, and interventions. Through practical and theoretical discussions around case studies, visual texts, and interviews, we will explore the underlying reasons for different beliefs and behaviors, with the goal of creating culturally appropriate interventions. Tutorials meet weekly for 75-minutes. No prerequisite! Half course. Pass/fail. Wednesdays 4:40-5:55.

Voices in PUBLIC POLICY in Spanish (PUBPOL 273T/SPAN 273T )

In this course, students will explore how language and culture impact public policy and practice. Through authentic text, video, and case studies in Spanish, students will analyze policy issues in Latino communities to develop their understanding of core issues in the field. 1/2 credit. Pass/fail. Tutorials meet for 75 minutes/week. Taught in Spanish. Pre-requisite: 4 semesters or equivalent of Spanish.

Spring 2015

A farmer standing on barren earthVoices in Global Health: Chinese (GLHLTH 270T/AMES 270T)

Want to practice your Mandarin? Explore how language and culture impact health beliefs, behaviors, and interventions. Through practical and theoretical discussions around case studies, visual texts, and interviews in Chinese, students will examine issues from disease prevention to healthcare systems. Guest speakers will help us explore the underlying reasons for different beliefs and behaviors, with the goal of creating culturally appropriate interventions. Tutorials meet weekly for 75-minutes. Prerequisite: 300-level or equivalent of Chinese. Half course. Pass/fail. Professor Tianshu He. Wednesdays 4:40-5:55.

A crowd of people in the Arabic worldVoices in Global Health: Arabic (GLHLTH 270T/AMES 270T)

Learning Arabic? Explore how the language and culture impact health beliefs, behaviors, and interventions. Through practical and theoretical discussions around case studies, visual texts, and interviews in Arabic, students will examine issues including gender, the environment and social norms. Guest speakers will help us explore the underlying reasons for different beliefs and behaviors, with the goal of creating culturally appropriate interventions. Tutorials meet weekly for 75-minutes. Prerequisite: 4th-semester or equivalent of Arabic. Half course. Pass/fail. Professor Maha Houssami. Wednesdays 6:15-7:30.

Soccer Politics (ROMST 204/ICS 204)

This course explores the history of soccer and of its premier competition, the World Cup, in order to understand how and why it has become the most popular sport in the world. We will examine the development and spread of the game, the institutions that have grown up around it (such as F.I.F.A.), and the economics of the sport. We will also study the biographies of legendary players and the return to legendary World Cup games stretching from the 1930s to 2006. Throughout the course, we will focus particularly on the way in which soccer condenses, channels, and at times transforms politics. Our examples will be drawn from Europe, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. We will read works of history, anthropology, literature, journalism, as well as memoirs and biographies, and watch several documentary and feature films as well as clips of classic games.

The writing for the class will focus on producing material for the Soccer Politics Blog (sites.duke.edu/wcwp), which already includes many materials and is widely read as well as cited by media outlets. In anticipation of the 2015 Women’s World Cup, we will focus particular attention on the history of women’s football, and students will work collectively to create a set of online resources aimed at increasing the visibility and attention paid to the competition and to players from throughout the world. The course will include class visits and culminate in a symposium on the 2015 Women’s World Cup.

Students will be able to participate in smaller discussion sections, either in English or in one of several foreign languages – French, German, Spanish, or Italian. In the foreign language sections, students will work with instructors to gather journalist and literary materials in the language and prepare portions of the Soccer Politics website in that language with the goal of dialoguing with fans and constituencies in the relevant countries.