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Estonian, Finnish and Hungarian Courses

Key to Course Descriptions.

For Distribution Requirement purposes, all EST, FIN and HUN courses are classified as HUMANITIES courses.

Course Winter Timetable

Estonian Courses

Note

The Department reserves the right to assign students to courses appropriate to their level of competence in Estonian.


EST100Y1
Elementary Estonian        130P

The basics of Estonian: elementary phonology, morphology, and syntax. Emphasis on reading and speaking as well as writing skills. (Offered in alternate years)

Exclusion: Native Speakers


EST200Y1
Intermediate Estonian        104P

Continued emphasis on basic language skills, on acquisition of both active and passive vocabulary. (Offered in alternate years)
Prerequisite: EST100Y1 or permission of instructor


EST210H1
Introduction to Baltic Folklore        26L

A comparative survey of oral traditions of peoples on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea (Finns, Carelians, Estonians, Livonians, Latvians) and their impact on these national cultures (e.g. Kalevala, Kalevipoeg, Lacplesis). No knowledge of Finnic or Baltic language required.


EST300Y1
Advanced Estonian        78P

Advanced grammar and stylistics through study of a variety of texts; problems of composition; translation; oral and written practice. (Offered in alternate years)
Prerequisite: EST200Y1 or permission of instructor


EST400Y1
Estonian Literature from 1700        26L, 26S

A survey of the major writers and literary periods in Estonian literature. From Käsu Hans’, Lament of Tartu to the National Awakening. Republican, Soviet, expatriate literature, and the New Awakening. Readings in Estonian or English. (Offered in alternate years)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Recommended preparation: EST300Y1


EST420Y1
Independent Study        TBA

A reading and research project of significant depth in a major topic in Estonian language, literature or culture approved and supervised by an instructor.
Prerequisite: EST300Y1/EST400Y1; permission of instructor


EST421H1
Independent Study        TBA

A reading and research project of significant depth in a major topic in Estonian language, literature or culture approved and supervised by an instructor.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor


Finnish Courses

Note

The Department reserves the right to assign students to courses appropriate to their level of competence in Finnish.

FIN100Y1
Elementary Finnish        104P

An introductory language course for students with no knowledge of Finnish. The acquisition of a basic vocabulary and of an understanding of elementary structural features through practice in comprehension, speaking, reading and writing. (Offered in alternate years)


FIN200Y1
Intermediate Finnish        104P

The four language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) honed by discussion of Finnish literary texts as well as by compositions in Finnish about these texts, by a series of conversation exercises, and by analysis of morphology, syntax and word formation. Translation is used to aid in language learning. (Offered in alternate years)
Prerequisite: FIN100Y1 or permission of instructor


FIN220H1
Introduction to Finnish Linguistics       13L, 13S

A survey of the linguistic structures of the Finno-Ugric languages including Estonian, Finnish and Hungarian with special emphasis on Finnish. Focus is to gain insights into workings of non-Indo-European languages. No prior knowledge of Finno-Ugric languages or linguistics required.


FIN230H1
Finnish Culture 1800 to Present (formerly FIN210Y1)      13L, 13P

FIN230H1 offers an introduction to Finnish society, history and culture 1800 to present. The course examines the rise of Finnish nationalism in the 1800s, its main manifestations, particularly the developments of its cultural, educational and social institutions, its economic structures, its demographics, as well as the nation’s bilingual status.

Exclusion: FIN210Y1


FIN235H1
Finnish Literature 1800 to Present (formerly FIN210Y1)        13L, 13P

FIN235H1 surveys the major works in Finnish literature 1800 to present by examining its role in the implementation of the agenda of Finnish nationalism in the 19th and the 20th century. The major genres and periods in Finnish literature are studied.

Exclusion: FIN210Y1
Recommended preparation: FIN230H1


FIN240H1
Masterpieces of Scandinavian Literature       13L, 13S

Introduction to the greatest authors of Scandinavian literature and their greatest works, particularly August Strinberg, Henrik Ibsen, H.C. Anderssen, Knut Hamsun, Selma Lagerlöf, Pär Lagerkvist, Aleksis Kivi, Sigrid Undset and Halldor Laxness, etc. These are situated in their Scandinavian context and in world literature. (Offered every two or three years)
Recommended preparation: Some background in literature


FIN250H1
Finnish Cinema        26S, 13P

Development of Finnish cinema from its parochial beginnings to its international recognition. The great pastoral tradition; the war memories (Laine, Kassila, Parikka); socio-political engagement of the 60s (Donner, Jarva), the paucity of the 70s (Mollberg); the universal outsider themes of the 80s (Aki and Mika Kaurismäki). Readings and subtitles in English. (Offered in alternate years)


FIN260H1
Scandinavian Cinema        26S, 13P

Major developments of cinema in Scandinavia in the 20th century with concentration on the major film makers of Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. Screening of films by directors such as Victor Sjöström, Mauritz Stiller, Alfï Sjöberg, Ingmar Bergman, August Bille, Carl Th. Dreyer, Gabriel Axel, Nils Gaupe, Aki and Mika Kaurismäki. (Offered in alternate years)


FIN300H1
Advanced Finnish (formerly FIN300Y1)
       26S, 13P

FIN300H1 Advanced Finnish provides a continuation of FIN200Y1 Intermediate Finnish.
Prerequisite
: FIN200Y1 or permission of instructor

Exclusion: FIN300Y1


FIN305H1
Finnish Morphology and Syntax        13L, 13S

Finnish Morphology and Syntax is designed present the Finnish morphological system and the principles of Finnish syntax to students interested in general linguistics, morphology, syntax, or Finnish linguistics. The Finnish case system, the verb conjugation system and phenomena such as consonant gradation, vowel harmony and clitics will be explored.
Prerequisite: Introduction to linguistics or FIN100Y1


FIN310H1
Finnish Folklore: The Kalevala        13L, 13S

An examination of the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala: its relationship to the tradition of folk poetry; its quality as an epic poem; the mythological, religious, and cultural dimensions of its world view; its role in Finland’s nation building in the 19th and 20th centuries. Readings in English. (Offered at least every alternate year)


FIN320H1
The Finnish Canadian Immigrant Experience       13L, 13S

Major issues and dimensions of the culture and experience of the Finnish immigrants to Canada, including Finnish Canadian literature, theatre, and press. Conceptual and ideological contributions to working class culture, women’s lives, religious and social attitudes and values. Readings in English. (Offered every three or four years)


FIN330H1
Regional Origins of   Finnish Culture      13L, 13S

The course traces the construction of a unified Finnish culture over the centuries from subcultures and values which ultimately have their definitions in the regional diversity of the area now called Finland. It focuses on the main divisions into western and eastern Finland, but also explores the Swedish and the Sami (Lappish) heritage in the context of old cultural regions. The sources used are cultural history texts as well as Finnish literature.


FIN340H1
Finland-Swedish Literature and Culture       13L, 13S

An examination of the major Finland-Swedish authors (Rune Coerg, Tgrelicks, Sodergran, Tove Jansson) and the linguistic reality of Finland as it has changed over time. The distinctly Finland-Swedish culture is explored, analysed and assessed in its Finnish and Scandinavian context. Cultural giants are studied (Sibelius, etc.).


FIN350H1
The Finnish Short Story        26S

Historical, structural, and thematic study of the short fiction of Finland from the Romanticism of the 19th century to contemporary post-structuralism and post-modernism. Works of Runeberg, Topelius, Kivi, Canth, Aho, Jotuni, Lehtonen, Schildt, Sillanpää, Haanpää, Meri, Hyry, Salama, Mukka, Liksom, Huldén, and others. Readings in English. (Offered in alternate years)


FIN410H1
Finnish Literature 1700-1900 (in Finnish) (formerly FIN410Y1)
       26S

A chronological study of the development of Finnish literature, emphasizing outstanding writers, significant movements and trends, the emergence and transformations of the major genres and their relationship to Finnish folklore and to the national awakening. Readings in Finnish. (Offered as needed)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Exclusion: FIN410Y1
Recommended preparation: FIN300Y


FIN415H1
Finnish Literature in the 20th Century        26S

This course examines the main literary works and genres of 20th Century Finland, especially Jotuni, Sillanpää, Haanpää, Meri, Manner, Linna, Tuuri and a sample of contemporary writers. The readings are in Finnish.
Prerequisite: Reading ability in Finnish
Exclusion: FIN410Y1
Recommended preparation: FIN410H1


FIN420Y1
Independent Study        TBA

A reading and research project
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor


FIN430Y1
Independent Study        TBA

This course offers students, primarily Finnish Studies majors and minors, an opportunity to design together with the instructor an individualized course of study in Finnish literature or language. Registration requires the permission of the appropriate instructor and the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Recommended preparation: At least two years of university studies



Hungarian Courses

Note

The Department reserves the right to assign students to courses appropriate to their level of competence in Hungarian.

HUN100Y1
Elementary Hungarian        130P

The basic features and logic of the language. Development of conversational skills and the reading of easy texts. Open only to students with little or no knowledge of Hungarian.


HUN200Y1
Intermediate Hungarian        104P

Review of descriptive grammar; studies in syntax; vocabulary building; intensive oral practice; composition; reading and translation.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor


HUN310Y1
Advanced Hungarian        52S

A synchronic and diachronic survey of the Hungarian language. Conceptualized summary of grammar, syntax, and stylistics; studies in the genesis and historical stages of the language. Brief consideration of living dialects, the basics of poetics; selected problems in translation and language teaching. Readings in Hungarian.


HUN320Y1
A Survey of Hungarian Literature        52S

A chronological study of the development of Hungarian literature since the 12th century; emphasis both on outstanding writers and on significant movements or themes. Transformations of ideas and changes in language and style. Readings in Hungarian.


HUN335H1
Urban vs. Rural: Cities and Country in Hungarian Literature and Culture        13L, 13S

This survey of Hungarian literature and culture uses the dichotomy of rural and urban traditions to explore the history of Hungarian literature and art, including poetry, short stories, novels, and folklore. Readings in English (also available in Hungarian).


HUN345H1
The Dynamic of Hungarian Culture, Ethnography, and Folklore        13L, 13S

Explore the cultural traditions, historical processes, myths, and figures that have shaped and redefined Hungarian civilization and national identity. Theoretical and practical classes on ethno-genesis, anthropology, and folklore. Readings in English (also available in Hungarian).


HUN351H1
Conformism and Subversion: Hungarian Cinema        39S

Developments until the sixties; auteurism of the sixties (Jancsó, Szabó); documentarism of the seventies (Mészáros); new trends since the eighties. Relations with the European cinema; contributions to the international film world and to film theory.


HUN355H1
From Totalitarianism to Democracy: Reflections of a Changing Society in Hungarian Literature
       13L, 13S

Explore Hungary’s rapidly changing place in Europe. Focus on political, sociological, and historical understandings of nationalism and identity as they manifest themselves in literature, history, and culture. Readings in English (also available in Hungarian).


HUN356H1
Hungary, 1956–2006: The Past 50 Years        26S

On the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, this course investigates the cultural and literary history of Hungary in the past five decades: how art and literature existed in a totalitarian regime, how they changed in the years of “goulash communism” and later, and how they manifest political, sociological, and historical understandings of national and European identity and the place of Hungary within a dynamic Europe. Knowledge of Hungarian not required.


HUN440H1
The Roots of Modernism: The Hungarian 20th Century Novel before World War II
       26S

Continuity and change in form and content studied from the perspective of the native literary and social tradition and in relation to the evolution of modern European fiction; analogies with other genres and arts; survey of criticism. Readings in English (also available in Hungarian).


HUN450H1
Hungary On-Stage: A History of Hungarian Drama in Social Context        26S

Hungarian theatre prior to the 19th century; birth of the national drama (Katona, Madách); populism and cosmopolitanism; post-war tendencies (Hubay, Orkény, Sütö). Hungarian drama in the European context; the theatre as a social institution. Readings in English (also available in Hungarian).


HUN451H1
Three Hungarian Film Directors        39S

The course scrutinizes the oeuvre of Miklós Jancsó, Márta Mészáros, and István Szabó, tracing changes in their style and outlook.
Prerequisite: At least 10 full course credits with; at least one of these in film


HUN455H1
Hungary and Europe: Cultural Adaptation in the Late 20th Century      13L, 13S

Focus on literature, art, mass media, and popular culture in post-1990 Hungary with special emphasis on the past ties to European culture and the impact of European integration. Readings in English (also available in Hungarian).


HUN497Y1
Independent Study (Hungarian)

Translation course concentrating on Hungarian prose translation
Prerequisite: Permission of Department


HUN498H1
Independent Study (Hungarian)

Translation course concentrating on Hungarian prose translation.
Prerequisite: Permission of Department