Page 201 - University Bulletin

ELAN244 Literature in Context
Credits: 3 (3, 0, 0) Prerequisites: None
This course explores literature as a product of its historical, cultural, and social contexts. Students
will analyze how literary texts reflect and respond to the political, philosophical, and artistic
movements of their time. Through the study of diverse genres, including fiction, poetry, drama,
and nonfiction, students will examine themes such as identity, power, gender, and media
representation. The course encourages critical reading and discussion, connecting literature to
contemporary issues and digital narratives. By engaging with different interpretive approaches,
students will develop a deeper understanding of the relationship between literature and society.

ELAN308 Intercultural Communication
Credits: 3 (3,0,0) Prerequisites: ELAN130
This course explores the role of media in shaping communication across cultures. Students will
examine how cultural differences influence media creation, interpretation, and representation in
global contexts. Key topics include culture, identity, representation, stereotypes, bias, and cultural
diplomacy in media. Through case studies and practical projects, students will analyze television,
film, social media, and news to understand how media portrays cultural values and identities. The
course also examines the impact of globalization and technology on intercultural communication,
equipping students with skills to create media content that fosters cross-cultural understanding.

ELAN311 Western Thought
Credits: 3 (3, 0, 0) Prerequisites: ELAN240
This course traces the development of Western intellectual tradition from the Renaissance till the
present time. It focuses on the progression of the interdisciplinary approaches to the studies of
humanities. Exemplary literary texts are to be examined in chronological order about
contemporary culture and as insight into the nature of individuals and society. This is a
reading/discussion course in which the development of critical thinking and writing abilities are
emphasized. The course incorporates significant usage of media and digital technologies. The
nature of delivery of this course is Participatory, lecturing will be kept to the minimum and
students are required to deliver presentations and work on digital productions. Research is a
significant component of the course.

ELAN333 Argumentation and Debate
Credits: 3 (3,0,0) Prerequisites: ELAN103
This course explores the principles of argument construction, evaluation, and debate strategies.
Students will develop skills in logical reasoning, persuasive communication, and critical analysis
while learning to construct, present, and defend arguments effectively. Key rhetorical concepts
such as claims, evidence, reasoning, and counterarguments will be examined. Through practical
debates and real-world case studies, students will learn to engage diverse perspectives, identify
logical fallacies, and refine their argumentation techniques for media, politics, and public
discourse.

ELAN334 Semantics and Pragmatics
Credits: 3 (3, 0, 0) Prerequisites: ELAN130
The first part of this course is an introduction to the study of semantics on both the word and
sentence level. The second part gives insights into theories of language use, particularly the part
on pragmatics dealing with how people communicate more than they literally say or write.

189 PSU UNDERGRADUATE BULLETIN