To provide an introduction to subject matters in the literature, arts and civilization of Romance Language-speaking countries.
                  If the topic were Culture and Civilization, the material would include basic readings in the political and social history of the country, a study of it's geography and institutions.  Key texts in translation would be selected to illustrate the interrelations of facets of the national life with recognized periods and styles of literary-aesthetic development.  If such a course were offered at a UGA overseas campus, field trips would be integrated into the course material.
                  If the topic were a single author (or literary work) universally recognized as a master (or masterpiece), the course would be organized chronologically, in terms of the author's life and the internal development of the work(s) in question.  Assigned primary and secondary readings and material from lectures would be recapitulated by students in their homework assignments, in-class discussion, exams and written papers.
               

 One immediate use of Romance 300 will be in Cortona, Italy (UGA Studies Abroad).  This course in Italian Culture will serve as an introduction to the life and mores of Italy: its social, cultural, and artistic history.  While the focus of the course will be on Italy since the unification, an anthology of key texts and historical documents from past centuries will serve to prepare and contextualize the readings and lectures on the contemporary period.  Our basic history text will be Hearder's "Short History of Italy" (Cambridge U.P.).  Slide lectures will be used when appropriate to prepare for the weekly field trips to Italian cities and towns.  It is also anticipated that visiting lecturers will be invited to address the class; for example, on the subject of Italy's political system since World War II.