GNS Courses Spring 2020

GNS 270 – Class, Gender, Race in Turkish Literature and Film

TR 2:30 – 3:45 pm               Room: 594 Van Hise Hall               Instructor: Nâlân Erbil               (3 credits)

Prerequisites: None. Open to first-year students.

What do fiction and films teach us about the world? In this course, we will explore this question with particular attention to constructions of class, gender and race in the context of contemporary Turkey. We will discuss the literary texts such as Nobel Laurette Orhan Pamuk’s novel Snow (2002), Elif Shafak’s The Bastard of Istanbul (2006), and movies including Kutlug Ataman’s Two Girls (2005) and Ahu Ozturk’s Dust Cloth (2014) to analyze and interpret issues of nationalism, masculinity, oppressed identities, urbanization and of class in the Turkish society spanning the last two decades.

Please contact erbil@wisc.edu with any questions.


GNS 324 Literatures of Central Asia

MW 4:00-5:15 pm              Room: 22 Ingraham Hall               Instructor: Milan Simić               (3 credits)

Prerequisites: Sophomore standing.

This course is a general introduction to the modern literatures of five Central Asian republics (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan) and the neighboring regions. Tracing the development of Central Asian literatures from the pre-Islamic times to the modern period, the course will explore traditional and modern literary forms by looking at select readings available in English translation.

Please contact msimic@wisc.edu with any questions.


GNS 332 – Second Semester Kazakh

MTWR 8:50-9:40 am               Room: 491 Van Hise Hall               Instructor: TBD               (4 credits)

Prerequisites: GNS 331 or appropriate score on the placement exam. Open to first year students.


GNS 340 – Second Semester Turkish (Meets with GNS 439)

MTWRF 11:00-11:50 am               Room: 574 Van Hise Hall               Instructor: Nâlân Erbil               (4 credits)

Prerequisites: GNS 339 or appropriate score on the placement exam. Open to first year students.

Designed for students who are interested in learning the modern Turkish language (“Istanbul Turkish”) and cultures, and who have limited or no previous language use. This course introduces basic grammar & vocabulary building competence in novice level listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in Turkish. Authentic materials will be provided to simulate real-life situations. Students will identify basic products, practices, and perspectives of Turkish speaking cultures. Negotiating cultural nuance and intercultural competence within the social justice paradigm will be emphasized.

Please contact erbil@wisc.edu with any questions.


GNS 370 Modern Muslim Literatures

MW 2:30-3:45 pm              Room: 594 Van Hise Hall               Instructor: Milan Simić               (3 credits)

Prerequisites: Sophomore standing.

This course will take the students on a literary journey across the modern Muslim world. By exploring a selection of translated novels, short stories and poems written by Muslim authors from Morocco to Indonesia, the course will introduce the students to the modern Muslim (literary) world. Students who take this course will get an opportunity to familiarize themselves with various Muslim societies across the globe and to learn about their diverse cultures, regional differences and contemporary worldviews.

Please contact msimic@wisc.edu with any questions.


GNS 432 – Fourth Semester Kazakh

MTWR 9:55-10:45 am               Room: 583 Van Hise Hall               Instructor: TBD               (4 credits)

Prerequisites: GNS 431 or appropriate score on the placement exam. Open to first year students.


GNS 439 – Third Semester Turkish (Meets with GNS 340)

MTWRF 11:00-11:50 am               Room: 574 Van Hise Hall               Instructor: Nâlân Erbil               (4 credits)

Prerequisites: GNS 340 or appropriate score on the placement exam. Open to first year students.

This course is designed to help students develop intermediate competence in spoken and written Turkish. Emphasis is on listening comprehension, reading, speaking, writing, and cultural and historical knowledge. Knowledge of the grammatical structures taught in the first two semesters is assumed while we review them and introduce advanced grammar preferably in context. Negotiating cultural nuance and intercultural competence within the social justice paradigm will be emphasized.

Please contact erbil@wisc.edu with any questions.


GNS 440 – Fourth Semester Turkish (Meets with GNS 539)

MTWR 1:20-2:10 pm               Room: 495 Van Hise Hall               Instructor: Nâlân Erbil               (4 credits)

Prerequisites: GNS 439 or appropriate score on the placement exam. Open to first year students.

This course is designed to help students develop intermediate competence in spoken and written Turkish. Emphasis is on listening comprehension, reading, speaking, writing, and cultural and historical knowledge. Knowledge of the grammatical structures taught in the first three semesters is assumed while we review them and introduce advanced grammar preferably in the context. Negotiating cultural nuance and intercultural competence within the social justice paradigm will be emphasized.

Please contact erbil@wisc.edu with any questions.


GNS 539 – Fifth Semester Turkish & Azeri (Meets with GNS 440)

MTWR 1:20-2:10 pm               Room: 495 Van Hise Hall               Instructor: Nâlân Erbil               (3 credits)

Prerequisites: GNS 440.

This course will focus equally on reading, writing, listening and speaking skills with the goal to enhance critical literacy in Turkish. Materials will include various authentic texts produced for native speakers such as novels, short stories, poems, and films. Perspectives of Turkish speaking cultures will be analyzed in comparison. Azeri/Ottoman will be incorporated upon demand.

Please contact erbil@wisc.edu with any questions.


GNS 540 – Sixth Semester Turkish & Azeri

MW 2:30-3:45 pm               Room: 399 Van Hise Hall               Instructor: Nâlân Erbil               (3 credits)

Prerequisites: GNS 539.

This course will focus equally on reading, writing, listening and speaking skills with the goal to enhance critical literacy in Turkish. Materials will include various authentic texts produced for native speakers such as novels, short stories, poems, and films. Perspectives of Turkish speaking cultures will be analyzed in comparison. Azeri/Ottoman will be incorporated upon demand.

Please contact erbil@wisc.edu with any questions.


GNS 700 – Seminar: Graduate Proseminar

TR 2:30-3:45 pm               Room: 594 Van Hise Hall               Instructor: Nâlân Erbil               (3 credits)

Prerequisites: Graduate or professional student.

Please contact erbil@wisc.edu with any questions.