BABEŞ-BOLYAI UNIVERSITY CLUJ-NAPOCA

THE INTERNATIONAL SUMMER COURSES OF

ROMANIAN LANGUAGE AND CIVILIZATION

46th EDITION

JULY 3rd – 21st, 2017

CLUJ-NAPOCA

THE ACADEMIC PROGRAMME

The Romanian Language Courses comprise 60 intensive hours of course (20 hours/week), designed on levels of competence corresponding to the European reference framework for foreign languages: A1, A2-B1, B2-C1. The student repartition on level groups is done after a placement test in the first day of the Romanian language courses. Our language courses are distinguished by the fact that they are adapting to the students’ profile, the syllabus being adjusted in accordance with their needs and suggestions. The extremely rapid progress of our students in assimilating the specific structures of the Romanian language is owed to several factors. Firstly, the most frequent used method is the direct method which emphasizes the exclusive use of the Romanian language in teaching, so that, from the first day of the Romanian language courses, students are called on to generate oral and written discourse in the Romanian language, and, at the end of the language courses, they are already placed at the A1+ level of competence, being capable to communicate on specific topics of this level. The students of the intermediate or advanced groups can also register spectacular progress, due to the work methods used during the language courses, which harmoniously combine the drills and activities intended for the development of the four communication skills – the understanding of the oral/written message, the generation of the oral/written messages – with those intended for the linguistic competence (grammar and vocabulary). Generally speaking, the utilized work methods have interactive features, relying on frontal activities (pair or group), organizing amusing and efficient role plays which determine the students to communicate as much as possible in Romanian, in a relaxing and extremely friendly atmosphere. Also, the course support at the students’ disposal is elaborated by the research team of the Department of Romanian language, culture and civilization, the only department in Romania that has an entire team specialized in issuing didactic materials and that organizes including MA level training courses in the didactics of Romanian as a foreign language (RLS) or refresher courses for RLS professors from home and foreign universities.These are modern and attractive manuals or auxiliary didactic materials, edited in 2012 and elaborated in the spirit of the communicative model, also containing drills for the development of the understanding competence by listening (drills missing from other didactic materials used in the study of the Romanian language). Each didactic unity is elaborated so as to also offer cultural references. The cultural information is completed by conferences on ethnology, history, geography, Romanian literature etc. organized during the afternoon academic program.

Last but not the least, the high quality of our courses is guaranteed by the many years of experience of our staff in the RLS teaching, staff specialized in the field of the most modern teaching methods. Each of them also owns a trainer certificate in the field of communication methods with the adults, but also in the field of Romanian language as a foreign language. The communication in Romanian is also favored by the presence of the tutors, who are at the students’ disposal throughout the three weeks, during and also outside the academic program.

Note: Every participant will receive at the beginning of the courses, after placement tests on groups and linguistic levels, a Romanian language manual issued by the Department of Romanian language, culture and civilization.

The complementary activities (lectures on Romanian geography and history, Romanian film, ethnology; trips to Turda Salt mine, Turda gorges, Beliş and Maramureş county; visit to the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania, Art Museum in Cluj-Napoca, the „Alexandru Borza” botanical garden; traditional grass-painting workshop; Romanian cooking workshop; Romanian traditional pottery workshop; multicultural evening; welcome and farewell parties), by which students can practice, experiment and improve their linguistic and cultural knowledge, are organized in the afternoon and at weekends.

The afternoon activities start with the orientation seminar and the welcome party, offered in the first day of these international courses, and are very good opportunities for participants to become acquainted with each other. The city tour, on the following day of the courses, is offered by a BBU history expert. The lectures on the history of Transylvania, Romanian geography, Romanian film and ethnology subjects will be held, in English and/or Romanian (at participants’ choice), by teaching staff and specialists of Babeş-Bolyai University.

Trips nearby Cluj or the Maramureş trip generally take place during weekends. The trip to Salina Salt mine (tourist objective of European interest, dating over 13 million years ago, the exploitation of salt commencing in the Roman period; at the beginning of the XVIIIth century the Turda salt mines became the most important mines of this sort in Transylvania) and Turda gorges (pristine beauty landscape – the result of the erosion of Hăşdate hollow in the jurasic limestones of Trascău Mountains -, with steep walls, 200-300 metres high, ideal for extreme sports such as mountain-climbing and paraglider) takes place in the first weekend of this summer school. The trip to Beliş (village in Cluj county, Transylvania), as well as the 2-day trip to Maramureş (the Maramureş county – geographical and ethno-cultural region composed of the Maramureş Depression, located on the superior tide of Tisa hollow, and the mountain flanks surrounding it: Oaş, Gutâi, Ţibleş and Rodnei Mountains to the south-west, Maramureş Mountains and Wooded Carpathians to the north-east – is entirely an „open museum”, known for its traditional lifestyle, well-kept villages and wooden churches, one of the most famous regions of Romania due to its incredible landscapes, welcoming people, famous wooden churches with high towers, and the impressive gates) take place at the end of the second week. Visits to museums and other objectives in town take place during week course. The visit to the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania: founded in 1922, the first ethnographic museum in Romania continually ran its activity, from its foundation until present time, patiently and scientifically gathering tens of thousands of records of traditional civilization of the Romanian area. The visit to the Art Museum in Cluj-Napoca: one of the most prestigious museum institutions with artistic profile in Romania, nominated in 1997 for the prestigious Prize of the European Museum of the Year-EMYA; public cultural institution with legal personality, under the supervision of the Cluj County Council; the museum collects, preserves, researches, reconditions, communicates and exposes, with the aim of knowledge, education and recreation, assets that are part of the visual arts category in Romanian and universal art, such as: plastic and decorative arts, design, architecture, photography, film, book and printing house, happening manifestations, plastic installations, performance, synthesis artistic manifestations, new creation forms circumscribed to visual arts resulting from the contemporary artistic activity. The visit to the „Alexandru Borza” botanical garden: scientific, didactic and educative institution, subordinated to UBB, whose bases were set by professor Alexandru Borza in 1920; on a surface of 14 ha and a field with a varied configuration, appropriate for growing and developing plants from different continents, are cultivated almost 10,000 specific categories; it is divided into several compartments: ornamental, phytogeographic, systematic, economic and medical. Workshops are enjoyable and relaxing social activities. The traditional glass-painting workshop: the symbolic element of the rural Christian faith is represented by the glass icon. Necessarily placed on the eastern wall, the icon was meant to bring God and the entire saints synod in the daily life of the Romanian peasant. At the glass-painting workshop organised by the Ethnographic Museum, students can attune to some of the secrets of the traditional glass painting. „Izvoadele” are used for every icon, and are samples of old icons, drawn on paper. First, the contour lines (the interior drawing) are drawn on the surface of the glass, using black China ink, just like in the past they would use the goose feather or the swab made of horse hair. After the drawing is done, the colors are applied. The icon subjects are varied: Virgin Mary with Jesus as a child, Christ’s Resurrection, Saint Paraschiva, Archangel Michael, Jesus with the cross, the Resurrection of the Christ. The Romanian cooking workshop: is a very entertaining, creative and interactive social activity. Students will learn to prepare Romanian traditional dishes under the careful supervision of the cooks from the Pyramid restaurant. In the end, the creative efforts will be rewarded by a copious and delicious dinner. The Romanian folk dances workshop: foreigners are fascinated by the Romanian folk dances such as „căluşarii” or „hora”, which combine the elegant moves and satirical lyrics with the stunning rhythms of the dance. „Doina” is a vocal or instrumental lyrical creation, specific to the Romanian people, in which the interpreter directly expresses his feelings of longing, mourning, alienation, revolt, sadness, love, hatred against oppressors, regret, etc. The multicultural evening: is a special evening, because each participant has the chance to present the other participants customs, traditions objects or dishes specific to their countries of provenance. At the end

of their presentations, participants will have dinner with Romanian traditional dishes and beverages specific to the Transylvania region. The closing ceremony of the international courses of Romanian language and civilization takes place in the last day of the courses, in the Aula Magna of Babeş-Bolyai University. Students are congratulated on participating in these courses and personally receive their graduation certificates. This ceremony is followed by the customary farewell party. A participation certificate (certifying the duration of courses, number of hours and level of competence) is offered, by the end of the programme, to those who have attended the courses. A certificate of linguistic competence can also be obtained at the Alpha Centre of Babeş-Bolyai University, for a fee.

ROMANIAN LANGUAGE COURSES

The Romanian language courses are held by the following members of the Department of Romanian language, culture and civilization (Faculty of Letters, Babeş-Bolyai University):

Assoc. Prof. Elena Platon, Ph.D. – Academic coordinator

Lect. Dina Vîlcu, PhD

Lect. Paula Oşian

Teaching Assist. Diana Burlacu, PhD

Teaching Assist. Anamaria Radu, PhD

Teaching Assist. Ştefania Tărău, PhD

Candidate Teaching Assist. Lavinia Vasiu, PhD

candidate

The academic programme will take place at the Faculty of Letters, 31, Horea Street. The no.101 tram runs to the Faculty of Letters.

CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

68, Avram Iancu Str., Cluj-Napoca

Phone: 0264.429.762

Contact persons: Orsolya Bartha, Teodora Sas

E-mail: RoSummerSchool@ubbcluj.ro

PROGRAMME

Sunday, July 2nd

Participants’ arrival

Accommodation at Universitas Hotel: 7, Pandurilor Street/Iuliu Haţieganu Park, but the entrance is from Plopilor Street, where the tram no. 101 or 102 stops; phone: +40.264.429.787/788. Breakfast to be served at the Guest House Restaurant (7, Pandurilor Street).

Monday, July 3rd 07:30 – 08:30 Breakfast

10:00 – 10:30 Official opening (Faculty of Letters, 31 Horea Street, Popovici room) 10:30 – 12:30 Placement tests on levels of linguistic competence (Faculty of Letters, 31

Horea Street, Popovici room) 17:00 – 18:00 Orientation Seminar (Centre for International Cooperation, 68 Avram Iancu

street, 5th floor) 19:00 – 21:00 Welcome party (Guest House Restaurant - next to Universitas Hotel - 7

Pandurilor St.)

Tuesday, July 4th

07:30 – 08:30 Breakfast 09:00 – 13:00 Romanian language tutorials (Faculty of Letters) 15:45 Meeting point in front of Babeş-Bolyai University main building (1 M.

Kogălniceanu St.) 16:00 – 18:00 City Tour (with Dr. Ana-Maria Stan from the BBU Museum)

Wednesday, July 5th

07:30 – 08:30 Breakfast 09:00 – 13:00 Romanian language tutorials (Faculty of Letters) 17:00 – 19:00 Romanian traditional folk dances workshop (Mugurel Ensemble; Auditorium

Maximum room, 1, Em de Martonne street)

Thursday, July 6th

07:30 – 08:30 Breakfast 09:00 – 13:00 Romanian language tutorials (Faculty of Letters) 14:30 Meeting point in front of Babeş-Bolyai University main building (1 M.

Kogălniceanu St.). Departure to the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania (by bus).

15:00 – 16:00 Visit to the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania – the „ROMULUS VUIA” National Ethnographic Park (Tăietura Turcului Street) The Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania, founded in 1922, is the first ethnographic museum in Romania. In almost nine decades of activity, thousands of records of Romanian traditional civilization have been patiently and scientifically gathered here. Nowadays, the museum comprises over 65.000 artefacts of Romanian folk culture, worth the attention.

Friday, July 7th

07:30 – 08:30 Breakfast 09:00 – 13:00 Romanian language tutorials (Faculty of Letters) 17:30 – 19:00 Conference on the Geography of Romania (in Rommanian and English) with

Assoc.prof. Raularian Rusu, PhD, from the Faculty of Geography). Venue: Centre for International Cooperation, 68, A. Iancu street, 2nd floor.

Saturday, July 8th

07.30 – 08:30 Breakfast 10:00 Meeting point in front of Universitas Hotel. Trip to Turda Salt Mine and Turda

Gorges, by bus. 17:00 Return to Cluj-Napoca.

Turda Salt Mine – A touristic objective of European interest. The Turda salt deposit is over 13 million years old. Salt has been extracted here since Roman times. At the beginning of the 18th century, the salt mine in Turda was considered the most important one in Transylvania. After the recent modernization process, the salt mine has become one of extended functionality (treatment room, music hall, sports ground, bowling or mini golf). Turda Gorges - The amazing landscape is enriched by the countless caves in limestone walls. The precipitous, 200-300 m high walls are ideal for practicing extreme sports (climbing, paraglider). Besides the exceptional landscape, Turda Gorges also shelter rare and preserved species of plants (almost 1000 species) and animals (70 species).

Note: Suitable clothing and footwear is recommended (the temperature is around 10-12 degrees Celsius).

Sunday, July 9th 07:30 – 08:30 Breakfast

14:45 Meeting point in front of Babeş-Bolyai University main building (1 M. Kogălniceanu St.)

15:00 – 16:00 Visit to the Art Museum in Cluj-Napoca (30, Unirii Square)

Monday, July 10th

07:30 – 08:30 Breakfast 09:00 – 13:00 Romanian language tutorials (Faculty of Letters) 16:00 – 18:00 Conference on the Romanian Film (in Romanian and English), with Lect. Daniel

Iftene, PhD, Faculty of Theatre and Television). Location: Centre for International Cooperation (CIC), 68, A. Iancu street, 5th floor.

Tuesday, July 11th

07:30 – 08:30 Breakfast 09:00 – 13:00 Romanian language tutorials (Faculty of Letters) 16:00 – 17:30 Conference on the Contemporary History of Romania (in Romanian and

English); with Dr. Ana-Maria Stan). Venue: Centre for International Cooperation, 68 Avram Iancu street, 5th floor.

Wednesday, July 12th

07:30 – 08.30 Breakfast 09:00 – 13:00 Romanian language tutorials (Faculty of Letters) 14:30 Meeting point in front of Babeş-Bolyai University main building (1 M.

Kogălniceanu St.). Departure to the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania (by bus).

15:00 – 17:00 Glass painting workshop at the Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania (religious images) - the „ROMULUS VUIA” National Ethnographic Park (Tăietura Turcului Street).

Thursday, July 13th

07:30 – 08:30 Breakfast 09:00 – 13:00 Romanian language tutorials (Faculty of Letters) 15:30 Meeting point in front of Babeş-Bolyai University main building (1 M.

Kogălniceanu St.) 16:00 – 17:30 Visit to the Botanical Garden (42, Republicii St.)

Friday, July 14th

07:00 – 08:00 Breakfast 08:30 Meeting point in front of Universitas Hotel (7, Pandurilor Street) 08:30 – 09:30 Trip to Beliş, Cluj county (by bus) 10:00 – 14:00 Romanian language tutorials 14:00 – 15:00 Lunch at Beliş 15:00 – 16:00 Visit of Beliş lake 16:00 – 17:00 Return to Cluj-Napoca

Saturday, July 15th and Sunday, July 16th Trip to Maramureş (by bus) The region of Maramureş is considered an ‘open museum’, due to its traditional life style, well-preserved villages and wooden churches. The incredible landscapes, the honest people, the simple civilization of wood, the famous churches, whose steeples can be seen from afar, but also its impressive gates, render Maramureş one of the most renowned regions of Romania. In Sighet (where The Memorial of the Victims of Communism and Anti-communist Resistance is located) you will be informed of the recent history of Romania and other former socialist countries (Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland). The museum - situated in the former political prison of Sighet – reconstructs and safeguards the memory of certain nations, particularly the Romanian nation, who were compelled, for half a century, to experience a counterfeit history. Accommodation in Bârsana, Maramureş.

Note: Departure from Universitas Hotel on Saturday at 8:00 a.m., arrival on Sunday, around 5:00 p.m. Monday, July 17th

07:30 – 08.30 Breakfast 09:00 – 13:00 Romanian language tutorials (Faculty of Letters) 16:45 Meeting point in front of Babeş-Bolyai University main building (1 M.

Kogălniceanu St.) 17:00 – 19:00 Cooking workshop – Let’s learn how to cook Romanian food!

(Pyramid Restaurant, 1 Em. de Martonne St.)

Tuesday, July 18th

07:30 – 08:30 Breakfast 09:00 – 13:00 Romanian language tutorials (Faculty of Letters) 16:00 – 18:00 Conference on Fertility Rites in the Romanian Traditional Society (presentation

in Romanian, slides in English; with Assoc. Prof. Elena Platon, Ph.D.). Venue: Faculty of Letters, 31 Horea St., room 38.

Wednesday, July 19th

07.30 – 08:30 Breakfast 09:00 – 13:00 Romanian language tutorials (Faculty of Letters) 14:40 Meeting point in front of Babeş-Bolyai University main building (1 M.

Kogălniceanu St.) 15:00 – 16:00 Visit to the Pharmacy Museum in Cluj-Napoca (28, Unirii square).

Thursday, July 20th

07:30 – 08:30 Breakfast 09:00 – 13:00 Romanian language tutorials (Faculty of Letters) 16:00 – 20:00 Multicultural evening (Universitas Hotel, 7 Pandurilor St., ground floor,

conference room)

Note: Students are invited to bring objects and images representative for their culture, and

present their customs and traditions. Friday, July 21st

07:30 – 08:30 Breakfast 09:00 – 13:00 Romanian language tutorials (Faculty of Letters) 18:00 – 19:00 Plenary session (Babeş-Bolyai University main building, 1 M. Kogălniceanu St.,

Aula Magna, 1st floor) 19:00 – 22:00 Closing dinner (Pyramid Restaurant, 1 Em. de Martonne Street)

Saturday, July 22nd Departure of participants

Note: there is the possibility that the afternoon activities be slightly changed due to unexpected

circumstances.