Estonian


Given by the Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures

Introduction

Estonian is spoken by approximately one million people in present-day Estonia and some 72,000 in other parts of the world, including 18,000 in Canada. Closely related to Finnish and more distantly to Hungarian, Estonian is one of the few Finno-Ugric languages to exist surrounded by speakers of Indo-European languages.

An ancient people, the Estonians have preserved their language and culture despite centuries of domination by other nations. Not only is their heritage enormously rich in folk epics and songs, but Estonians enjoy a vigorous and diversified literary tradition which continues in Estonia proper and in their adoptive countries.

Estonian studies at the University of Toronto are concerned with the language, literature, and culture of Estonia. The language courses will be of interest to those wishing to improve their language skills, as well as to students of general linguistics who desire to acquire a knowledge of a non-Indo-European language.


Note Regarding Estonian Studies Minor

Enrolment in the Estonian Studies Minor was administratively suspended as of February 9, 2023 and students are no longer able to enrol in the program. Students presently enrolled in the Minor will be able to complete the program requirements as described in the program record, published in the 2022-23 Arts & Science Academic Calendar.

Beginning in March 2024, all students interested in pursuing studies in Estonian language, literature, and/or culture are encouraged to enrol in one of the new programs in Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures (Minor, Major, Specialist) or in Slavic and East European Literature in Translation (Minor). All of these programs include the Estonian area of study. For more information on this new suite of programs, please consult the Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures section of the academic calendar or contact the Department of Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures directly for advising.

 

Estonian Studies: see Slavic and East European Languages and Cultures

 

Regarding Estonian Courses

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

Estonian Courses

EST100H1 - Elementary Estonian Language and Culture I

Previous Course Number: EST100Y1

Hours: 48P

Learn essential Estonian vocabulary, basic grammar and develop elementary conversational competence. Popular songs, poetry, and structured dialogue are among the various tools for achieving these objectives. Students will learn commonly used phrases and expressions used in everyday situations, from greeting people to making purchases in stores, and ordering meals in cafes. The course is designed for students with either no fluency or minimum fluency in Estonian.

Exclusion: EST100Y1
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

EST101H1 - Elementary Estonian Language and Culture II

Previous Course Number: EST100Y1

Hours: 48L

This course expands the student’s command of Estonian from the introductory level. The course will consist of themed sessions using language for travel in Estonia, savouring the language of Estonian cuisine, and the lyrics of popular, folk and classical Estonian music. These themed sessions will also enable students to better understand the proper inflections of nouns and tenses of verbs in both dialogue and written exercises. This course is open to students with minimum fluency in Estonian.

Prerequisite: EST100H1 / Permission of instructor
Exclusion: EST100Y1
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

EST200H1 - Intermediate Estonian Language and Culture I

Previous Course Number: EST200Y1

Hours: 48P

This course develops the student's language skills via an exploration of Estonian culture - including its music, literature, film and media. Each of these areas will be examined through readings, writing about one’s impressions, and speaking about them to others in the class. The course consists of a combination of both classroom and web-based learning. The course is open to students with some fluency in Estonian.

Prerequisite: ( EST100H1, EST101H1) / Permission of instructor
Exclusion: EST200Y1
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

EST201H1 - Intermediate Estonian Language and Culture II

Previous Course Number: EST200Y1

Hours: 48P

Through an exploration of Estonian culture both in Estonia and the diaspora, students will further develop their skills in speaking, reading and writing in Estonian. Students will learn about the main characteristics of Estonian society – its history, way of life, the Estonian economy and business environment, and Estonian current affairs. Students will discuss recent trends and challenges in the development of Estonian society. The course will combine both classroom and web-based learning. It is open to students with elementary fluency in Estonian, both spoken and written.

Prerequisite: ( EST100H1, EST101H1) / Permission of instructor
Exclusion: EST200Y1
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

EST202H1 - Estonian Culture in the 21st Century

Hours: 24L

The course provides an introduction to Estonian contemporary culture: literature, theatre, music, arts and architecture, environmental issues, minorities, regional dialects, and, last but not least, politics. The course is taught in English, all reading materials are in English.

Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

EST204H1 - Introduction to Estonian Culture

Hours: 24L

This course provides an introduction to Estonian culture: Folklore and folk traditions, visual arts and architecture, and contemporary popular culture and media.

Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

EST205H1 - Estonian Cinema

Hours: 24L

This course provides an introduction to Estonian cinema: feature films, documentaries, and animation films.

Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

EST206H1 - Environmental Humanities in Central and Eastern Europe

Hours: 24L

The course gives an overview of the ongoing research in European environmental humanities, with an emphasis on ecocriticism and environmental history in Central and Eastern Europe - organizations, institutions, publications, online resources, current topics, theories and methodologies. Taught in English, all materials in English.

Breadth Requirements: Society and its Institutions (3)

EST207H1 - Indigenous Cultures of Northern Eurasia

Hours: 24L

The course focuses on the history and current status of various indigenous groups that live in the vicinity of the Polar Circle across Eurasia. Geography of indigenous peoples of Northern Eurasia. Livelihood and environmental conflicts. Colonial gaze, mechanisms of repression and deprivation, and indigenous resistance. Minority language p[olitics. Indigenous songs and stories. Current situation and awareness-building. Taught in English, all materials in English.

Breadth Requirements: Society and its Institutions (3)

EST300H1 - Estonian Language through Contemporary Media

Hours: 36P

Advanced Estonian language course focusing on media and communication. We will read and discuss the main national news channels - Aktuaalne Kaamera, Eesti Päevaleht, Vikerraadio Uudis +, as well as read the Estonian cultural weekly Sirp and observe the monthly newspaper Müürileht to get a grip of Estonian youth culture. Public speeches by the Estonian President, as well as scholars and scientists will be discussed.

Prerequisite: EST201H1 or permission of instructor.
Exclusion: EST300Y1
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

EST300Y1 - Advanced Estonian

Hours: 72P

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
Breadth Requirements: Creative and Cultural Representations (1)

EST420Y1 - Independent Study

A year-long reading and research project of significant depth in a major topic in Estonian language, literature or culture approved and supervised by an instructor. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Prerequisite: EST300Y1/ EST400Y1; permission of instructor

EST421H1 - Independent Study

A semester-long reading and research project of significant depth in a major topic in Estonian language, literature or culture approved and supervised by an instructor. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

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