Africa Courses
GEOG 230: Geographies of Global Inequality
Instructor: TBD
5 credits (DIV, SSc) | SLN 15209, 15210, 15211, 15212
Course Description
Addresses increasing global inequalities by focusing on shifting spatial division of labor and the role of the international development industry in shaping economic and social inequality. Examines relationships between economic globalization, development industry, and rising global inequality: reviews the history and record of the international development project, and asks what it means to say that Western, advanced economies are not the norm.
HSTAFM152: Introduction To African History, C. 1880 – Present
Instructor: Christopher Tounsel
5 credits (DIV, SSc) | SLN 15618
Course Description:
Examines Africa’s pasts from approximately 1880 to the present. Through the theme of the politics of wealth, explores the history of European colonization, African social and cultural life under colonial rule, anti-colonial movements and decolonization, and the changes and challenges of the post-colonial present.
JSIS A 362: The Political Economy of Africa
Instructor: Yasir Zaidan
5 credits (DIV, SSc) | SLN 16165
Course Description
Focuses on the political economy of governance, development, and conflict in sub-Saharan African countries since independence. Explores the political and economic choices made by Africa’s colonial and post-colonial regimes and connects them to current events in sub-Saharan Africa.
MELC 229: Introduction To Islamic Cultures And Thought
Instructor: Lillian McCabe
5 credits (SSc or A&H) | SLN 17583
Course Description
Covers major developments in the formative, classical, and modern periods of Islamic cultures and thought from seventh century Arabia to the contemporary Muslim world. Looks at the development of Islamic religious thought and legal practice as well as the Muslim polities, cultures, and intellectual traditions of Asia, Africa, Europe, and America.
MELC 335: Language and Conflict And Identity In The Middle East And North Africa
Instructor: Hussein Elkhafaifi
5 credits (DIV, SSc or A&H) | SLN 17591
Course Description
Explores social and linguistic aspects of the languages and cultures of the Middle East and North Africa, focusing on the relationship between language and national/ethnic identity from the perspective of group conflict. Considers language policies in colonial and post-colonial states, and individual strategies of accommodation and resistance to these policies.
MELC 415: Holy People And Holy Place Of The Horn of Africa
Instructor: Mehari Zemelak Worku
3 credits (A&H or SSc) | SLN 17598
Course Description
Offers a comprehensive introduction to the holy men and women of the Horn of Africa, whose lives and legacies have shaped the region’s religious, political, and cultural milieu. Explores major sacred spaces and their constitutions in the region. Covers Ethiopian Christian saints to Somali Sufi mystics and Jewish Ethiopian heroes. Explores the hero formation processes in the different religious traditions of the region.
POLS 331: Government And Politics In The Middle East and North Africa
Instructor: Asli Cansunar
5 credits (SSc) | SLN 19521
Course Description
Breakdown of traditional society and the problems of building modern political systems.
Language Courses
AMHAR 102: Elementary Amharic II
Instructor: Mehari Worku
5 credits (A&H) | SLN 10255
Course Description
Enables students to acquire the Amharic language including its unique writing script. Familiarizes students with major historical and cultural aspects of Ethiopia. Includes multiple practice sessions targeted at developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
ARAB 102: Elementary Arabic
Instructor: Khalil Ahmed
5 credits (A&H) | SLN: 10334, 10335
Course Description:
Develops the four communicative language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Stresses communication skills and emphasizes the links between language and culture, using mainly Modern Standard Arabic, with exposure to Egyptian Colloquial Arabic. Second in a sequence of three. Maximum 15 credits allowed between ARAB 101; ARAB 102; ARAB 103; and ARAB 105. Prerequisite: ARAB 101.
ARAB 202: Intermediate Arabic
Instructor: Amina Moujtahid
5 credit (A&H) | SLN 10336
Course Description
Explores aspects of Arab culture and emphasizes all skills of language acquisition: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students also learn more about Arab society in general and about features of Arab culture that influence the use of the language in daily life. Focuses on developing communication skills. Second in a sequence of three.
ARAB 302: Third Year Arabic
Instructor: Amina Moujtahid
5 credit (A&H) | SLN 10337
Course Description
Helps students acquire an advanced proficiency in Arabic by focusing on developing all four skills of language acquisition: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Explores topics related to Arabic culture, Arabic society, Arabic music and arts, and Arabic literature.
FRENCH 101: Elementary French
Instructor: Helene Collins, Emy Lyne Chevalier
5 credits (A&H) | SLN 15013, 15014
Course Description
Development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills to a basic level of proficiency. Teaches students to communicate in French and understand the cultural context of the language. Methods and objectives are primarily oral-aural. Oral practice in the language laboratory is required. First in a sequence of three.
FRENCH 102: Elementary French
Instructor: Claire Wagenseil, Helene Collins, Emy Lyne Chevalier
5 credits (A&H) | SLN 15015, 15016, 15017, 15018
Course Description
Development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills to a basic level of proficiency. Teaches students to communicate in French and understand the cultural context of the language. Methods and objectives are primarily oral-aural. Oral practice in the language laboratory is required. Second in a sequence of three.
FRENCH 103: Elementary French
Instructor: Sarah Kate Moore
5 credits | SLN 15019
Course Description
Development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills to a basic level of proficiency. Teaches students to communicate in French and understand the cultural context of the language. Methods and objectives are primarily oral-aural. Oral practice in the language laboratory is required. Third in a sequence of three.
FRENCH 201: Intermediate French
Instructor: Hedwige Meyer
5 credits (A&H) | SLN 15026
Course Description
Designed to bring students to an intermediate level of proficiency. Emphasis on experiencing the language in context through a multi-media approach. First in a sequence of three.
FRENCH 202: Intermediate French
Instructor: Hedwige Meyer, Claire Wagenseil
5 credits (A&H) | SLN 15028, 15029
Course Description
Designed to bring students to an intermediate level of proficiency. Emphasis on experiencing the language in context through a multi-media approach. First in a sequence of three.
FRENCH 301: Language In The Francophone World
Instructor: Sarah Kate Moore
5 credits (A&H) | SLN:15030
Course Description
Introduces students to varieties of the French language across time and space. Considers language diversity in France and the uses and varieties of the French language in world regions where it plays an important role, with particular attention to the history of its establishment and the implications of its current status. Develops advanced language skills and cultural competency through oral and written production in the target language.
FRENCH 302: Cultures of the Francophone World
Instructor: Matthew Skrzypcyzk
5 credits (A&H) | SLN 15031
Course Description
Introduces the cultural history of the francophone world via a broad survey of literary, cinematic, and other cultural texts in French that inform debates on national culture in France as well as the legacies of the French Empire in the form of discourses on race, immigration, and more in France and its postcolonies. Develops advanced language skills and cultural competency through oral and written production in the target language.
PORT 103: Elementary Portuguese
Instructor: Eduardo Viana Da Silva
5 credits (A&H) | SLN 19584
Course Description
Methods and objectives are primarily oral-aural. Covers all major elements of Portuguese grammar. Third in a sequence of three.
SWA 102: Basic Swahili
Instructor Timeka Nicol Tounsel
5 credits (A&H) | SLN 10167
Course Description
Introduces the Swahili language and the diverse cultures and customs of the people of East Africa. Provides a basic foundation in speaking, reading, and writing. Second in a sequence of three.
SWA 202: Intermediate Swahili
Instructor: Jacqueline Waita
5 credits (A&H) | SLN 20859
Course Description
Builds proficiency in the language by speaking, reading, and writing. Includes children’s stories, newspaper articles, poetry, and folklore. Second in a sequence of three.