ASL 1001 Elementary American Sign Language (4 Credits)

This introductory course builds foundation ASL skills by developing students’ basic expressive and receptive abilities in ASL. Students will learn essential signs, sentence structures, and grammatical features used in simple, everyday interactions. Emphasis is placed on basic conversational exchanges, visual attention, and the appropriate use of non-manual signals. Students will continue to refine culturally appropriate communication behaviors and continue expand their understanding of Deaf culture, community norms, and lived experiences. Topics explored include, but are not limited to basic signs, fingerspelling, numbers academics, and family. This is the first course of a three-quarter sequence.

ASL 1002 Elementary American Sign Language (4 Credits)

This course builds upon foundational ASL skills by expanding students’ expressive and receptive abilities in ASL. Students will develop increased fluency in connected signing through more complex vocabulary, sentence structures, and grammatical features. Emphasis is placed on sustained conversations, narrative development, and accurate use of spatial referencing and non-manual signals. Students will continue to refine culturally appropriate communication behaviors and continue expand their understanding of Deaf culture, community norms, and lived experiences. Topics explored include, but are not limited to, residences and communities, scheduling, and social activities. This is the second course in a three-quarter sequence.

ASL 1003 Elementary American Sign Language (4 Credits)

This course builds on previously acquired American Sign Language skills with an emphasis on expanding expressive and receptive abilities through everyday, community-based themes. Students will develop better fluency by continuing learning ASL vocabulary grammar, and discourse strategies related to food, people in the community, and home environments. Instruction focuses on accurate use of non-manual signals, spatial organization, classifiers, and depicting verbs to support clear and meaningful communication. Students will engage in interactive signing activities, strengthen conversational competence, and continue developing culturally appropriate behaviors. The course also promotes students’ understanding Deaf cultural practices as they relate to daily life and community interactions, supporting more confident, and effective communication in real-world contexts. This is the third course in a three-quarter sequence.

ARAB 1001 Elementary Arabic (4 Credits)

The elementary Arabic three-quarter sequence is designed to build practical communication skills, enabling students to interact with Arabic speakers and engage in multilingual communities. The course emphasizes interpersonal and interpretive communication, helping students develop confidence in real-world language use. It will enable students to learn Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) as the language of academia, writing, media, and official settings. At the same time, it recognizes the diglossic nature of Arabic and introduces students to everyday spoken Arabic dialects, to enhance their ability to communicate in informal and social contexts. Additionally, students will explore Arabic cultural practices and perspectives, fostering cultural insight and intercultural awareness. By completing the beginning Arabic sequence, learners will acquire the linguistic skills and foundational cultural knowledge needed to handle straightforward interactions and familiar tasks in an Arabic-speaking context. Students will operate at a novice-high to intermediate-low proficiency level. ARAB 1001 is designed for students with no prior knowledge of Arabic. Students with previous experience should complete the placement test to determine the appropriate course level for their background.

ARAB 1002 Elementary Arabic (4 Credits)

The elementary Arabic three-quarter sequence is designed to build practical communication skills, enabling you to interact with Arabic speakers and engage in multilingual communities. The course emphasizes interpersonal and interpretive communication, helping you develop confidence in real-world language use. You will continue to develop your proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) as the language of academia, reading, writing, media, and official settings. At the same time, the course recognizes the diglossic nature of Arabic and further expands your exposure to everyday spoken Arabic dialects, enhancing your ability to communicate effectively in informal and social contexts. Additionally, you will explore Arabic cultural practices and perspectives, fostering cultural insight and intercultural awareness. By completing the beginning Arabic sequence, you will acquire the linguistic skills and foundational cultural knowledge needed to navigate straightforward interactions and familiar tasks in an Arabic-speaking environment. You will continue to operate at a novice-high to intermediate-low proficiency level. ARAB 1002 builds on the foundations of ARAB 1001. You will expand your understanding of basic language structures and be introduced to topics relevant to your daily life, such as family, neighborhood, study, work, and social interactions. You will further develop conversation and interaction skills to engage more confidently in Arabic. Prerequisite: ARAB 1001 or equivalent.

ARAB 1003 Elementary Arabic (4 Credits)

The elementary Arabic three-quarter sequence is designed to build practical communication skills, enabling you to interact with Arabic speakers and engage in multilingual communities. The course emphasizes interpersonal and interpretive communication, helping you develop confidence in real-world language use. You will continue to develop your proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) as the language of academia, reading, writing, media, and official settings. At the same time, the course recognizes the diglossic nature of Arabic and further expands your exposure to everyday spoken Arabic dialects, enhancing your ability to communicate effectively in informal and social contexts. Additionally, you will explore Arabic cultural practices and perspectives, fostering cultural insight and intercultural awareness. By completing the beginning Arabic sequence, you will acquire the linguistic skills and foundational cultural knowledge needed to navigate straightforward interactions and familiar tasks in an Arabic-speaking environment. You will continue to operate at a novice-high to intermediate-low proficiency level. ARAB 1003 builds on the foundations of ARAB 1002. You will expand your proficiency in language structures and communication, allowing you to engage in more detailed and expressive conversations. This course will introduce you to more complex topics, such as past experiences, future plans, opinions, and cultural discussions. You will refine your speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills, enabling you to interact more fluently and confidently in a variety of real-world situations. Prerequisite: ARAB 1002 or equivalent.

ARAB 1020 Workplace Arabic: Arabic for Global Professions (2 Credits)

This course introduces students to Arabic language essentials for professional and workplace contexts. You will develop core communication skills needed to navigate real-world professional interactions in Arabic-speaking environments. The course emphasizes practical, task-based skills you can apply immediately across a variety of career paths and professional settings, regardless of your academic major.

ARAB 1350 From Iraq to Morocco: Arabic Culture and Society Through Film (4 Credits)

This course examines cultural and societal aspects of the Middle East and North Africa and presents this vast area as a broad and diverse region with diverse history, religion, and culture. Students will learn how to approach films ethnographically by subjecting each movie to a rigorous social analysis. Among topics covered are colonialism and its lasting effects, child trafficking, religion, wars, Arab-Israeli conflict, and women in the Middle East. Screening of Arabic films with English subtitles is a central part of the course. Assigned readings are designed to provide background on the particular historical and cultural contexts in which the films are produced. The course will bring awareness and/or shatter the multiple stereotypes surrounding the Arabs; but additionally, the discussions will transcend national borders and uncover social issues that may be more severe in the Arab world, but are universal and certainly not unique to the Middle East and North Africa. The course is in English and open to all interested. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.

ARAB 1351 Tales from the Arabian Nights: Reading across Time and Space (4 Credits)

No doubt that through their magical transformations and marvelous plots, the stories of the Arabian Nights, also known as One Thousand and One Nights, have a great entertainment value and that the imaginary setting of the tales has fascinated and inspired many authors and artists. However, this collection of stories has also significantly contributed to how the West views the Middle East: an exotic world populated by negative images such as conniving and manipulating harem women and violent and unscrupulous Arab men. The Tales of the Arabian Nights provide a unique platform for the discussion of current issues such as orientalism, stereotyping, and gender discrimination. In this course, we will select a handful of stories to serve as a catalyst for inquiry to show how this shared narrative passed on from generation to generation, has contributed to the creation of an ‘exotic’ East invented by the colonial West. We will show that the Middle East, like the rest of the world, is in a state of flux and the text is not a historical account of the medieval Arab world and cannot be viewed a-historically. We will unveil all the stereotypes that have been subtly, or not so subtly, implanted in the mind of the west through an often-erroneous portrayal of the Arab world. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.

CHIN 1001 Elementary Chinese (4 Credits)

An introductory course in Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin) designed to develop students’ ability to communicate in Mandarin Chinese in linguistically and culturally appropriate ways. This course adopts a task-supported and proficiency-based curriculum, so it focuses on both engaging students in the learning process through real-life tasks and helping students reach the learning outcomes. This course counts towards the Language requirement of the Common Curriculum.

CHIN 1002 Elementary Chinese (4 Credits)

An introductory course in Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin) designed to develop students’ ability to communicate in Mandarin Chinese in linguistically and culturally appropriate ways. This course adopts a task-supported and proficiency-based curriculum, so it focuses on both engaging students in the learning process through real-life tasks and helping students reach the learning outcomes. This is the second course in a three-quarter sequence. This course counts towards the Language requirement of the Common Curriculum. Pre requisite: CHIN 1001 or equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

CHIN 1003 Elementary Chinese (4 Credits)

An introductory course in Modern Standard Chinese (Mandarin) designed to develop students’ ability to communicate in Mandarin Chinese in linguistically and culturally appropriate ways. This course adopts a task-supported and proficiency-based curriculum, so it focuses on both engaging students in the learning process through real-life tasks and helping students reach the learning outcomes. This is the third course in a three-quarter sequence. This course counts towards the Language requirement of the Common Curriculum. Prerequisite: CHIN 1002 or equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

CHIN 1116 Exploring Chinese Popular Culture (4 Credits)

Culture is a very broad and multifaceted topic. Culture is about everything, including language, art, customs, food, political and education structures, and so on. This course introduces students to Chinese popular culture through the lens of Chinese food, social media, TV shows, pop music, sports and education. Students will engage in reading and viewing texts of various media (e.g., book chapters, news articles, social media posts, television episodes, documentaries) and discussing the practices, beliefs, and stories of ordinary Chinese people. Through the in-depth exploration of a broad range of topics, students will be able to develop a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, identify and analyze the connections between Chinese culture and their personal experience, critically reflect on their own culture, and demonstrate awareness of cultural diversity. No prior knowledge of Chinese language is required. This course counts towards the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.

FREN 1001 Français élémentaire (4 Credits)

Connect with the diverse population around the world that uses French by developing practical language skills for meaningful communication in everyday situations. Explore and reflect on cultural practices and perspectives of the world's French-speaking communities while developing cultural insight and the foundations of cultural awareness and understanding. The communicative nature of this course focuses on using French as much as possible to interact with others in everyday situations and achieve basic proficiency. First quarter in a three-quarter sequence. The course is designed for students with no previous experience in French. Students with more than 2 years of high school French must take the placement exam and enroll in a higher-level course.

FREN 1002 Français élémentaire (4 Credits)

Connect with the diverse population around the world that uses French by developing practical language skills for meaningful communication in everyday situations. Explore and reflect on cultural practices and perspectives of the world’s French-speaking communities while developing cultural insight and the foundations of intercultural awareness and understanding. The communicative nature of this course focuses on using French as much as possible to interact with others in everyday situations and achieve basic proficiency. Second quarter in a three-quarter sequence. This course is designed for students with no previous experience in French. Students with more than 2 years of high school French must take the placement exam and enroll in a higher-level course. Prerequisite: FREN 1001 or equivalent.

FREN 1003 Français élémentaire (4 Credits)

Connect with the diverse population around the world that uses French by developing practical language skills for meaningful communication in everyday situations. Explore and reflect on cultural practices and perspectives of the world’s French-speaking communities while developing cultural insight and the foundations of intercultural awareness and understanding. The communicative nature of this course focuses on using French as much as possible to interact with others in everyday situations and achieve basic proficiency. Final quarter in a three-quarter sequence. Prerequisite: FREN 1002 or equivalent.

FREN 1020 French for the Workplace: Essential Communication Skills (2 Credits)

This course introduces students to French language essentials that apply to any professional field or job role. You'll learn core language skills common to diverse business environments and engage with the most universal professional communication situations found in today's workplace. The course emphasizes practical, real-world skills you can use immediately in any French-speaking professional environment, regardless of your career path or industry. The prerequisite for this course is successful completion of FREN 1002 or placement into FREN 1003. This 2-credit course may be taken concurrently with FREN 1003, but does not fulfill the language requirement for the Common Curriculum. Note that upon completion of this course, students are prepared to take the Diplôme de Français des affaires niveau A1 from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paris-île-de-France.

FREN 1120 French at Work: Developing Communication Skills (2 Credits)

This introductory course emphasizes straightforward communication in predictable professional situations, enabling students to handle everyday workplace interactions with confidence at the beginner level. Through practical activities, you will develop the skills to describe your educational background and work experience, discuss your immediate work environment, and address topics related to immediate professional needs using simple but effective language. By the end of the course, you will be able to function effectively in predictable professional interactions and handle routine workplace communication tasks in French. The prerequisite for this course is successful completion of FREN 1003 or placement into FREN 2001. This 2-credit course may be taken concurrently with FREN 2001 but does not fulfill the language requirement for the Common Curriculum. Note that upon completion of this course, students are prepared to take the Diplôme de Français des affaires niveau A2 from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paris-Île-de-France.

GERM 1001 Elementary German (4 Credits)

DU’s first-year German courses introduce learners to the German language and German- speaking cultures while teaching the skills to be a life-long second language learner. German 1001 is the first course in this series. The teaching style is communicative, focusing on using the language to interact with others in everyday situations. Additionally, we discuss (in English) topics that both the U.S. and German culture have in common such as immigration, health care, and education. This course will help you achieve basic proficiency in German across all three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational. Our goal is that by the end of the first-year German sequence, you will produce language at the Novice High level and be able to comprehend language at the Intermediate Low level. We will use as much German as possible in class. Mistakes and misunderstandings will happen often and are an important part of the learning process. Our goal is communication, not perfection. To support our goal of communication, our textbook uses a flipped classroom concept. Pre-class work will be assigned so that when we are together, we can move more quickly and focus our energy on interaction and creation. This course uses a performance assessment model to give students feedback and assign grades.

GERM 1002 Elementary German (4 Credits)

DU’s first-year German courses introduce learners to the German language and German- speaking cultures while teaching the skills to be a life-long second language learner. German 1002 is the second course in this series. The teaching style is communicative, focusing on using the language to interact with others in everyday situations. Additionally, we discuss (in English) topics that both the U.S. and German culture have in common such as immigration, health care, and education. This course will help you achieve basic proficiency in German across all three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational. Our goal is that by the end of the first-year German sequence, you will produce language at the Novice High level and be able to comprehend language at the Intermediate Low level. We will use as much German as possible in class. Mistakes and misunderstandings will happen often and are an important part of the learning process. Our goal is communication, not perfection. To support our goal of communication, our textbook uses a flipped classroom concept. Pre-class work will be assigned so that when we are together, we can move more quickly and focus our energy on interaction and creation. This course uses a performance assessment model to give students feedback and assign grades. Prerequisite: GERM 1001 or equivalent.

GERM 1003 Elementary German (4 Credits)

DU’s first-year German courses introduce learners to the German language and German- speaking cultures while teaching the skills to be a life-long second language learner. German 1003 is the third course in this series. The teaching style is communicative, focusing on using the language to interact with others in everyday situations. Additionally, we discuss (in English) topics that both the U.S. and German culture have in common such as immigration, health care, and education. This course will help you achieve basic proficiency in German across all three modes of communication: interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational. Our goal is that by the end of the first-year German sequence, you will produce language at the Novice High level and be able to comprehend language at the Intermediate Low level. We will use as much German as possible in class. Mistakes and misunderstandings will happen often and are an important part of the learning process. Our goal is communication, not perfection. To support our goal of communication, our textbook uses a flipped classroom concept. Pre-class work will be assigned so that when we are together, we can move more quickly and focus our energy on interaction and creation. This course uses a performance assessment model to give students feedback and assign grades. Pre-requisite: German 1002 or equivalent.

HEBR 1001 Elementary Hebrew (4 Credits)

Hebrew 1001 is designed for students with little or no prior knowledge of Hebrew. This course aims to provide practical language skills for meaningful communication in real-life situations. It is designed to develop all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, weaving them all into daily classes through a communicative-cultural approach. First course in a three-quarter sequence.

HEBR 1002 Elementary Hebrew (4 Credits)

Hebrew 1002 is the second course in a three-quarter sequence. This course aims to provide practical language skills for meaningful communication in real-life situations. It is designed to develop all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, weaving them all into daily classes through a communicative-cultural approach. Prerequisite: HEBR 1001 or equivalent.

HEBR 1003 Elementary Hebrew (4 Credits)

This is the third course in the elementary Hebrew sequence. It aims to provide practical language skills for meaningful communication in real-life situations. It is designed to develop all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, weaving them all into daily classes through a communicative-cultural approach. Prerequisite: HEBR 1002 or equivalent.

INTZ 1255 Directed Independent Language Study: Swahili (4 Credits)

Directed Independent Language Study (DILS): Swahili provides students the opportunity to study Swahili (Kiswahili) language and cultures. The DILS program is appropriate for dedicated and disciplined students who can maintain a rigorous course of self-study that is supplemented with regular meetings with a Language Partner (LP). Students are provided with suggested curriculum and materials, develop their learning goals and plan to achieve those goals, reflect upon the language-learning process and are evaluated at mid-term and the end of quarter by an expert in the language from another institution. This course is recommended for students planning to or returning from study abroad in the African Great Lakes region and the Swahili Coast, as well as those with cultural, academic and professional interests in the Swahili language. First year undergraduate students should not register for this course. Prerequisite: Application through the Center for World Languages & Cultures and completion of the Common Curriculum foreign language requirement (FOLA).

INTZ 1301 Portuguese: Beginning Level 1 (4 Credits)

This course is an introduction to the Portuguese Language, emphasizing interpretive listening and reading, presentational speaking and writing, and interpersonal communication skills. The course consists of teaching and practical exercises pertaining to vocabulary, pronunciation, and sentence structure. Cultural topics pertaining to Portuguese and Brazilian society aim to facilitate students’ transition into study abroad. This is an online course with lectures delivered synchronously via an online meeting software platform (Zoom) by a Portuguese Instructor at the Universidade Catolica Portuguesa. Attendance at remote class sessions is mandatory.

INTZ 1810 Directed Independent Language Study: Arabic (4 Credits)

Directed Independent Language Study (DILS): Arabic provides students the opportunity to study Arabic language and Arabic-speaking cultures. The DILS program is appropriate for dedicated and disciplined students who can maintain a rigorous course of self-study that is supplemented with regular meetings with a Language Partner (LP). Students are provided with suggested curriculum and materials, develop their learning goals and plan to achieve those goals, reflect upon the language-learning process and are evaluated at mid-term and the end of quarter by an expert in the language from another institution. This course is recommended for students planning to or returning from study abroad in various Middle-Eastern countries, as well as those with cultural, academic and professional interests in the Arabic language and Middle East Studies. First year undergraduate students should not register for this course. Prerequisite: Application through the Center for World Languages & Cultures and completion of the Common Curriculum foreign language requirement (FOLA) or approval.

INTZ 1891 Directed Independent Language Study: Hindi (4 Credits)

Directed Independent Language Study (DILS): Hindi provides students the opportunity to study Hindi language and cultures. The DILS program is appropriate for dedicated and disciplined students who can maintain a rigorous course of self-study that is supplemented with regular meetings with a Language Partner (LP). Students are provided with suggested curriculum and materials, develop their learning goals and plan to achieve those goals, reflect upon the language-learning process and are evaluated at mid-term and the end of quarter by an expert in the language from another institution. This course is recommended for students planning to or returning from study abroad in India, as well as those with cultural, academic and professional interests in the Hindi language. First year undergraduate students should not register for this course. Prerequisite: Application through the Center for World Languages & Cultures and completion of the Common Curriculum foreign language requirement (FOLA).

INTZ 1910 Directed Independent Language Study: Quechua (4 Credits)

Directed Independent Language Study (DILS): Quechua provides students the opportunity to study Quechua language and Quechua-speaking cultures. The DILS program is appropriate for dedicated and disciplined students who can maintain a rigorous course of self-study that is supplemented with regular meetings with a Language Partner (LP). Students are provided with suggested curriculum and materials, develop their learning goals and plan to achieve those goals, reflect upon the language-learning process and are evaluated at mid-term and the end of quarter by an expert in the language from another institution. This course is recommended for students planning to or returning from study abroad in various South American countries, as well as those with cultural, academic and professional interests in the Quechua language, Andean Studies, Indigenous languages and cultures. First year undergraduate students should not register for this course. Prerequisite: Application through the Center for World Languages & Cultures and completion of the Common Curriculum foreign language requirement (FOLA).

INTZ 1946 Directed Independent Language Study: Swedish (4 Credits)

Directed Independent Language Study (DILS): Swedish provides students the opportunity to study Swedish language and cultures. The DILS program is appropriate for dedicated and disciplined students who can maintain a rigorous course of self-study that is supplemented with regular meetings with a Language Partner (LP). Students are provided with suggested curriculum and materials, develop their learning goals and plan to achieve those goals, reflect upon the language-learning process and are evaluated at mid-term and the end of quarter by an expert in the language from another institution. This course is recommended for students planning to or returning from study abroad in Sweden, as well as those with cultural, academic and professional interests in the Swedish language. First year undergraduate students should not register for this course. Prerequisite: Application through the Center for World Languages & Cultures and completion of the Common Curriculum foreign language requirement (FOLA).

INTZ 1955 Directed Independent Language Study: Portuguese (4 Credits)

Directed Independent Language Study (DILS): Portuguese provides students the opportunity to study Portuguese language and Portuguese-speaking cultures. The DILS program is appropriate for dedicated and disciplined students who can maintain a rigorous course of self-study that is supplemented with regular meetings with a Language Partner (LP). Students are provided with suggested curriculum and materials, develop their learning goals and plan to achieve those goals, reflect upon the language-learning process and are evaluated at mid-term and the end of quarter by an expert in the language from another institution. This course is recommended for students planning to or returning from study abroad in Brazil or Portugal, as well as those with cultural, academic and professional interests in the Portuguese language. First year undergraduate students should not register for this course. Prerequisite: Application through the Center for World Languages & Cultures and completion of the Common Curriculum foreign language requirement (FOLA).

INTZ 1982 Directed Independent Language Study: Korean (4 Credits)

Directed Independent Language Study (DILS): Korean provides students the opportunity to study Korean language and cultures. The DILS program is appropriate for dedicated and disciplined students who can maintain a rigorous course of self-study that is supplemented with regular meetings with a Language Partner (LP). Students are provided with suggested curriculum and materials, develop their learning goals and plan to achieve those goals, reflect upon the language-learning process and are evaluated at mid-term and the end of quarter by an expert in the language from another institution. This course is recommended for students planning to or returning from study abroad in South Korea, as well as those with cultural, academic and professional interests in the Korean language. First year undergraduate students should not register for this course. Prerequisite: Application through the Center for World Languages & Cultures and completion of the Common Curriculum foreign language requirement (FOLA).

INTZ 1990 Directed Independent Language Study: Turkish (4 Credits)

Directed Independent Language Study (DILS): Turkish provides students the opportunity to study Turkish language and cultures. The DILS program is appropriate for dedicated and disciplined students who can maintain a rigorous course of self-study that is supplemented with regular meetings with a Language Partner (LP). Students are provided with suggested curriculum and materials, develop their learning goals and plan to achieve those goals, reflect upon the language-learning process and are evaluated at mid-term and the end of quarter by an expert in the language from another institution. This course is recommended for students planning to or returning from study abroad in Turkey, as well as those with cultural, academic and professional interests in the Turkish language. First year undergraduate students should not register for this course. Prerequisite: Application through the Center for World Languages & Cultures and completion of the Common Curriculum foreign language requirement (FOLA).

ITAL 1001 Elementary Italian (4 Credits)

Build practical communication skills to interact with speakers of Italian and participate in multilingual communities, with a focus on interpersonal and interpretive communication. Explore and reflect on Italian cultural practices and perspectives to develop cultural insight and the foundations of intercultural awareness and understanding. Learners that complete the beginning Italian sequence will have the linguistic skills and foundational cultural knowledge to navigate straightforward situations and manage familiar tasks in an Italian context, operating at the novice high to intermediate low proficiency level. Italian 1001 is designed for students with no prior knowledge of Italian. Students with experience with the Italian language should complete the placement test to determine the appropriate course level for their background.

ITAL 1002 Elementary Italian (4 Credits)

Build practical communication skills to interact with speakers of Italian and participate in multilingual communities, with a focus on interpersonal and interpretive communication. Explore and reflect on Italian cultural practices and perspectives to develop cultural insight and the foundations of intercultural awareness and understanding. Learners that complete the beginning Italian sequence will have the linguistic skills and foundational cultural knowledge to navigate straightforward situations and manage familiar tasks in an Italian context, operating at the novice high to intermediate low proficiency level. Prerequisite: ITAL 1001 or equivalent.

ITAL 1003 Elementary Italian (4 Credits)

Build practical communication skills to interact with speakers of Italian and participate in multilingual communities, with a focus on interpersonal and interpretive communication. Explore and reflect on Italian cultural practices and perspectives to develop cultural insight and the foundations of intercultural awareness and understanding. Learners that complete the beginning Italian sequence will have the linguistic skills and foundational cultural knowledge to navigate straightforward situations and manage familiar tasks in an Italian context, operating at the novice high to intermediate low proficiency level. Prerequisite: ITAL 1002 or equivalent.

JAPN 1001 Elementary Japanese (4 Credits)

The Elementary Japanese sequence helps students develop communicative competence in basic spoken and written Japanese and explore Japanese cultural practices and perspectives to enrich cultural competence and reflect on their own. First quarter of a three-quarter sequence. Japanese 1001 is designed for students with no prior knowledge of Japanese. Students who have experience with the Japanese language should complete the placement test to determine the appropriate course level for their background.

JAPN 1002 Elementary Japanese (4 Credits)

The Elementary Japanese sequence helps students develop communicative competence in basic spoken and written Japanese and explore Japanese cultural practices and perspectives to enrich cultural competence and reflect on their own. Second quarter of a three-quarter sequence. Prerequisite: JAPN 1001 or equivalent.

JAPN 1003 Elementary Japanese (4 Credits)

The Elementary Japanese sequence helps students develop communicative competence in basic spoken and written Japanese and explore Japanese cultural practices and perspectives to enrich cultural competence and reflect on their own. Third quarter of a three-quarter sequence. Prerequisite: JAPN 1002 or equivalent.

LANG 1020 Beyond Fluency: Language, Identity & Career (2 Credits)

Who am I becoming through language learning? What can I do with that? Where do I want to go? Language learners develop skills that go far beyond vocabulary and grammar — skills in communication, critical thinking, cultural agility, and perspective-taking that show up in every career field imaginable. This course helps you identify these transferable skills unique to language learners, talk about them confidently, and connect them to a life and career that genuinely fits you. Through reflective writing, creative projects, and collaborative conversation, you’ll explore who you are as a language learner, map the competencies you’ve already built onto real-world career frameworks (ACTFL and NACE), and develop a richer understanding of your own strengths, values, and intercultural experiences. This course is part of the CAHSS 4D Career Fridays initiative, supporting CAHSS students in developing careers and lives of purpose. It contributes to the Certificate of Language Proficiency and Career Applications.

LANG 1100 You say /TƏˈMEɪ.TOƱ/, I say /TƏˈMɑː.TƏƱ/: How Linguistic Prejudice Shapes Our World (4 Credits)

We all have accents—even as babies! We also all have opinions about the way others talk: why do we find certain accents attractive? Why do our language pet peeves irritate us? Why does this description use words like “attractive” and “irritate” rather than “sexy” and “piss us off”? These are the sort of questions this course will explore. As an introduction to sociolinguistics with an emphasis on language attitudes, it will investigate how unconscious language habits both reflect and reinforce real-world power dynamics. We will discuss why people talk the way they do, what real-world consequences that has, and how best to deal with our own linguistic prejudices. As a hands-on course, instead of listening to lectures and taking tests, you will learn by engaging in the same kinds of activities that working sociolinguists do every day: reading papers, reflecting on the language you hear in your everyday life as well as in popular culture, and carrying out investigations to dig deeper when your interest is piqued. The course focuses on English language variation in the United States, and although other languages and cultures will be discussed, no foreign language knowledge is necessary. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.

RUSS 1001 Elementary Russian (4 Credits)

The elementary Russian sequence provides a comprehensive introduction to Russian language and culture, while ensuring a solid command of fundamental grammatical structures. By the completion of this course, all students are expected to acquire a proficiency level of “Novice High” or better in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In addition, the course offers students meaningful opportunities to analyze and explore common beliefs, attitudes, and behavioral patterns of Russian-speaking people in a global comparative context. As a result, students will develop the capacity to identify their own cultural patterns, compare and contrast with others, and adapt empathetically to unfamiliar ways of being. Russian 1001 is designed for students with no prior knowledge of Russian. Students who have experience with the Russian language should complete the placement test to determine the appropriate course level for their background.

RUSS 1002 Elementary Russian (4 Credits)

The elementary Russian sequence provides a comprehensive introduction to Russian language and culture, while ensuring a solid command of fundamental grammatical structures. By the completion of this course, all students are expected to acquire a proficiency level of “Novice High” or better in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In addition, the course offers students meaningful opportunities to analyze and explore common beliefs, attitudes, and behavioral patterns of Russian-speaking people in a global comparative context. As a result, students will develop the capacity to identify their own cultural patterns, compare and contrast with others, and adapt empathetically to unfamiliar ways of being. Prerequisite: RUSS 1001 or permission of instructor.

RUSS 1003 Elementary Russian (4 Credits)

The elementary Russian sequence provides a comprehensive introduction to Russian language and culture, while ensuring a solid command of fundamental grammatical structures. By the completion of this course, all students are expected to acquire a proficiency level of “Novice High” or better in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In addition, the course offers students meaningful opportunities to analyze and explore common beliefs, attitudes, and behavioral patterns of Russian-speaking people in a global comparative context. As a result, students will develop the capacity to identify their own cultural patterns, compare and contrast with others, and adapt empathetically to unfamiliar ways of being. Prerequisite: RUSS 1002 or permission of instructor.

RUSS 1750 Russia Under Western Eyes: From Memoirs to Espionage Novel (4 Credits)

This course critically examines the representations of Russia and Soviets as they have been conceptualized and narrated in the writing of Western authors from the early 20th century to the modern day. We will analyze the narrative constructions of “Russianness”—from the enigmatic soul and despotic power to the relentless Soviet agent—and investigate how these portrayals reflect Western anxieties about ideology, identity, and the self. The curriculum spans a transformative century, from Pre-Revolutionary Russia to the era of Perestroika, tracing the evolution of the Western gaze through a diverse range of genres, including memoirs, historical novels, and spy fiction. Our study will begin with Joseph Conrad’s Under Western Eyes and Amor Towles’s A Gentleman in Moscow, as both works engage deeply with the political and social atmosphere of the early 20th century. Following this foundation, we will turn to the nonfiction work Hemingway: Writer, Sailor, Soldier, Spy to explore and conceptualize the emerging themes of espionage, ideology, and identity that came to define the Cold War era. The unit culminates with creative interpretations from spy drama The Americans. In our discussion, we will ground fictional portrayals in factual events by examining each text within its specific historical and socio-cultural context. Our analysis will be enriched with supplemental resources—including cultural history, literary criticism, and historical excerpts to ensure a nuanced and evidence-based interpretation of the literature. No prior knowledge of Russian is required for this course.

SPAN 1001 Beginning Spanish (4 Credits)

The Beginning Spanish sequence aims to provide practical language skills for meaningful communication in real situations, with the goal of connecting with the diverse Spanish-speaking populations around the world and in the US. Three quarter sequence. SPAN 1001 is designed for students with no previous Spanish experience. Students with more than 2 years of high school Spanish or who grew up in a Spanish-speaking environment must take the placement exam and enroll in a higher-level course.

SPAN 1002 Beginning Spanish (4 Credits)

The Beginning Spanish sequence aims to provide practical language skills for meaningful communication in real situations, with the goal of connecting with the diverse Spanish-speaking populations around the world and in the US. Three quarter sequence. Prerequisite: SPAN 1001 or equivalent.

SPAN 1003 Beginning Spanish (4 Credits)

The Beginning Spanish sequence aims to provide practical language skills for meaningful communication in real situations, with the goal of connecting with the diverse Spanish-speaking populations around the world and in the US. Three quarter sequence. Prerequisite: SPAN 1002 or equivalent.

SPAN 1004 Spanish for Socio-Legal Professionals: Essential Communication Skills (2 Credits)

This course introduces students to the Spanish language essentials needed to work effectively in legal, social justice, international, and community-oriented professional settings. Through practical, real-world activities, students develop the skills to describe their educational background and professional experience, discuss their immediate legal or community environment, communicate key legal and social information, and handle predictable professional interactions with confidence using clear, culturally sensitive language. Instruction emphasizes applied scenarios in law, policy, international studies, and community advocacy, preparing students to navigate culturally nuanced situations and function effectively in Spanish-speaking professional contexts. This course is suitable, but not limited to students in Political Science, Public Policy, Sociology & Criminology, Socio-Legal Studies, and International Studies. The prerequisite for this course is successful completion of SPAN 1002 or placement into SPAN 1003. This 2-credit course may be taken concurrently with SPAN 1003 but does not fulfill the language requirement for the Common Curriculum.

SPAN 1008 Spanish for Healthcare and Wellness Professionals: Essential Communication Skills (2 Credits)

SPAN 1008 introduces students to the essential Spanish needed to communicate effectively in healthcare and wellness settings. This course is designed to meet the critical and growing need in the health professions and emphasizes practical, real-world interactions with Spanish-speaking patients and clients. Students will develop skills to communicate in clear, culturally sensitive, and patient-centered ways by integrating language, culture, and basic clinical communication strategies. Instruction focuses on accessible, everyday communication that helps students understand patients’ perspectives and make health information understandable and respectful. This course is ideal, but not limited to students in pre-med, kinesiology, psychology, neuroscience, biology, biochemistry, public health, and other health-related fields. As part of the 4D Fridays Initiative, SPAN 1008 connects language learning directly with professional preparation and career pathways. It is also the first course in the Spanish for the Professions Healthcare and Wellness Track, followed by SPAN 2008, where students further strengthen workplace communication skills. The prerequisite for this course is successful completion of SPAN 1002 or placement into SPAN 1003. This 2-credit course may be taken concurrently with SPAN 1003 but does not fulfill the language requirement of the Common Curriculum.