Global Interdisciplinary Studies
The Department of Global Interdisciplinary Studies (GIS) provides students with a tripartite of skills, knowledge, and values that foster critical thinking, problem solving, and preparation for responsible global citizenship. Students gain an understanding of global studies, acquiring the know-how in global and digital literacy, cultural diversity and intercultural competences, interdisciplinary research, and a passion for social justice, nurtured in experiential learning.
All students must choose one specialization from the sections listed below.
The Department of Global Interdisciplinary Studies also offers minors in the following programs: Arabic Language and Cultural Studies, Chinese Language and Cultural Studies, Japanese Language and Cultural Studies, Russian Language and Cultural Studies. Visit these individual pages to view requirements.
Programs
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Africana Studies Major (GIS) -
Arab and Islamic Studies Major (GIS) -
Asian Studies Major (GIS) -
Chinese Studies Major (GIS) -
Cultural Studies Major (GIS) -
Gender and Women's Studies Major (GIS) -
Irish Studies Major (GIS) -
Japanese Studies Major (GIS) -
Latin American Studies Major (GIS) -
Peace and Justice Major (GIS) -
Russian Area Studies Major (GIS) -
Arabic Language & Cultural Studies Minor -
Chinese Language and Cultural Studies Minor -
Japanese Language and Cultural Studies Minor -
Russian Language & Cultural Studies Minor
Courses
AFR 3000: Constructs of Blackness
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Interdisciplinary examination of ideas of black identity, culture, and politics. Course covers African and African Diaspora experience in society, history, literature, health, and others in global and national contexts. Team taught
AFR 5000: Ind. Study Africana Studies
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Permission of Program Director. Individual students with specific interest work on a tutorial basis with an appropriate professor.
ARB 1111: Basic Arabic I
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Basic Modern Standard Arabic for students with no prior knowledge of Arabic, and for heritage speakers without writing proficiency. Recitations, readings and oral drills, supplementary language laboratory work. Part I of II.
ARB 1112: Basic Arabic II
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Basic Modern Standard Arabic for students with no prior knowledge of Arabic, and for heritage speakers without writing proficiency. Recitations, readings, oral drills, supplementary language laboratory work. Part II of II. Prerequisites: ARB 1111 or equivalent.
ARB 1111
ARB 1121: Intermediate Arabic I
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Review of grammar and vocabulary. Recitations, readings, and oral drills. Supplementary language laboratory work and oral drills. ARB 1111 and ARB 1112, or equivalent or permission of Program Director.
ARB 1111 and ARB 1112
ARB 1122: Intermediate Arabic II
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Continuation from ARB 1121. Review of grammar and vocabulary. Recitations, readings, and oral drills. Supplementary language laboratory work and oral drills. ARB 1111, ARB 1112, and ARB 1121, or equivalent or permission of Program Coordinator.
ARB 1111 and ARB 1112 and ARB 1121
ARB 1131: Intensive Adv Arabic I
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Advanced communication skills including reading and discussing topics on current events. Supplementary language laboratory work. ARB 1125 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
ARB 1132: Intensive Adv Arabic II
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Advanced communication skills including reading and discussing topics on current events. Supplementary language laboratory work. ARB 1131 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
ARB 1141: Intro to Colloquial Arabic
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Training in the use of colloquial Egyptian Arabic, focusing on listening and speaking skills. Supplementary laboratory work and drills.
ARB 1600: Arabic Short Topics
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Topics on Arab culture and language explored at basic levels and for a short length of time in the semester.
ARB 2142: Arab Culture Thru Film & Text
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Arab culture and civilization with emphasis on the Arab people's contribution to the arts and sciences.
ARB 3412: Special Topics
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Advanced study of topics of special interest in Arabic literary and/or cultural studies. May be repeated for credit if topic changes. Fulfills core requirements for Arabic minor.
ARB 5900: ARB:Independent Study
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Supervised study, activity or research. May be taken more than once. Prior approval of chair and instructor.
CHI 1009: Foundations in Chinese I
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A beginner's journey into the Chinese language emphasizing reading and writing. This course cultivates basic communication abilities, setting the stage for ongoing Chinese education.
CHI 1010: Foundations in Chinese Il
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Progressing from Foundations in Chinese I, this course enhances linguistic expertise in reading and writing. Students amplify conversational capacities and delve into complex grammar. Aimed to fortify foundational skills, propelling students toward intermediate coursework.
CHI 1111: Basic Chinese I
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Functional use of Chinese for students with no prior knowlege of Chinese. New pronunciation system, PINYIN, readings and oral drills. Supplementary language laboratory work.
CHI 1112: Basic Chinese II
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Functional use of Chinese for students with no prior knowledge of Chinese. Continuation of CHI 1111. New pronunciation system, PINYIN, readings and oral drills. Supplementary language readings, oral drill, and laboratory work.
CHI 1111 :D
CHI 1121: Intermediate Chinese I
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Review of Grammar and vocabulary. New pronunciation system, PINYIN, reading and oral drills. Supplementary language laboratory work. PreReqs: CHI 1111 and CHI 1112 or equivalent, with permission of Language Coordinator.
CHI 1111 and CHI 1112
CHI 1122: Intermediate Chinese II
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Review of grammar and vocabulary. New pronunciation system, PINYIN, readings and oral drills. Supplementary language laboratory work. CHI 1121 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
CHI 1131: Advanced Chinese I
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Advanced communication skills including reading and discussing topics on current events. Supplementary language laboratory work. CHI 1122 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
CHI 1132: Advanced Chinese II
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Advanced communication skills including reading and discussing topics on current events. Supplementary language laboratory work. CHI 1131 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
CHI 1133: Advanced Chinese III
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Advanced communication skills including reading & discussing topics on current events. Supplementary language laboratory work. CHI 1132 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
CHI 1132
CHI 1134: Advanced Chinese IV
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Advanced communication skills including reading & discussing topics on current events. Supplementary language laboratory work. CHI 1133 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
CHI 1133
CHI 1151: Spec. Top. in Chinese Language
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Intensive instruction in conversation, reading and writing with emphasis on the refinement of Chinese language skills.
CHI 1122
CHI 1600: Chinese Short Topics
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Topics on Chinese culture and language explored at basic levels and for short length of time in the semester.
CHI 1975: Classical Chinese Literature
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Introduces some major artists, genres, and texts that have shaped the classical Chinese literary tradition. Explores how concepts like ?tradition? or ?canon? are constantly destabilized, revitalized, and reimagined. Pays attention to challenges of literary interpretation.
CHI 2102: Chinese Film
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Screening and analysis of Chinese films thematically, stylistically, and historically. Elective for Chinese and Asian Studies majors and minors. May also fulfill Core Fine Arts, if so approved.
CHI 2140: Chinese Culinary Culture
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Screening and analysis of Chinese films, thematically, stylistically, and historically. Elective for Chinese and Asian Studies majors and minors.
CHI 2143: Chinese Culture
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Chinese culture and civilization from the beginning to the present. Conducted in English.
CHI 3412: Chinese Special Topics
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Advanced study of topics of special interest in Chinese literary and/or cultural studies. May be repeated for credit if topic changes. Taught in English.
CHI 3413: Chinese Calligraphy
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Two part course: Textual study: History of Chinese calligraphy emphasizing how the Chinese culture blossomed and developed; Calligraphy practice: an on-hand developing of Chinese characters including the study of character's original meaning, transformation, and cultural context.
CHI 5900: CHI:Independent Study
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Supervised study, activity or research. May be taken more than once. Prior approval of chair and instructor.
GIS 1000: Non-VU Language Abroad
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Short-term basic study for credit of language not offered by GIS as part of a Study Abroad program.
GIS 1100: Special Studies
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Studies in Critical Languages not included among the languages and cultural studies typically offered in GIS, in related areas, usually through Study Abroad, such as: Korean, Hindi, Thai, Yoruba, Hebrew, Luo; readings, discussions, drills.
GIS 2000: Intro to Global Interd Studies
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Gateway course to Global Interdisciplinary Studies, preparing for area studies specializations and GIS interdisciplinary programs. Focuses critical thinking skills through the comparative lens of both global and interdisciplinary analyses. Mandatory preparatory course for advanced study in GIS major.
GIS 2993: Global Studies Internship
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Permission of Chairperson required.
GIS 2996: Global Studies Internship
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Permission of Chairperson required.
GIS 3000: Special Topics Study Abroad
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Special topics in global and interdisciplinary studies taken while studying abroad.
GIS 3992: Global Topics Abroad
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Co-requisite 1-credit course designed to provide an embedded study-abroad experience to complement a requisite GIS course.
GIS 4000: Global Env Justice Movements
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Interdisciplinary seminar course will explore the epistemological, historical, environmental, and philosophical dimensions of global environmental justice movements from the 19th century to the present.
GIS 4100: Topics in GIS
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Specific topics in global interdisciplinary studies that vary each semester.
GIS 4281: The Tale of Shanghai and Tokyo
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Struggling with their identity while being nurtured by their traditional culture for more than a century, today's Shanghai and Tokyo eventually emerged from a feudal society as modern, sophisticated, and diversified metropolises on the global stage. Explore how the two Asian cities encountered the West, as well as how they were forced to change through revolutions and reforms in the realms of culture, sociology, literature, history, ideology, and philosophy of life.
GIS 5000: Special Topics
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Intensive seminar taught by distinguished visiting faculty on a topic of global and interdisciplinary significance.
GIS 2000 :Y
GIS 5011: GIS Select
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Interdisciplinary team-taught courses offered by GIS to fulfill requirements for the Junior Research Seminar and additional GIS Select course. May be taken by GIS majors in any of the specializations, including Gender and Women's Studies and Peace and Justice Education, to fulfill requirements in their specialization if the specific GIS Select topic carries the attribute of their specialization.
GIS 6000: Independent Study
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Individual students with specific interests will work on a supervised project.
GIS 6500: Capstone I: Research
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Team-taught, interdisciplinary seminar. Integration of work for GIS major, leading to the research & writing of the major thesis, topic determined by faculty of record. Senior standing.
GIS 2000
GIS 6600: Capstone 2:Thesis
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Directed research seminar focusing on the writing of the major theseis. Senior standing.
IS 1111: Introductory Irish Language I
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Groundwork in Irish (Gaelic), including oral proficiency, aural comprehension, and reading knowledge; for students with no prior knowledge of Irish. Supplementary language laboratory work and oral drills.
IS 1112: Introductory Irish Language II
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Groundwork in Irish (Gaelic), including oral proficiency, aural comprehension and reading knowledge; for students with one semester of Irish study completed. Supplementary language laboratory work and oral drills. Students should have completed IS 1111 or equivalent.
IS 1121: Intermediate Irish Language I
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Review of grammar and vocabulary in Irish (Gaelic). Recitations, readings and oral drills. Supplementary cultural study, language laboratory, and conversation comprehension. Prerequisites: IS 1111 and 1112, equivalent or permission of instructor. Taught by a Fulbright language instructor from Ireland. Counts toward the Irish Studies Concentration.
IS 1112
IS 3100: Topics: Irish Studies
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Study of topics of special interest in Irish Studies, both on campus and abroad. May be repeated two times if topics change.
IS 4000: Intro Irish Studies Abroad
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On the culture, history, politics of Ireland. Presentations by the Academic Program Coordinator, readings on Irish culture and society, and field trips. Required of all students participating in the summer abroad program at NUI Galway, Ireland.
VAB 1000
IS 4100: Spec Top in Irish Studies
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Perspectives on the culture and history of Ireland. Presentations by the Resident Program Director, lectures by a range of NUI faculty, readings by noted Irish writers, performances by a local musicians, and field trips. Required of all students participating in the semester abroad program at NUI Galway, Ireland.
IS 4101: Studying in Ireland
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Intercultural education preparing for study in Ireland through critical readings, reflective writing, and foundational concepts in Irish Studies.
JPN 1009: Foundations in Japanese I
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A beginner's journey in the Japanese language emphasizing reading and writing. This course cultivates basic communication abilities, setting the stage for ongoing Japanese education.
JPN 1010: Foundations in Japanese II
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Progressing from Foundations of Japanese l, this course enhances linguistic expertise in reading and writing Students amplify conversational capacities and delve into complex grammar. Aimed to fortify foundational skills, propelling students toward intermediate coursework.
JPN 1111: Basic Japanese I
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Functional use of Japanese for students with no prior knowledge of Japanese. Communication skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Drill included. New writing system. Supplementary practice with computer.
JPN 1112: Basic Japanese II
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Continuation from JPN 1111. Functional use of Japanese for students with no prior knowledge of Japanese. Communication skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills). Drill included. New writing system. Supplementary practice with computer.
JPN 1111
JPN 1121: Intermediate Japanese I
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Review of grammar and vocabulary. Recitations, readings, and oral drills. Further practice of communication skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing). Supplementary language laboratory work. PreReqs: JPN 1111, JPN 1112, or equivalent by permission of Language Coordinator
JPN 1111 and JPN 1112
JPN 1122: Intermediate Japanese II
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Continuation from JPN 1121. Review of grammar and vocabulary. Recitations, readings, and oral drills. Further practice of communication skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing). Supplementary language laboratory work. PreReqs: JPN 1111, JPN 1112, and JPN 1121, or equivalent by permission of Language Coordinator
JPN 1111 and JPN 1112 and JPN 1121
JPN 1131: Advanced Japanese I
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Advanced practice of communication skills - oral, speech and discussion skills, reading and writing skills. Supplementary practice with computer. JPN 1122 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
JPN 1132: Advanced Japanese II
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Advanced practice of communication skills - oral, speech and discussion skills, reading and writing skills. Supplementary practice with computer. JPN 1131 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
JPN 1133: Advanced Japanese III
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Advanced practice of communication skills including reading, discussing topics on current events and speech. Supplementary practice with computer. JPN 1132 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
JPN 1132
JPN 1134: Advanced Japanese IV
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Advanced practice of communication skills including reading, discussing topics on current events and speech. Supplementary practice with computer. JPN 1133 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
JPN 1133
JPN 1600: Japanese Short Topics
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Topics on Japanese culture and language explored at basic levels and for a short length of time in the semester.
JPN 2101: Japanese Popular Culture
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Engages Japanese gaming culture, game production, and global and national influence and power in diverse fields. Traditional cultural expressions, varieties of Japanese digital games, and their impact examined. Elective for Japanese and Asian Studies majors and minors.
JPN 2102: Japanese Film
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Introduction to Japanese film to those who are interested in but not necessarily exposed to Asian culture and language. Fulfills requirements for minor in Japanese.
JPN 2103: Japanese Video Games & Gaming
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Engages Japanese gaming culture, game production, and global and national influence and power in diverse fields. Traditional cultural expressions, varieties of Japan digital games, and their impact examined. Elective for Japanese and Asian Studies major and minors.
JPN 2143: Japanese Animation
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Explores how anime is a refection of Japanese society, art & culture. Introduction to rich & varied world of Japanese animated films by considering anime as medium, art, culture, & industry. Introduction to history, theory, aesthetics & cultural aspects of anime, with emphasis on 'the art of communication' with the medium. Fulfills requirement for Japanese minor.
JPN 3412: Special Topics
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Advanced study of topics of special interest in Japanese literary and/or cultural studies. May be repeated for credit if topic changes. Fulfills requirements for Japanese minor and concentration in East Asian Studies. Taught in English.
JPN 5900: JPN:Independent Study
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Supervised study, activity or research. May be taken more than once. Prior approval of chair and instructor.
RUS 1111: Basic Russian I
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Functional use of Russian for students with no prior knowledge of Russian, or Russian heritage speaker without reading and writing proficiency. Recitations, readings and oral drills. Supplementary language laboratory work. Part l of ll.
RUS 1112: Basic Russian II
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Continuation from RUS 1111. Functional use of Russian for students with no prior knowledge of Russian, or Russian heritage speaker without reading and writing proficiency. Recitations, readings and oral, drills. Supplementary language laboratory work. Part II of II.
RUS 1111
RUS 1123: Intermediate Russian I
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Review of Introductory Russian, followed by further development of reading, speaking, writing, and translation skills.
RUS 1111 :D-
RUS 1124: Intermediate Russian II
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Continued development of skills employed in Intermediate Russian I.
RUS 1123 :D-
RUS 1131: Conversation Composition
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Advanced communication skills including reading and discussing topics on current events.
RUS 1132: Advanced Convers & Comp
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A continuation of RUS 1131.
RUS 4110: Russian Film
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Understanding of Russian life and culture today by focusing on basic historical, ideological, economic, religious and cultural developments. Each student chooses one aspect of social development for further research. Conducted in English.
RUS 4120: The Russian Short Story
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Representative Russian short stories from Pushkin to Pasternak. Conducted in English.
RUS 5900: Russian:Independent Study
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Supervised study, activity or research. May be taken more than once. Prior approval of chair and instructor.
SWA 1111: Intro Swahili Language l
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Groundwork in Swahili, including oral proficiency, aural comprehension, and reading knowledge; for students with no prior knowledge of Swahili. Supplementary language laboratory work and oral drills.
SWA 1112: Intro Swahili Language ll
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Groundwork in Swahili, including oral proficiency, aural comprehension, and reading knowledge; for students with one semester of Swahili completed. Supplementary language laboratory work and oral drills.
SWA 1111
SWA 1600: Swahili Short Topics
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Topics on Swahili culture and language explored at basic levels and for a short length of time in the semester.