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FAF_BA - Foreign Languages and Literatures-African Languages

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LAS(LS)-Modern Foreign Lang - 16860000UGLAS - Liberal Arts and SciencesBA - Bachelor of Arts

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UGLAS - Liberal Arts and Sciences

About This Program

About this Program

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

Department Information

Home to 15 different language programs, the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (LLC) offers training in languages and cultures from all corners of the globe. From Swahili to Italian, Russian to Vietnamese, LLC gives students the opportunity to become cross-cultural experts in an increasingly internationalized world.
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CONTACT

Email | 352.392.2422 (tel) | 352.392.1443 (fax)

P.O. Box 115565
301 PUGH HALL
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-5565
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Curriculum

About This Program

The BA in Foreign Languages and Literatures (FLL) provides students with a comprehensive knowledge of a specific language (or languages) and advanced familiarity with the cultural practices and traditions associated with the language(s) of specialization. The major in FLL enhances critical thinking and communication skills and provides students with a cross-cultural understanding of our contemporary world. The program allows students the flexibility to explore a single or dual language specialization as well as the opportunity to study culture through interdisciplinary fields of critical concentration, such as Comparative Cultural Studies, Film and Visual Culture, Intensive Area Studies, Literary Studies, and Medieval and Early Modern Studies. A major in FLL offers an excellent basis for a variety of careers, including graduate study in an area of foreign language and culture and/or in the humanities and social sciences, as well as careers in education, international development, diplomacy and government, national security, communications, law, journalism, arts and culture, publishing, and global business. Participation in UF study-abroad programs or a UF approved program is highly encouraged.

Foreign Languages and Literatures Options

The African Languages specialization of the Foreign Languages and Literatures major offers students the opportunity to gain proficiency in any of the following languages:

  • Akan/Twi (Ghana - West Africa)
  • Amharic (Ethiopia - the Horn of Africa)
  • Swahili (eastern and central Africa)
  • Wolof (Senegal and the Gambia - West Africa)
  • Yoruba (Nigeria and Benin - West Africa and the Diaspora)
  • Zulu (South Africa)

The specialization in African Languages offers a unique opportunity when it comes to seeking employment in multi-national corporations or research undertakings based on the African continent. It also prepares students for the rigors of graduate studies in the humanities and for fields such as comparative literature, religious/diaspora studies, African cinema, developmental practices, humanitarian services, language learning businesses, translations & interpretation for United Nations organizations and other international agencies, to mention just a few.

The faculty brings together scholars with diverse research interests, ranging from African oral literature through post-colonial African women writers, from language documentation to languages of urban Africa as well as contemporary African film, pop-culture, and media. These nationally and internationally recognized researchers are also dedicated and innovative teachers who draw on their own scholarship to offer a variety of courses in literature, cinema, linguistics, and language.

Requirements for the Major

The African languages specialization in Foreign Languages and Literatures consists of preparatory language study at the lower division (1000 and 2000 level), and 33 credits of advanced language, theory, and culture study in the upper division (3000 level and above).

All coursework for the major must be completed with minimum grades of C.

Required Foundation Coursework
Total depends on placement in language courses
Select one:5
Beginning Akan 1
Beginning Swahili 1
Beginning Wolof 1
Beginning Yoruba 1
Select one in the same language:5
Beginning Akan 2
Beginning Swahili 2
Beginning Wolof 2
Beginning Yoruba 2
Select one in the same language:3
Intermediate Akan 1
Intermediate Swahili 1
Intermediate Wolof 1
Intermediate Yoruba 1
Select one in the same language:3
Intermediate Akan 2
Intermediate Swahili 2
Intermediate Wolof 2
Intermediate Yoruba 2
LIN 2011Introduction to Linguistics3
HUM 2420African Humanities3
or HUM 2424 African Cultures and Literatures
Required Major Coursework
Advanced Language and Culture
Select one:3
Advanced Akan 1
Advanced Swahili 1
Advanced Wolof 1
Advanced Yoruba 1
Select one:3
Advanced Akan 2
Advanced Swahili 2
Advanced Wolof 2
Advanced Yoruba 2
SSA 4930Special Topics in African Studies (Languages of Africa)3
SST 4502African Oral Literature3
SSA 4930Special Topics in African Studies (Readings in African Literature 1)3
Advanced Major Elective Coursework
Select 9 credits (with at least 6 credits at the 4000 level):9
Language in African Society
Individual Work (3 credit maximum)
Special Topics in African Studies
Special Topics in African Studies (African Autobiography)
Special Topics in African Studies (African Film)
Special Topics in African Studies (African Popular Culture)
Special Topics in African Studies (Black Englishes)
Special Topics in African Studies (Islam & African Literature)
Special Topics in African Studies (Language Documentation)
Special Topics in African Studies (Readings in African Literature 2)
Africa through Film & Media
Swahili Oral Literature
African Women Writers
Individual Study (3 credit maximum)
Readings in Swahili
Individual Study (3 credit maximum)
Yoruba Culture & Customs
Yoruba Diaspora in the New World
Readings in Yoruba Literature
Critical Concentration
Select nine credits from one area: 19
Intensive Area Studies: African 2
Comparative Cultural Studies
Film and Visual Culture
Literary Studies
Medieval and Early Modern Studies
Total Credits55
1

Although courses may appear in more than one group they may be counted toward only one group.

2

Recommended for those planning to pursue careers requiring advanced level skills in African languages or graduate work in African studies.

Overseas Study

Students should speak with the undergraduate coordinator to discuss overseas study options in Africa.

Placement

In all languages, students with either a native background in the language or prior study in that language, might be eligible to place out of the preparatory language courses and should meet with the undergraduate coordinator to arrange for placement assessment.