Instructor Class Description

Time Schedule:

• Autumn Quarter 2009
• Winter Quarter 2010

Christopher K Githiora
SWA 134
Seattle Campus

Intensive Basic Swahili

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. Offered: S.

Class description

AMERICAN ETHNIC STUDIES UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON African-American Studies SWAHILI 134 A - INTENSIVE FIRST YEAR BASIC SWAHILI (KISWAHILI) SUMMER QUARTER, 2009: June 22nd- August 21 2009

INSTRUCTOR: Kuria Githiora (PhD.) CLASS: M-F 9:40 ‘V 1:00 GOWEN HALL, ROOM 201 OFFICE: AMERICAN ETHNIC STUDIES DEPT., PADELFORD HALL B-504 OFFICE HOURS: BY APPOINTMENT TELEPHONE: (206) 543-4495 (no voice mail) E-MAIL:

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Swahili is a language spoken in East and Central Africa. It is widely spoken in Tanzania and Kenya. It is also spoken in Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda, Congo and some parts of Somalia. There are about 50 million speakers of the language in these areas. Swahili (also known as Kiswahili) is a medium of instruction in Tanzania in Primary education.

This course provides an introduction to the Swahili language and culture. The primary goal of the course is to provide the students with the spoken knowledge of the language. However, by the end of the course, students should have also acquired some knowledge of reading and writing in the language and its structure. .

The course also aims to meet the five goals of language standards: Communication, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities.

This is the INTENSIVE First Year Basic Swahili Language (Kiswahili) course. It is designed to introduce you to Kiswahili and allow you to explore and understand not only the language, but also the diverse cultures and customs of the people of Africa. The course is intended to provide a basic foundation in speaking, reading and writing. Primary emphasis is place on the basic structure of Kiswahili and its operation.

The course content is divided into nine weeks with instructional units to be completed at the end of each week as described in the text book by Hinnebusch, Thomas J. & Sara M. Mirza: Kiswahili: Msingi wa Kusema, Kusoma na Kuandika (2nd Edition), Lanham, MD: University Press, c1998.

There is also an accompanying workbook by Moshi, Lioba J: Mazoezi ya Kiswahili: Kitabu cha Wanafunzi wa Mwaka wa Kwanza/Swahili Exercises: A Workbook for First Year Students. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, c1988.

CLASS PARTICIPATION: Attendance in class on time is mandatory. Missing a day with no excuse will affect grade point average in class. Tardiness will also cost you some points. Late and lame excuses will not be tolerated. So, be punctual if you care about your grade!!!! You are responsible for all class assignments and to hand them -in on time. Late assignments will receive a lesser score. No makeups for missed exams, unless previously arranged with the instructor.

REQUIRED TEXTS: „« Hinnebusch, Thomas J. & Sara M. Mirza: Kiswahili: Msingi wa Kusema, Kusoma na Kuandika (2nd Edition), Lanham, MD: University Press, c1998. „« Moshi, Lioba J. Mazoezi ya Kiswahili: Kitabu cha Wanafunzi wa Mwaka wa Kwanza/Swahili Exercises: A Workbook for First Year Students. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, c1988 (To be used with the text book by Hinnesbsch.) „« Awde, Nicholas. Swahili-English Practical Dictionary. Hippocrene Books, Inc. USA, 2001. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES „« On-line Kiswahili course: KIKO ‘V Kiswahili kwa Kompyuta http:// www.africa.uga.edu/Kiswahili/doe „« Yale Kamusi Project, the Internet Living Swahili Dictionary, http://www.kamsuiproject.org/ „« Arusi ya Mariamu (The Marriage of Mariamu) (1983) by Ron Mulvihill & Nangayoma Ng‘¦oge. „« Bongoland I (2003) & II (2007) by Isaiah Kibira.

SPEAKING AND WRITING GOALS: „« Students use appropriate Swahili expressions (e.g. Habari za asubuhi? i.e. good morning? vs. popular Swahili expressions (e.g. Jambo or Hi! Hakuna Matata! i.e. No Worries! from Lion King, 1994) and gestures to greet and take leave of teachers and classmates. „« Students give and follow simple instructions in Swahili in order to participate in classroom activities. Students share their likes and dislikes in Swahili with each other. „« Students play role in Swahili everyday situations, such as buying wares in the market or ordering food at a restaurant. „« Students ask and answer questions in Swahili about topics such as family, school, animals, familiar objects, and possessions. „« Students prepare and present in Swahili short illustrated personal descriptions of topics, like their home or their family. „« Students prepare and present and/or record in Swahili puppet shows, short skits, and simple plays based on familiar folktales and stories, such as ‘§Sungura na Kombe‘¨ (The Hare and the Tortoise). „« Students retell stories in oral and written Swahili. „« Students watch films and describe East African scenery, clothing, landscape, customs, etc. „« Students perform songs, stories, skits or plays in Swahili for classroom and some events.

LISTENING and READING GOALS: „« Students follow oral instructions in Swahili related to daily classroom activities. „« Students understand oral and/or written statements in Swahili on familiar topics, such as numbers, time of day, and weather. „« Students read and/or listen in Swahili to descriptions and identify the corresponding pictures or illustrations, such as people, animals, objects, places, common activities, weather and time of day. „« Students understand brief spoken or written Swahili messages on familiar topics, such as personal preferences, family, school, and celebrations.

CULTURAL GOALS: „« Students use appropriate gestures and Swahili expressions for greetings, leave takings and common classroom interaction. „« Students identify social customs that are of interest to either children or adults, topics, may include traditional foods, aspects of family life, and cultural events of Swahili culture. „« Students identify the similarities and differences between school life in their own region and in Swahili culture. „« Students identify and recognize products and symbols of the Swahili people, such as foods, clothing, and type of dwellings and modes of transportation. „« Students identify and learn about products reflecting the lifestyle of people in various Swahili communities, such as household items, clothing, and foods.

Proficiency Level to be achieved (Novice Mid). At the end of the first semester the students are expected to reach the Novice Mid level of the ACTFL. Speakers at the Novice-Mid level communicate minimally and with difficulty by using a number of isolated words and memorized phrases limited by the particular context in which the language has been learned. When responding to direct questions, they may utter only two or three words at a time or an occasional stock answer. They pause frequently as they search for simple vocabulary or attempt to recycle their own and their interlocutor=s words. Because of hesitations, lack of vocabulary, inaccuracy, or failure to respond appropriately, Novice-Mid speakers may be understood with great difficulty even by sympathetic interlocutors accustomed to dealing with non-natives. When called on to handle topics by performing functions associated with the Intermediate level, they frequently resort to repetition, words from their native language, or silence.

TESTS Testing will be done in various modes, structural transformation, fill in the blanks, translation, etc. A quiz will be scheduled at the end of each unit. There will be three exams and a final.

REQUIRED TEXTS 1. Hinnebusch, Thomas J. & Sara M. Mirza: Kiswahili: Msingi wa Kusema, Kusoma na Kuandika (2nd Edition), Lanham, MD: University Press, c1998. 2. Moshi, Lioba J. Mazoezi ya Kiswahili: Kitabu cha Wanafunzi wa Mwaka wa Kwanza/Swahili Exercises: A Workbook for First Year Students. Lanham, MD: University Press of America, c1988 (to be used with Text book no. 1). 3. Awde, Nicholas. Swahili-English Practical Dictionary. Hippocrene Books, Inc. USA, 2001.

Student learning goals

General method of instruction

Includes lectures and discussions along with in-class activities such as reading, writing, listening and speaking. The class also uses Swahili films and online resources to help with learning a new language and culture.

Recommended preparation

Having fun and interest in learning a new language and culture.

Class assignments and grading

Attendance in class on time is mandatory. Missing a day with no excuse will affect grade point average in class. Tardiness will also cost you some points. Late and lame excuses will not be tolerated. So, be punctual if you care about your grade!!!! You are responsible for all class assignments and to hand them -in on time. Late assignments will receive a lesser score. No makeups for missed exams, unless previously arranged with the instructor.

GRADING: 3 EXAMS 300 FINAL- ORAL 100 ATTENDANCE, EXERCISES AND HOMEWORK 100

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Modified:November 11, 2009