The Language and Culture Programs will provide you with intercultural knowledge, experience and tools to create positive change and help to build strong, diverse communities.
- Cultural studies combines the strengths of both social sciences and humanities by connecting language, history, anthropology, literary studies, and the arts.
- Language study provides not only the skills to communicate in another language, but also the ability to collaborate with another culture from the inside.
Programs
The Language and Culture Programs offers these programs:
Secondary Education
A B.A. in Spanish K-12 Education is also available.
Contact Information
American Sign Language Courses
Introduces basic signing skills of comprehension and communication. Emphasizes active use in communicative context as well as cultural analysis.
Expands students' ability to communicate through introduction of more complex linguistic structures. Completes beginning level sequence.
Courses not a part of the regular curriculum but taught because of a special need, interest or opportunity.
This is the first semester of a two-semester sequence of Intermediate American Sign language study. Students continue to learn sentence structures and patterns and develop intermediate expressive communication. Focus is on expressive and receptive skills.
This is the second semester sequence of Intermediate American Sign language study. Students continue to learn sentence structures and patterns and develop intermediate expressive communication. Focus is on expressive and receptive skills.
Is an introduction to various aspects of the deaf community as a linguistic and cultural minority group. Designed for individuals who may or may not have had prior experience with Deaf people, the course raises questions concerning the nature of sign language and its varieties, the education of Deaf people, the historical treatment of Deaf people, the sociological and cultural issues important to the deaf community, and political activism.
An introduction to various aspects of the Deaf community as a linguistic and cultural minority group. It will focus on topics in the culture of Deaf people including studies of their beliefs, practices and language throughout the world. Designed for individuals who may or may not have had prior experience with Deaf people, this course raises questions concerning the nature of sign language and its varieties, education of D/deaf people, historical treatment of D/deaf people, sociological and cultural issues important to the Deaf community, and political activism.
Courses not a part of the regular curriculum but taught because of a special need, interest or opportunity.
Conducted solely in American Sign Language, this course is an overview of the history of Deaf people and their cultures from the time of Aristotle to contemporary society in order to understand the concept of colonization as an integral part of the “Deafhood” philosophy. That is, the development of a “deaf centered philosophy” in reference to this group of individuals since the traditional idea of “deafness” is seen as restrictive due to the colonization process. The focus will be on how societies have perceived Deaf people, and how those perceptions have shaped their destiny. This course will provide a background of Deaf people, especially as they relate to developing group and personal empowerment. All Deaf people journey toward defining and refining their “Deaf selves.” Students will gain an understanding of these concepts through study of this journey from deafness to Deafhood. Following a historical trajectory, topics covered will include such things as education, Deaf organizations, social welfare, sports, religion, community support systems, and famous Deaf people in the arts and sciences.
Courses not a part of the regular curriculum but taught because of a special need, interest or opportunity.
Offers study of subjects not covered in the regular ASL curriculum.
Internship
Courses not a part of the regular curriculum but taught because of a special need, interest or opportunity.
Offers study of subjects not covered in the regular ASL curriculum.
German Courses
Introduces basic oral, listening comprehension, reading and writing skills. Emphasizes active use in communicative contexts based on daily life as well as cultural analysis.
Introduces more complex linguistic features and continues the development of the oral, listening comprehension, reading and writing skills within culturally contrastive contexts.
Topics in German.
Promotes the synthesis of the basic language skills through a grammar review, vocabulary building, the use of authentic texts, hands-on projects, films and native speakers to generate discussion and deepen cultural understanding.
Continues the language skills and cultural understanding synthesis of the previous course, adding historical and literary texts to help develop the pragmatics of opinion formation and more complex discourse.
Encourages the development of language functions on a higher level, such as opinion formation and abstraction in both written and oral use. Texts include a broad range of cultural topics, including current events and internet information, music, literature and history.
Encourages the development of language functions on a higher level, such as opinion formation and abstraction in both written and oral use. Texts include a broad range of cultural topics, including current events and internet information, music, literature and history.
Rotating one-credit courses offer students a context based course enabling them to continue developing their German language skills on a limited basis. Subjects offered include German current events, conversation, film, cuisine and pronunciation.
Courses offer in-depth study of subjects not covered in the general language sequence. Topics chosen will be based on relevance to both the German and the Global, Cultural and Language Studies curriculum.
Independent Study.
Topics.
Self-determined program of study under faculty direction for students whose interests extend beyond the curricular offerings of the department.
Ojibwe Courses
A two-part sequence in beginning Ojibwemowin, implementing the double-vowel system. These courses introduce students to seasonal cultural practices as well as pronunciation, spelling and the usage of basic verbs and nouns (animate and inanimate) in a simple sentence.
A two-part sequence in beginning Ojibwemowin, implementing the double-vowel system. These courses introduce students to seasonal cultural practices as well as pronunciation, spelling and the usage of basic verbs and nouns (animate and inanimate) in a simple sentence.
Topics.
Independent study.
Explore and continue to learn grammar and culture of the Ojibwe. Dig deeper into concepts of traditional and seasonal practices while learning new forms of verbs. Complex grammatical structures become prominent as we dive into more complex conversations. We will be focussing on four main topics throughout the season. These topics will help you to converse and respond adequately to others about topics. While conversing about family and relationships, we will be going over structures such as possession and object noun use pertaining to VTI and VTA. In this way, grammar and discussion will be intermingled throughout the class. This course aims to further strengthen communication abilities and achieve broader knowledge of Ojibwe culture, expression, and worldview.
Dive deeper into traditional and seasonal practices while learning new forms of verbs pertaining to Ojibwemowin. Complex grammatical structures become prominent as grammatical structures become more complex. We will be focussing on four main topics throughout the season. In addition to the four topics, we will be focussing on the skills needed to respond to them and how to elaborate on student responses. This course aims to not only further strengthen communication abilities, but also teaches complex grammatical structures pertaining to the advanced coursework.
Topics.
Independent Study.
Topics.
Independent Study.
Topics.
Independent Study.
Spanish Courses
The first semester sequence of beginning Spanish language study. Students learn basic sentence structures and patterns and develop basic oral communication. Focus is on listening and speaking skills.
The second semester sequence of beginning Spanish language study. Students learn more complex structures and continue developing oral communicative abilities with increased emphasis on reading and writing.
Topics.
Independent Study.
Intermediate course that deals with the more sophisticated elements of Spanish grammar and communication. All four skills - listening, speaking, reading and writing - are emphasized.
Intermediate conversational Spanish. Taught as a component of the Semestre en México Program.
Topics.
Independent Study.
This course is part of a two-semester in-depth examination of Spanish grammar with substantial vocabulary building. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills are all practiced in conjunction with cultural and situational contexts.
This course is part of a two-semester in-depth examination of Spanish grammar with substantial vocabulary building. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills are all practiced in conjunction with cultural and situational contexts.
Intensive conversational Spanish. Taught as a component of the Semestre en México Program.
This course focuses on developing speaking skills through analysis and discussion of contemporary texts in Spanish including short films, music, readings (short essays, newspaper articles and short literary works) and current events. Classes will be conducted in Spanish.
Cross-listed with LIS 3303. Taught in English. A course designed to introduce the student to the complex issues concerning contemporary Latin America. Students will explore current topics and events from a multi disciplinary point of view.
This course is required for students pursuing a Minnesota K-12 license to teach Spanish. Explores various techniques for teaching Spanish, curriculum development, instructional planning strategies, and assessment of student progress.
Discover the beauty of the Spanish language through poetry. Approach and appreciate cultures of the Spanish speaking world through reading and reciting of works by contemporary and classic authors. Improve interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational communication skills in Spanish.
Enter literary worlds created by contemporary and classic Spanish language authors. Expand knowledge of cultural and historical contexts through short stories. Improve interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational communication skills in Spanish.
Journey through the rich history and culture landscapes of Spain. Explore major historical events, philosophical movements, political and economic changes as reflected in such cultural expressions as art, music, dance, cinema, cuisine, literature and current events. Improve interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational communication skills in Spanish.
Journey through the rich history and culture landscapes of Latin America. Explore major historical events, philosophical movements, political and economic changes as reflected in such cultural expressions as art, music, dance, cinema, cuisine, literature and current events. Improve interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational communication skills in Spanish.
Explore the histories and cultures of Latin@s in the U.S. Through a lens of cultural expressions, consider themes of migration, culture, and identity. Improve interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational communication skills in Spanish.
Offers in-depth study of subjects not covered in the general language sequence of the curriculum. Topics chosen will be based on relevance to both the Spanish and the International Studies curricula.
Analyze issues of inequality, oppression, and discrimination in the Spanish-speaking world through literature. Reflect upon the role of literature in drawing attention to social justice issues and stimulating change. Improve interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational communication skills in Spanish. Students should have an advanced proficiency level of Spanish for this course; consult the instructor for a proficiency assessment.
Examines development, government policies, and social participation in political processes in Ecuador through HECUA. Students learn about the difficulties of implementing changes, and how various social actors participate in the political process through an immersive study-abroad experience. No knowledge of Spanish is required.
Discover the development, influences, and historical trajectory of literature written by women in Latin America. Critically analyze works from various genres as cultural and literary expressions of women in Latin American cultural contexts. Improve interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational communication skills in Spanish.
Enter the world of myths and legends from the Spanish speaking world to explore their cultural and personal significance. Develop and practice oral storytelling techniques. Improve interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational communication skills in Spanish.
Independent Study.
Develop communicative competency, linguistic and cultural, with regard to practitioner-patient communication within a latinx context. Improve interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational communication skills in Spanish.
Internship.
Topics.