African Languages

major

Foreign Languages and Literatures

The specialization in African Languages enables students to develop the critical, analytical, and interpretive tools essential for successfully working and living in today's increasingly globalizing world. It focuses on a selected group of languages that function as languages of wider communication (lingua franca) in their sub-Saharan African regions. Through study of these languages students not only gain communicative proficiency in the language(s) of their choice, but also an understanding of the diverse literary and cultural traditions that make Africa such a unique and complex continent today.

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.
Website

CONTACT

Email | 352.392.2422 (tel) | 352.392.1443 (fax)

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

 Curriculum

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.

Coursework 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
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 3010Introduction to Linguistics3
HUM 2420African Humanities3
or HUM 2424 African Cultures and Literatures
Required Core 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 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.

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements: Structure of a CLAS Degree.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 3

  • Complete Beginning African Language 1 or higher-level African Language course with a minimum grade of C
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 4

  • Complete Beginning African Language 2 or higher-level African Language course with a minimum grade of C and a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 5

  • Complete Intermediate African Language 1 or a higher-level African Language course with a minimum grade of C and a 2.5 critical-tracking GPA
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 6

  • Complete 2221 Intermediate African Language 2 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete 2 Advanced Elective courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 7

  • Complete 3410 Advanced African Language 1 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete 2 Advanced Elective courses
  • Complete 1 Critical Concentration course
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

SEMESTER 8

  • Complete 3411 Advanced African Language 2 with a minimum grade of C
  • Complete 2 Critical Concentration courses
  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Students are expected to complete the Writing Requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the General Education International (GE-N) and Diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another General Education requirement (typically, GE-C, H, or S).

3000 level or above critical concentration courses outside of African Languages may count toward the 3000 level or above electives outside of the major.

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
Select one (Critical Tracking): 5
Beginning Akan 1
Beginning Swahili 1
Beginning Wolof 1
Beginning Yoruba 1
State Core Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences 3
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Elective 1
 Credits15
Semester Two
Select one (Critical Tracking): 5
Beginning Akan 2
Beginning Swahili 2
Beginning Wolof 2
Beginning Yoruba 2
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) 3
Gen Ed Physical Sciences 3
State Core Gen Ed Mathematics 3
Science laboratory (Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences) 1
 Credits15
Semester Three
Select one (Critical Tracking): 3
Intermediate Akan 1
Intermediate Swahili 1
Intermediate Wolof 1
Intermediate Yoruba 1
Select one: 3
African Humanities (Gen Ed Humanities and International)
African Cultures and Literatures (Gen Ed Humanities and International)
Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences (area NOT taken in semester one) 1 3
Gen Ed Mathematics 3
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences 1 3
 Credits15
Semester Four
Select one: 3
Intermediate Akan 2 (Critical Tracking)
Intermediate Swahili 2 (Critical Tracking)
Intermediate Wolof 2 (Critical Tracking)
Intermediate Yoruba 2 (Critical Tracking)
LIN 3010 Introduction to Linguistics 3
State Core Gen Ed Humanities 3
Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences and Diversity 3
Elective (3000 level or above; not in major) 3
 Credits15
Semester Five
Select one: 3
Advanced Akan 1 (Critical Tracking)
Advanced Swahili 1 (Critical Tracking)
Advanced Wolof 1 (Critical Tracking)
Advanced Yoruba 1 (Critical Tracking)
Gen Ed Biological Sciences 3
Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 3
Advanced elective (3000 level; in the major) 3
Critical concentration course 3
 Credits15
Semester Six
Select one: 3
Advanced Akan 2 (Critical Tracking)
Advanced Swahili 2 (Critical Tracking)
Advanced Wolof 2 (Critical Tracking)
Advanced Yoruba 2 (Critical Tracking)
SSA 4930 Special Topics in African Studies (Languages of Africa) 3
Advanced elective (4000 level or above; in the major) 3
Critical concentration course 3
Elective (3000 level or above; not in major) 3
 Credits15
Semester Seven
SSA 4930 Special Topics in African Studies (Readings in African Literature 1) 3
Advanced electives (4000 level or above; in the major) 3
Electives (3000 level or above; not in major) 6
Elective or senior thesis option 3
 Credits15
Semester Eight
SST 4502 African Oral Literature 3
Electives (3000 level or above; not in major) 6
Critical concentration courses 6
 Credits15
 Total Credits120
1

One of these courses must be a UF Quest 2 course


Critical Concentration Courses

9 Credits from One Concentration

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

Intensive Area Studies: African
Recommended for those planning to pursue careers requiring advanced level skills in African languages or graduate work in African studies
SSA 3730Language in African Society3
SSA 4930Special Topics in African Studies (African Autobiography)3
SSA 4930Special Topics in African Studies (African Film)3
SSA 4930Special Topics in African Studies (African Popular Culture)3
SSA 4930Special Topics in African Studies (Black Englishes)3
SSA 4930Special Topics in African Studies (Islam & African Literature)3
SSA 4930Special Topics in African Studies (Language Documentation)3
SSA 4930Special Topics in African Studies (Readings in African Literature 2)3
SSA 4930Special Topics in African Studies3
SST 3500Africa through Film & Media4
SSW 4713African Women Writers3
YOT 3000Yoruba Culture & Customs3
YOT 3500Yoruba Diaspora in the New World3
YRW 4130Readings in Yoruba Literature3
Comparative Cultural Studies
ABT 3500Arabic Culture3
ABT 4131The Qur'an as Literature3
ARA 3510The Arab Woman3
CHI 3403Chinese Calligraphy3
CHT 3500Chinese Culture3
CHT 3510All the Tea in China3
CHT 3513Taoism and Chinese Culture3
CZT 3564Modern Czech Culture and Society3
FRT 3004Monuments and Masterpieces of France3
FRT 3561Women in French Literature and/or Cinema3-4
GET 3003German Culture and Civilization 13
GET 3004Modern German Culture and Civilization3
GET 3200Medieval Literary Culture3
GET 3201Early Modern Literary Culture3
GET 3501History, Literature and Arts of Berlin3
GET 3580Representations of War in Literature and Visual Media3
GET 3930Variable Topics in German Studies (German Fairy Tales)3
GEW 4401Cities as Cultural Centers3
HAI 3930Haitian Culture and Society3
HAT 3503Haitian Culture and Literature in Translation3
HAT 3564Haitian Culture and Society3
HAT 3700Introduction to Haitian Creole Linguistics3
ITT 3431Italy and Pilgrimages3
ITT 3443Dante's Inferno (English)3
ITT 3540Murder Italian Style: Crime Fiction and Film in Italy3
ITT 3541Gangsters and Godfathers: Italian Mafia Movies3
ITT 3700The Demolition of Man: Italian Perspectives on the Jewish Holocaust3
ITT 3930Special Topics in Italian Literature and Culture3
JMT 3500Jamaican Creole, Reggae, and Rastafari3
JPT 3500Japanese Culture3
JPT 3521Monsters and Horror in Japan3
JPT 3702Japanese Visual Culture3
JPT 4502Japanese Folklore3
JPT 4510Representations of Japan's Modern Empire3
RUT 3443War and Peace3
RUT 3500Russian Cultural Heritage3
RUT 3501Contemporary Russian Culture and Society3
RUT 3503Violence and Terror in the Russian Experience3
RUT 3504Russia Today3
RUT 3506Creative Lives: Writers, Artists, and Extraordinary People3
RUT 3514Russian Fairy Tales3
RUT 3530Russia's Struggle with Nature: Legacies of Destruction and Preservation3
RUT 3600The Twentieth Century through Slavic Eyes3
RUT 4450Russian Modernism3
SSA 4930Special Topics in African Studies3
VTT 3500Vietnamese Culture3
YOT 3500Yoruba Diaspora in the New World3
Film and Visual Culture
CHI 4930Special Topics in Chinese Studies3
CHT 3391Chinese Film and Media4
CHT 3523Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the New Global Cinema4
FRT 3520French Cinema4
FRT 3561Women in French Literature and/or Cinema3-4
FRT 4523European Identities, European Cinemas4
GET 3520Early German Cinema to 19454
GET 3580Representations of War in Literature and Visual Media3
GET 4521Women and German Cinema4
GET 4523New Cinema 1945 to the Present4
GET 4930Variable Topics in German Studies3
HBR 4930Special Topics3
ITT 3521Italian Cinema4
ITT 3540Murder Italian Style: Crime Fiction and Film in Italy3
ITT 3541Gangsters and Godfathers: Italian Mafia Movies3
ITT 3930Special Topics in Italian Literature and Culture3
JPN 4930Special Topics in Japanese Studies3
JPT 3391Introduction to Japanese Film4
JPT 3521Monsters and Horror in Japan3
JPT 3702Japanese Visual Culture3
RUT 3524Russia through Film3
SSA 4930Special Topics in African Studies (African Film)3
Literary Studies
ABT 3130Arabic Literary Heritage 13
ABT 4131The Qur'an as Literature3
CHI 4930Special Topics in Chinese Studies3
CHT 3110Chinese Literary Heritage3
CHT 3123Pre-Modern Chinese Fiction in Translation3
CHT 3124Modern Chinese Fiction in Translation3
CHT 3302Tales of the Strange in Medieval Chinese Literature3
CHT 4111Dream of the Red Chamber3
CHT 4603Journey to the West3
FRT 3004Monuments and Masterpieces of France3
FRT 3561Women in French Literature and/or Cinema3-4
GET 3200Medieval Literary Culture3
GET 3201Early Modern Literary Culture3
GET 3501History, Literature and Arts of Berlin3
GET 3580Representations of War in Literature and Visual Media3
GET 3930Variable Topics in German Studies (German Fairy Tales)3-9
GET 4930Variable Topics in German Studies3-9
HAT 3503Haitian Culture and Literature in Translation3
HBR 4930Special Topics3
HBT 3223Identity and Dissent in the Hebrew Short Story3
ITT 3431Italy and Pilgrimages3
ITT 3443Dante's Inferno (English)3
ITT 3540Murder Italian Style: Crime Fiction and Film in Italy3
ITT 3700The Demolition of Man: Italian Perspectives on the Jewish Holocaust3
ITT 3930Special Topics in Italian Literature and Culture3
JPT 3100Tales of Kyoto3
JPT 3120Modern Japanese Fiction in Translation3
JPT 3121Contemporary Japanese Literature: Postwar to Postmodern3
JPT 3140Modern Women Writers3
JPT 3150Classical Japanese Poetry3
JPT 3300Samurai War Tales3
JPT 3330Early Modern Japanese Literature3
JPT 3521Monsters and Horror in Japan3
JPT 4130The Tale of Genji3
JPT 4502Japanese Folklore3
JPT 4510Representations of Japan's Modern Empire3
PLT 3930Special Topics in Polish Studies3
RUT 3101Russian Masterpieces3
RUT 3441Tolstoy and Dostoevsky3
RUT 3442Themes from Russian Literature3
RUT 3443War and Peace3
RUT 3452Russian Literature of the Twentieth Century3
RUT 3503Violence and Terror in the Russian Experience3
RUT 3506Creative Lives: Writers, Artists, and Extraordinary People3
RUT 3514Russian Fairy Tales3
RUT 3530Russia's Struggle with Nature: Legacies of Destruction and Preservation3
RUT 3600The Twentieth Century through Slavic Eyes3
RUT 3930Variable Topics in Russian Studies3
RUT 4440Pushkin and Gogol3
RUT 4450Russian Modernism3
SST 4502African Oral Literature3
SSW 3303Swahili Oral Literature3
SSW 4713African Women Writers3
VTN 4930Special Topics in Vietnamese Studies3
Medieval and Early Modern Studies
ARA 3510The Arab Woman3
CHT 3110Chinese Literary Heritage3
CHT 3123Pre-Modern Chinese Fiction in Translation3
CHT 3302Tales of the Strange in Medieval Chinese Literature3
CHT 3513Taoism and Chinese Culture3
CHT 4111Dream of the Red Chamber3
CHT 4603Journey to the West3
GET 3200Medieval Literary Culture3
GET 3201Early Modern Literary Culture3
ITT 3431Italy and Pilgrimages3
ITT 3443Dante's Inferno (English)3
JPT 3300Samurai War Tales3
JPT 3330Early Modern Japanese Literature3
JPT 3521Monsters and Horror in Japan3
MEM 3003Introduction to the Medieval World3
MEM 3300Castles and Cloisters: An Introduction to Medieval Communities3
MEM 3301Palaces and Cities: An Introduction to Early Modern Communities3
MEM 3730Studies in the Holy Roman Empire3
MEM 3931Variable Topics in Medieval and Early Modern Studies3

The Foreign Languages and Literatures (FLL) major enables students to achieve communicative competence in their language(s) of specialization. Students will become knowledgeable in the culture and literature and/or linguistics associated with their language area(s) such that they will be able to critically analyze and evaluate authentic sources in the target language(s) and formulate independent, critical perspectives in the target language(s). Further, students will learn the intercultural skills and practical know-how necessary to negotiate traveling, studying, and living in the target culture(s).

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Satisfy the Florida statutes for the College-Level Academic Skills Requirement.
  • Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.
  • Achieve one or more of the following, as determined by their specialization within the FLL program: an acceptable score on a language proficiency test and/or a satisfactory faculty evaluation of a term paper, final project, or oral presentation completed for a selected advanced course.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes | SLOs

Content

  1. Describe and define cultural concepts, literary production, and/or linguistic structure in language(s) of specialization.

Critical Thinking

  1. Analyze, interpret, and evaluate texts according to their cultural, literary and/or linguistic content.

Communication

  1. Express critical competence in relation to the culture(s) of specialization through performance of comprehensive analysis in written and oral form.
  2. Display oral and written proficiency in language(s) of specialization.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4
Category A1 I, R I I I, R, A
Category B2 I, R, A I, R, A I, R, A
1

Courses focus on the acquisition of the language(s) of specialization at the advanced level.

2

Courses address literary, cultural, cinematic, historical, and/or social questions.

Assessment Types

  • Proficiency exams
  • Term papers or final projects
  • Oral presentations