COURSE NUMBER: FLA 101


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MLA 101

I. TITLE: A Cultural Introduction to Languages (3 hrs.)

II. CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION:
A general introduction to the origin, development, nature, and importance of language in general with special emphasis on English, French, German, and Spanish. A broad study of the culture of the people and the lands where these languages are spoken.

III. PURPOSE:
To develop an understanding and appreciation for language as man's primary form of communication and to obtain a general idea of what culture is and how it is related to language. Dialogues will be used to familiarize students with the basics of language learning. The course also cultivates “Characteristics of the Murray State Graduate.” It
A. encourages independent thought and expression through effective oral and written communication:

1. Students present an oral project in which every student must communicate information effectively to the class.
2. Students write a quality term paper of 5-7 pages in length in which they are also graded on effectiveness of written communication.

B. encourages the understanding of the role and application of technology to solve problems of a changing world

Students use the internet for homework assignments to access information related to different countries, their language, their patterns of behavior, stereotyping, and comparisons with the American culture, etc.

C. teaches critical understanding of the world’s historical, literary, philosophical, and artistic traditions. Students

1. learn about the history of the Indo-European languages, (most specifically French, Germany, Spanish, and English) and through history learn how languages and cultures evolved;
2. become acquainted with some of the principle literary figures and works in different cultures;
3. learn the relationship between language, literature, political events, and economic systems;
4. gain basic appreciation of the principle philosophers of the various cultures; and
5. learn about the architectural and artistic heritages of the different cultures studied.

D. teaches the dynamics of cultural diversity, of competing economic and political systems, and of complex moral and ethical issues:

1. Students compare and contrast other cultures with the American culture.
2. Students learn about competing economic and political systems and how the systems influence language and culture (for example, the difference in the evolution of the cultures and languages of the two Germanys after WWII).
3. The class discusses complex moral and ethical issues in the context of wars, political decisions, religious influences, traditions, etc.

E. encourages responsible citizenship and an active role in a democratic society through

the study and comparison of other cultures (including but not limited to those of the Middle East, Asia, countries of the former Soviet Union, Western Europe, Africa, and Latin America).

IV. COURSE OBJECTIVES
There are two major objectives for this course: 1) to foster an understanding of language as both a universal and a culturally specific human phenomenon, and 2) to provide an understanding and appreciation of the differences between the languages and cultures of French-, German-, Spanish-, and English-speaking peoples. The course will increase the students’ understanding and appreciation of other peoples.

The course
A. introduces students to fundamental concepts and ways of knowing in the discipline of cultural studies

by investigating the language, history, geography, political and social systems and thus the values, behavioral characteristics, and achievements of a given people.

B. promotes interdisciplinary understanding by clarifying how the study of cultures contributes to an understanding of other societies and one’s own society

1. by examining language within the context of culture and the function of the two in society
2. by comparing, and contrasting primarily French, German, Spanish, and English cultures, but also those of the Middle East, Asia, and Africa with the culture of the United States.

C. promotes international perspectives

1. by viewing cultural differences in the language and society of many other countries and
2. by learning how non-North Americans perceive our culture.

V. CONTENT OUTLINE: The course is a linguistic approach to culture:
1.   the general role of language in cultures,
2.   the history of writing and its place in communication,
3.   nonverbal forms of communication,
4.   the history of the English language and other Indo-European languages
5.   the characteristics of the French, German, and Spanish languages and how they contrast with    non-Indo-European languages.
6.   basic cultural characteristics of countries where these languages are spoken,
7.   the relationship between culture, language, and communication, and
8.   how cultures are structured.

VI. INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES: The course will be a combination of group discussions, student reports, video tapes, lectures, student interviews with international students, information from the World Wide Web, and attendance at films sponsored by the Cinema International. Students are expected to read all assigned reading materials, to prepare homework assignments on time, and to participate in class discussions. In discussions students will be expected to make comparisons between other cultures and American culture. Course assignments include an original paper on an aspect of language and culture of a particular country, to be researched by the student using library and Internet sources. An oral presentation will be made by each student. ***Late assignments cannot be accepted late except by prior arrangement. No credit can be given for assignments turned in late.*** Assignments must be ready at the beginning of the class period.

The course
A. promotes student engagement in and responsibility for learning through active learning methodologies:

1. group discussions
a. students will regularly form groups of 3-4 students to discuss readings, articles, projects, findings from homework assignments, etc.
2. student projects and oral reports, and
3. teamwork
a. students will work in teams to plan group presentations.

The course will also focus on thematic and issue-oriented approaches, such as language differences, contemporary versus historical politics, education, marketing, business etiquette, religious issues, values, and behavioral characteristics of contemporary societies in the world today.

B. requires a significant amount of reading (textbook, articles on reserve, internet, research material), quality writing (summary handouts on textbook readings, summary write-ups on articles, a term paper), speaking (student discussions, oral presentations), and critical thinking (analyses of comparative language systems; viewpoints on religious, moral, and ethical issues; comparisons and contrasts of different cultures, including our own)

C. promotes the use of computer technology to solve the problems of a changing world through

1. communication with the instructor through e-mail,
2. accessing the course home page on a regular basis,
3. homework assignments and term paper research using the World Wide Web/the Internet, and
4. encouragement to use computer presentation programs such as PowerPoint and Compel as part of the oral presentation.

VII. FIELD AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCES:
Students will be assigned an “interview partner,” i.e., an international student whom the FLA student will interview. Periodically, videos will be assigned to be viewed either in the Language and Culture Resource Lab (FH 403) or checked out from the Media Center downstairs in the Waterfield Library. Students will also be given assignments on the World Wide Web.

VIII. RESOURCES:
Students will make use of the Internet/World Wide Web and should be acquainted with accessibility of these sources. Students are further encouraged to attend movies in the Cinema International program as well as activities planned by the Foreign Language Club and Alpha Mu Gamma (the honor society for foreign languages). Other resources include videos in the Language and Culture Resource Lab (FH 403) and materials on reserve in the Library.

IX. GRADING PROCEDURES: The following grading system will be used:
Research Paper (5-7 pages)                                                  200 pts.
Oral Report:                                                                           100 pts.
Two Exams:                                                                           300 pts.
Active class participation, discussion leading, and homework   100 pts.
Presentation of interview with cultural partner                          100 pts.
Final Exam:                                                                            200 pts.
                                                                                            1000 pts.
There will be no make ups for missed tests unless at the discretion of the instructor in extreme cases.

Exams will be in the form of multiple choice, short answer, short essays, and long essays. Tests will carry a heavy essay component. Essays are designed to enable the student to demonstrate not only his/her knowledge of the material, but also to analyze texts, draw conclusions, make parallels and contrasts, develop logical arguments, and extrapolate data and arrive at conjectural knowledge.
The research paper will be judged not only on the content but also on the student’s quality of communication through writing. Likewise, the oral report will be evaluated on content and on the student’s effectiveness in oral communication, and the active participation, discussion leading, and interview presentation entail effective oral communication.
The final exam includes material learned throughout the course and will include comprehensive, analytical essay-type questions.

High academic standards will be maintained through extensive readings from the textbook and articles on reserve in the library, quality research papers, thorough exams, and continuous critical thinking in every activity and exam.

X. ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance at all class meetings is expected. Absences will affect your grade. Because of the emphasis on class participation and discussion, attendance is crucial. Our activities depend upon the full participation of each class member. Points will be deducted from your participation grade for each class missed. You are allowed to miss up to 2 class meetings for documented illness and family emergencies only. Missing one-fourth of the class meetings for any reason (excused or unexcused) will result in a failing grade.
Unusual genuine documented emergencies or official documented Murray State absences will be evaluated case by case by the instructor.
An absence is NOT an excuse for being unprepared!

XI. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY:
1. It is the responsibility of every student to be informed about the collegiate Academic Integrity Policy. Cheating in whatever form constitutes academic dishonesty.
2. Copies of the policy are available in: CIV workbooks, Classroom bulletin boards, Department of Foreign Language Office, Dean of Humanistic Studies Office, and the College of Humanistic Studies Home Page.
3. Your signature on every assignment, quiz, and exam represents a pledge that you have adhered to this policy.
4. I expect students to abide by the highest ethical standards.

XII. TEXTS AND REFERENCES:
The Story of Language by Mario Pei
The Silent Language by Edward T. Hall
(The next time the course is offered, the texts will be updated.)
a library of World Wide Web sites

XIII. PREREQUISITES: None

Last updated February 14, 2000. Designed and maintained by Kyosung Koo