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African Languages

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.

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

Critical TrackingModel Semester Plan

The B.A. 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, 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), and 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.

Our 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.

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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 hours 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: 22 credits

• Beginning 1 in an African language: AKA 1130, SWA 1130, WOL 1130, XHO 1130, or YOR 1130 (5 credits)
• Beginning 2 in same African language: AKA 1131, SWA 1131, WOL 1131, XHO 1131, or YOR 1131 (5 credits)
• Intermediate 1 in same African language: AKA 2200, SWA 2220, WOL 2200, XHO 2200, or YOR 2200 (3 credits)
• Intermediate 2 in same African language: AKA 2201, SWA 2221, WOL 2201, XHO 2201, or YOR 2201 (3 credits)
• LIN 3010 Introduction to Linguistics (3 credits)
• HUM 2420 African Humanities or HUM 2424 African Cultures & Literatures (3 credits)

Required Core Coursework: 33 credits

Advanced Language and Culture: 15 credits

• AKA 3410, SWA 3410, WOL 3410, XHO 3410, or YOR 3410 (3 credits)
• AKA 3411, SWA 3411, WOL 3411, XHO 3411, or YOR 3411 (3 credits)
• SSA 4930 Special Topics: Languages of Africa (3 credits)
• SST 4502 African Oral Literature (3 credits)
• SSA 4930 Special Topics: Readings in African Literature 1 (3 credits)

Advanced Elective Coursework: 9 credits with at least 6 credits at the 4000 level

• SSA 3730 Language in African Society (3 credits)
• SSA 4905 Individual Work (3 credit max.)
• SSA 4930 Special Topics in African Studies (3 credits)
• SSA 4930 Special Topics: African Autobiography (3 credits)
• SSA 4930 Special Topics: African Film (3 credits)
• SSA 4930 Special Topics: African Popular Culture (3 credits)
• SSA 4930 Special Topics: Black Englishes (3 credits)
• SSA 4930 Special Topics: Islam & African Literature (3 credits)
• SSA 4930 Special Topics: Language Documentation (3 credits)
• SSA 4930 Special Topics: Readings in African Literature 2 (3 credits)
• SSA 4935 Honors Thesis (3 credits)
• SSW 4713 African Women Writers (3 credits)
• SWA 4905 Individual Work (3 credit max.)
• YOR 4502 Yoruba Oral Literature (3 credits)
• YOR 4905 Individual Work (3 credit max.)
• YOT 3500 Yoruba Diaspora in the New World (3 credits)
• YRW 4130 Readings in Yoruba Literature (3 credits)

Critical Concentration: 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
• Comparative Cultural Studies
• Film and Visual Culture
• Literary Studies
• Medieval and Early Modern Studies

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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.

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Critical Tracking

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for entry to 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

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Model Semester Plan

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).

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.

Semester 1	Credits
African Language Semester 1 AKA 1130, SWA 1130, WOL 1130, XHO 1130, or YOR 1130	5
Biological or Physical Science State Core GE-B or P	3
Composition State Core GE-C; WR	3
Social and Behavioral Sciences State Core GE-S	3
Total	14

Semester 2	Credits
African Language Semester 2 AKA 1131, SWA 1131, VTN 1131, WOL 1131, XH0 1131, or YOR 1131	5
IUF 1000 What is the Good Life GE-H	3​
Biological or Physical Science Area not taken in semester 1, GE-B or P	3
Mathematics State Core GE-M	3
Science laboratory GE-P or B	1
Total	15

Semester 3	Credits
African Language Semester 3 AKA 2200, SWA 2220, WOL 2200, XHO 2200, or YOR 2200	3
HUM 2420 or HUM 2424 GE-H and N	3
Mathematics GE-M	3
Physical Science GE-P	3
Social and Behavioral Sciences GE-S	3
Total	15

Semester 4	Credits
African Language Semester 4 AKA 2201, SWA 2220, WOL 2200, XHO 2200, or YOR 2200	3
LIN 3010 Introduction to Linguistics	3
Humanities State Core GE-H	3
Social and Behavioral Sciences GE-S and D	3
Elective 3000 level or above, not in major	3
Total	15

Semester 5	Credits
African Language Semester 5 AKA 3410, SWA 3410, WOL 3410, XH0 3410, or YOR 3410	3
Biological Science GE-B	3
Composition GE-C; WR	3
Advanced electives 3000 level; in the major	3
​Elective	​3
Total	15

Semester 6	Credits
African Language Semester 6 AKA 3411, SWA 3411, WOL 3411, XH0 3411, or YOR 3411	3
SSA 4930 Special Topics: Languages of Africa	3
Advanced elective 4000 level or above; in the major	3
Elective 3000 level or above, not in major	3
Electives	4
Total	16

Semester 7	Credits
SSA 4930 Special Topics: Readings in African Literature 1	3
Advanced elective 4000 level or above; in the major	3
Electives 3000 level or above, not in major	6
Elective or Senior thesis option	3
Total	15

Semester 8	Credits
SST 4502 African Oral Literature	3
Electives 3000 level or above, not in major	6
Electives	6
Total	15

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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

Course	Credits
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 3730 Language in African Society	3
SSA 4930 Special Topics: African Autobiography	3
SSA 4930 Special Topics: African Film	3
SSA 4930 Special Topics: African Popular Culture	3
SSA 4930 Special Topics: Black Englishes	3
SSA 4930 Special Topics: Islam & African Literature	3
SSA 4930 Special Topics: Language Documentation	3
SSA 4930 Special Topics: Readings in African Literature 2	3
SSA 4930 Special Topics in African Studies	3
SSW 4713 African Women Writers	3
YOR 4502 Yoruba Oral Literature	3
YOT 3500 Yoruba Diaspora in New World	3
YRW 4130 Readings in Yoruba Lit.	3
Comparative Cultural Studies
ABT 3500 Arabic Culture	3
ARA 3510 The Arab Woman	3
ABT 4131 The Qu’ran as Literature	3
CHT 3500 Chinese Culture	3
CHT 3513 Taoism & Chinese Culture	3
CZT 3564 Modern Czech Culture & Society	3
FRT 3004 Monuments & Masterpieces of France	3
FRT 3561 Women in French Lit/Cinema	3-4
GET 3003 German Culture & Civilization 1	3
GET 3004 Modern German Culture & Civilization	3
HAI 3930 Haitian Culture & Society	3
HAT 3564 Haitian Culture & Society	3
ITT 3540 Crime Fiction & Film in Italy	3
ITT 3700 Italian Perspectives on Holocaust	3
ITT 3930 Special Topics in Italian	3
JPT 3500 Japanese Culture	3
JPT 4502 Japanese Folklore	3
RUT 3501 Cont. Russian Culture & Society	3
RUT 3503 Violence & Terror in Russian Experience	3
RUT 3504 Russia Today	3
RUT 3514 Russian Fairy Tales	3
RUT 3530 Russia's Struggle with Nature	3
RUT 4450 Russian Modernism	3
VTT 3500 Vietnamese Culture	3
YOT 3500 Yoruba Diaspora in New World	3
Film and Visual Culture
CHI 4930 Special Topics in Chinese	3
CHT 3391 Chinese Film and Media	4
CHT 3523 Hong Kong, Taiwan and Global Cinema	4
FRT 3520 French Cinema	4
FRT 3561 Women in French Lit/Cinema	4
FRT 4523 Euro Identities, Euro Cinema	4
GET 3520 Early German Cinema	4
GET 3580 War in Lit/Visual Media	3
GET 3581 Lit and Arts of the Holocaust	3
GET 4291 Women and German Cinema	4
GET 4293 New German Cinema	4
GET 4930 Variable Topics in German	3
HBR 4930 Special Topics	3
ITT 3521 Italian Cinema	4
ITT 3540 Crime Fiction & Film in Italy	3
ITT 3541 Italian Mafia Movies	3
ITT 3930 Special Topics in Italian	3
JPN 4930 Special Topics in Japanese	3
JPT 3391 Intro to Japanese Film	4
PLT 3520 Polish Cinema	4
RUT 3524 Russia Through Film	4
SSA 4930 Special Topics: African Film	3
Literary Studies
ABT 3130 Arabic Literary Heritage	3
ABT 4131 The Qu’ran as Literature	3
CHI 4930 Special Topics in Chinese	3
CHT 3110 Chinese Literary Heritage	3
CHT 3123 Pre-modern Chinese Fiction	3
CHT 3124 Modern Chinese Fiction	3
CHT 4111 Dream of the Red Chamber	3
CHT 4603 Journey to the West	3
FRT 3004 Monuments & Masterpieces of France	3
FRT 3561 Women in French Lit/Cinema	3-4
GET 3200 Literature of Knighthood	3
GET 3501 History, Literature, Arts of Berlin	3
GET 3580 War in Lit/Visual Media	3
GET 3581 Lit and Arts of the Holocaust	3
GET 4930 Variable Topics in German	3
HBR 4930 Special Topics in Hebrew	3
HBT 3223 Identity/Dissent in Hebrew Short Story	3
HBT 3562 Jews & Arabs in Mod. Hebrew Fiction	3
HBT 3563 Women in Mod. Hebrew Fiction	3
HBT 3564 Motherhood Mod. Hebrew Lit.	3
ITT 3431 Italy & Pilgrimages	3
ITT 3540 Crime Fiction & Film in Italy	3
ITT 3700 Italian Perspectives Holocaust	3
ITT 3930 Special Topics Italian	3
JPT 3100 Tales of Kyoto	3
JPT 3120 Modern Japanese Fiction in Translation	3
JPT 3121 Contemporary Japanese Lit.: Postwar to Postmodern	3
JPT 3150 Classical Japanese Poetry	3
JPT 3300 Samurai War Tales	3
JPT 4130 Tale of Genji	3
JPT 4502 Japanese Folklore	3
PLT 3930 Special Topics in Polish	3
RUT 3101 Russian Masterpieces	3
RUT 3441 Tolstoy & Dostoevsky	3
RUT 3442 Themes from Russian Lit.	3
RUT 3443 War and Peace	3
RUT 3452 20th c. Russian Literature	3
RUT 3503 Violence & Terror in Russian	3
RUT 3506 Creative Lives: Writers, Artists and Extraordinary People	3
RUT 3514 Russian Fairy Tales	3
RUT 3530 Russia’s Struggle with Nature	3
RUT 3930 Variable Topics Russian	3
RUT 4440 Pushkin & Gogol	3
RUT 4450 Russian Modernism	3
SST 4502 African Oral Literatures	3
SSW 4713 African Women Writers	3
YOR 4502 Yoruba Oral Literatures	3
Medieval and Early Modern Studies
ARA 3510 The Arab Woman	3
CHT 3123 Pre-modern Chinese Fiction	3
CHT 3513 Taoism and Chinese Culture	3
CHT 4111 Dream of the Red Chamber	3
CHT 4603 Journey to the West	3
GET 3200 Literature of Knighthood	3
ITT 3431 Italy and Pilgrimages	3
JPT 3300 Samurai War Tales	3
MEM 3003 Intro to Medieval World	3
MEM 3300 Castles and Cloisters	3
MEM 3301 Palaces and Cities	3
MEM 3730 Studies in Holy Roman Empire	3
MEM 3805 Research Methods in Medieval & Early Modern	3
MEM 3931 Topics Medieval & Early Modern	3

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