Language and Culture Courses

Introduction to Japanese
Introduction to Standard Arabic
Introduction to Chinese
Russian Language for Beginners

Introduction to Japanese
FL900-4A - Instructor: Jackson

Course Date: June 22-July 18

The chances are that you already know more than several Japanese words such as Anime, Sushi, Haiku (poem),
Karaoke, Origami, and Tsunami, among others.  When you watch Anime, have you ever wondered what the characters are really saying in Japanese?  Are you fascinated with Japanese culture and customs such as Ikebana and Tea Ceremony, or old temples and shrines?  Do you want to get to know the newest and coolest technology in computer or robot?  If you know Japanese language, it is much easier to learn about Japan.  Why don’t you try something new and open the door to a new world this summer by taking Introduction to Japanese.

The objective of this course is to develop four basic skills: speaking, listening comprehension, reading and writing.  Areas to be emphasized: 1) correct pronunciation and intonation; 2) understanding of basic structure of Japanese; 3) communicating with socially and culturally appropriate manner; 4) introduction of various Japanese culture.  Another important aspect of this course is to prepare students to continue learning Japanese beyond this course.

Basic grammar, vocabulary and writing systems (Hiragana and Katakana) will be introduced.  The course will cover material from greetings to self-introduction, ordering food in a Japanese restaurant, asking for directions, asking the meaning of words and much more.  You will also learn customs, and about different cities in Japan.  Anime and Internet will be used in part of the instruction.  This is a fun as well as very informative course.  The more effort you put in, the more you will get out of this course. 

This course is designed for students without any previous knowledge of Japanese.

Introduction to Standard Arabic
FL901-4A - Instructor: Hussein

Course Date: June 22 -July 18

There is a rapidly increasing demand for Arabic speakers and translators in such fields as diplomacy, defense, education and government. However, more than just an employment opportunity, this incredibly rich language is spoken by 186 million people, and is the official language of 22 countries. A familiarity with Arabic is a gateway into centuries of history, literature, and science.

This course will introduce students to the rudiments of the Standard Arabic Language, including the alphabet, grammatical system and beginning vocabulary. Through assignments and in-class projects, students will be given practice in reading, writing and even speaking the language. The class will also watch short films and discuss topics related to the culture of the Arabic-speaking world. This deeper understanding of the Arabic culture can promote further study in subjects including international relations, comparative literature, or Middle Eastern studies.

This course is designed for students with no previous knowledge of Arabic.

Introduction to Chinese
FL903-4A: Instructor: Wang

Course Date: June 22-July 18

Ni hao! (This is the way you say "hello" in Chinese.)

Maybe China is a country where you've always dreamt of going. Maybe you were taken by the sounds of the language and want to make it your own: to understand it, to be able to speak it, to be immersed in its beautiful culture. Or maybe you've just found it's cool to pronounce the Chinese words on the slip of paper in a fortune cookie. No matter the reason, if you want to start conversing in another language, then think about Chinese.

This course will teach the standard Chinese language, Mandarin, in a basic level. During the course you will learn how to speak, write, and read in this language, using either the simplified characters used in Mainland China, or traditional ones used in Taiwan and Hong Kong. In class, you will learn to write over 200 characters, master some basic grammar, and communicate with native Chinese speakers in some everyday topics including greetings, food, family, school, and movies. Additionally, the popular Pinyin system (the Romanticization of Chinese pronunciation) and the use of a Chinese-English dictionary will be taught, so you can continue to read and learn in the future.

Equally important, the course will be sprinkled with information on Chinese culture, including history, literature and religion, intended to promote an understanding of China and its civilization. Additional background information will emerge from topics in the texts we read, highlighting China's politics, economy, and the lives of people in both rural and urban areas. Pictures, handicrafts, films and music will supplement the in-class experience.

The goals of this course are multifaceted by design: to lay a strong foundation for future study in any aspect of Chinese language or culture; to prepare you for a visit to China in the future; or simply to increase your enjoyment of a weekend Chinese food dinner. Eaten with chopsticks, of course! There are no prerequisites for this course.

PLEASE NOTE: This course is participating in Brown's new iPod initiative. The instructor has incorporated iPod technology into the curriculum; students will have access to iPods in order to complete lesson assignments.

Russian Language for Beginners
FL902-4A: Instructor: Richter

Course Date: June 22-July 18

This course is intended for students who are not familiar with the Russian language and alphabet. The goal is to introduce the Russian language and culture through non-intimidating methodologies based on Total Physical Response Method combined with a traditional academic approach in order to prepare prospective students for Brown language classes. Students will gain relative fluency in reading and will be able to communicate on simple topics. They will practice some writing skills and learn the foundations of Russian grammar. Final assessment will be accomplished through a oral and written examination which will include a short story with questions and a presentation of an interactive dialog. No prerequisites.