CORE 143: Intermediate Language I
(French, German OR Spanish)
Core Category: Foreign Languages and Cultures
Master Syllabus
Introduction
An awareness of cultures in countries other than the United States deepens our
understanding of the diverse world in which we live and our place in it. When we step
beyond our limited cultural surroundings and attempt to enter into the minds of others in
the world community, we are often confronted with values and perspectives that
challenge our beliefs and assumptions. The liberally educated individual whose
philosophy of life is solidly grounded in human and humane principles should understand
cultural diversity and be equipped to deal with it with empathy and sensitivity. Foreign
language courses and foreign culture courses taught in English provide this important
dimension of a liberal arts education.
Objectives
1. To assess and appreciate with deeper insight and sensitivity the culture of a foreign
people;
2. to analyze the interrelation of the geography, history and cultural achievements of a
foreign nation;
3. to compare and contrast the American mode of thinking, creating, behaving and
communicating with a foreign mode;
4. to master a clearly defined body of knowledge drawn from the culture, e.g., from the
language, literature, history, contemporary culture, etc., of a foreign people.
Goals
1. To recognize the need to avoid prejudice, provincialism and cultural and linguistic
chauvinism;
2. to understand and appreciate with empathy cultural values, patterns and points of
view different from one's own;
3. to be better prepared to deal with cross-cultural contacts;
4. to develop new insights into human and cultural values;
5. to understand that language is an integral part of a national heritage;
6. to develop a broader perspective on one's own language and culture by comparing it
with another;
7. to develop a global perspective which recognizes the political, economic and cultural
interdependence of all nations.
Core 143
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Specific Objectives
1. To understand the foreign language spoken clearly and distinctly with familiar
vocabulary and idioms;
2. to converse on familiar social and cultural topics;
3. to use the grammar of the language correctly;
4. to speak the language with a reasonable degree of accuracy in pronunciation and
intonation;
5. to write simple compositions on familiar topics;
6. to increase reading comprehension in the foreign language;
7. to increase knowledge and understanding of the foreign culture.
Teaching-Learning Strategies
1. The following definition of culture will be discussed: Culture is the way of thinking,
feeling and acting characteristic of a particular people. It is a body of common
understandings, ideas, attitudes, beliefs, values, symbols and behavior which act upon
each other and are transmitted from one generation to another by means of language,
traditions and institutions while evolving in response to changing circumstances.
2. The role of language as an integral part of culture will be emphasized.
3. The material in a grammar textbook will serve as the basis for oral and written
exercises designed to develop the student's proficiency in the language.
4. Short cultural selections in the textbook will be read and serve as a basis for
discussion of the culture.
5. Foreign cultural phenomena studied will be compared with American to show
similarities and differences.
6. The foreign language will be used in the classroom to the greatest extent possible in
studying both the language and the culture.
7. Audio-visual materials will be used.
8. There will be a minimum of three tests in addition to the final examination which will
be comprehensive. At least one test will be given before mid-semester.
9. Oral proficiency of students will be evaluated on an ongoing basis.
Catalog Description
Review and further study of the fundamentals of the foreign language to increase
comprehension, speaking and writing skills. Readings increase knowledge and
understanding of the foreign culture.