CRITICAL LANGUAGES AT WILLIAMS

The Critical Languages Program offers the possibility of studying languages not offered on a regular basis at the college and is designed to complement coursework in other areas. The Program originated in part from requests by a more diverse student body, faculty’s interests in emerging regional issues, and from the ever-pressing need to respond to the pluralistic realities of today's world. Currently, students can study elementary Hebrew, Hindi, Korean and Swahili in a self-instructional mode under the tutorial supervision of qualified native speakers and in consultation with senior language specialists from other institutions.

Information and Enrollment Procedures
The languages offered are Hebrew, Hindi, Korean, and Swahili. Each may be studied for one year at the elementary level. Students work independently with recommended textbooks and audio materials for roughly ten hours per week and attend group review sessions twice weekly with native-speaking tutors. Language faculty from other institutions provide the syllabus and evaluate the students’ progress.

In order to enroll in any Critical Language course, the student must complete an application in early April (forms are available at the Coordinator’s office in NAB, Rm. 230) and be accepted into the program. Second-year or higher students with a 3.0 GPA may apply; they should demonstrate previous foreign language and/or independent study; and they must explain how the study of one of these languages integrates with their academic interests. A Critical Languages course will be scheduled only if and when at least two students are accepted into the course.

Students should note that Critical Languages courses are hyphenated, meaning no credit is given for the first semester until the second semester is successfully completed; the courses cannot be taken Pass/Fail.

Contact program coordinator, Jane Canova, for more information.