EIU Department of
World Languages and Cultures

WORLD LANGUAGES & CULTURES

Fall 2023

"Seal" students:

If you have the "Illinois Seal of Biliteracy" from high school and are wondering which class to take, contact: Dr. Christiane Eydt-Beebe (Chair) ckeydt@eiu.edu for placement advice.

CHINESE

WLC 1101 Beginning Chinese I (4 credits) 

Are you looking for a fun challenge? Whether you’re planning to travel to China or neighboring countries, or are just interested in the language that is at the heart of East Asian history and culture, start learning Chinese this fall! This course introduces students to the most widely spoken dialect (Mandarin) in its five aspects: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and culture. Fulfill your language requirement by taking WLC 1102 in Spring 2024. 

FRENCH

WLF 1101 Beginning French I (4 credits)

 French is spoken by over 275 million people, spread across five continents! If you would like to learn more about these diverse French-speaking populations and how to communicate with them, this highly interactive, introductory class is perfect for you. We will study the basics of French vocabulary and grammar in culturally appropriate contexts and also lay the foundations of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in French. After Beginning French I, you will be prepared for Beginning French II, which will fulfill your language requirement for graduation.

WLF 2201G Intermediate French I (4 credits)

 Have you taken 2 or 3 years of French in high school (or 2 semesters in college)? Would you like to fulfill your Gen Ed Humanities Requirement while improving your proficiency in French? If so, this highly interactive course is perfect for you! While we will continue to develop vocabulary and to review grammar, the focus of Intermediate French I is to explore diverse francophone cultures in North America, Africa and Europe while you develop your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Honors section pending: WLF 2291G Intermediate French I, Honors.

WLF 4200 Topics in Francophone Literature – Revolution Starts at Home (3 credits)

Where do contemporary authors from francophone Africa draw the line between “home” and “homeland?” The border is more porous than you might think, especially in works created by women. In fact, many female authors and filmmakers sneak calls for systemic social and political change into novels and films that seem to be simple narratives about family. This course will consider the cultural context of creators such as Véronique Tadjo (Côte d’Ivoire), Léonora Miano (Cameroon), Mariama Bâ (Senegal) and Mati Diop (Senegal). Then, we will analyze their texts, in which families in turmoil serve as allegories for nations in conflict and explore the revolutionary solutions implied by each text. This course will be conducted in French. 

GERMAN

WLG 1101 Beginning German I (4 credits)

Did you know German is the most widely spoken language in the EU (percentage of the total number of speakers)? You will acquire basic language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) and learn much about the culture of modern-day Germany and German-speaking countries. Of course, you will learn how to pronounce those long German words too (Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzung; Oktoberfestvergnügen)... Fulfill your language requirement by taking WLG 1102 in Spring 2024.

WLG 2201G Intermediate German I (4 credits)

Have you had 2 or 3 years of German in high school or 2 semesters in college? This Intermediate German course is for you. It can also be used towards your Gen Ed Humanities requirement. We will review as well as add on to the German grammar and vocabulary you have already acquired. You will get much practice in the classroom, so your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills will grow. Übung macht den Meister… You will also increase your confidence in working with authentic texts and contexts that reflect the globalized society in modern Germany. Short readings (stories), music and films will be part of this course.

WLG 4405A Topics: German Film for Conversation (3 credits)

Over the past twenty years, an increasing number of German films has reached international audiences.  Besides being an important medium of artistic expression in Germany, films provide learners of German with valuable cultural and linguistic input. In this course, we will move beyond just watching a movie. You will develop your productive skills—conversing about movies and writing about them. Preparatory activities and post-viewing exercises will assist you so that you can become more autonomous—not only in your comprehension and interpretation of films—but also in describing, analyzing, and discussing films. The repertoire of films from which we will choose includes a range of topics and genres: films based on Germanic mythology, historical and war dramas, political thrillers, character studies, romantic comedies, and “multikulti” comedies about modern life in Germany. 

SPANISH

WLS 1101 Beginning Spanish I (4 credits)

Interested in Spanish? Do you want to learn how to speak the second most spoken language in America? You will enjoy acquiring basic language skills and learning about the amazing and eclectic culture of the Spanish-speaking world. After Spanish 1101, continue taking Spanish and complete the foreign language graduation requirement by taking WLS 1102.

ONLINE WLS 1101 Beginning Spanish I (4 credits)

Do you require a flexible schedule? WLS 1101 online may be for you! We will learn the same speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills as in the face-to-face course, but you can study and complete assignments at times that work best for you.

WLS 1102 Beginning Spanish II (4 credits)

Have you taken some Spanish in high school? Do you need to fulfill the foreign language requirement for graduation? Take WLS 1102! You will expand your vocabulary and practice speaking, listening, reading and writing in Spanish. You will also continue to learn about the Spanish-speaking cultures and develop your intercultural knowledge and understanding. After WLS 1102, practice and enhance your Spanish by taking Intermediate Spanish I (WLS 2201G) in the spring.

ONLINE WLS 1102 Beginning Spanish II (4 credits)

Do you need to fulfill your foreign language graduation requirement but require a flexible schedule? WLS 1102 online may be for you! We will learn the same speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills as in the 1102 face-to- face course, but you can study and complete assignments at times that work best for you.

ONLINE WLS 1112 Spanish for the Health Professions (4 credits)

Open to students from all programs. Equivalent to our regular WLS 1102. It meets the FLG Graduation Requirement.

Have you taken a year of high school Spanish or one semester in college? This course is a second-semester language course designed for students interested in or preparing to enter the health professions or related fields. The course covers basic grammar, and its vocabulary is focused on the human body, its functions and problems. You’ll practice with dialogues, interviews and stories, while also gaining cross-cultural understanding. Note: If you have taken a regular WLS 1102 course and received credit, no additional credit can be given for WLS 1112.

WLS 2201G Intermediate Spanish I (4 credits)

Have you taken 2-3 years of Spanish in high school, or 2 semesters in college? Are you looking for a great class to use towards your Gen Ed Humanities requirement? Also, this class may be perfect for students who received the "Illinois Seal of Biliteracy" and want to continue their language study (ask us for placement advice). You will review grammar points, practice your Spanish in conversation and composition, and broaden your understanding of the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Also as Honors section available: WLS 2291G Intermediate Spanish I Honors (4 credits)

WLS 2202G Intermediate Spanish II (4 credits)

Have you taken 3-4 years of Spanish in high school, or 3 semesters in college? Are you looking for a great class to use towards your Gen Ed Humanities requirement? Also, this class may be perfect for students who received the "Illinois Seal of Biliteracy" and want to continue their language study (ask us for placement advice). You will review grammar points, practice your Spanish in conversation and composition, and broaden your understanding of the cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. Note: Taking this class plus 4 more upper-division WLS courses (12 credits) completes a Spanish minor. Also as Honors section available: WLS 2292G Intermediate Spanish II Honors (4 credits)

WLS 3000 Spanish Grammar in Context (4 credits)

Explore Latin American and Spanish culture while fine-tuning your grammar skills. Pedagogy experts agree that task-based activities that teach actual content result in the greatest improvements in proficiency. You will see progress in your speaking and writing skills as well as in your cultural competency. This course serves as solid preparation for advanced literature and culture courses. It is the pre-requisite to all other upper-division classes except for WLS 3050 Pronunciation and Conversation. Pre-requisite: WLS 2202G or 2292G, or equivalent.

WLS 3050 Spanish Pronunciation and Conversation (4 credits)

Have you had 4 or more years in high school (or 4 semesters in college)? In this course, you will develop your conversational skills and pronunciation. You will learn to express your opinion on a variety of intriguing and current topics. Note: We recommend taking WLS 3000 first (see above). However, if WLS 3000 doesn't work with your class schedule, take WLS 3050 first (and the following semester WLS 3000 or WLS 3012).

WLS 4320 Civilization and Culture of Spanish America (3 credits)

Learn about the events that have shaped the social and cultural landscape of Spanish-speaking Latin America. You will be introduced to the history and geography of the area, and explore its ethnic, racial, and linguistic diversity. Prerequisite: WLS 3000 or WLS 3012.

WLS 4650 Latinx Identity (3 credits)

What does it mean to be Latina, Latino, or Latinx? This course explores a selection of thought-provoking texts from a variety of literary genres, including autobiography, poetry, and essay that capture the diverse U.S. Latinx experiences. It explores the complex ways in which culture, history, language, and environmental influences shape Latinx identities. Class will be conducted in Spanish.  Prerequisite: WLS 3000 or WLS 3012.

SPANISH FRENCH GERMAN

WLS/F/G 3401 Cadet Teaching (3 credits, for teacher education students)

or

WLS/F/G 3501 Languages for Young Learners (1-3 credits, for non-teacher education students)

Share your language with elementary school students in our after-school enrichment program—and earn credits. You don’t have to be a teacher licensure student to take this course. Have you studied a language for at least 4 semesters (equivalent of 2202G)? Are you maybe a language minor? This class may be perfect for you. Apply your language skills (choose Spanish or French or German) and teach fourth-grade students in a 7-week after-school enrichment program. The program is directed and supervised by department faculty. Limited to 8 spots in the fall semester. Our host school in fall is Jefferson Elementary School in Charleston. Thursdays 2:30-4:30 pm (7 weeks, from late September to mid-November). Plus weekly preparatory meetings. Days and times of our prep meetings will be determined during our orientation meeting in late August. E-mail Dr. Eydt-Beebe for more information ckeydt@eiu.edu and to get registered.

WLE 3400 Methods of Teaching World Languages (3 credits, for teacher education students)

Gain the knowledge, pedagogical understanding, and skills to be an effective language teacher.

Required for teacher education students (secondary education) seeking licensure in Spanish, French, or German, and teacher education students (with language minors) seeking an endorsement in Spanish, French, or German.

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE

WLA/CDS 1101 American Sign Language I (3 credits)

Introduction to foundational skills in visual communication using American Sign Language (ASL). Students will develop accuracy and fluency with receptive and expressive signing skills. Emphasis is placed on learning ASL vocabulary and grammar in context, including introductions, exchanging personal information, and discussing daily situations. Deaf Culture is embedded in lessons, including key historical events and characteristics of culturally appropriate interaction styles.