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Minor in Swahili Language (MSL)

Program Summary 

The University of Georgia as part of its measure for an inclusive learning process offers a Minor in Swahili Language program. The program provides students with the exposure and rare opportunity to learn and study the languages history and culture of one of the most important languages in East Africa - Swahili. This is a 15 credit hours program that empowers students with the proficiency to interact as bilingual professionals in a multicultural market system. Students enrolled in this program learn about the rich culture and history of the Swahili language and how this knowledge can help prepare them for success in a global community.  

College

Franklin College of Arts & Sciences 

346 Brooks Hall 

Athens, GA 30602 

Department

Comparative Literature and Intercultural Studies 

131 Joseph E. Brown Hall 

University of Georgia 

Athens, GA 30602 

Department Head

Masaki Mori      

mamo@uga.edu     

129 Joe Brown Hall 

 


Why Study Swahili?  

About 50 to 100 million people speak Swahili, making it an important language for commerce, politics and education. Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo all have it as their national language. Swahili is also one of the working languages of the African Union and is officially recognized as a lingua franca of the East African community. As such, modern-day professionals should build a core understanding of the dynamics around the Swahili-speaking world that traverses its coast. Similarly, they must be able to apply critical thinking, and analytical reasoning to the linguistic, literary, historical and cultural components of the language. 

 


Course Requirements 

To complete the Minor in Swahili Program, students must take 15 credit hours across various courses provided below.  

Required Courses - 9 hours  

Candidates must select all required courses listed below (3 credit hours each).  

  • SWAH 2010: Intermediate Swahili I 

  • SWAH 2020: Intermediate Swahili II 

  • SWAH 3001: Culture and Identity Linkages of the Swahili with the Outside World I 

Students who use SWAH 2010, SWAH 2020, or SWAH 3001 to satisfy Area IV requirements may replace these course requirements with up to three additional elective courses from the list below. 

Elective Courses - 6 hours 

Candidates must choose at least two elective courses (6 credit hours) from the list below.  

  • CMLT(AFST)(AFAM) 3030: Introduction to African Languages and Cultures 

  • CMLT(AFST) 3150: Introduction to Modern African Literature 

  • CMLT(AFST)(ANTH) 4245: Oral Literature in Africa 

  • CMLT(AFST) 4880: The Origins of African Literature 

  • SWAH 3020: Culture and Identity Linkages of the Swahili with the Outside World II 

  • CMLT(AFST) 3151: Introduction to Modern African Drama 

  • CMLT 4230/6230: African Cinema 

  • CMLT(AFST) 4890/6890: Postcolonial African Literature 

  • SWAH 3990: Directed Study in Swahili Language and Literature 

Students who apply SWAH 2010, 2020 or SWAH 3001 towards Area IV Franklin requirements may choose an additional 3 courses from the list. 

In-Residence Requirement  

At least three of these courses must be taken in residence. 

Minimum Grade  

All courses used to satisfy the minor requirement must be passed with a grade of "C" (2.0) or better. 

 


Summary  
  • A minor must contain at least 9 hours of upper division coursework.  

  • Courses taken to satisfy Core Areas I through V may not be counted as coursework in the minor.  

  • Courses taken in Core Area VI may be counted as coursework in the minor. 

 


Advising 

Dr. Ari Liebermann 

Program Coordinator 

alieberm@uga.edu  

Further information about the program may be obtained by contacting:  

Masaki Mori  

Head  

Department of Comparative Literature  

131 Joseph E. Brown Hall 

University of Georgia   

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