Elementary Hausa

The aim of this course is to facilitate a student's ability to converse and work in Hausa, the lingua-franca of West Africa, as well as to fulfill the language requirements of the University and the African and African-American Studies Program. As much as is possible class conversation will be in Hausa, with the aim of achieving immersion in the language. This will be complemented with a wide variety of other language-learning aids, among them, audio and video tapes, and basic written materials. All of these will be offered at varying levels, according to the student's capability. This course offers introductory Hausa instruction aufficient to allow the student to carry on greetings, rudimentary conversation, and market/travel transactions.

Requirements

The first-year course will meet five times per week in class and will include regular language laboratory sessions. While the emphasis in elementary Hausa is on oral/aural capabilities, elementary grammar will be introduced, as well as the skills necessary for written communication at this level. Students' requirements for first-year Hausa will include oral, aural, and written demonstrations of competence in the fundamenta1s of the language. Some will be mandatory, others will be open to creative interpretation. Required are: class attendance, participation, completion of smaller assignments, weekly quizzes, lesson tests, and two examinations (midterm and final). Weekly quiz dates will be announced one to two days prior to the quiz. Lesson tests will be given at two week intervals, and will cover material addressed in class.

The main text, Hausa a Aikace, will be complemented by the use of other materials that constitute the basics of elementary Hausa language learning in Kano, Nigeria. These include Hausa primers, language charts, mathematics lessons in Hausa, and cultural materials, all of which will be supplied by the professor. Proverbs, especially suited to elementary Hausa, provide important insight into Hausa culture. Language tapes of conversations, narratives, poetry, and Hausa music - many of which were recorded in Nigeria - also will be used.

Students with a disability which, without accommodation, may impair their performance or diminish their enjoyment and benefits of the course should so inform the instructor.

Required Material

• Text: Hausa a Aikace (photocopies may be purchased from instructor)
• Dictionary: Modern Hausa-English Dictionary Newman, et al (available later in semester)
• Reserve Readings:
  • Shaihu Umar Balewa
  • Burning Grass Ekwensi
  • So Long A Letter Ba

Recommended (all available in Watson Library)

• Spoken Hausa Cowan and Schuh
• Dictionary of the Hausa Language Bargery
• Dictionarv of the Hausa Language Abraham
• Introductorv Hausa Kraft and Kraft
• Hausa Reader Kraft

Grading and Evaluations

Grades will be calculated on the basis of weekly grades (calculated on homework assignments, and quizzes), tests, a midterm, and a final exam. Numerical grades will be given for all quizzes and exams. All numerical grades will be translated to letters for the final grades, which will be based on the Department's grading system:

Final grades will be calculated on the following percentages:

• 25% weekly grade
• 25% chapter exams
• 25% midterm exam
• 25% final exam

Students may get their final grades early by consulting directly with Mala~n Gusau, or by providing a stamped, self-addressed envelope in which the grade will be sent. Absences from exams or late assignments are allowed only in unusual circumstances. For these, formal excuses should be sought well in advance and by all means no later than 24 hours after the due date or the next class meeting following a Friday due date. Examinations will not normally be repeated for absentees. Only genuinely certified and verified absence from the examination will be excusable. This is also subject to 24 hour not)fication as above. A single alternative date for the make-up examinatioh will be scheduled. No incompletes are given for this course, except when a make-up final is pending. Students should note that any academic misconduct, including plagiarism, will be subject to the severest consequences in accordance with University policy.