|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Rice Thresher
Phone:
|
by Chase Danford F0r the Thresher If one student's efforts are successful, Swahili may become a permanent part of Rice's curriculum. Will Rice College senior Mugambi Jouet-Nkinyangi said he was shocked when he came to Rice and there were no classes offered in Swahili. "My father is from Kenya, and I wanted to learn the language so I can speak with my family at home," Jouet-Nkinyangi said. "I regretted to see that the language course is not offered as part of Rice curriculum, so I tried to do something so that it would be offered." He submitted a proposal to Interim Dean of Humanities Gale Stokes two weeks ago asking for Swahili classes to be instituted. Stokes expressed enthusiasm for expanding the language program at Rice to include Swahili. He also supports adding classes in Hindi, which have not been offered consistently in the past few years. "One of the things that interests me is there seems to be significant student support, and even some faculty support," Stokes said. Director for the Center of the Study of Languages Maria-Regina Kecht also spoke in support of Hindi. "Both are languages spoken by huge numbers of people in the world," she said. "It's not just about the number of people speaking, but the cultural realms students get into." Kecht said the two programs would be a valuable expansion of the university's offerings. "I do think Rice, like many other institutions, has emphasized Western culture," she said. "It's a question of going beyond the Northern hemisphere, which is often equated with the Western world." However, Stokes was not sure whether money would be available to fund the program. "If it is decided this year, it will not be decided until the budgeting process is complete," Stokes said. The budget is decided in May. Stokes said he does not expect either Swahili or Hindi to be offered next fall, although the possibility is not out of the question. Jouet-Nkinyangi believes that Swahili would be an important addition to the language offerings at Rice. "It would add to the curriculum," Jouet-Nkinyangi said. "The university would benefit from Swahili for those interested in anthropology, history or just learning major languages." "Kiswahili for Beginners" was offered as a Will Rice College course last spring. However, Jouet-Nkinyangi said this was not enough. "I don't think that continuing Swahili as a college course is adequate," he said. College courses, sponsored by residential colleges, are intended to be interdisciplinary in nature and they count for course credit. However, they are not a part of any academic department and require a student to propose the course every year. Jouet-Nkinyangi said he thought the Will Rice Swahili class was successful. Thirteen students enrolled in the course last spring. Will Rice, probably in collaboration with another college, will offer Swahili again this spring, Jouet-Nkinyangi said. Last spring, history graduate student Meshack Owino taught the course.
- back - |
|
|
Search the Thresher pages:
This document may be distributed electronically, provided that it is distributed in its entirety and includes this notice. However, it cannot be reprinted without the express written permission of: The Rice Thresher, Rice University MS-524, PO Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251-1892, USA. The Thresher Online Project -- ethresh@listserv.rice.edu |
