Course syllabus
Welcome to Swahili II
Course instructors: Simon Msovela (with Rasmus Bernander)
Contact information for study advisors can be found here.
This course is designed for students who want to master the Swahili language, which is widely spoken in East and Central Africa. This course constitutes a continuation of the introductory course in Swahili (AF1110). The course trains reading skills through the study of adapted texts as well as sound recordings. Students practice the language by studying and actively using common constructions and everyday phrases. You will continue to do translations from Swahili into English, and also from English into Swahili. There will be listening practices as well as regular online meetings in which you can practice speaking. The necessary linguistic terminology is introduced to deepen students' knowledge of phonetics, grammar and semantics in Swahili.
Furthermore, this course introduces you to three (one per module) academic texts on different aspects of Swahili. You will read and discuss these in small groups.
Don't forget to read the course guide! There are some aspects in which this course differs from AF1110, so it's important to know from the start what the set-up is.
The course starts on 2 September 2024. Every other Monday there will be a new lesson.
The course is organized in 3 blocks (Modules) with 3 lessons in each. Every block gives 2,5 credits when completed.
There are 9 lessons in all, and they become available on the dates listed below.
NB the structure of the course and all its contents should be accessed through 'Modules' in the menu. This way, the overview of the modules and lessons will become clear and you can make sure that you don't miss anything. We meet 'live' on Zoom five times for conversation practice (see the schedule below). It is obligatory to participate in 3 of the Zoom meetings.
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Module 1 |
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Starts on |
Zoom conversation |
Group work deadline |
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Lesson 1 |
2 September |
Tuesday 10 September 19.00-20.00 |
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Lesson 2 |
16 September |
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Lesson 3 |
30 September |
Wednesday 9 October 16.00-17.00 |
Critical reading 1: 8 October |
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Module test 1 |
Deadline 13 October |
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Module 2 |
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Lesson 4 |
14 October |
Monday 21 October 19.00-20.00 |
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Lesson 5 |
28 October |
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Lesson 6 |
11 November |
Thursday 21 November 18.00-19.00 |
Critical reading 2: 19 November |
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Module test 2 |
Deadline 24 November |
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Module 3 |
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Lesson 7 |
25 November |
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Lesson 8 |
9 December |
Thursday 19 December 18.00-19.00 |
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Lesson 9 |
23 December |
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Exam period |
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The final examination is in two parts |
13-19 January 2025, in Gothenburg: Saturday 18 January 2025 at 10.00 |
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Retake exam |
27 January - 2 February 2025 |
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Critical reading
In this course, you will read 3 academic papers on different topics related to Swahili. There will be one paper per module. You will be divided into groups, in which you discuss the articles. As a group, you will write a short summary (1/2 page maximum) of the article and answer the questions. Each group has its own discussion forum as a tool to working together. After submitting, the different groups will read the submissions of the other groups, with the possibility to discuss any differences or views. Here are the articles and here is the first assignment.
Thompson, Katrina Daly. 2013. 'Representing language, culture, and language users in textbooks: A critical approach to Swahili multiculturalism'. Modern Language Journal 97: 947-64.
Vierke, Clarissa. 2015. 'Comparing the Incomparable? - On the Poetic Use of Language in Swahili Hip-Hop and “Classical” Swahili Poetry'. Matatu: 81-112, 271-72.
Petzell, Malin. 2005, 'Expanding the Swahili vocabulary.' Africa and Asia: Göteborg working papers on Asian and African languages and literatures. 5: 85-107 pdf
Find syllabus and reading list here (including recommended reading, reference books and other Swahili resources). The remaining necessary literature is available in electronic form in each Module.
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Study counselling
If you have questions or concerns about your studies, degrees and careers, please contact your study counsellor. The study counsellor is also the contact person for pedagogical support and adjustments of studies. Email: guidance.african@sprak.gu.se More information on study counselling.
Pedagogical support
Information: https://studentportal.gu.se/english/help-and-guidance/disability If you have a NAIS decision about adjustments of studies, please read the information on the Study Support page carefully. Information on pedagogical support at the Department of Languages and literatures.
Information about being a student at the Faculty of Humanities, GU.
Plagiarism
Riktlinjer för användning av artificiell intelligens i examination vid Institutionen för språk och litteraturer (scrolla längst ner på sidan och klicka på länken till institutionen)
Rues about the use of AI - Disciplinary matters | Student Portal (gu.se) (scroll down and click on "Department of Languages and Literatures)