Found on MSU.edu on 8 May 2009
Contact: Stephanie Motschenbacher, International Studies and Programs, motsche3@msu.edu, Direct: (517) 884-2135, Cell: (517) 648-9945
More than 15 African languages will be taught at MSU this summer as part of the Summer Cooperative African Language Institute program.
“To host it here on campus is a wonderful opportunity for MSU students, and a great way to highlight the MSU African language program,” said Yacob Fisseha, assistant director of the African Studies Center at MSU, who is helping facilitate the program.
Students taking part in the program may earn a full year of academic credit in a language of their choice to apply to a degree program or specialization.
SCALI is sponsored by the Association of the African Studies Program, a national organization that coordinates the teaching of African languages in the United States, and is collaboratively offered by the 12 Title VI national resource centers for African studies with funding from the U.S. Department of Education. Other centers taking part in the program include those at Yale, Stanford, Colombia and Boston University.
MSU will host the SCALI program for the summers of 2009 and 2010 with the African Studies Center in International Studies and Programs and the Department of Linguistics, Germanic, Slavic, Asian and African Languages sharing organizational responsibility.
More than 100 participants are expected to attend, with MSU and non-MSU students and faculty coming from all over the country.
“Whether people are conducting research in or about Africa, planning to travel there or are simply interested in current African languages, we welcome them to attend SCALI.” Fisseha said. “For students who would like to have two years of African language training under their belt, this is a rare opportunity.”
Languages to be taught at SCALI in 2009 include Arabic, Mandinka, Swahili, Zulu, Xhosa, Shona and Yoruba. Other languages, such as Afrikaans, Twi, Wolof, Malagasy and Kongo may be offered based on the demand for them.
The deadline for applications is May 30 and the program will run June 15 to August 7.
For more information, visit the SCALI Web site, or contact the African Studies Center at (517) 353-1700.
