RALL

PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF LANGUAGE LEARNING                                                            RALL 4056/7056                                                                                                                                              Prof. Moranski                                                                                                                                                  Wednesday 5-8pm 

Description: Contemporary models of language teaching and learning are founded upon philosophical perspectives on how and why we communicate. In this course students will examine models and methods for communication as proposed by various scholars throughout history, examining how each has been applied to the processes of language teaching and learning. Students will interact with both primary source materials and the secondary texts that have applied them to language learning, ranging from Chomsky’s adaptation of Platonic idealism to Lantolf’s applications of Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory of learning.

RALL 7001 - Introduction to RALL Graduate Studies                                                                            Prof. Urbina                                                                                                                                              Monday 5-8 pm

Required for all new students. This course will prepare the students to succeed in graduate school in Romance and Arabic Languages and Literatures at UC. It will prepare students for a teaching career at the secondary or higher education level and will provide them with the knowledge and expertise for a successful job search.

RALL 7016 Literary translation. This course will meet on Mondays from 5 to 8. Prof. Espinoza. This course teaches the history, theory and practice of literary translation. Lectures will be combined with workshops on individual and team translation projects in poetry and prose. The course will be taught in a multilinguistic, multicultural, and interdisciplinary setting, with students from various departments (RALL, English, German Studies), cultures, and native languages involved in the learning process. The course emphasizes translation as a creative writing endeavor, and opportunities for publishing work resulting from the class will be pursued. Students should have basic (reading) proficiency in a language other than their native language. Various professional translators working on different genre and languages (English, Spanish, French, Arabic, etc.) will be invited to speak to the class and lead workshops during the semester.

RLL 7001 Introduction to Graduate Studies. This course will meet on Mondays from 5 to 7 pm Prof. Urbina. Required to all new graduate students. The objective of this course is to orient new graduate students to the University of Cincinnati and graduate studies, research, and professional life. The course will focus on planning your program of study, becoming an expert on the MLA style of bibliography and notation, and becoming familiar with the library system, data bases and research engines. Learning to conduct research, write papers and articles, and planning for your doctoral dissertation. 

RLL 7050 Grad. Stud. orientation. Required to all new graduate students. This course is an orientation for new graduate teaching assistants and adjuncts in our basic language programs. It takes place prior to the fall term of each academic year. This course presents a practical introduction to teaching basic language courses in our department. It is a mandatory course for new basic language instructors.

RLL 7051 Foreign Language Teaching Methods. This course will meet on Mondays from 5 to 8. Prof. Moranski. This course addresses the needs of current and future foreign language instructors. It explores the role of comprehensible input in second language acquisition, the purposes of communication, the process of developing lesson goals, and grammar instruction in a communicative classroom.

RLL 7010 Intro to literary Criticism. (Required for all students)

Day & time: Thursdays 5-8 pm

Prof. Espinoza

Description: This course will introduce students to different schools of thought in literary criticism, including classic and contemporary theories. The course will provide a review of key schools, scholars, and approaches, and explanations of how each school has influenced our understanding of literary criticism and methodologies. Emphasis will be given on the practical application of the various theories on specific works of literature. Also, while the course is meant to be comprehensive, particular attention will be given to: a) more contemporary theories emanating from the so-called Global South and ethnic/racial minorities: postcolonial theory, decoloniality, and “trans” theories (transnational, trans-Indigenous, diaspora studies, etc.) and b) newer trans-disciplinary and trans-modal approaches to literary studies as a cultural phenomenon: cultural studies, transmodality, cognitive humanities, digital humanities, among others.

RLL 7052 Introduction to Second Language Acquisition.

Day & time: Online

Prof. Hwu.

Description: This course provides an overview of the theories and hypotheses that explain how second languages are learned, the scope and principles of inquiry in second language acquisition (SLA) study, and its basic concerns and key concepts.

 Student Learning Outcomes

 -Students will show knowledge about various theories and hypotheses that have been proposed to explain second language acquisition.

-Students will demonstrate an awareness of the most widely accepted empirical research findings in the field of second language acquisition.

-Students will explain related terminology in SLA, and describe and discuss some issues and controversies in second language acquisition.

-Students will apply theories, hypotheses, and widely accepted findings in SLA to improve their own and students’ language learning strategies.

RALL 8021 Academic Writing (combined w/ SPAN 8021) 

Day & time: Mondays 5-8 pm

Prof. Moreno

Description: The goal of this course is to guide students in the process of producing and publishing an academic article. Participants will be taking their papers from classroom quality to journal quality and will learn strategies to overcome anxiety about writing and academic publishing. The class will be part lecture, part workshop, that is, a combination of learning and doing. The course will focus on both the writing and the publication process, and will include strategies for achieving success in the academic writing arena, including: setting up a work schedule, identifying appropriate journals for submission, working with editors, writing query letters, clarifying arguments, and organizing material. In a supportive environment, participants will revise a paper (either from another class, a conference paper, or a dissertation chapter) into a peer-reviewed article, and will submit it for publication by the end of the semester. The required book for this course will be "Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks: A Guide to Academic Publishing Success," by Wendy Laura Belcher. Note: this course is NOT recommended for first year MA students.

RLL7050 Graduate Teaching Orientation (2 cr.).

RLL7001 Introduction to Graduate Studies.

Day & time: Mondays 5-8 pm.

Dr. Nicasio Urbina

Description: To orient new and returning graduate students to the University of Cincinnati. The course will focus on planning your program of study, becoming an expert on the MLA style of bibliography and notation, and becoming familiar with the library system, data bases and research engines, grants and financial support for travel to conferences.

RLL 7051 (Foreign) Language Teaching Methods (*Requirement)

Note: This course counts toward Ohio Professional Educator License requirement

Day and time: online

Dr. Fenfang Hwu

Description: This course is designed to address the needs and concerns of current and future foreign language instructors in a classroom in which the communicative language teaching approach is used. It explores various topics that lead to concrete suggestions for implementing communicative language teaching, including the role of compensable input in second language acquisition, the purposes of communication, the process of developing lesson goals, and grammar instruction in a communicative classroom.

RLL 4056/7056 PHILOSOPHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF LANGUAGE LEARNING

Day and time: Thursday 5-8pm

Dr. Kara Moranski

Description: Contemporary models of language teaching and learning are founded upon philosophical perspectives on how and why we communicate. In this course students will examine models and methods for communication as proposed by various scholars throughout history, examining how each has been applied to the processes of language teaching and learning. Students will interact with both primary source materials and the secondary texts that have applied them to language learning, ranging from Chomsky’s adaptation of Platonic idealism to Lantolf’s applications of Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory of learning.

RLL7052 Introduction to Second Language Acquisition                 (Prof. Fenfang Hwu)

 This course provides an overview of the theories and hypotheses that explain how second languages are learned, the scope and principles of inquiry in second language acquisition (SLA) study, and its basic concerns and key concepts.

RLL7010 Introduction to Literary Criticism                                 (Prof. Thérése Migraine-George)

This class aims to provide students with a broad view of literary theory and criticism, from classical theory to contemporary discourses. The objective of this class is to allow students to become more familiar with important philosophers, critics, and theorists who, throughout history, have shaped the field of literary criticism and cultural studies. Readings and discussions will be organized around both historical periods and schools or movements. Ultimately, the goal of this class is to help students use and apply literary theories in their own research and writing.

RLL 7053 Computer-Assisted Language Learning SWLC (Hwu)

The course explores the applicability and application of computer technologies in various areas of second language learning and teaching, as well as the integration of second language learning theories in a Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) environment. The emphasis is on helping second language teachers make informed judgments about how to incorporate computers into their language classes to make certain aspects of student learning more engaging, efficient, and/or effective.

RLL 7001 Intro Grad Studies (Gott)

This course will prepare the students to succeed in graduate school in Romance and Arabic Languages and Literatures at UC. It will prepare students for a teaching career at the secondary or higher education level, and will provide them with the knowledge and expertise for a successful job search.

RLL 7051 Foreign Language Teaching (Hwu)

This course is designed to address the needs and concerns of current and future foreign language instructors in a classroom in which the communicative language teaching approach is used. It explores various topics that lead to concrete suggestions for implementing communicative language teaching, including the role of compensable input in second language acquisition, the purposes of communication, the process of developing lesson goals, and grammar instruction in a communicative classroom.