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Languages Across the Curriculum (LAC)

FALL 2023 LAC one-hour courses

    • ARAB 308.001.  Arabic LAC: The Arab City: Past, Present, and Future

Bud Kauffman

This is a stand-alone, one-hour per week LAC course taught in Arabic discussing the evolution of cities that are either in the Middle East/North Africa, or those that have been influenced by Arab and/or Islamic architecture. We will investigate the architecture and design of pre-modern cities, the modern Arab city, and projects currently under construction while focusing on topics such as design, intent, construction, ecological concerns, financial support, migration, rights, and injustices,

Duke students and native or heritage learners are welcome to enroll.  Co-registration in another course is not required.   Please send any questions or request for additional information to the Arabic LAC instructor, Bud Kauffman.

Mondays, 2:30pm

Prerequisite: Arabic 204 or its equivalent.

    • FREN 308.001.  French LAC:  South of France “Art de Vivre” and Public Policy at Work for a Sustainability Agenda

Carol Huber

This is a stand-alone, one-hour LAC course taught in French. No co-registration required.  Students will use their French-language skills to speak, listen, read, and write about sustainability initiatives in southern France. The Mediterranean city of Montpellier is pursuing an ambitious public policy agenda of sustainable initiatives in food production and distribution, clean energy, transportation, and the circular economy.  Students will examine how cultural attitudes representative of the Mediterranean “art de vivre” reinforce these initiatives.

Thursdays, 12:30pm, remote / synchronous.

Prerequisite: FREN 102, or the equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

    • PORT 408.001.  Portuguese LAC:  The Portuguese Empire: Conquests and Cultural Exchange, Fifteenth through Twentieth Century

      Richard Vernon

      This is a stand-alone, one-hour LAC discussion course taught In Portuguese.  No co-registration required. The course examines the history, literary works, and historical documents from the era of the discoveries through the 20th century. One of our principal goals will be to approach an understanding of the myriad of ideas and approaches to concepts of difference, otherness, and race—both official and otherwise—found throughout the Portuguese empire, as well as the evolution of the same.  This one-credit course can be taken in conjunction with the 1-credit series for students interested in 3-credits in Portuguese.

      Wednesdays, 11:15am

      Prerequisite: Portuguese 204, its equivalent, or permission of the instructor.

About LAC at UNC-CH

UNC-CH’s LAC Program offers students the opportunity to use world languages in a variety of courses outside the language and literature curricula.

The program aims to promote a better understanding of world regions while demonstrating the relevance of practical language skills across the disciplines.

Successful completion of a LAC course option will improve students’ ability to:

      1. Communicate in the target language about course topics;
      2. Describe how course topics relate to world regions that speak the target language;
      3. Explain course topics from the perspective(s) of individuals who use the target language;
      4. Use the target language to conduct course research.

 

There are several types of LAC courses:

LAC Recitation Sections are weekly 50-minute group discussions in the target language offered for lecture courses that require a recitation section. LAC recitation sections function like normal recitations except that selected readings and assignments are completed in the target language. Students who participate in a LAC recitation receive one additional graded hour of language credit by enrolling in the corresponding LAC language course (ARAB 308, FREN 308, GERM 389, ITAL 308, PORT 408, SPAN 308, or SWAH 408) in addition to main course’s corresponding LAC recitation section.

 

Supplementary LAC Discussion Sections are weekly 50-minute group discussions in the target language linked to courses that do not normally require a recitation section. Supplementary LAC sections enable students to complete short readings and assignments related to the linked course in the target language. Students who participate in a supplementary LAC section receive one graded hour of language credit by enrolling in the LAC language course (ARAB 308, CHIN 508, FREN 308, GERM 388 or 389, ITAL 308, PORT 408, SPAN 308, or SWAH 408).

 

Combined LAC Discussion Sections are weekly 50-minute group discussions in the target language. These are linked to two or more related courses offered during the same semester. Students complete short readings and assignments in the target language on interdisciplinary themes or issues common to the linked courses. Students who participate in a combined LAC discussion section receive one graded hour of language credit by enrolling in a LAC language course (ARAB 308, CHIN, 508, FREN 308, GERM 388 or 389, ITAL 308, PORT 408, SPAN 308, or SWAH 408).

 

Stand-Alone LAC Discussion Sessions are weekly 50-minute group discussions in the target language. These are not linked to any other course, and so the content is determined by the LAC instructor. Students complete short readings and assignments in the target language on interdisciplinary themes or issues These course may have varying thematic focus. Students who participate in a stand-alone LAC discussion section receive one graded hour of language credit by enrolling in a LAC language course (ARAB 308, FREN 308, GERM 389, ITAL 308, PORT 408, SPAN 308, or SWAH 408).

 

LAC Seminars are stand-alone three-credit courses taught entirely in the target language. Course identifiers may vary, so consult the present semester’s publicity or contact the LAC coordinator for current offerings.

 

LAC Research Components offer students the opportunity to complete course projects or papers in the target language, with assistance provided by a faculty member or graduate student. Students do not receive extra course credit, but are given a certificate of completion. Contact the LAC coordinator for current opportunities.

 

Teaching Associate Professor Michelle Gravatt currently serves as the point of contact for LAC courses. Please email her at gravatt@email.unc.edu with questions about the LAC program, to set up an appointment, learn about LAC teaching opportunities, or ask questions about what LAC courses are being offered and how to register. Please check this web page for updates.

Administration and Support

UNC-CH’s Languages Across the Curriculum (LAC) program receives support from the College of Arts and Sciences as well as from six campus Title VI centers:

Diversity

The LAC Program supports the University’s core values encouraging diversity and equal educational and employment opportunities throughout the University community. These values are articulated in the University’s non-discrimination policy and by the office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs.