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Languages Across the Curriculum (LAC)

Fall 2024 LAC one-hour courses

    • ARAB 308.001.  Arabic LAC:  The Art of Arabic Debate.

Caroline Sibley

A one-hour per week Arabic stand-alone course where students will engage in all aspects of debate in Arabic, building real-world skills of researching, analyzing, organizing, and presenting information in a compelling manner. Students will advance their Arabic public speaking skills and expand their content knowledge of global current affairs, conditions or crises requiring better solutions. Debate topics will include but are not limited to: Politics, Economics, Medicine, Ethics, Philosophy, Environment and Law in Arabic-Speaking contexts from the U.S. to Europe to Africa to Asia to the Middle East. Students will participate in weekly discussions, argument analysis, oral presentations and 3 times during the semester, full-form debates. No co-registration required.

Mondays, 1:25pm

Prerequisite: Completion of Arabic 204 or its equivalent. If you have not taken ARAB 204 at UNC, or taken the placement test, please see the instructor immediately.

    • PORT 408.001.  Portuguese LAC: Brazil and the African Diaspora: Resistance through Film, Music, and Virtual Activism

      Nilzimar Vieira Hauskrecht

      A one-hour LAC discussion course taught In Portuguese.  No co-registration required.  This course will study the importance of Black identity in the modern African Diaspora, emphasizing Brazil, Portugal, Germany, and Macau through film, music, and virtual activism. In addition, we will explore “cultural and linguistic identity in Lusophone African community in Macau” by discussing Adams Bodomo’s study. Most of the works to be analyzed in this course are produced by Africans and African descendants’ writers, filmmakers, and artists. We will learn how they communicate culture through literature, cuisine, dance, and religion (Afro-Brazilian religion). The course will also reflect how film, literary and artistic works question the canon explore intersectionality, structural racism, and politics to address inequality in their societies. Part of the narratives presented in this course will question the misrepresentation of Black bodies through history and in popular culture. In addition, we will discuss how the selected narratives question the reluctance of European societies (Portugal and Germany) to accept Black bodies and recognize them as citizens.

      The course will be taught in Portuguese. All narratives will be available in translation, subtitles, and the original language.

      This one-credit course can be taken in conjunction with the 1-credit series for students interested in 3-credits in Portuguese.

      Wednesdays, 10:10am

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

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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.