HINDI 311 AA हिन्दी ३११ एए

Autumn 2009

  Instructor:                  Prem Pahlajrai, 231 Gowen Hall,

                          206-543-4996, prem@u.washington.edu

  Lecture:                      T Th 9:30-10:20 Communication 226.

  Section:                       M W F 9:30-10:20 Smith Hall 107.

  Office Hours:              W Th    11:30-12:20 and by appointment,    

              Gowen Hall 231.

  Texts and Dictionaries:

Required

  (1) Rupert Snell.  Beginner's Hindi Script. London: Teach Yourself Books.  Paperback. 

        (2) Rupert Snell with Simon Weightman.  Teach Yourself Hindi.  2003 Edition. London: Teach Yourself Books. Book/CD Package.

  (3) R. S. McGregor. The Oxford Hindi-English Dictionary. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 

Optional

(4) M. C. Shapiro. A Primer of Modern Standard Hindi. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass.

Items (1)-(4) are available at the University Bookstore.

Some of you may already own copies of other Hindi-English dictionaries.  Nevertheless, you will still need to obtain a copy of the McGregor dictionary, which is different from and superior to those dictionaries in many important respects.

Overall Goals for Quarter and Year:  The main objective for the first-year Hindi course sequence (Hindi 311-312-313) is to enable students to develop usable proficiency in Hindi in each of a number of distinct skills, namely, speaking, reading, writing, listening, and knowledge of formal grammar. The course of study is designed in such a way as to enable students to develop their abilities with regard to each of these skills in a parallel manner.  The primary text for the course is the Snell and Weightman Teach Yourself Hindi volume, which addresses each of the basic skills. The book contains 18 chapters plus appendices and CDs.  We will complete the sixteen chapters of the book by the end of Spring Quarter and Chapter 6 by the end of Autumn Quarter.  We will be using the book in a comprehensive matter, which means we will be covering (and students will be responsible for) all grammar, conversations, readings, vocabulary, etc.  The Shapiro Primer will be used as a supplementary text and reference source.  You are encouraged to read it in those instances where the explanations in Teach Yourself Hindi are skimpy and in need of elaboration.

A fundamental goal of the Hindi program at the University of Washington is the learning of Hindi in the Devanāgarī writing system.  We have found over the years that students’ progress in learning Hindi is enhanced greatly if they learn the writing system as quickly as possible and not approach Hindi through the Roman alphabet (which actually slows down progress in the language).  As a result, the first two weeks of Hindi 311 are mostly spent learning the basic sounds of Hindi and the elements of the Devanāgari writing system.   We will be using Snell's Beginner's Hindi Script in introducing the writing system.   It is only after the writing system has been learned that we move on to grammar, reading, writing, speaking, etc.  Once we get going on our “regular” schedule after the first two weeks, class time is divided into sessions that deal with separate activities (i.e., grammar, conversation, drill, dictation, reading, listening, etc.).  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, both sections meet jointly for either grammar lectures or unit tests, the remaining days, each section meets at their assigned time and place for more active practice, drills, and supplemental activities.

Grading:  The final grade for Hindi 311 is based on the following factors: four unit tests and six vocabulary quizzes (25%); two-hour final examination (25%); weekly dictations (5%); written homework assignments (25%); memorization of dialogues and speaking ability (10%); and class participation (10%).  Your two lowest homework grades and the (one) lowest dictation score will be forgiven.  There is no midterm examination, the final exam is cumulative, i.e., you will be tested on everything that was taught in the quarter.

Policy on Handwriting. Neatness counts.  You are expected to write all of you Hindi in an acceptable handwriting.  In order to assist you in developing such a handwriting, you are required to turn in all of your work on paper that has been ruled specially for writing in Devanāgarī. This paper is similar to the paper that is sold for pedagogical use in India.  Each student is supplied with a 2-sided sheet of this paper.  Please either photocopy this or print out more copies for doing your homework. Ensure that the lines are not darker than your handwriting. In addition, all homework is to be done in pencil, with no crossovers or crossouts (i.e., errors are to be erased and corrected). Write out the question and then your answer either beside or below it. Homework written in unacceptably sloppy handwriting will be graded down. Students are advised to invest in a good eraser and a mechanical pencil.

Policy on Late Homework Assignments, Missed Quizzes, Attendance and Related Matters:  Each written homework assignment will be graded on a ten-point scale.  Missing or unexcused late homework will earn a grade of zero.  Makeup examinations will be given only under exceptional circumstances, such as death in the family, serious illness, etc.  All homework assignments are to be turned in at the beginning of class on the day due.  Classes will begin promptly at 30 minutes past the hour and students are expected to be in class on time.  Students should take note of the dates of quizzes and examinations (including the final examination). Requests for the rescheduling of examinations are not granted.  NOTE CAREFULLY THE DATE & TIME OF THE UNIT TESTS & FINAL EXAMINATION.  IT IS NOT PERMITTED TO TAKE THE EXAMINATIONS EARLY.  Make your travel plans for the holidays accordingly.

Attendance and Student Responsibility.  Students enrolled in Hindi 311 are expected to attend all class sessions and are held responsible for material covered in those session. If for any reason you are unable to attend a class session, it is your responsibility to find out from another student what was covered in that session and whether any assignments or instructions were given out while you were absent.  Attendance will be taken in each class. It is in your best interests to inform your instructor at the earliest possible regarding any circumstances that might cause you to miss class.  While in class, the student’s conduct needs to be such that a productive learning environment for all is maintained. Students engaging in behavior that distracts other students or interferes in the ability of the instructor to teach will be asked to leave the classroom and will be considered as absent on that day. Use of cell phones and personal audio devices and laptop computers is not permitted during class. Use of such items during tests is grounds for disqualification of ones score in that particular test.

Enrollment Restrictions:  Because it is quite possible that students enrolled in Hindi 311 may already have some exposure to or proficiency in Hindi, it is important that the University of Washington policy concerning taking language courses at the first and second-year level be understood.  This policy reads as follows:

First-year (elementary) or second-year (intermediate) foreign-language credit is not granted either by examination or by course completion in a student’s native language.  “Native language” is defined as the language, or one of the languages, spoken in the student’s home during the first six years of his or her life and in which he or she received instruction through the seventh grade.

Students who misrepresent the extent of their background so as to gain entrance to a course at the elementary of intermediate level may be dropped from the rolls of that course.  Students who have questions as to whether they are prohibited from taking Hindi 311 according to this policy should speak with one of the instructors so as to obtain a suitable placement in a Hindi course at the appropriate level.

Issues with Instruction: If you have any concerns about the course, your TA or your instructor, please see the TA or instructor about these concerns as soon as possible. If you are not comfortable talking with the TA/instructor or not satisfied with the response that you receive, you may contact the Chair of the Dept. of Asian Language and Literature, Dr. Michael Shapiro, Gowen 225, (206)543-4996, hindimcs@u.washington.edu.