General Education Courses

Course Description: Beginning Arabic I introduces students with no prior knowledge of the language to Modern Standard Arabic. Beginning Arabic I builds the foundation skills in speaking, listening, reading, writing, and culture, with emphasis on beginning writing and on conversation. Students must take placement exam if this is their first RIT class in Arabic and they have some prior study of Arabic.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Beginning Arabic I introduces students with no prior knowledge of the language to Modern Standard Arabic. Beginning Arabic I builds the foundation skills in speaking, listening, reading, writing, and culture, with emphasis on beginning writing and on conversation. Students must take placement exam if this is their first RIT class in Arabic and they have some prior study of Arabic.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Beginning Arabic II is the second course at the beginning level. It focuses on the development of functional competence in speaking, listening, reading, writing and culture.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Beginning Arabic II is the second course at the beginning level. It focuses on the development of functional competence in speaking, listening, reading, writing and culture.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Intermediate Arabic I continues with intermediate-level development of functional skills in speaking, listening, reading, writing and culture, including conversation, with increased work in reading and writing.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Intermediate Arabic I continues with intermediate-level development of functional skills in speaking, listening, reading, writing and culture, including conversation, with increased work in reading and writing.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Intermediate Arabic II, the second course at the intermediate level, engages students in further mastery of four skills with emphasis in conversation, reading and writing.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Intermediate Arabic II, the second course at the intermediate level, engages students in further mastery of four skills with emphasis in conversation, reading and writing.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Advanced Arabic I, the beginning of the advanced (third year) sequence, does advanced work in all skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing, culture), including conversation, with increased work in reading, writing, and culture.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Advanced Arabic I, the beginning of the advanced (third year) sequence, does advanced work in all skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing, culture), including conversation, with increased work in reading, writing, and culture.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Advanced Arabic II, the final course of the advanced (third year) sequence, continues study of the advanced-year textbook and does advanced work in all skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing, culture), including conversation, with increased work in reading, writing and culture.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Advanced Arabic II, the final course of the advanced (third year) sequence, continues study of the advanced-year textbook and does advanced work in all skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing, culture), including conversation, with increased work in reading, writing and culture.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: ASL I includes linguistic features, cultural protocols and core vocabulary for students to function in basic ASL conversations that include ASL grammar for asking and answering questions while introducing oneself, exchanging personal information, talking about family, friends and surroundings, and discussing activities. This course is designed for students who have no knowledge of American Sign Language. Students must take placement exam if this is their first RIT class in Sign Language and they have some prior study of Sign Language.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: ASL I includes linguistic features, cultural protocols and core vocabulary for students to function in basic ASL conversations that include ASL grammar for asking and answering questions while introducing oneself, exchanging personal information, talking about family, friends and surroundings, and discussing activities. This course is designed for students who have no knowledge of American Sign Language. Students must take placement exam if this is their first RIT class in Sign Language and they have some prior study of Sign Language.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course expands the basic principles presented in ASL I. ASL II teaches students to use linguistics features, cultural protocols and core vocabulary to function in basic ASL conversations that include ASL grammar for giving directions, describing, making request, talking about family, occupations and routines, and attributing qualities to others.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course expands the basic principles presented in ASL I. ASL II teaches students to use linguistics features, cultural protocols and core vocabulary to function in basic ASL conversations that include ASL grammar for giving directions, describing, making request, talking about family, occupations and routines, and attributing qualities to others.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course builds upon information taught in Beginning ASL I and II and introduces expanded grammatical features of ASL and specialized vocabulary, while continuing to increase fingerspelling and numbers receptive and expressive skills. In addition, some basic features of ASL discourse are taught in organizing and explaining contextual information.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course builds upon information taught in Beginning ASL I and II and introduces expanded grammatical features of ASL and specialized vocabulary, while continuing to increase fingerspelling and numbers receptive and expressive skills. In addition, some basic features of ASL discourse are taught in organizing and explaining contextual information.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course builds upon information taught in Beginning ASL I-Intermediate ASL I. Students continue learning and using ASL vocabulary, grammatical principles and various intermediate-level discourse features in narratives and presentations in ASL. Students analyze multiple meaning English words and English idioms to express concepts in ASL. Issues related to Deaf culture continue to be introduced based on unit topics.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course builds upon information taught in Beginning ASL I-Intermediate ASL I. Students continue learning and using ASL vocabulary, grammatical principles and various intermediate-level discourse features in narratives and presentations in ASL. Students analyze multiple meaning English words and English idioms to express concepts in ASL. Issues related to Deaf culture continue to be introduced based on unit topics.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Students in this course will be introduced to the study of American Sign Language in terms of its linguistic structure and use. In particular, students will learn to analyze the basic features of ASL phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics/discourse In addition, research related to variation in ASL and acquisition of ASL will also be reviewed. Please note fluency in ASL is required for this course, as instruction is in ASL (an interpreter will not be provided).

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: Students in this course will be introduced to the study of American Sign Language in terms of its linguistic structure and use. In particular, students will learn to analyze the basic features of ASL phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics/discourse In addition, research related to variation in ASL and acquisition of ASL will also be reviewed. Please note fluency in ASL is required for this course, as instruction is in ASL (an interpreter will not be provided).

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: In this course, students will explore a wide range of literary works representing the various genres of ASL literature. Students will be expected to analyze works in terms of literary conventions/techniques as well as relevant cultural symbols and themes. Attention will be given to historical context, Deaf cultural values, and the style/conventions used by individual literary artists. Each student will be required to complete literary analysis papers. In addition, students will be expected to create original ASL literary works and/or retell well-known ASL literary works as individuals or in collaboration with other students. This course is requires fluency in ASL, as instruction is conducted in ASL, without an interpreter, and will require considerable reading and viewing of videotaped materials.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: In this course, students will explore a wide range of literary works representing the various genres of ASL literature. Students will be expected to analyze works in terms of literary conventions/techniques as well as relevant cultural symbols and themes. Attention will be given to historical context, Deaf cultural values, and the style/conventions used by individual literary artists. Each student will be required to complete literary analysis papers. In addition, students will be expected to create original ASL literary works and/or retell well-known ASL literary works as individuals or in collaboration with other students. This course is requires fluency in ASL, as instruction is conducted in ASL, without an interpreter, and will require considerable reading and viewing of videotaped materials.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course builds upon information taught in Beginning ASL I – Intermediate ASL II. Students continue learning and using ASL vocabulary, grammatical principles and various advanced-level discourse features in narratives and presentations in ASL. Students continue to analyze multiple meaning English words and English idioms to express concepts in ASL. Issues related to Deaf culture continue to be introduced based on unit topics.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course builds upon information taught in Beginning ASL I – Intermediate ASL II. Students continue learning and using ASL vocabulary, grammatical principles and various advanced-level discourse features in narratives and presentations in ASL. Students continue to analyze multiple meaning English words and English idioms to express concepts in ASL. Issues related to Deaf culture continue to be introduced based on unit topics.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course builds upon information taught in Beginning ASL I - Advanced ASL I. Students continue learning and using ASL vocabulary, grammatical principles and various advanced-level discourse features in narratives and presentations in ASL. Students analyze different components in storytelling. ASL Literature will be introduced in this level. Students identify controversial issues in various works of ASL Literature.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course builds upon information taught in Beginning ASL I - Advanced ASL I. Students continue learning and using ASL vocabulary, grammatical principles and various advanced-level discourse features in narratives and presentations in ASL. Students analyze different components in storytelling. ASL Literature will be introduced in this level. Students identify controversial issues in various works of ASL Literature.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course introduces Chinese culture and society through the lens of food, art, and thought. China is one of the oldest civilizations in the world, and ancient Chinese culture is the root of many cultural practices and traditions in East Asia. The course surveys Chinese civilization from the beginning to the modern time, highlighting fundamental ideas and practices that shape the Chinese culture and way of life. It addresses a broad range of topics including but not limited to systems of thought (Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism), Chinese art forms (poetry, ink painting, calligraphy, and martial arts), tea, and Chinese cuisine. Students will also explore how Chinese thought, art, and cultural practices connect China with the world as cultural encounters and exchanges take place.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course introduces Chinese culture and society through the lens of food, art, and thought. China is one of the oldest civilizations in the world, and ancient Chinese culture is the root of many cultural practices and traditions in East Asia. The course surveys Chinese civilization from the beginning to the modern time, highlighting fundamental ideas and practices that shape the Chinese culture and way of life. It addresses a broad range of topics including but not limited to systems of thought (Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism), Chinese art forms (poetry, ink painting, calligraphy, and martial arts), tea, and Chinese cuisine. Students will also explore how Chinese thought, art, and cultural practices connect China with the world as cultural encounters and exchanges take place.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is designed for beginners, with no prior study of Chinese. It introduces students to the sounds, basic sentence structures, and the writing system of Mandarin Chinese. Pinyin, the Romanization (phonetic transliteration) of Mandarin Chinese, is taught and required throughout the course. Students also learn to read and write Chinese characters. Emphasis is on developing listening and speaking skills, as well as building a vocabulary based on the ideographic Chinese characters. Chinese culture is also introduced through the course. Students must take a placement exam if this is their first RIT class in Chinese and they have some prior knowledge of Mandarin Chinese.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is designed for beginners, with no prior study of Chinese. It introduces students to the sounds, basic sentence structures, and the writing system of Mandarin Chinese. Pinyin, the Romanization (phonetic transliteration) of Mandarin Chinese, is taught and required throughout the course. Students also learn to read and write Chinese characters. Emphasis is on developing listening and speaking skills, as well as building a vocabulary based on the ideographic Chinese characters. Chinese culture is also introduced through the course. Students must take a placement exam if this is their first RIT class in Chinese and they have some prior knowledge of Mandarin Chinese.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course continues the beginning level of Chinese study. The focus is on developing listening and speaking skills, with an increasing emphasis on reading and writing skills. Students will learn more expressions, sentence structures as well as other parts of the Chinese grammar. Further aspects of Chinese culture are also introduced, in parallel to Chinese language study.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course continues the beginning level of Chinese study. The focus is on developing listening and speaking skills, with an increasing emphasis on reading and writing skills. Students will learn more expressions, sentence structures as well as other parts of the Chinese grammar. Further aspects of Chinese culture are also introduced, in parallel to Chinese language study.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course begins the intermediate level of Chinese study. Knowledge of Pinyin, Chinese characters, and sentence structures covered by the beginning level of Chinese study is required before taking this course. The focus continues to be on developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Further aspects of Chinese culture are also introduced, in parallel to Chinese language study.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course begins the intermediate level of Chinese study. Knowledge of Pinyin, Chinese characters, and sentence structures covered by the beginning level of Chinese study is required before taking this course. The focus continues to be on developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Further aspects of Chinese culture are also introduced, in parallel to Chinese language study.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course continues the intermediate level of Chinese study. Knowledge of Pinyin, Chinese characters, and sentence structures covered by the first three semesters of Chinese learning is required before taking this course. The focus continues to be on developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Further aspects of Chinese culture are also introduced, in parallel to Chinese language study.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course continues the intermediate level of Chinese study. Knowledge of Pinyin, Chinese characters, and sentence structures covered by the first three semesters of Chinese learning is required before taking this course. The focus continues to be on developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Further aspects of Chinese culture are also introduced, in parallel to Chinese language study.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course aims to improve students’ Chinese language proficiency and focuses especially on enhancing their conversational skills. The course will also increase students’ knowledge of Chinese culture in comparison with American culture through exposure to authentic sources. Students will learn expressions and manners of speaking during formal and informal Chinese conversations about their daily experiences. Students will develop their listening skills and will be able to gather general ideas and necessary details from authentic oral materials. They will also improve their abilities of narrating and describing familiar topics with various sentence structures. This course is especially suitable for students planning to study or work in China and desiring confidence and basic competence in communicating.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course aims to improve students’ Chinese language proficiency and focuses especially on enhancing their conversational skills. The course will also increase students’ knowledge of Chinese culture in comparison with American culture through exposure to authentic sources. Students will learn expressions and manners of speaking during formal and informal Chinese conversations about their daily experiences. Students will develop their listening skills and will be able to gather general ideas and necessary details from authentic oral materials. They will also improve their abilities of narrating and describing familiar topics with various sentence structures. This course is especially suitable for students planning to study or work in China and desiring confidence and basic competence in communicating.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is designed to enhance students’ ability to read authentic Chinese materials and write a variety of texts in Chinese, such as messages, blogs, emails, and short stories, more effectively. The main focus is to develop practical reading and writing skills that are essential for daily life by employing vocabulary, idioms, expressions, and structures in a more natural and descriptive fashion. This course provides students the opportunity to practice reading and writing strategies in meaningful and practical contexts, and to reinforce the materials that they have learned. Through reading, writing, discussion, multimedia, and presentations, students will learn the Chinese language in the context of describing nature, people, Chinese daily life and culture.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course is designed to enhance students’ ability to read authentic Chinese materials and write a variety of texts in Chinese, such as messages, blogs, emails, and short stories, more effectively. The main focus is to develop practical reading and writing skills that are essential for daily life by employing vocabulary, idioms, expressions, and structures in a more natural and descriptive fashion. This course provides students the opportunity to practice reading and writing strategies in meaningful and practical contexts, and to reinforce the materials that they have learned. Through reading, writing, discussion, multimedia, and presentations, students will learn the Chinese language in the context of describing nature, people, Chinese daily life and culture.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course surveys Chinese cinema from its beginning to the present with special attention to its transnational connections and gender representation. Films from the mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong will be examined in-depth for their aesthetic quality and techniques, and equally important, against their socio-historical, political, economic, and cultural contexts. Topics include Kungfu films, women's cinema, documentation of globalization, independent filmmaking and social activism, and more. The class is conducted in English. Assigned films will be in Chinese with English subtitles.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course surveys Chinese cinema from its beginning to the present with special attention to its transnational connections and gender representation. Films from the mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong will be examined in-depth for their aesthetic quality and techniques, and equally important, against their socio-historical, political, economic, and cultural contexts. Topics include Kungfu films, women's cinema, documentation of globalization, independent filmmaking and social activism, and more. The class is conducted in English. Assigned films will be in Chinese with English subtitles.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course begins the advanced level of Chinese study. It is designed to further develop competence in the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Following Intermediate Chinese II, this course continues the grammar acquisition, expansion of vocabulary with more lengthy reading and writing. Classroom discussion and writing practice are important parts of the course. By the end of the course work, students should be able to express views on serious, topical issues in increased detail.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course begins the advanced level of Chinese study. It is designed to further develop competence in the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Following Intermediate Chinese II, this course continues the grammar acquisition, expansion of vocabulary with more lengthy reading and writing. Classroom discussion and writing practice are important parts of the course. By the end of the course work, students should be able to express views on serious, topical issues in increased detail.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course continues the advanced level of Chinese study. The main purpose of this course is to further develop competence in language skills as well as cultural literacy by using the textbook as well as a diversity of authentic multimedia materials that pertain to Chinese matters and values. By identifying, analyzing, comparing, and discussing both traditional and contemporary Chinese socio-cultural issues, students will acquire a better understanding of the language, culture, and Chinese society.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course continues the advanced level of Chinese study. The main purpose of this course is to further develop competence in language skills as well as cultural literacy by using the textbook as well as a diversity of authentic multimedia materials that pertain to Chinese matters and values. By identifying, analyzing, comparing, and discussing both traditional and contemporary Chinese socio-cultural issues, students will acquire a better understanding of the language, culture, and Chinese society.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course teaches specialized terminology and linguistic structures important for communicating scientific and technological knowledge in the target language. The focus is on developing students’ listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in interpreting technical Chinese. Students will learn science and technology terms and structures in a broad range of technical areas via experiential learning activities. In addition, students will research and present topics of their own interest or beyond their disciplines. Students will expand their knowledge of the target language to include technical terms/structures and prepare themselves to better apply their language skills in internships, research, and work while exploring and understanding the culture in professional workplaces.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.

Course Description: This course teaches specialized terminology and linguistic structures important for communicating scientific and technological knowledge in the target language. The focus is on developing students’ listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in interpreting technical Chinese. Students will learn science and technology terms and structures in a broad range of technical areas via experiential learning activities. In addition, students will research and present topics of their own interest or beyond their disciplines. Students will expand their knowledge of the target language to include technical terms/structures and prepare themselves to better apply their language skills in internships, research, and work while exploring and understanding the culture in professional workplaces.

For prerequisites, availability, other details and to register, go to http://sis.rit.edu/.