Developing a Kurdish Language and Culture Studies Program

FAIN: AC-264292-19

Northeastern Illinois University (Chicago, IL 60625-4625)
Jeanine Ntihirageza (Project Director: July 2018 to April 2021)
Denise Cloonan (Co Project Director: January 2019 to April 2021)

A one-year project to develop three new courses and related curricular resources in Kurdish language and culture.

The proposed project will develop and implement a program in Kurdish language and culture, and develop resources and curricula for use in teaching. The project builds on the mission of the National Council of Less Commonly Taught Languages to enhance cross-cultural communication among US and global citizens. 

Associated Products

Beginning Kurdish I (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Beginning Kurdish I
Author: Denise Cloonan
Author: Mustafa Durmaz
Abstract: KURD-101. Beginning Kurdish I. 3 Hours. This beginning level language course is an introduction to the Kurdish language and the student will develop basic skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing Kurdish. Additionally, the student will acquire cultural appreciation.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: http://catalog.neiu.edu/arts-sciences/world-languages-cultures/#coursestexthttp://
Primary URL Description: World Languages and Cultures department houses this course.
Audience: Undergraduate

Beginning Kurdish II (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Beginning Kurdish II
Author: Denise Cloonan
Author: Mustafa Durmaz
Abstract: KURD-102. Beginning Kurdish II. 3 Hours. A continuation and further development of the basic skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing of Kurdish, and cultural appreciation, introduced in KURD-101: Beginning Kurdish I.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: http://catalog.neiu.edu/arts-sciences/world-languages-cultures/#coursestexthttp://
Primary URL Description: This course is housed in the Department of World Languages and Cultures.
Audience: Undergraduate

Intermediate Kurdish I (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Intermediate Kurdish I
Author: Ibrahim Bor
Author: Denise Cloonan
Abstract: KURD-201. Intermediate Kurdish I. 3 Hours. This course is designed to teach intermediate-level Kurdish to enable students to function in informal, formal, and academic contexts where Kurdish is spoken or used as a medium of communication and/or research.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: http://catalog.neiu.edu/arts-sciences/world-languages-cultures/#coursestexthttp://
Primary URL Description: This course is housed in the department of World Languages and Cultures.
Audience: Undergraduate

Introduction to Kurdish Culture and Society (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Introduction to Kurdish Culture and Society
Author: Mucahit Bilici
Author: Denise Cloonan
Abstract: WLC-200K. Kurdish Culture. 3 Hours. This course introduces students to various aspects of Kurdish society. The course incorporates a number of perspectives: anthropological, sociological and cultural studies. It provides an overview of Kurdish society with special attention given to questions of identity, history, important literary and cultural texts and figures, music and dance, food and folkways. Finally, contemporary challenges faced by various parts of Kurdish society will be explored in relation to statelessness and diaspora.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: http://catalog.neiu.edu/arts-sciences/world-languages-cultures/#coursestexthttp://
Primary URL Description: This course is housed in the Department of World Languages and Cultures.
Audience: Undergraduate

Kurdish Language Teacher Training Workshop (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Kurdish Language Teacher Training Workshop
Author: Ibrahim Demir
Author: Mustafa Durmaz
Abstract: The teacher training workshop will present practices and techniques related to the teaching of foreign and second languages to both children and adults. The workshop will further train teachers who are competent in implementing standards-based Kurdish language instruction in their classrooms. The participants will learn how to integrate culture, content, and language in Kurdish instruction at various proficiency levels and needs. The workshop will also address effective practices and innovative language teaching and will disseminate some of the materials developed for the Summer School of Kurdish Language and Culture conducted at Northeastern Illinois University.
Year: 2019
Audience: Graduate

International Kurdish Conference Booklet (Conference/Institute/Seminar)
Title: International Kurdish Conference Booklet
Author: Mucahit Bilici
Abstract: Northeastern Illinois University’s Multilingual Learning Center in collaboration with Zahra Institute has been awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant to develop a Kurdish Language and Culture Studies Program. It is a one-year project to develop three new courses and related curricular resources in Kurdish language and culture and an International Kurdish Studies Conference. Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago Zahra Institute July 24-25, 2019 New Perspectives in Kurdish Studies
Date Range: July 24-25, 2019
Location: Northeastern Illinois University
Primary URL: https://www.neiu.edu/academics/multilingual-learning-center/summer-institute-kurdish-language-and-culture/international-kurdish-studies-research-conference

---