Turkish I (111-1-20)
Instructors
Oya Topcuoglu
847/491-2402
Crowe 4-121
Meeting Info
University Library 3722: Mon, Wed, Fri 11:00AM - 12:20PM
Overview of class
Overview of class
This course is for students who would like to start learning a language in the winter quarter. Turkish 111-1 provides a unique introduction to the modern Turkish language and culture through highly interactive TV shows. (Turkish is becoming the language of global entertainment: Turkey is second only to the US in worldwide TV distribution, with huge audiences in Russia, China, Korea, the Middle East, and Latin America) In this first quarter, Students will immerse themselves in the TV characters' personal stories and everyday realities of life in Istanbul. The highly interactive TV storylines offer ample opportunities to listen to and practice pronunciation, internalize basic vocabulary and polite phrases, as well as learn about verb tenses and moods for more complicated language tasks. The class uses a communicative approach, meaning that group work and language production are emphasized in class.
The course ends with a class trip to a Turkish restaurant in Chicago where students will be able to communicate in Turkish outside of the classroom and utilize the skills they developed throughout the quarter. No prior knowledge of Turkish is necessary.
The second quarter (111-2) will be offered in Spring 2024 and the third quarter (111-2) in Fall 2024. By the end of the third quarter, students will be able to use all common grammatical structures and engage comfortably with other Turkish speakers on a variety of everyday topics. Turkish is used in class whenever possible, and by the third quarter, it becomes the primary language of instruction.
Registration Requirements
There are no prerequisites for the course.
Learning Objectives
Students completing three quarters of Turkish 111 will be able to read and comprehend simple, authentic texts on familiar topics, write informal notes and short paragraphs on topics connected to daily life, and to initiate and sustain conversations on daily-life topics with educated native speakers.
Teaching Method
First-year Turkish uses a communicative, proficiency-oriented approach with fully integrated audiovisual media to teach modern Turkish as a living language. The instructor will use an interactive approach in the classroom, including reading, translations, listening and conversational practice as interactive small group exercises.
Evaluation Method
The final grade for the course will be based on the following criteria:
- Class participation and attendance (including Turkish Table meetings and cultural events),
- Class perp and homework assignments,
- Three short exams,
- Final project.
Class Materials (Required)
Elementary Turkish: A Complete Course for Beginners. Revised Third Edition (2015). Kurtuluş Öztopçu. Kebikeç-Yayınları Sanat Kitabevi. ISBN: 978-975-7981-40-4.
The two-volume textbook can be purchased online at http://www.elementaryturkish.com/buy/. Please purchase the print book, not the e-book. Additional materials will be provided by the instructor.
Class Notes
Full attendance and active class participation are strongly encouraged for the successful completion of the course. In addition to regular participation in class activities, it is important to complete all your homework on time.