Spring 2009

TAM 312L • Second-Year Tamil II

Course Description

TAM 312L is the continuation of TAM 312K. TAM 312L continues the second year of training in modern written Tamil. The course meets three hours per week and carries three hours of credit. Usually, one hour per week will be devoted to the lesson introduction (core text lessons), one to detailed explanation of the materials in the lesson, and one to reading passages, and conversation. Learners will have complete knowledge of basic and complex structures and nature of Tamil language in this level. For this, a variety of interesting graded composition, reading comprehension, listening comprehensions, and translation passages will be used. This level gives the opportunity for the learners to prepare for their area of interest towards Asian Studies like, literatures (classical and contemporary), arts (folk/modern theaters, dance, music, architecture), politics and governments, religions, language development, use of Tamil in mass-media, science, judiciary etc., for their future academic/professional development.

Increased understanding of cultures forms part of the course. Print and multimedia materials are used to support learning cultural nuances. Tamil films, drama and videos on cultural aspects of the heritage will also be used. Students are required to work on these and comprehend and bring a short write up about the films and videos. Depending upon the level of learners and proficiency, Tamil literary pieces and poems from modern and old, short stories, novels, and journal Tamil may be introduced.

Grading Policy

Translation 20% Paper and presentation 20% Conversation 15% Dictionary/Translation 20% Exam 25%

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