Summer Program >> AILDI 2011 >>

UPDATE (05/26/2011): The Tohono O'odham Immersion and Curriculum and Material Development classes have been cancelled. We apologize for the inconvenience.

The following classes will be taught during our 2011 AILDI Summer Institute:

Linguistics, Language and Culture (Instructor: Mary Willie). This course provides an introduction to Native American linguistics and Native American language families, which includes a discussion of how words (morphology) and sentences (syntax) are formed. It also surveys the issues of language loss, language policy, the relation between Native American language and identity. It also identifies effective methods for language planning, revitalization and documentation. Noted Pueblo scholar Greg Cajete will be the featured lecturer during the 3rd week of this course. His participation is part of the ROKET program. Click to read the 2011 Language in Culture syllabus.

Indigenous Language Policy & Politics: Focus on Activism and Language Revitalization (Instructor: Mary Carol Combs). This course will examine language revitalization efforts within political and ideological contexts. We will look at the "macro- and micro-aggressions" (Romero, 2008; Solorzano, 1998) that inhibit tribal language and educational sovereignty; we will also analyze the myriad, and frequently bewildering, contractions between state, federal, and tribal policies. Finally, we will consider the creative – and creatively subversive – responses from individuals, communities, and schools to resist majoritarian oppression and to defend their own linguistic and cultural interests. Click to read the 2011 Activism syllabus.

Language and Technology for Language Revitalization (Instructor: Brendan O’Connor). This is a project based course geared toward beginners that explores the way technology can be used in language revitalization. Students will be learning how to combine linguistic principles with various applications such as blogs, websites, video/audio and computer software in order to create materials and document their own languages. Projects include learning how to record audio and video for documentation, how to use cell phones and mp3 players to create content for learning materials, and how to share content through blogs, websites, and social networking. Click to read the 2011 Language and Technology syllabus.

Language Immersion for Native American Languages (Instructor: Jennie Degroat). This course provides models and strategies for teaching in bilingual/immersion settings. The course will provide an overview of the foundations that guide the principles of immersion teaching approaches and language acquisition based on communicative needs; specifically, using Indigenous heritage languages as the language of instruction. This also meets the foreign language standards. Click to read the 2011 Language Immersion syllabus.