BA KISWAHILI At University Of Ghana
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
KISW 101 Introduction to Kiswahili Studies I
The course focuses on basic language skills: speaking, reading, writing and listening. It will
involve conversation drills, picture reading and listening comprehension with emphasis on oral
practice and pronunciation. There will be practical exercises aimed at building students’
vocabulary and ability to make simple conversation.
KISW 102 Oral Communication Skills
This course will focus on strengthening the students’ oral skills to allow them to form simple
expressions and to understand expressions made by others. It will emphasize oral and aural
comprehension while it builds upon the basic communicative skills acquired in the first semester.
These skills will be extended to cover other domains of interaction that involve acquaintances such
colleagues, friends, people of different generations, and other conversations in a formal setting.
The course will also introduce students to the literary history of the Kiswahili people.
KISW 103 Elementary Kiswahili Grammar I
In this course students are introduced to basic Kiswahili grammar. Topics to be covered include:
characteristics that are unique to the language such as the orthography, stress, agglutination, and
the noun class system. To be introduced at this point is basic grammatical structure of the
language that covers such areas as the basic tenses: Present, past, future, perfect and habitual
including both the positive and negative forms. Other topics to be covered here are the use of
possessive roots and the agreement system in the Kiswahili sentence. The course will also
introduce students to the historical background of the Swahili language, its origin, and role in East
Africa and the diaspora.
KISW 104 Elementary Kiswahili Grammar II
This course is a continuation of KISW 103Elementary Kiswahili Grammar which covers the basic
structure of the Kiswahili sentences. Therefore, the course will first reinforce those skills acquired
in KISW 103 and then introduce additional elements of the basic sentence structure which include
adjectives, other noun classes and the use of basic prepositions associated with negation, locative
suffix -niand the use of the adverb katika. Emphasis will be on students’ skill strengthening to
ensure that they build strong speaking and writing abilities. The development of Kiswahili as a
discipline will also be discussed
KISW 201 Kiswahili Grammar and Translation I
This course introduces critical linguistics aspects of the language particularly areas of morphology
and syntax to give students a deeper understanding of the unique aspects of Kiswahili grammar.
Areas of interest include the locative noun classes, the concept of location in time and place
various aspects of inflectional morphology and morpho-syntax. Skill strengthening will also be
emphasized as we introduce basic principles of translation. Students at this level are required to
have at least a year of Kiswahili in order for them to manage and appreciate the different aspects
of Kiswahili grammar and to develop good translation skills.
KISW 202 Kiswahili Grammar and Translation II
This course is the continuation of 201. The objectives include strengthening those aspects of
Kiswahili grammar already covered and to focus on new topics concerning derivational
morphology such as nominal and verbal derivations, verb extensions including expressions of
mood and other critical aspects of Kiswahili grammar that are associated with noun and verb
formations. Emphasis will be placed on improving students’ basic skills in translation. At this
stage students should be able to translate simple Kiswahili texts and documents with particular
attention to basic Kiswahili grammatical aspects learnt in class.
KISW 203 Oral and Composition I
The main focus of this course is oral and writing proficiencies. Thus students will be required to
sharpen their tools to achieve high proficiency in oral expression and writing both short and long
composition pieces. Short writing exercises will include summary exercises that are drawn from
different kinds of simple written documents. The course is designed to prepare students to be able
to employ a variety of vocabulary in order to enhance their creative abilities. At the end of the
course, students should be able to undertake essay writing exercises on a variety of simple topics.
KISW 204 Oral and Composition II
This course is a continuation and strengthening of aspects learnt in SWAH 203. It is designed to
help students improve their writing and oral comprehension skills and build their confidence, by
engaging them in more complex oral and writing exercises. There will be more emphasis on oral
communication skills through targeted exercises, individual and group projects. Students will be
given short and long passages for reading –comprehension and writing assignments that target
graduated skills in creative writing. At the end of this course, students would have improved their
first semester skills to enable them to communicate in everyday contexts of situation.
KISW 205 Swahili History and Civilization
The course constitutes a general survey of the history of the Kiswahili people and their culture.
Specifically, it will trace the impact of foreign colonization especially that of Arabia and Europe
on the culture and lifestyle of the Swahili people from the past to the present. The focus will be on
specific aspects of the Kiswahili language, its history, and association with the politics of change
in the region, its expansion, civilization, and the different cultures that constitute the social fabric
of the Swahili people.
KISW 206 Introduction to Kiswahili Literature
Having been introduced to the literary history of the Swahili people in KISW 102, this course
offers students a brief treatment of each of the three components of Kiswahili literature, namely;
poetry, drama and prose. It will also discuss introductory topics in traditional and contemporary
literature of the people as well as some aspects of Kiswahili literary device. Students will be
required to read and analyse selected pieces of literary writings in the original language and in
translation.
KISW 301 Intermediate Kiswahili Usage I
The course will discuss more advanced aspects of inflectional morphology including the
conditional tenses NGE and NGALI. Other topics that will be discussed include: Dimunitive –ki-,
augmentative, comparative (kuliko, kushinda), emphatics, “o” of reference, and irregular
adjectives (-ote, -o-ote, -ingi, -ingine, -enye, -enyewe). This course will consolidate, expand,
and deepen the understanding of lexical items and sentence patterns.
KISW 302 Intermediate Kiswahili Usage II
This course is a continuation of KISW 301. It introduces students to complex aspects of Kiswahili
syntax with particular focus on grammatical structures. The course will look at new sentence
structures in Kiswahili with the aim of enhancing students’ understanding of tense structure,
inflectional morphology and syntax. Besides introducing more vocabulary and grammar, this
course concentrates on complex sentences and paragraphs not emphasized in earlier levels.
KISW 303 Comprehension and Oral Expression I
The focus of this course is effective reading and understanding of texts as well as fluency of
speech. Texts covering various topics will be provided for students to discuss and comment on.
These texts are geared towards helping students to acquire an understanding of a wide range of
styles and topics. It reinforces and expands vocabulary, grammar and language structures, leading
to a deeper comprehension of style and usage. It will also focus on language skills (speaking and
writing) and performing more complex tasks such as comparing, narrating, describing, reasoning,
and discussing topics beyond the immediate environment.
KISW 304 Comprehension and Oral Expression II
This course is a continuation of KISW 303. It will focus on building fluency which at this level is
important. Students are expected to enhance their reading and comprension skills by presenting
papers on selected topics on Kiswahili culture. It will expand vocabulary, language structures and
communicative skills to enable students to achieve solid proficiency. It will develop students’
ability to respond orally and in writing to texts and audio- visual material such as films, television
clips, and news.
KISW 305 Translation Skills
This course will focus on advance translation skills using of texts covering aspects of social,
political and cultural events and other printed media such as stories from newspapers. At the end
of the course the students will be equipped with the necessary skills to translate complex
Kiswahili-based texts into English as well as from English into Kiswahili.
KISW 306 Translation Exercises
This course will focus primarily on targeted translation skills that will eventually equip students
with a superior working knowledge of translation and strategies of handling complex texts from a
variety of sources. Some aspects of interpretation will also be introduced to enable students to
distinguish between “interpretation” and “translation”. Advanced texts include historical sources,
texts of social and cultural issues, and political literature. At the end of the course, students should
be able to apply the acquired translation techniques and skills in advanced translation work.
KISW 307 Special Topics I
A course reserved for a non-programmed and non-designed course in topics of interest on cultural,
political, historical and current issues of Kiswahili people that may need to be taught with the
availability of a new/visiting member of staff but is not catered in the syllabus.
KISW 308 Special Topics II
A course reserved for an non-programmed and non-designed course in topics of interest on
cultural, political, historical and current issues of Kiswahili people that may need to be taught with
the availability of a new/visiting member of staff but is not catered in the syllabus.
KISW 309 Kiswahili Literature of the 17th-20th Century
This course constitutes the study of the origin and development of Kiswahili Literature and the
discussion of Swahili literature of the period with specific reference to some classic literary texts
that mark the various periods. Discussions relating to East African themes based on readings from
traditional literature such as folk, proverbs, modern novel and drama.
KISW 310 Language Immersion I
This is a specially packaged intensive study undertaken in an East African university or locally
during the long-vacation after Level 200. There shall be courses specifically tailored to boost and
enhance students’ oral communicative abilities, vocabulary expansion, and the development of
better root-pattern identification skills. The course will also help them learn specific cultural
practices that are akin to the East African countries.
KISW 311 Study of Kiswahili Songs
This course will focus on the study of Swahili songs. It will cover traditional songs (sang at
specific occasions such as marriage, puberty, etc.), Taarab and modern Swahili songs such as
Bongo Flava (Tanzania) and Zilizopendwa (Kenya). It will look at some literary strategies that are
used in songs. It will also look at comparative literary devices that are used in the traditional and
contemporary Bongo Flavas.
KISW 312 Kiswahili Oral Literature
This course is intended to orient student to the value of orallity and the contribution of oral
literature to world literature. The course will focus on the features of African oral art with
reference to theme, language and performance. It will also cover Kiswahili folktales, proverbs,
traditional songs and oral poetry. The course will be designed to help students appreciate
Kiswahili folktales and to determine how the shape of Kiswahili literary work contributes to its
meaning.
KISW 313 Study of Kiswahili Poetic Structures
A study of the different Swahili poetic structures such as Utendi, Ukawafi, Kisambe, Gungu. The
course will also study and discuss the strict prosodic form of poetry in Swahili and the new free
form. It will help students appreciate the old and new forms of Kiswahili poetic structures and
their implications on modern poetry.
KISW 314 The Swahili Media
This course will introduce students to the history and development of the Swahili media. It is also
designed to improve students’ proficiency through the study of the use of the language in the print,
audio and audio/visual media such as the press, radio, television and ICT. A brief history of the
East African Press will be covered to enhance students’ understanding of the interface of
knowledge and language for example. Special attention will be given to how the press utilizes
linguistic, political and socio-cultural features.
KISW 315 Figures of Speech and Comprehension I
This course is designed to develop students’ writing and communication skills through intensive
writing of essays covering a variety of topics and genres such letter writing, discussions of social,
cultural and political issues. Reading for comprehension will also be emphasized covering texts on
variety of topics. Included is usage of figures of speech such as idioms, sayings, and proverbs.
KISW 316 Figures of Speech and Comprehension II
This course is an expansion of KISW 315. It extends the students’ ability to explore further
different types of texts to understand the discourse structure and role of different types of figures
of speech in communication. The course will also instil in the students an appreciation of these
structures and roles in texts that are identified as similes, metaphors, euphemisms, pun, litotes etc.
Students will explore the functions and environments where these figures of speech can be used in
texts.
KISW 317 Globalization and the Swahili Society
This course is designed to guide students through the different stages of Kiswahili development,
its expansion and potential place in globalized languages. The course will also enlighten students
on the various gains and losses as globalization impacts the language and society that uses it. The
course will explore the challenges Kiswahili faces in this competition. The course will also look at
the specific influence of globalization on the culture of the Swahili people through films and
songs, social as well as other forms of media.
KISW 318 Contemporary Politics in East Africa
This course will explore a variety of literature that examines the evolution of contemporary
politics in East Africa. Students will analyze the contemporary political trends in East Africa focus
on post-colonial political issues such as one party versus multiparty system, constitutional rule, the
formation of the East African Community and its different stages of development. The course will
also explore the critical role of the media in the various stages of political evolution.
KISW 319 Cinema in Swahili Society
This course will introduce students to Kiswahili culture through films for analysis. It will
introduce students to the key skills needed in the close textual and historical analysis of film
production in East Africa. Also, students will be provided with a glossary of key terms relating to
the language of cinema, and will apply these terms in the close textual analysis of several recent
Kiswahili films. Students will appreciate the importance of the historical and cultural contexts of
film and its production in East Africa.
KISW 400 Long Essay
This is a research paper which offers students the opportunity for independent research with the
expectation that the student submits a written paper of not less than 15,000 words on a topic of the
student’s choice. The research and ultimately the written report will be supervised by a lecturer.
The credit will be in partial fulfillment of the undergraduate program. Enrollment and eventual
fulfillment of the course requirements will need departmental approval and a completed project
whose results are presented in an essay of the required length (i.e.15, 000 words).
DMLA 401 Research Methods
This course takes students through the practical steps necessary for carrying out and independent
research work on Foreign Languages and Literatures. It will cover types of research methods,
research processes, including the selection of a topic, data collection, abstracts, introductions,
conclusions, review of literature, bibliography compilation etc. Students are required to submit
independent research projects at the end of the course.
This is a required course for students in the Department of Modern Languages who have not
taken a Research Methods course in another Department.
KISW 401 Advanced Kiswahili Proficiency I
This course is designed to prepare students for the task of analyzing and critiquing theories and
concepts related to Kiswahili linguistics. The course will equip them with the necessary tools that
they need to be able to find solutions to preset linguistic problems from a variety of topical areas
in Kiswahili. Topics of interest include: the noun class system, language contact phenomena such
as borrowing and codeswitching. Students will also be introduced to textual analysis of the
Swahili sentence.
KISW 402 Advanced Kiswahili Proficiency II
This course is a continuation of SWAH 401, an extension of the preparation for students to
undertake the task of analyzing and critiquing theories and concepts related to Kiswahili
linguistics. The course will equip students with advanced tools that strengthen their analytical
abilities through a continuation of textual analysis of the clause and the phrase the discussion of
advanced linguistic concepts and phenomena such as syntax of inalienable possessions, and
transitivity and object relations. At the end of the course, students’ proficiency is expected to hit
the desired advanced level in different areas of the grammar.
KISW 403 Oral for Academic and Professional Purposes
This is an advanced course in the development of Kiswahili oral proficiency. It will focus on a
variety of Kiswahili registers and vocabulary associated with language in the fields of business,
commerce, medicine, economics, and politics. Cumulatively, these fields will provide extensive
learning material that is critical in the consolidation of student proficiency in Kiswahili.
KISW 404 Advanced Oral Expression
This course is a continuation of SWAH 403. It will advance the already acquired skills to deal
with a variety of Kiswahili registers and vocabulary associated with complex structures in the
language. Topics to be discussed will include education, culture, current affairs and globalization,
inter and intra-trade, and other specialized topics as deemed necessary.
KISW 405 Advanced Translation Skills I
This is course covers translation of complex texts with advanced language structures on aspects of
social, political and cultural events. Translation exercises will require students to be able to
translate from English to Kiswahili and vice versa. Students will be required to exhibit the already
acquired knowledge and skill in translation techniques.
KISW 406 Advanced Translation Skills II
This course is a continuation of KISW 405. It will involve the translation of specialized texts from
English into Kiswahili and from Kiswahili into English. Students will be required to exhibit their
knowledge and skill in translation techniques. Intense concentration of the Kiswahili language
through oral and written work will focus on fundamentals of communication.
KISW 407 Selected Topics I
Ths course is reserved for a variety of themes selected by the instructor to meet the needs of a nonprogrammed
and non-designed course. Topics of interest may include culture, politics, history and
other current issues, The course will be offered based on the availability of a new/visiting member
of staff or as seen fit by the department.
KISW 408 Selected Topics II
Ths course is reserved for a variety of themes selected by the instructor to meet the needs of a nonprogrammed
and non-designed course. Topics of interest may include culture, politics, history and
other current issues, The course will be offered based on the availability of a new/visiting member
of staff or as seen fit by the department.
KISW 409 Gender in Kiswahili Literary Writings
The course will study the various manifestations of gender in Swahili Literary Works. It will
explore the similarities and or differences between female and male ways of handling Swahili
writings. Of interest also is the Swahili writers’ project on gender in their writings in relation to
the social differences and power relations. This course will look at works of both and female
writers, exploring the challenges that confront them due to their social and literary conventions
and the overall development of voice through major literary movements of the twentieth century
and beyond.
KISW 410 Language Immersion II
This course builds on the students’ L300 whose objective is to develop competence in reading,
writing, oral skills, and intercultural competence. The expectation is that the course will be
offered during the long recess from academic teaching and learning and will be a specially
packaged intensive study at a university in one of the East African countries. In lieu of that,
students have an option of undertaking a five- credit language immersion course at the University
of Ghana during the said period at Levels 300 and 400.
KISW 411 History of Kiswahili Language Institutions
This course focuses on the history and emergence of Kiswahili language institutions. It discusses
factors that led to the establishment of Language agencies such TUKI, BAKITA, UKUTA etc in
East Africa. Emphasis will be given to the role of the Institute of Kiswahili Research (IKR) now
Institute of Kiswahili Studies (IKS) in the evolution of Kiswahili lexicons.
KISW 412 Kiswahili Poetry of the 17th – 20th Century
The course introduce students to different types of Kiswahili Poetry during the period of the 17th –
20th century as well as advance literary appreciation of Kiswahili poems especially the Utenzi
(Epic poem). The course is designed to introduce students to the theories of Kiswahili Poetry
composition as well as to provide a platform for students to do more advanced work in literary
appreciation of Kiswahili poems, especially the Utenzi.
KISW 413 Modern Kiswahili Drama
An introduction to a more advanced knowledge and skills in literary appreciation of selected
Swahili Dramatic works. The course is designed to orient students towards a more advanced
outlook on literary appreciation of the principles of Swahili Drama, its composition, production
and performance. Students bring to this course the acquired advanced knowledge in literary
appreciation of Swahili Dramatic works. Emphasis on thematic concerns and character
development as well as dramatic texts from the early modern period will be studied in relation to
the history and society of East Africa.
KISW 414 Contemporary Kiswahili Literature
This course involves the study of contemporary Swahili Poetry, Prose and Drama. The course will
examine and discuss various aspects such as theme and styles exhibited in the work of various
writers such as Shaaban Robert, Ibrahim Hussein, Peninah Muhando, M.S. Abdalla and Euphrase
Kezilahabi. It will also include the study of the 20th-century novel and its development from the
1930s to the present through a representative number of authors. While special attention will be
paid to the individual works in the last half century, individual works will be analyzed for their
value as the expression of social and historical reality.
KISW 415 Essay Writing and Comprehension
This course covers critical training that will promote capacities in various areas of the language.
The course deals with the key elements of reading, listening, thinking, speaking, creative writing
and freelance writing. The focus of the course is on developing students’ ability to read and
competently comprehend various texts that exhibit literary styles and forms as proverbs and
riddles to enable them to think, reflect and compose as a way of expanding and perfecting their
verbal and writing styles.
KISW 416 Nationalism and Identity of the Swahili People
The course looks at the characteristics of a national language, nationalism and the question of
identity of the Swahili people. To give justice to the question of identity, the course will review
the origins of Kiswahili, who is a Swahili person and what it the relationship between their
language, Kiswahili, and their culture, the Swahili culture. The course will also discuss how the
coastal people of East Africa identify themselves with the language including the problems
associated with Swahili identity against the background of colonial administrations. The role of
Kiswahili in identity construction and its contribution to the development of the Swahili States.
KISW 417 Tourism in Swahili Society
This course is designed to give students an insight into the immense impact of tourism on facets of
the Swahili society and by implication their language Kiswahili. Specifically it will examine the
dual role of tourism on the one hand as a tool for development in the socio-economic, cultural and
linguistic life and on the other hand the social-cultural influences that can threaten the
development of Kiswahili as a national, regional or international language in the post-colonial era.
KISW 418 Kiswahili in the Diaspora
A course designed to acquaint students with the spread of Kiswahili across its original boundaries,
the Coastal States of East Africa to world outside and far from the Swahili speaking region. The
historical background of the spread will bring to light how Kiswahili gained its place in the world
of Academia particularly in the three continents, namely Europe, America, and Asia. Needless to
say, the course will also explore how Kiswahili fairs on the African continent in comparison to the
other three continents.
KISW 419 Popular Culture in Swahili Society
The course is designed to provide exposure to the origins and evolution of the Swahili culture and
the social life of the Swahili people. Special attention will be given to the popular culture
categories such as fashion, music, and football among both the the youth and the older generation.
It also provides a fresh view of the African popular culture through the lens of contemporary
literature, film, television, music, dance, and the visual arts. Students will explore the topic area(s)
in depth using a variety of rhetorical theories and methods.
KISW 420 Study Abroad
This is a two-semester six-credit course in the Swahili language, literature and culture to be
undertaken at a university in East Africa after level a student has successfully completed L300.
Students are required to study abroad for one academic year under exchange agreements supported
by the host and receiving Universities. Credit for specific courses will be evaluated following
receipt of a transcript of academic results and supporting course documentation. The approved
study agreement will be recorded on the student’s UG academic record.
KISW 422 Teaching of Kiswahili as a Foreign Language
The course discusses various theories and methods of language teaching (traditional method,
direct method, communicative approach etc.). Furthermore, special attention is given to the new
methods and the use of new technologies. The course will also concentrate on applied researches
on Swahili language teaching and error analyses. Students will also be trained to teach other
learners to become competent speakers of the language.