Thai
Please see the South and Southeast Asian Studies Department for program and degree requirements.
THAI 1A Introduction to Thai 5 Units
Department: Thai
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 5 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
This course is designed for students who have little or no knowledge of the Thai language. The focus of Thai 1A is to build vocabulary and develop the ability to speak with correct pronunciation through basic conversation in day-to-day settings. Students will be introduced to the Thai alphabets and syllable construction rules. To prepare students for intensive literacy acquisition in the spring semester, students are expected to read and write simple words and short sentences by the end of the semester. The class will study common facts about Thailand, etiquette, customs, and values in contemporary Thai culture, through discussion, proverbs, and participation in cultural activities.
THAI 1B Introduction to Thai 5 Units
Department: Thai
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 5 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: Thai 1A, (Beginning Introductory Thai) or equivalent, by consent of instructor. Ability to speak some Thai and carry out basic conversation about oneself, family, food, and numbers. Knowledge of the alphabet, and ability to read and write simple words at rudimentary level.
Continuing on from the fundamental knowledge of syllable construction learned in Thai 1A, this course is designed to rapidly elevate student's literacy, with the goal of completely abandoning transcription by mid-semester. By the end of the course, students should be reading and writing short descriptive and creative essays, equivalent to 2nd grade students in Thai school. Students continue to learn new vocabulary, grammar and practical thematic conversation with the opportunity to practice with native speakers. Students will also be introduced to Thai customs, culture and value, through a variety of media and cultural activities. Thai is used as the language of instruction up to 20% of the time.
THAI 100A Intermediate Thai 5 Units
Department: Thai
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 5 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: Thai 1B (Upper Introductory Thai) or equivalent, by consent of instructor. At least medium fluency in spoken and written Thai. Ability to conduct small talk with sufficient fluency. Ability to read and write equivalent to 2nd grade level in Thai school.
This course continues to integrate cultural awareness into language education. The emphasis shifts from the concrete to the abstract. Students will begin to read and write compound sentences, formal essays, and letters. Students will have the opportunity to practice conversation with native speakers. Students will also watch Thai films throughout the semester. Thai as the language of instruction will gradually increase from 20% up to 50%. By the end of the semester, students should have acquired a level of literacy equivalent to 4th grade in Thai schools.
THAI 100B Intermediate Thai 5 Units
Department: Thai
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 5 hours of Lecture per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: Thai 100A (Lower Intermediate Thai) or equivalent, by consent of instructor. Ability to read descriptive articles, and write short composition equivalent to 3rd - 4th grade students in Thai school. Capable of carrying informal conversation on a general subject with medium fluency.
A continuation of Intermediate THAI 100A. Students will learn to read longer and more abstract writing, advertisements from newspapers, and articles from magazines and webpage. The class will cover expressions, figures of speech, higher level grammar, and hierarchical pronouns. Writing will move from descriptive to expository. To increase verbal skills and cultural education, students will watch karaoke, TV advertisements, and films. Students will also have regular intensive conversation practice and in-class presentation. The language of instruction will be in Thai approximately 50% to 70% of the time. By the end of the semester, the average student should have acquired a level of literacy equivalent to 5th to 6th grade in Thai schools.
THAI 101A Advanced Thai 3 Units
Department: Thai
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Reading per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: 100A.
This third-year Thai course will focus on literature written between 1855 and 1955. Readings will be in Thai, with supporting essays in English, providing social/political context. Emphases on evolution of modern Thai society, overthrow of the absolute monarchy in 1932, development of literatures of social preservation and of social consciousness. Thai readings consist of short stories, novel excerpts, correspondence.
Instructor: Kepner
THAI 101B Advanced Thai 3 Units
Department: Thai
Course level: Undergraduate
Terms course may be offered: Fall and spring
Grading: Letter grade.
Hours and format: 3 hours of Reading per week for 15 weeks.
Prerequisites: 100A.
This third-year Thai course will focus on literature written between 1855 and 1955. Readings will be in Thai, with supporting essays in English, providing social/political context. Emphases on evolution of modern Thai society, overthrow of the absolute monarchy in 1932, development of literatures of social preservation and of social consciousness. Thai readings consist of short stories, novel excerpts, correspondence.
Instructor: Kepner
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