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Background
The Institute of Languages dates back to the late 1950s when French was introduced as a degree course under the Department of English. In the early 1960s German followed as a voluntary subject until 1967 when it became a degree course.
In 1968, a non-governmental organisation under the name "Survey of Language Use and Language Teaching in East Africa" sponsored by the Ford Foundation undertook a research on the indigenous languages of Uganda. As a follow-up of the study, the organisation saw the need to establish a Department of Linguistics and African Languages at the University. A proposal was made to the University and was accepted. Dr. Myers Carol Scotton, a Linguist, was recruited as the first lecturer in Linguistics and African Languages in 1968.
In July 1974, the Department of Languages as an administrative unit was created by the University Council. It comprised the subjects/sections of Linguistics and African Languages, French, German, Russian, Arabic and English Language Studies (ELS). The late Pio Zirimu was appointed the substantive Head of Department.
The basic principle behind the creation of the Department of Languages was to provide an official academic venue where European languages, Linguistics and African languages would be taught and promoted. Ugandan Languages were given special emphasis. Among the African languages, Kiswahili, Luganda, Runyakitara, (i.e. Runyoro-Rutooro and Runyakore Rukiga) and Luo are taught.
Ateso and Lugbara are to be introduced. In 1994, the University Council approved the proposal to elevate the Department to the status of an Institute with effect from January 1995. It is popularly known as Makerere Institute of Languages (MIL). Although the Institute is still part of the Faculty of Arts, it is working towards full autonomy. The Institute also administers the teaching of the subjects of Communication Skills, Secretarial Studies, and Social Anthropology. These were started in the academic year 1996/97. In 1998 a fully fledged Bachelors Degree in Secretarial Studies was introduced.
BACHELOR OF SECRETARIAL STUDIES PROGRAMME
Introduction
This course was set up to meet the needs of managerial, administrative and secretarial personnel in public offices. On completion of the course, graduates are equipped with concepts, methods, techniques and tools that allow them to contribute towards the competitiveness of government ministries, international organisations and the private sector.
The course structure and content are based on the 21st Century's need to produce highly trained skills oriented graduates as set out in the Education Review Report and Government White Paper.
The course first focuses on enabling students to enhance their practical skills and widen their intellectual scope to cope with the demands of a Public Office. It then focuses on helping students to acquire efficient communication skill needed in all aspects of life.
Throughout the course there is emphasis on the production of bilingual or multilingual personnel who can provide translation and interpretation skills when needed.
Course description
First Year
Advanced students shall offer 4 Core courses and 3 Electives per Semester. One of the Electives shall be a Language. Beginner students shall offer 6 core courses and 1 Elective. The Elective shall be selected from the Language courses.
| Semester I Core Courses SES 100 Shorthand IA SES 101 Type writing and Computer Keyboarding SES 102 Language Skills Development and Office Communication SES 103 Interpersonal Communication Skills SES 104 Introduction to Psychology SES 105 Fundamentals of Accounting Elective Courses |
Semester II Core Courses SES 120 Shorthand I B SES 121 Typewriting and Computer Operations I B. SES 122 Communication Theory and Office Practice SES 123 Principles of Office Automation SES 124 Information Organisation SES125 Social Psychology Elective Courses SES 126 Shorthand Open Speeds II SES 127 Advanced and Audio Typewriting II SES 128 (FRB 120) Introducing the French Vocabulary and Orthography SES 129 (GRB 120) Grundstuffe II (Language Acquisition) SES 130 (KISB 120) Basic Kiswahili Discourse) SES 131 Basic Aural /Oral Language Skills in Arabic |
Second Year
Advanced students shall offer 4 Core courses and 3 Elective courses per Semester. One of the three Electives shall be a Language Course. Beginners shall offer 6 Cores and 1 Elective per Semester. The Elective course shall be selected from the Language course.
| Semester I Core Courses SES 200 Shorthand II A SES 201 Typewriting and Computer Operations II A SES 202 Fundamentals of Management and Office Management SES 204 Foundations of International Relations SES 205 Introductory Economics SES 212 Desk Top Publishing Elective Courses SES 203 Introduction to Development Studies SES 206 Shorthand Open Speeds III SES 207 Advanced and Audio Typewriting SES 209 (BRB 200) Grundestuffe III (Language Acquisition) SES 210 (KISB 205) Kiswahili for Special Needs SES 211 Language Skills in Arabic |
Semester II Core Courses SES 220 Shorthand II B SES 221 Typewriting and Computer Operations II B SES 222 Principles of Law SES 225 Business Administration SES 233 Hyper Media and Hyper Text Languages Elective Courses SES 223 The Gender dimensions in Development. SES 224 Social Structure in Uganda SES 226 Shorthand Open Speed IV SES 227 Advanced Audio typewriting IV SES 228 (FRB 201)Intermediate French Language Use SES 229 (GRB 220) Mittle Stuffe I SES 230 (KIS B 200) Writing Techniques in Kiswahili SES 231 Reading and Writing Skills in Arabic SES 234 Industrial Psychology |
Third Year
Advanced students shall offer 4 Core courses and 3 Elective courses per Semester. One of the three Electives shall be a Language Course. Beginners shall offer 6 Cores and 1 Elective per Semester. The Elective course shall be selected from the Language course.
| Semester I Core Courses SES 300 Shorthand III A SES 301 Type Writing and Computer Operations III A SES 302 Secretarial Duties and Ethics SES 303 Diplomacy Functions and Techniques SES 312 Research Methods SES 313 Introduction to the Theory and Practice of Public Administration Elective Courses SES 304 Environment and Society SES 305 Personnel and Organisational Management SES 306 Shorthand Open Speeds SES 307 Applied Typing and Audio Typing V SES 308 French for Secretarial Duties SES 309 German for Secretarial Duties SES 310 Kiswahili for Secretarial Duties SES 311 Arabic for Secretarial Duties |
Semester II Core Courses SES 320 Shorthand III B SES 321 Typewriting and Computer Operations III B SES 322 Language Skills and Office Communications SES 333 Research Project Elective Courses SES 323 Reading and Speed Training SES 324 Public Relations SES 325 Employment Law and Practice SES 326 Shorthand Open Speeds SES 327 Applied and Audio Typing IV SES 328 Basic Translation and Interpretation Skills in French and English SES 329 Basic Translation and Interpretation Skills in German and English SES 330 Basic Translation and Interpretation Skills in Kiswahili and English SES 332 Multi Media and Database Management |
SECRETARIAL STUDIES AS A SUBJECT
Note:
The courses of the subject of Secretarial Studies listed below are derived from the degree course above, so the descriptions are the same. The subject of Secretarial Studies as a major combines with one of the subjects offered in the university as a minor. In the First Year students take core courses from Secretarial Studies plus two core courses from other Departments. In the Second Year, students major in Secretarial Studies and offer as a minor one of the subjects done in the First Year. Students on this programme are encouraged to take at least one language subject other than English.
First Year
All courses are Core and in addition the student offers two Core courses from two other subjects.
| Semester 1 SES 100 Shorthand I A SES 101 Typewriting and Computer Operations I A SES 102 Language Skills and Office Communication I |
Semester II SES 120 Shorthand I B SES 121 Typewriting and Computer Operations I B SES 122 Language Skills and Office Communication |
Second Year
A student has to offer Secretarial Studies as a Major where three Core courses and one Elective are done per Semester in addition to two Core courses from one of the Minor subjects done in the First Year.
| Semester 1 Core Courses SES 200 Shorthand II A SES 201 Typewriting and Computer Operations II A SES 202 Office Management and Fundamental of Management Elective Courses SES 203 Introduction to Development Studies SES 204 Foundation of International Relations SES 205 Human Behavior |
Semester II Core Courses SES 220 Shorthand II B SES 221 Typewriting and Computer Operations II B SES 222 Principles Elective Courses SES 223 The Gender Dimensions in Development SES 224 Social Structure in Uganda SES 225 Business Administration |
Third Year
A student has to offer Secretarial Studies as a Major where three Core courses and one Elective are done per Semester in addition to two Core courses from one of the minor subjects done in the First Year.
| Semester 1 Core Courses SES 300 Shorthand III A SES 301 Typewriting and Computer Operations III A SES 302 Secretarial Duties, Meeting, Law and Procedure Elective Courses SES 303 Diplomacy Functions and Techniques SES 304 Environment and Society SES 305 Personnel and Organisational Management |
Semester 1I Core Courses SES 320 Shorthand III B SES 321 Typewriting III B SES 322 Language Skills and Office Communication Elective Courses SES 323 Reading and Speech Training SES 324 Public Relations SES 325 Employment Law and Practice |
THE SUBJECT OF FRENCH
FRENCH BEGINNERS (FRB)
All courses are Core.
First Year
| Semester I FRB 100 Basic French Communication Skills FRB 101 Introduction to the Francophone Society |
Semester II FRB 120 Introduction to the French Language Usage FRB 121 Introduction to the Francophone Society |
Second Year
| Semester I FRB 200 Intermediate French Communication Skills FRB 201 Intermediate Culture Studies |
Semester II FRB 220 Intermediate French Language Usage FRB 221 Semi-Intensive Social Study of the Francophone Society |
Third Year
| Semester I FRB 300 Enhanced French Communication Skills FRB 301 Introduction to French & Francophone Literature |
Semester II FRB 320 Enhanced French Language Usage FRB 321 Enhancement of French Institutions & the Francophone Society |
FRENCH ADVANCED
First Year
| Semester I FRA 100 Advanced French Language Usage I FRA 101 Panorama & Francophone Literature I |
Semester II FRA 120 Introduction to Creative Writing and Communication Skills FRA 121Advanced Social Study of the French and Francophone Society |
Second Year
| Semester I Core Courses FRA 200 Advanced French Language Usage II FRA 201 Communication and Media Skills in French Elective Courses FRA 202 Contemporary Francophone Literature FRA 204 Creative Writing in French FRA 203 Cross-Cultural Studies in French |
Semester II Core Courses FRA 220 Advanced French Language Usage III FRA 221 French for Management/Administration Elective Courses FRA 222Scientific French FRA 223 French Through Images and Sound FRA 224 French Language and Society |
Third Year
| Semester I Core Courses FRA 300 General and French Language Science FRA 301 Business French/Computer Skills Elective Courses FRA 302Legal French FRA 303 Research Methods in French FRA 304 Contemporary French Literature |
Semester II Core Courses FRA 320French/Francophone Institutions & Policies FRA 321 French for Tourism, Hotel & Catering Industry Elective Courses FRA 322 Principles and Practice of Translation FRA 323 Research Project (Research, Translation, Literary Composition) FRA 324 Comparative Literature |
THE SUBJECT OF GERMAN
GERMAN BEGINNERS (GRB)
This Programme is offered only as a Minor. Students must therefore offer a Major subject as well.
All courses marked with an asterisk (*) are offered mainly in English.
All First Year courses are Core.
| Semester I GRB 100 Grundstufe I (Language Acquisition) * GRB 101 Introduction to German Studies I |
Semester II GRB 120 Grundstufe (Language Acquisition) GRB 121 German Language Use |
Second Year
| Semester I Core Courses GRB 200 Grundstufe II (Language Acquisition) GRB 201 Comprehension and Analysis of Selected Texts forBeginners *GRB 202 German Political and Cultural History I: 1870 - 1933 Elective Courses *GRB 203 Germany in World Affairs *GRB 204 Cultural Institutions in Germany |
Semester II Core Courses GRB 220 Mittelstufe I (Language Acquisition) GRB 221 Topics in German * GRB 222 German Political and Cultural History II: 1933 to Date Elective Courses *GRB 223 German Mass Media *GRB 224 Cultures and Sub-Cultures in Present Day Germany |
Third Year
| Semester I Core Courses GRB 300 Mittelstufe II (Language Acquisition) *GRB 301 Research Methods in German Studies GRB 302 German for Special Purpose I: Tourism *GRB 303 Literary Texts and Literary History Elective Courses *GRB 304 Intercultural Exchange and Co-operation GRB 305 Communication Skills |
Semester II Core Courses GRB 320 Mittelstufe III (Language Acquisition) *GRB 321 Literary Texts and Literary History II *GRB 322 Research Project in German Studies GRB 323 German for Special Purposes II: Business Elective Courses GRB 324 Creative Writing GRB 325 Multimedia German |
GERMAN ADVANCED
First Year
| Semester I GRA 100 Advanced German Language Skills * GRA 101 Introduction to German Studies |
Semester II GRA 120 Introduction to German Language and Linguistics GRA 121 Introduction to Literary Criticism and 20th Century Literature in German |
Second Year
| Semester I Core Courses GRA 200 Grammar Theories GRA 201 German Literary Genres I GRA 202 German as an Applied Foreign Language I Elective Courses GRA 203 German History I: 1789-1918 GRA 204 Ugandan Issues in German GRA 206 Multimedia German GRA 207 Cultural Institutions in Germany GRA 205 Creative Writing in German I |
Semester II Core Courses GRA 220 Theory and Practice of Intercultural Translation GRA 221 German Literary Genres II GRA 222 German as an Applied Foreign Language II Elective Courses +GRA 223 History II: 1919- 1990 GRA 224African Literature in German Translation GRA 225Creative Writing in German II GRA 226 History of the German Language GRA 227 German Film Studies |
Note:
Students must have offered GRA 203 in Semester I
Students must have offered GRA 205 in Semester 1
GRA Majors take 2 Core courses and 2 Electives per Semester plus 2 courses from a subject taken during the First Year while GRA Minors take 1 Core and 1 Elective per Semester.
This course comprises the study of examples of creative writing in German including creative writing in German by writers whose mother tongue is not German. It will also involve practical creative writing projects such as the letter, autobiography, poetry, short story, etc.
Third Year
GRA Majors take 2 Cores and 2 Electives per Semester plus 2 courses from a subject taken during the Second Year while GRA Minors take 1 Core and 1 Elective per Semester.
| Semester I Core Courses GRA 300 Periods of German Cultural and Literary History I *GRA 301 Research Methods in German Studies GRA 302 Communication Skills and Essay Writing Elective Courses *GRA 303 International Exchange and Co-operation GRA 305 Germany in World Affairs GRA 306Theatre and the Performing Arts in Germany *GRA 304 Introduction to German Lexicology GRA 307 German Mass Media |
Semester II Core Courses GRA 320 Periods of German Cultural and Literary History II *GRA 321 Introduction to Literary Translation *GRA 322 Research Project in German Studies Elective Courses GRA 323German Lexicography GRA 324 Cultures and Subcultures in Present Day Germany GRA 325 Africa in German Texts GRA 326 Interpreting in German GRA 327 Special Author |
LINGUISTICS
First Year
LIN 100 and LIN 120 are common courses for the subject of English Language Studies (ELS), Kiswahili (KSW), Linguistics (LIN), Luganda (LUG), and Runyakitara (RNY). LIN 102 and LIN 122 are therefore Core courses for students who are combining any two of the above subjects to enable them fulfill their course requirements of 2 Core courses per subject per Semester.
All courses in the First Year are core, subject to the above instructions.
| Semester I LIN 100 Introduction to the Study of Language LIN 101 Language and Society LIN 102 Linguistic and Translation Principles |
Semester II LIN 120 Language Analysis and Communication LIN 121 Lexicology and Dictionary Making LIN 122 Language and Gender Issues |
Second Year
Linguistic Majors offer 2 Cores and 2 Electives plus 2 courses from a Minor Subject taken during First Year, while Linguistic Minors offer 1 Core and 1 Elective per Semester.
| Semester I Core Courses LIN 200 Morphology Analysis LIN 201 Stylistics Elective Courses LIN 202 Introduction to Sign Language LIN 203 Alphabets and Writing system LIN 204 Elements of Pragmatics LIN 205 Language and Politics in Uganda LIN 206 Linguistics and Commerce |
Semester II Core Courses LIN 220 Morphosyntax Analysis LIN 221 Linguistics and Language Teaching Elective Courses LIN 222 Clinical Linguistics and Speech therapy LIN 223 Typology of African Languages LIN 224 Ethnolinguistic Forms of Ugandan Languages This entails the study of ethnolinguistics, criteria for ethnoclassification in Uganda and comparative study of ethnolinguistic forms. LIN 225 Language and the Media in Uganda LIN 226 Editing and Publishing |
Third Year
Semester I
Core Courses
LIN 300History of Linguistic Thought A survey of schools of linguistic thought, and major contributors of linguistic scholarship.
LIN 301Translation and Interpretations
Elective Courses
LIN 302Language and commerce in Uganda (See course description for LIN 206)
LIN 303Psycholinguistics
LIN 304Literature Criticism of selected African Writers
LIN 305Computational Linguistics
LIN 306Language Acquisition among children
LIN 320Field Linguistics
LIN 321Effective Communication
LIN 322Language and Religion in Uganda
LIN 323Introduction to Semantics
LIN 324Dialectology
LIN 325Onomastics
LIN 326 Discourse Analysis
KISWAHILI FOR BEGINNERS
This Programme is offered only as a Minor. Students must therefore offer a Major Subject.
First Year
| Semester I KSWB 100 Introduction to the Study of Language (same as Luganda 100) KSWB 101 Introduction to Kiswahili |
Semester II KSWB 120 Basic Kiswahili Discourse KSWB 121 Curtain Raiser Kiswahili Structure |
Second Year
Students offer 1 Core and 1 Elective per Semester
| Semester I Core Courses KSWB 200 Writing Techniques in Kiswahili KSWB 201 Foundations of Kiswahili Phonology Elective Courses KSWB 202The History of Kiswahili in Uganda KSWB 203 Insight into Kiswahili Focused Translation KSWB 204 Kiswahili and the National Language debate in Uganda KSWB 205 Kiswahili for Special Needs |
Semester II Core Courses KSWB 220 Kiswahili Morphology KSWB 221 Kiswahili Literature Elective Courses KSWB 222 Aspects of Kiswahili cultures KSWB 223 Kiswahili Word borrowing and Change of Meaning in Words KSWB 224 Creative Writing in Kiswahili |
Third Year
Students offer 1 Core and 1 Elective per Semester
| Semester I Core Courses KSWB 300 Kiswahili Syntax KSWB 301 Research Methods Elective Courses KSWB 302 Varieties of Kiswahili KSWB 303 Kiswahili Poetry KSWB 304 The Dialects of Kiswahili |
Semester II Core Courses KSWB 320 Kiswahili for Special Purposes KSWB 321 Research Project Elective Courses KSWB 322 Kiswahili Plays KSWB 323 Kiswahili and Comparative Bantu KSWB 324 Gender Relations in Kiswahili |
KISWAHILI ADVANCED
KSWA 100 and KSWA 120 are common courses for the subjects of English Language Studies, Kiswahili, Linguistics, Luganda and Runyakitara. KSWA 102 and KSWA 122 are therefore core courses for students who are combining any two of the above subjects to enable them fulfill their course requirements of 2 core courses per subject per semester. All courses in the First Year are core, subject to the above instructions.
First Year
| Semester 1 KSWA 100 Introduction to the Study of Language KSWA 101 Introduction to Kiswahili Literature KSWA 102 Kiswahili Ethnology |
Semester II KSWA 120 Language Analysis and Communication KSWA 121 Advanced Proficiency in Kiswahili KSWA 122 Introduction to Kiswahili Structure |
Second Year
KSWA Majors offer 2 Cores and 2 Electives plus a course from a Minor Subject taken in First year while KSWA Minors offer 1 Core and 1 Elective per Semester.
| Semester I Core Courses KSWA 200 Kiswahili Syntax KSWA 201 Kiswahili Poetry KSWA 202 Introduction to Kiswahili for Special Purposes Elective Courses KSWA 203 Kiswahili Oral Literature KSWA 204 Kiswahili Socialinguistics KSWA 205 Kiswahili Focused Translation Studies KSWA 206 Kiswahili Stylistics |
Semester II Core Courses KSWA 220 Kiswahili Morphology KSWA 221 Kiswahili Novel Elective Courses KSWA 222 Kiswahili Phonology KSWA 223 Kiswahili Drama KSWA 224 Kiswahili Applied Linguistics KSWA 225 Kiswahili dialects and varieties KSWA 226 Creative Writing |
Third Year
KSWA Majors offer 2 Core and 2 Elective courses plus 2 courses from a Minor Subject taken in the Second Year while KSWA Minors offer 1 Core and 1 Elective per Semester.
Semester I |
LUGANDA SUBJECT
The Luganda courses are market oriented and help the students to readily be employed on completion of their course. Many of our graduates have ended up in the following sectors: Education, journalism/press and others are employed as social workers, translators interpreters, publishers, editors, or consultants in cultural and language related matters. Click here for More Info on Courses offered at the Institute..