This is the first in a two-semester sequence that introduces students to all three major variants of Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, while facilitating their mastery of one variant. The course provides a solid foundation in BCS by teaching all four major communicative skills: speaking, listening, reading (in both Cyrillic and Latin alphabets), and writing (in both alphabets). By stressing the interdependence of language and culture, the course familiarizes students with the culture and history of the BCS-speaking countries. Students learn to communicate effectively and sensitively across cultural and linguistic boundaries while developing both curiosity and respect for the language, traditions, and beliefs of BCS speakers.
Students completing the Introductory BCS sequence will achieve Novice High proficiency in BCS in all modalities: they will be able to hold short conversations in BCS about familiar topics with native BCS speakers accustomed to speaking with foreigners, will be able to understand announcements made over broadcast media and in public places, will be able to read advertisements and other practical texts, compose short letters, and write accurately about rehearsed topics in full sentences.
Students will acquire a basic understanding of key aspects of BCS culture (e.g., greeting and hospitality rituals, geography of the BCS-speaking territories, and a general sense of the region’s history). Cultural awareness will be enhanced with authentic audio-visual materials and literary and non-literary texts. Additionally, students will be guided in their exploration of aspects of BCS language and culture that are of particular interest to them (e.g., cuisine, economics, film, folkways, geography, history, linguistics, literature, music, politics).