The purpose of the Associate of Arts in Navajo Language is to prepare students to enter teacher certification programs and become (a) Navajo language teachers or (b) well-prepared bilingual teachers. Student can also proceed to work in interpretation, translation, anthropology, linguistics, and related fields.

These courses will address the Special Requirement of critical inquiry and intensive writing, and ethnic/race/gender.

Diné College offers upper division courses in the areas of Navajo language and culture number 300 through 400. They are intended for students majoring in Navajo Language, and for degree teachers seeking certificates/endorsement for Navajo language teaching in New Mexico and Arizona.

101 NAVAJO AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (4) §

For non-Navajo speakers. Aimed at mastery of pronunciation, identification of sounds thought patterns and vocabulary. Students will learn simple Navajo conversation. An individual, one-hour conversation practice workshop is mandatory for each class session.

102 NAVAJO AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (4) §

Mastery of simple sentences. Combination of simple sentences with more complex sentences. Enlarging of vocabulary through oral exercises. An individual, one-hour conversation practice workshop is mandatory for each class session. Prereguisites: NAV 101 or instructor's permission.

201 INTERMEDIATE NAVAJO FOR NON-NATIVE SPEAKERS (4)

Third semester course for non-native speakers. Students will review the material taught in NAV 101 and 102 and proceed to more advanced structures, situations, vocabulary, and functions. An individual, one-hour conversation practice workshop is mandatory for each class sessioni. Prereguisites: NAV 102 or instructor's permission.

202 INTERMEDIATE NAVAJO FOR NON-NATIVE SPEAKERS (4)

Fourth semester courses for non-native speakers. Students will review material from NAV 101, 102, 201, and then procee to more advanced structures, situations, functions, grammar. An Individual, one-hour conversation practice workshop is mandatory for each class session. Prereguisites: NAV 201 or instructor's permission.

211 NAVAJO LITERACY FOR SPEAKERS (3) §

For Navajo speakers. Designed to develop skills in reading and writing Navajo, as well as an understanding of the language, its sounds, and it structure.

212 NAVAJO LITERACY AND GRAMMAR FOR SPEAKERS (3) ?

For Navajo speakers. Develops additional skills in reading adn writing Navajo. Emphsis wil be on grammatical structure. Prerequisite: NAV 211 or instructor's permission.

231 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY OF THE NAVAJO (3) ±

Translation/interpretation and use of medical terminology in Navajo. Appropriate for Non-Navajos and Navajos who are working in clinic/Hospital settings.

287 NAVAJO TRANSCRIPTION (3)

Intrepretation, translation, and transcription of raw materials gathered from interviews, ceremonies, speeches, storytelling, and other contexts. Stresses the development of vocabulary, including specialized terminology and concepts. Prerequisites: NAV 289

289 NAVAJO LINGUISTICS (3) ?

An introductory linguistic course covering the basic concepts of sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, syntax, phonology, and morphology, with Navajo used for conrete exemplification. Prerequisite: NAV 401 or instructor's permission.

291 ADVANCED NAVAJO PUBLIC SPEAKING (3) ±

Students will study the videotaped presentations of twelve articulate Navajo speakers, who are working genres representing all major oral performances presently used. Analysis will be on style, theme, topic, structure, effectiveness, etc. Students will also be required to give oral presentations of various types, culminating in a twenty (20) minute public speech. Students will be required to work from extensive notes in Navajo.

301 NAVAJO DESCRIPTIVE AND NARRATIVE WRITING (3) ?

Students will read and write in the genres of description and narrative, be expected to turn in weekly papers, and learn to use word-processors to produce high quality products. One paper will be read or presented to the public. Prerequisite: NAV 212 or instructor's permission.

350 TEACHING NAVAJO TO THE NATIVE SPEAKERS (4) ?

Addresses the major issues in teaching Navajo literacy and Navajo language arts to native speakers of Navajo. Prerequisite: NAV 212.

351 TEACHING NAVAJO AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (4) ?

Addresses major issues in the teaching/learning of second languages, with specific emphasis on the case of the Navajo language, as taught in the public schools. Prerequisite: NAV 212.

401 NAVAJO GRAMMAR AND APPLIED LINGUISTICS (3) ?

Students learn to analyze the Navajo language using descriptive terminology of Young and Morgon (1987). Prerequisite: NAV 211 or instructor's permission.

478 THE ATHAPASKAN ROOTS OF NAVAJO (3) ±

This course investigates the relationship between the Navajo Language and the other languages of the Athapaskan branch of the Na-Dene Language family. It traces sound changes from other Proto-Athapaskan of modern Navajo. Texts from other Apachean language and Athapaskan languages of the Pacific coast and farther North are examined to find common roots, syntax, morphology, and even cultural elements. Prerequisite: NAV 401 and NAV 289

NIS 371 NAVAJO PHILOSOPHY (3) ?

This course emphasizes an analysis and understanding of the principles by which the Navajo universe exists, and the relevance of these principles to modern life. Instruction is mainly in Navajo, and compositions must be written in Navajo. Prerequisite: NIS 111.

? AZ Diné Bilingual Endorsement requires these eight (8) courses (plus the Navajo Proficiency test - American Indian language). Please note that the endorsement will only be given to someone with a teaching certificate.

? NM Modern Language Teaching Endorsement in Navajo (Native American Language) requires the same eight (8) course(plus the Navajo Proficiency test).

Refer to the Arizona and New Mexico State Department of Education Bilingual, ESL, and Foreign Language requirements.
(a) The Arizona State Board of Education, American Indian Language proficiency verified by an official designated by the appropriate tribe, and
(b) The New Mexico, Language Proficiency Exam approved by the State Board of Education.

NAV 101-202 also satisfy a part of the AZ ESL Endorsement and the NM Bilingual/Bicultural Endorsement.

The Diné College's Navajo language courses are also referred to as "Less-Commonly Taught Languages" by the Arizona Languages Articulation Task Force. Course articulation efforts, and credit hours are consistent with the recommendations of the Articulation Task Force. Most of the courses are articulated for transferability. Refer to the AZ Course Equivalency Guide (CEG) for transferability.

The Navajo Nation Scholarship Office has special support for students seeking their state endorsements. Contact the financial aid offices or the Navajo Nation Scholarship Office

DCs Navajo Language Program does not grant certification or endorsement (colleges and universities do not certify or endorse teachers). The NLP provides the courses required by AZ and NM for endorsement. Note that the terms certification and endorsement are different. Official endorsements are only given to teachers who already have teaching certificates. The NLPs eight-course endorsement sequence leads to the AZ Diné Bilingual Endorsement and the NM Modern Language Teaching Endorsement in Navajo.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Medicine Person, Anthropologist/Linguist, Legal or Medical Interpreter, Audiologist/Speech Therapist, Social Worker, Writer of Curriculum, Teacher, Poll Worker and Author.

ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Anthropology, Linguistics, Education, Speech & Hearing Science, American Indian Studies, History and Political Science.

The Navajo Language Proficiency Test was designed in Window Rock, under the auspices of the Navajo Division of Education. The Navajo Nation has extended the authority to administer the test to Diné College, and for the last several years it has been given at DC. The purpose of the NLPT is to measure for a minimum standard of Navajo oral and written literacy for those who will be teaching in Navajo, whether as Navajo Language teacher or Navajo/English bilingual teachers. The AZ and NM Department of Eduation recognizes the results and information from Diné College as the approriate tribal official.

Please note: Both Oral and Written Exam is to be taken on the day of exam and all records/information are to be kept on file. Course grades (NAV301), instructor written letters and/or telephone calls are not acceptable in lieu-off or part of the exam. Diné College NAV301 300 word exams are valued for one-year from class taken. Proficiency in a language literacy (Comprehension, Speaking, Reading, Writing and the Culture of the Language) is required in teaching Foreign Language. Contact the Navajo Language Program for more information.