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Dakota 1 (DAKO 1000)

Total Credits: 5
Lecture Credits: 5

Description: This course provides an introduction to the language and culture of the Dakota people. You will develop basic listening, speaking, reading and writing skills necessary to communicate about self, family, and daily life, as well as basic survival needs. You will also explore cultural aspects of the Dakota speaking world.

Topical Outline:
1. Listening and speaking: Listen and respond to simple dialogues about self, family and daily life through classroom instruction; they will participate in small and large group exchanges discussing themselves, their lives, and other basic cultural and contemporary issues
2. Reading and writing: Analyze and understand the content of basic written materials and write short compositions, journal entries, notes, messages and descriptions using simple sentences
3. Grammar and vocabulary: Learn verb forms, tenses, and more complex sentence structures; they will continue to build their vocabulary on topics like physical descriptions, buildings and locations, weather, clothing, food, and drink
4. Culture: Acquire cultural information for the purpose of understanding and appreciating the products, practices, and perspectives of the traditional and contemporary Dakota culture

Learning Outcomes:
1. Read and write short compositions on familiar topics and be able to discuss level appropriate materials
2. Participate in paired group activities, communicating with memorized, short, simple sentences regarding topics of self-expression, personal matters, cultural and current topics within limits of linguistic ability and understand the spoken language according to the student’s level of proficiency
3. Compare and contrast cultural behaviors in everyday situations and demonstrate awareness of protocol
4. Gain an increased understanding of history, policy, art and music of the culture through the language
5. Use the language beyond the school setting for lifelong learning and for participating in the global community


MnTC: Goal 8: Global Perspectives