Introduced for the first time this year, FMU offered MOLA 100: Introduction to Language and Culture.
The class, started and taught by modern languages (MOLA) professor Elizabeth Zahnd, focuses on introducing students to the languages, cultures and histories of French and Spanish peoples.
“As a program, MOLA decided there is a need to teach culture to young people today,” Zahnd said. “Teaching culture and basic language structures to better prepare them and help them engage in language classes.”
The course touches on many different topics such as art, music, sociology, philosophy and literature among other issues.
MOLA 100 has been designed to not only teach students about French and Spanish culture and history, but also to develop the students’ cultural awareness and attempt to engage them in other departments via cultures other than their own.
“I bring in a lot of guest speakers from other programs such as history, Spanish, mass comm., business, or biology, not just to peak interest in languages but in hopes that students will like other subjects too,” Zahnd said. “The point is to expose students to different fields and see if something sparks interest. To me, a lot of this is about building connections between people, cultures, and fields of study and sparking student interest in the world”
Students in the course have had the opportunity to participate in a number of cultural events on campus such as the Dia de los Muertos altar contest, recreating art from a French artist in their own style, preparing and sampling dishes from different cultures and even learning how to dance traditional Latin dances.
Not only does this course benefit students academically, but it creates connections with other students and with professors.
“I share what I know with students but students share what they know with me and each other,” Zahnd said. “To me, a lot of this is about bullying connections between people, cultures and fields of study and sparking student interest in the world. Meaningfulness and intentionality is such an important thing.”
Students searching to get their BA at FMU can take advantage of this class and shorten the time in which it takes to get their degree by taking this course before, after, or along with their language classes. This class, along with other language classes, can enhance any degree and increase job opportunities for students as well as improve their cultural awareness in their social, academic and business lives.
As for future MOLA 100 classes, there will be opportunities to take the class in the Spring of 2024 as well as in future semesters. There is also potential for other MOLA classes at a higher level, travel studies and working with other professors and programs for more interdisciplinary courses.
Zahnd has a PhD in interdisciplinary French with a sub-focus on Spanish and Afro-Caribbean culture and international relations. More information about the Modern Languages department can be found on the FMU website. More information about the MOLA 100 course and future courses of the same sort can be found by contacting Zahnd.