Foreign Languages

College of the Desert offers courses in American Sign Language, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish. 

Any student who feels qualified to take a more advanced course than indicated in his prior work will be encouraged to do so by recommendation of the instructor. 

Colleges and universities consider it essential that any student receiving the Bachelor of Arts degree have at least some knowledge of a language and civilization of other cultures. Students who are planning to transfer to a four-year institution should consult their respective catalogs for more specific information.

Advisor: 

Thomas O'Grady
togrady@collegeofthedesert.edu
760.674.7642

Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT)

American Sign Language (ASL)

ASL 001  Elementary American Sign Language I   Units: 5

This course presents the fundamentals of American Sign Language in an intensive method, with many lectures conducted in ASL. Students learn basic grammar and vocabulary of ASL, with an emphasis on both expressive and receptive skills. The history, values, and attitudes of American Deaf culture are explored.
Lecture Hours: 90         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC*                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: C3                 CSU GE: C2                 IGETC: 6A

ASL 002  Elementary American Sign Language II   Units: 5

This course further develops material introduced in American Sign Language 1. Increasingly complex grammar and vocabulary will be introduced, with the class conducted primarily in ASL. Equal focus is placed on expressive and receptive skill development. Students will explore simple Deaf humor and poetry, and examine writings by American Deaf persons to discover values, attitudes, and themes of the American Deaf culture.
Lecture Hours: 90         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: ASL 001 or two years high school American Sign Language
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: C3                 CSU GE: C2                 IGETC: 3B, 6A

ASL 003  Intermediate American Sign Language I   Units: 4

This course continues to develop material introduced in American Sign Language 2. Students expand their sign vocabulary and idioms, develop normal conversational signing speed, and express and receive complex ASL sentences. Students comprehend ASL narratives and develop discourse skills with special emphasis on spatial grammar structures. Students increase Deaf culture awareness through the study of Deaf cultural texts and other concepts.
Lecture Hours: 72         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: ASL 002
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: C3                 CSU GE: C2                 IGETC: 3B, 6A

ASL 004  Intermediate American Sign Language II   Units: 4

This course continues to develop material introduced in ASL 003. Students demonstrate mastery of ASL vocabulary and idioms, complex ASL sentences and fingerspelled loan signs, and develop ASL storytelling skills while refining discourse skills. Students attain conversational speed in fingerspelling. Students comprehend, examine, and discuss ASL literature. Sensitivity to Deaf cultural issues will be extended through the study of Deaf cultural texts and related concepts. The ability to navigate Deaf culture will be demonstrated in the classroom and the Deaf community.
Lecture Hours: 72         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: ASL 003
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: C3                 CSU GE: C2                 IGETC: 3B, 6A

French (FR)

FR 001  Elementary French I   Units: 5

This course presents the fundamentals of French. Fluency in understanding, speaking, reading and writing within the context of the French society and French-speaking countries, history and culture is emphasized.
Lecture Hours: 90         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC*                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: C3                 CSU GE: C2                 IGETC: 6A

FR 002  Elementary French II   Units: 5

This course continues the development of the skills and essentials of the French language begun in FR 1. Fluency in understanding, speaking, reading and writing within the context of French society, history and culture is emphasized.
Lecture Hours: 90         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: FR 001 or 2 years high school French
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: C3                 CSU GE: C2                 IGETC: 6A, 3B

FR 003  Intermediate French I   Units: 4

This course strengthens the students' communication skills in the spoken and written language. Emphasis is on the customs and culture of France and the francophone world. French literature is introduced.
Lecture Hours: 72         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: FR 002
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: C3                 CSU GE: C2                 IGETC: 3B, 6A

FR 004  Intermediate French II   Units: 4

This course expands the students' ability to communicate in French. Emphasis is on the discussion of socio-cultural selections and literature of the French-speaking world.
Lecture Hours: 72         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: FR 003
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: C3                 CSU GE: C2                 IGETC: 3B, 6A

German (GER)

GER 001  Elementary German I   Units: 5

This course presents the fundamentals of German. Fluency in understanding, speaking, reading and writing within the context of the German society, history, and culture is emphasized.
Lecture Hours: 90         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC*                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: C3                 CSU GE: C2                 IGETC: 6A

GER 002  Elementary German II   Units: 5

This course continues the development of the skills and essentials of the German language begun in GER 1. Fluency in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing within the context of the German society, history, and culture is emphasized.
Lecture Hours: 90         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: GER 001 or two years high school German
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: C3                 CSU GE: C2                 IGETC: 3B, 6A

Japanese (JPN)

JPN 001  Elementary Japanese I   Units: 5

This course concentrates on developing basic skills in listening, reading, speaking and writing of Japanese. Emphasis is placed on acquisition of vocabulary, structures and grammatical patterns necessary for comprehension of native spoken and written Japanese at the Novice Low to Novice mid-range of the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. As articulated in Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century. The course also prepares students to be able to demonstrate their proficiencies across the three communication modes: interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational. In addition to communication, the 5 C's of the National Standards for Japanese Language Learning are integrated in instruction. The student will through the coursework to cover the area of cultural competence, connections to other disciplines, comparisons between the Japanese language and culture and those of the students, and the use of the language in multilingual communities beyond the school setting.
Lecture Hours: 90         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC*                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: C3                 CSU GE: C2                 IGETC: 6A

JPN 002  Elementary Japanese II   Units: 5

This is a continuation course of Japanese 1. In this interactive course, students use listening, reading, speaking and writing at a complex level. The students further develop their Japanese proficiencies at the Novice high to Novice mid range of the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines. As articulated in Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century, the course also prepares students to be able to demonstrate their proficiencies across the three communication modes: interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational. In addition to communication, the 5 C's of the National Standards for Japanese Language Learning are integrated in instruction. The student will through the coursework to cover the area of cultural competence, connections to other disciplines, comparisons between the Japanese language and culture and those of the students, and the use of the language in multilingual communities beyond the school setting.
Lecture Hours: 90         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: JPN 001 or two years high school Japanese
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: C3                 CSU GE: C2                 IGETC: 3B, 6A

Spanish (SPAN)

SPAN 001  Elementary Spanish I   Units: 5

This course presents the fundamentals of Spanish. Fluency in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing within the context of Hispanic society, history, and culture is emphasized. (C-ID SPAN 100)
Lecture Hours: 90         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC*                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: C3                 CSU GE: C2                 IGETC: 6A

SPAN 002  Elementary Spanish II   Units: 5

This course builds upon the material presented in SPAN 1 and further develops the conversational skills in confirming and correcting information and using correct response behaviors. Fluency in understanding, speaking, reading and writing within the context of Hispanic society, history and culture is emphasized. (C-ID SPAN 110)
Lecture Hours: 90         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: SPAN 001 or 2 years high school Spanish
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: C3                 CSU GE: C2                 IGETC: 3B, 6A

SPAN 003  Intermediate Spanish I   Units: 4

This course strengthens the students'communication skills in the spoken and written language. Emphasis is on the customs and culture of the Hispanic world. Hispanic literature is introduced. (C-ID SPAN 200)
Lecture Hours: 72         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: SPAN 002
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: C3                 CSU GE: C2                 IGETC: 3B, 6A

SPAN 004  Intermediate Spanish II   Units: 4

This course expands the students' ability to communicate in Spanish. Emphasis is on the discussion of socio-cultural selections and literature of the Hispanic- speaking world. (C-ID SPAN 210)
Lecture Hours: 72         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: SPAN 003
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: C3                 CSU GE: C2                 IGETC: 3B, 6A

SPAN 020  Hispanic/Latino Culture & Civilization   Units: 3

Traces the development of the culture of Hispanic-speaking nations including history, philosophy, political ideas, literature, music, art, science, geography, and customs and its influence on America and the world. Conducted in Spanish. Fluency in Spanish is required
Lecture Hours: 54         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: SPAN 003 or SPAN 004
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: C3                 CSU GE: C2, D3                 IGETC: 3B,4C,6A

SPAN 021  Spanish for Heritage Speakers I   Units: 5

This course introduces Heritage Speakers of Spanish to the demands of reading and writing in the academic setting, as well as, building global competence. A Heritage Speaker is defined as someone who speaks and understands the heritage language (in this case Spanish) and who is to some degree bilingual in English and the heritage language (Valdes, G. 2001). Students learn the basics of critical thinking and research techniques as they apply to the three modes of communication: presentational (speaking, writing), interpretative (listening and reading), and interpersonal (speaking and writing). Students then learn to apply the different types of writing such as expository, persuasive, descriptive, and narrative in response to their analysis of literary works. (C-ID SPAN 220)
Lecture Hours: 90         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: SPAN 003 or Heritage Speaker of Spanish or equivalent
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: C3                 CSU GE: C2                 IGETC: 3B, 6A

SPAN 022  Spanish for Heritage Speakers II   Units: 5

This course exposes Heritage Speakers of Spanish to the demands of literary analysis and film critique in the academic setting, as well as, building global competence. A heritage speaker is defined as someone who speaks and understands the heritage language (in this case Spanish) and who is to some degree bilingual in English and the heritage language (Valdes, G. 2001). Students advance their critical thinking and research techniques as they apply to the three modes of communication: presentational (speaking, writing), interpretative (listening and reading), and interpersonal (speaking and writing). Students then learn to evaluate verbally and in writing various aspects of narrative (short story and novel), poetry, drama, and film critique in response to their analysis of literary works and film screenings. (C-ID SPAN 230)
Lecture Hours: 90         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: SPAN 021 or Heritage Speaker of Spanish or equivalent
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: C3                 CSU GE: C2, D                 IGETC: 3B,4,6A

SPAN 024  Latin American Short Story   Units: 4

This course introduces students to the Latin American short story, through critical discussion and analysis of the genre's elements, structure, devices, and meanings. Students will read a substantial and representative collection of short stories, all while considering the genre's characteristics and its relationship to other literary genres. Focus is primarily in the twentieth and/or twenty-first century.
Lecture Hours: 72         Lab Hours: None          Repeatable: No
Grading: Letter
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: SPAN 021 and SPAN 022
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: CSU/UC                 Degree Applicable: AA/AS
COD GE: C3                 CSU GE: C2                 IGETC: 3B

SPAN 325A  Translating in Spanish in the School Environment   Units: 0

This course provides a basic training in translating in Spanish to students who are interested in pursuing a career as translators in the school environment. It also supports students who are already working as translators in this field but need the appropriate training. This course will be conducted in both Spanish and English. Students need to take a proficiency exam in Spanish and English as a requirement to be enrolled in the course.
Noncredit Hours: 16                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

SPAN 325B  Interpreting in Spanish in the School Environment   Units: 0

This course provides a basic training in interpreting in Spanish to students who are interested in pursuing a career as interpreters in the school environment. It also supports students who are already working as interpreters in different school settings but need the appropriate training. This course will be conducted in both Spanish and English.
Noncredit Hours: 16                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: SPAN-325A
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

SPAN 326A  Translating in Spanish in Health Care   Units: 0

This course provides a basic training in translating in Spanish to students who are interested in pursuing a career as translators in health care. It also supports students who are already working as translators in this field but need the appropriate training. This course will be conducted in both Spanish and English. Students need to take a proficiency exam in Spanish and English as a requirement to be enrolled in the course.
Noncredit Hours: 16                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: None
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None

SPAN 326B  Interpreting in Spanish in Health Care   Units: 0

This course provides a basic training in interpreting in Spanish to students who are interested in pursuing a career as interpreters in health care. It also supports students who are already working as interpreters in different health care settings but need the appropriate training. This course will be conducted in both Spanish and English.
Noncredit Hours: 16                                        Repeatable: Yes
Grading: Pass/No Pass
Prerequisite: SPAN-326A
Advisory: None
Limitation on enrollment: None
Transfer Status: None                 Degree Applicable: NONC
COD GE: None                 CSU GE: None                 IGETC: None