Courses Description

HU 101 - Communication Skills

Communication Skills aims at enabling the first semester students to exchange ideas effectively in English. It empowers them to express themselves in familiar contexts, and to deal in professional settings. This course covers language required for simple but effective communication socially and professionally by using grammatical structures in context and employing relevant vocabulary. It works on the four main skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) through interaction with students and the teacher in individual, pair and group work. Emphasis is laid on public speaking and presentation skills. Learners are given opportunities to research and present on various topics.

HU 102 - Skillful Reading and Writing

Students require a grasp of English language to comprehend texts as organic whole, to interact with reasonable ease in structured situations and to comprehend and construct academic discourse. The course focuses on enabling students to critically synthesize and analyse texts to develop reasoned arguments persuasively. The course aims to build up students' study skills, identification of various text types, skills for analyzing documents, and reporting incidents.

HU 103 - Communication Skills

In this course, students are taught basic communication skills so that they can convey their ideas and exchange information in familiar and unfamiliar contexts. Their oral communication will be developed through a focus on presentation skills and public speaking through lab work. The written communication concentrates on improving their correspondence skills in persuasive applications, official letters, and project proposals. They are also introduced to techniques of research and presentation of results.

HU 104 - Technical Writing

This is a specialized course to enable students to understand the technical writing style to incorporate in their project proposals, research reports and operation manuals. Based on published research, the course will lay emphasis on developing students' report writing skills, summaries and abstracts, descriptive and analytical writing, and presentation of findings and conclusions. The formats and layouts of reports, citation of references, bibliography, etc. will be included in this course.

HU 105 - Technical English

This is a two credit-hour course especially designed for students of engineering to develop their technical communication skills. The course includes the writing processes, official correspondence, writing instructions, creating manuals and reporting information. They will also learn how to write and present project proposals, convert information from visuals to report and vice versa.

HU 113 - Introduction to Psychology

This course familiarizes students with theories, research findings and concepts that describe and explain human mind and behaviour. It attempts to prepare students for studying people in the organizational context and to understand its vital factors and processes. As a field of study, psychology relates to basic concepts of perception, learning, memory, motivation and stress. Areas of psychological disorders and key social dynamics are also covered in this course.

HU 115 - Pakistan Studies

This two-credit hour course highlights religious, cultural, political and economic aspects of Pakistan as a nation. It prepares students to understand the religious identity and ideology of Pakistan amongst the comity of nations. It also instills into the young minds a strong feeling of Muslim nationalism, and justification for the demand of Pakistan. Students are encouraged to look at issues of justice, peace, gender and discrimination and Constitution of Pakistan and determine their roles as effective citizens.

HU 118 - Islamic Studies

This is a two-credit hour course that is designed to help students understand the fundamental of Islamic creed. It aims to create awareness among the students regarding Quran, Sunnah, and the socio-economic and moral system of Islam. Students are encouraged to analyze the significance of religion in the practical situations by looking at the political and economic system of Islam, and study various other aspects of Islamic social life like tolerance and moral conduct.

HU 201 - Business Communication I

Communicating with colleagues and customers effectively, writing letters, memos, preparing meeting agendas and minutes, preparing professional presentations are routine activities in any business environment. The focus of this course is to develop strong foundations of business communication right from an early stage of the program. At this level the students are taught the basics of reading and writing as well as the art of non-verbal communication. At the same time they are trained to make formal presentations as well as are required to work in different groups in order to sharpen their interpersonal skills.

HU 202 - Business Communication II

This is an advanced course in Business Communication. Team building communication, leadership communication skills, advanced negotiation skills, dealing with conflicts are some of the important areas of this course. At this level students are presented with problem-solving tasks through complex business case studies. This challenging aspect further hones their communication and interpersonal skills in developing effective solutions for a real-time business challenge. Developing the accuracy of expression in technical writing, and presenting their analyses is also focused upon.

HU 214 - Introduction to Sociology

This course is designed to open those windows onto social life that could enable students to see the vital effects of group membership on their lives. The course stimulates the imagination so that students can better perceive how the pieces of society fit together and what that means in their own lives.

HU 304 - Technical Report Writing

This is a two credit-hour advanced course of technical writing to assist students with their detailed writing projects and theses according to the Air University Thesis Format. Students will be guided to understand the format of reports with the help of research work published in their discipline. Abstracts, summaries, citation of references, bibliography, and layout of reports will be included in this course.

HU 312 - Career Management

This course introduces students to some relevant skills they need, to survive in any profession. These survival skills are: self analysis, team working, negotiation, networking, problem-solving, presentation skills, project management, application skills, interview skills, etc. This course introduces students to current ideas about how organizations and individuals are trying to manage the problems created by the new rules of the workplace through career management. The aim is to acquaint them with the process through which individuals and organizations jointly plan, guide, direct, and influence people's careers to meet the individual's and the organization's future needs. It also introduces students to the concepts and theories underlying career development and management. Students will develop knowledge about processes by which individuals guide, direct, and influence the course of their careers. They will be enabled to understand a developmental model and theories of career management, consider issues related to career development such as career decision making, job stress, work/family roles, and social adjustments. Furthermore, this course will allow students to relate career management concepts to the development of their own careers.

HU 313 - Industrial psychology

This course will introduce methods, practice, research, and theories of Industrial Psychology. It is a sub-discipline of psychology specifically applied to the workplace. This 16 week course includes topics such as human growth and development, role of family, human resource management, intelligence and its manifestations, human motivations, behavioural psychology, etc. The critical evaluation of theories and methods is an important aspect of the course. Both real-world applications and research is emphasized throughout the course. While the course is mostly in the form of lectures, student discussion and participation is strongly encouraged.

HU 315 - Environmental studies

This course introduces students to environmental studies by focusing on the broad aspects of environmental science and environmental studies. It includes aspects of environmental and industrial pollution, human causes leading to environmental change in which sociological, psychological, anthropological, historical, ecological, economical, political and moral perspectives are examined. It also includes environmental issues of Pakistan specifically, leading to discussions on the probable solutions.

HU 316 - International Relations / International Politics

This course gives students an introduction to the theoretical background of International Relations and examines a range of contemporary and historical topics through which it is possible to explore the behaviours of states and international organizations. The course will also give students an awareness of the theory and practice of international relations and to provide them with a structure within which to understand international events. The main areas of theory will be covered and these will be related to the changing international environment in which they are developed. Major themes will include national interest, realism, ideology, Pakistan's relations with major world powers and Gulf, Pakistan and regional organizations, etc. It will also include an overview of key theories of International Politics. Students will be able to reach a balanced conclusion on the major political issues and to consider the extent to which political rules determine our life choices.

HU 317 - Interpersonal Skills/ Public relations

This course is designed to increase students, self-awareness and improve the way they relate to others in order to work more effectively and to sustain high quality working relationships. Participants will learn how to adopt a helpful attitude towards others, experience ways of expressing themselves more clearly and effectively at work especially when facing work situations which cause them stress. The course will introduce the students to the basic elements and principles of public relations. The student will be able to execute basic public relations research, develop a basic public relations plan, implement components of that plan and evaluate the results. Students will critically analyze public relations press releases, newsletters, brochures, speeches, and other persuasive channels.

HU 318 - Pakistani Literature in English

This course will explore the distinct qualities of Pakistan literature in English. The shared qualities of Urdu and English literature and its changing trends are to be discovered in the backdrop of the Pakistani writers and novelists writing in English on various themes.

HU 319 - Urdu Literature

The course presents an introduction to various disciplines of Urdu Literature with the development and growth of the language itself. It begins with an overview political and social history of the subcontinent as it influenced the making of language and the birth of its literature. Students will study the various works of prominent writers as a medium to understand the structure and components of different genres. The course would focus on developing an appreciation of the creative richness of the language, creating awareness about the literary heritage of this region, creating awareness about traditional and modern trends in writing and helping students discover their own potential and interest in the subject.

HU 330- History of Islamic Scientists

This course aims to introduce students to the noteworthy developments in the past by Muslim scientists and how they have contributed to the world of science in various fields during the Islamic Golden Age and will be given awareness how Muslim scholars made significant advances in science , mathematics, medicine, astronomy, engineering and many other fields.

HU 341 - Contemporary International Relations

This is a two credit hour course for students of engineering departments who need such courses to fulfill the requirement of syllabus proposed by HEC. This will combine introduction to fundamentals of IR and some theories and policies in the current world scenario.

HU 410 - Energy and Society

A primary objective of this course is to take these two factors into account to understand the ways in which society does and should deal with energy. We will look at the sources and the uses of energy, and the strategies available to us to deal with the declining availability of fuels. Ideas from energy conservation, energy efficiency and alternative forms of energy will be explored in some detail. We will consider the impacts of global climate change, and the resultant concerns with carbon management, on energy and society. We will consider the ways in which human habitation and built form--both as cities and as buldings--affect and are affected by energy use. We will look at the pollution impacts of energy. We will explore the ways in which food production and consumption affect energy. The course would discuss how energy affects society and how does society relate to energy. Energy and Society is about individuals making a difference. Collectively that difference can have a significant impact on our production of reliable, clean, affordable energy.

HU 412 - Public speaking

This course covers the theory and practice of public speaking. The course guides students through topic selection, organization, language, and delivery. It includes the elements of spoken English, remedial aspects for Pakistani speakers, the essentials of rhetoric, language discourse, aspects of nonverbal communications, etc. This course provides instruction and experience in preparation and delivery of speeches within a public setting and group discussion. Working independently and with peer groups, students will be actively involved in every step of the process of public speaking preparation and execution.

HU 414 -Comparative religions

Comparative Religion examines the spiritual quest of humankind, especially as it has manifested itself in the world's living religions. These include Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and other less familiar traditions. The concepts offer an opportunity to gain a solid grasp of the key ideas of religion itself, faith, practices, and organization. It's an exploration that can strengthen the interpersonal understanding that underlies our daily relationships, enhance our perception of events in a diverse world, and deepen our appreciation of our own beliefs and the traditions followed by others. It will also help discover the significance of religious thought and practice in the backdrop of human problems over the history of mankind.

HU 416 - Ethics

The purpose of the course is to communicate theoretical, practical insights and developments in the fields of ethics. The students learn the characteristics of ethical issues in different fields. It includes theory of ethics, core areas of ethics, cultural relativism and religious approaches to ethics, etc.

HU 419 - Defense and strategic studies

This is one of the core courses that provide's the students an understanding of various dimensions of warfare in the conventional and nuclear context. It focuses on the evolution of Strategic Studies and the concepts associated with problems of war and peace. It also introduces the social science students to the developments in science and technology that have had an impact on the approaches to security over the ages and the changes in weapon systems and the method of warfare.

HU 425 - Foreign language courses

Learning a new foreign language or expanding language skills can open many doors in this age of globalization. Keeping this fact in mind different foreign language courses are being offered. The courses tend to offer many opportunities for interaction with both fellow students and faculty members along with the proficient skill development. Optional languages will include Arabic, French and Chinese. If there is sufficient number of students who may want to opt for some other languages, depending on the available sources the course may be offered.

HU 430 - History of Science

This is an elective course that aims to help build students understanding of how science developed since the Greek philosophers started exploring nature and empirical methods. The course explores development of the explorations by the Muslim scientists, scientific methods in the Middle Ages and the scientific revolution that took place in the 16th and 17th century Europe, and current developments in the modern age.

HU 601 - Phonetics and Phonology

This course covers human sounds in language with special reference to English; the history of phonetics; influences from other languages; reconstructions of earlier forms of English, Old, Middle, Early Modern, Modern; sound shifts, oscillation between related consonants/ between voiced and unvoiced consonants, stress shifts, recent American influence; traditional British RP; the IPA ; suprasegmentals, stress, intonation, duration, pause, elision.

HU 602 - General linguistics

An overview of the origins and functions of language is made in this course: it covers topics like language families, language and thought, factors in communication and the development of alphabetic and writing systems; It includes introductions to the main branches of theoretical linguistics, phonology (covered in detail in HU 601), morphology, syntax and semantics/pragmatics; also introductions are given to sociolinguistics and psycholinguistics (covered in depth in HU 610 and HU 611).

HU 603 - Critical theories and Research

The focus of this course is on modern theories and criticism; it explores relationships and representations and distinguishes between theory and criticism; developments since the beginning of the twentieth century are included; Russian Formalism, Anglo-American New Criticism, French Structuralism, Poststructuralism and Deconstruction; the major theories are discussed in the context of their application to various aspects of research in the humanities and social sciences.

HU 604 - Research methodologies

This course addresses the needs of novice researchers in the social sciences, with particular focus on linguistic and literary studies; it facilitates student learning through lectures, seminars and a strong practical component; students are encouraged to participate, present their ideas and think their way through the processes and paradigms of modern research.

HU 606 - Critical discourse analysis

An core course on discourse studies, critical discourse and discourse analysis that aims to give an overview to students of the various theories and methods associated with linguistic and sociological analysis. The systematic approaches are to enhance students' skills to study literary texts, draw comparisons, and analyse and evaluate materials and situations. This is an interdisciplinary course which will facilitate students of linguistics and literary studies to the historical background, concepts and methodological approaches of critical discourse analysis.

HU 606 - Introduction to Critical Discourse Analysis

This interdisciplinary course covers discourse studies, critical discourse and discourse analysis; various theories and methods relevant to linguistic and sociological analysis are studied. With its strong practical component, this course is designed to facilitate students of linguistic and literary studies to a deeper understanding of the historical background, concepts and methodological approaches of critical discourse analysis.

HU 607 - Modern Literature

Students who wish to pursue research in literature and literary studies are encouraged to opt for this course. Tracing the various trends in literature over the centuries, this course aims to discuss the themes and issues emerging in modern world literature. Various genres of literature emanating from different parts of the world are included with special focus on literatures written in English.

HU 608 - Language Teaching; Theory, Research and Practice

This course includes teaching approaches, methods and practices, and implications for research in Pakistan; general and language learning theories are discussed, together with related interests in classroom techniques, curriculum development, course/syllabus design, study material development and assessment and evaluation procedures relevant to language learning.

HU 608 - Language teaching: Theory, research and practice

This course is offered in full module and intends to facilitate students' understanding of language teaching theories and research implications. The course includes general theories of learning; LAD/LAS, Universal Grammar; traditional approaches, GT method (still common in Pakistan), strengths and weaknesses; transference theory; comparative analyses; mechanistic approaches, deductive (rule-eg) and inductive (eg-rule), audio-lingual, mim-mem, audio-visual methods; habituation, skill development, pattern drilling; mentalistic approaches; cognitive theories; natural acquisition and formal learning. It also includes a detailed analysis of combining different approaches and factors; communicative theory and derived methodology¿communicative competence, silent way, interactive community, subliminal, monitor, eclecticism, and their implication in the language classroom of today.

HU 609 - Systemic Functional Linguistics

This course facilitates a discussion in theoretical linguistics; it is designed to enable advanced students of linguistic research to become fully conversant with the notions of Systemic Functional Linguistics which lies in the mainstream of British linguistics, in contrast to Chomskian Linguistics and other structuralist approaches of the American school.

HU 609 - Systemic functional grammar

This is full module course to facilitate a dissertation in theoretical linguistics. The course is designed to enable advanced studies of linguistic research to become fully conversant with notions of Systemic Functional Grammar which is the mainstream of British Linguistics, in contrast to Chomsikian Linguistics and other structural approaches of American Linguistics

HU 610 - Stylistics

Offered in full module, this course of stylistics is studied as a branch of applied linguistics which includes stylometrics; it is the application of insights derived from linguistics to the study and interpretation of literature. Stylistics can provide workable approaches for the comprehension of text; it has a bridging function between language and literature. The course includes the essentials of linguistics in phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics and pragmatics for students of stylistics; selection restriction rules; the elements of style; historical and contemporary ideas; the analysis of text; the analysis of discourse; kinds of deviation, diversion and digression and their effects on the comprehension of literary works. The use of common devices such as simile, metaphor, metonymy, synecdoche, asyndeton, zeugma, repetition, rhetorical question, etc., in everyday language and literature will be explored.

HU 611 - Sociolinguistics

The study of language enhances one's understanding of the social, political and ethical dimensions of society; this course explores the development of language standards, dialects, registers, pidgins, creoles and the effects of language planning and official policy. It includes topics like language accommodation of groups in contact, bilingualism, lingua francas and the changing status of English are covered.

HU 612 - Psycholinguistics

This course covers essential elements in the study of the relationship between linguistics and psychology; both disciplines are wide, touching upon most areas of human thinking, feeling and acting; the observations of writers such as de Saussure, Bloomfield, Boas, Sapir, Whorf and Chomsky are discussed. This course includes questions of origin, animal communication, speech centers in the brain, child language acquisition, receptive and productive skills, speech act theory, aphasias, dyslexia, therapy, the relation between language, personality and thinking and possibilities in experimentation and laboratory work.

HU 613 - Language and identity

This is designed to facilitate students who are curious about the formation of identity through linguistic dispositions. Language lies at the center of social organization at different levels. It helps humans to cooperate, plan and remember things. Language can also create wide gaps between groups and communities. Issues like language choice, social mobility, economic advantage, prestige, esteem and the construction of group, regional and national identities are included in this course.

HU 614 - Grammatical Models

This course provides students an understanding of traditional ideas of grammatical models including early and Latinate models. Also covered are separate language grammars, English grammar, synthetic and analytic languages, linguistic descriptive models, transformational generative models, a systemic grammatical model, Firthian grammar, contextualization and functional grammar. These models are explored and compared with current usage

HU 615 - Pakistani English

The development of non-native varieties; historical overview, world English(es), chaos theory, the introduction of English to this region; early incentives and compulsions; the situation today; the effects of first language interference--transference and the development of Pakistani dialects of English; phonological, morphological, syntactic and semantic deviations; questions of acceptability at national and international levels, standardization, indigenization and reverse influence are discussed.

HU 616 - Postcolonial studies

This course is designed to assist students interested in post-structural and postcolonial studies. The political and cultural structures of the postcolonial societies are studied in relation to the language use and literature written in and about postcolonial countries. The course includes an overview of the main contributors to postcolonial writing, theory and criticism.

HU 701 - Postcolonial Discourse

This course is designed to assist students who are interested in post-structural and postcolonial studies. Orientalism both traditional and modern is included; political, linguistic and cultural structures of postcolonial societies are studied in the context of language use and literature written in and about postcolonial countries. The course includes an overview of the main contributors to postcolonial writing, theory and criticism.

HU 702 - Advanced Stylistics

Literary critics sometimes complain that stylistics does not help with the appreciation of literary texts, while linguists complain that literary criticism does not help with the appreciation of linguistic interests; going beyond basic stylistics, advanced stylistics seeks to explicate texts within a wider context while still maintaining its primary bearings in the functions, forms and usage of language; practicum with selected literary works.

HU 703 - World Literatures/ Literature in Translation

This course provides perspectives outside the dominant Anglo-Saxon tradition and stream. It provides an overview of major works in translation from non-English speaking writers; selected Russian fiction writers of the nineteenth and twentieth century; magic realism, selected South American fiction writers; South Asian literature in translation; selected Pakistani poets and writers in Urdu (or other languages) in translation.

HU 704 - Research in Humanities and Social Sciences

This course is designed for researchers taking up PhD research work in the social sciences with a particular focus on linguistic and literary studies; this course facilitates student learning through lectures, seminars and a strong practical component where the students have to do a small project; students are encouraged to participate, present their ideas and think their way through the processes and paradigms of modern research. Students practice reviewing the previous literature, writing the introduction and the purpose statement, asking the right research questions, stating the research hypotheses, using a linguistic theory to analyze research data, defining the major terms used in the study, setting in clear terms the limits of the research being conducted, stating the significance of carrying the research., and using varied sources useful to the topic of research. The students also explore different types of research methods and their procedures, including the use of statistical tests to determine the significance of their research results.

HU 705 - Shakespearean Studies

Shakespeare is studied as a poet and dramatist through selected works in the context (a) of the Elizabethan age and (b) of his continuing relevance to English speakers today. The challenges to his authorship are discussed; his contribution to the English language is noted; two tragedies and two comedies form the core material of this course.

HU 706 - Critical Discourse Analysis

This interdisciplinary course is an expansion of HU 606 course that covers discourse studies, critical discourse and discourse analysis; various theories and methods relevant to linguistic and sociological analysis are studied; with its strong practical component where the students have to do a small project, this course is designed to facilitate students of linguistic and literary studies to a deeper understanding of the historical background, concepts and methodological approaches of critical discourse analysis. Students explore various discourses such as: media discourse, political discourse, workplace discourse, academic discourse, scientific discourse, literary discourse and also work on genre analysis.

HU 707 - Pakistani Literature in English

Selected writings in English by Pakistani authors in full-length fiction and poetry are studied. The course includes questions of themes. the choice of language, the appropriation of language, the purpose or purposes of writing in English, local and foreign readers of Pakistani writings, code-mixing, multiculturalism and deviant usage are discussed; the diaspora and Pakistani writings abroad are also covered; selections from three novelists (two based in Pakistan and one abroad) and three poets form the core material of this course.

HU 708 - Literature of North America

The largest group of speakers of English in the world lies in North America today. The course discusses short history, early European influences; independence, expansion of frontiers, industrial and political development; new themes and interests; linguistic influences and development; selected writings; short stories, longer fiction, prose, drama and poetry; the American contribution and influence; criticism, theory and practice.

HU 709 - Translation Studies

This course discusses the primary implications of translation; historical reportage of spoken forms, old texts, interpretive constraints, changes in meaning, absence of situational, gestural and non-verbal reinforcement, cultural implications, crusts of meaning, connotation and denotation, situations, contexts, differences in language, differences in perception and understanding , meanings and effects generated by non-representative features of language, theories of translation and practical approaches.

HU 715 - Corpus Linguistics

The course discusses Corpus' Area and scope; importance for language reference, delineation and planning; application in applied linguistics; selection restriction, collocation; corpus development within a given social context; approaches and methods.

HU 716 - Computational Linguistics

Language and machines; artificial intelligence, linguistic machines, robotics, machine translation and related interests are discussed in this course; it includes sociological, national and international dimensions, advantages and disadvantages, linguistic change and also implications, not only for present assumptions about literacy and numeracy as linguistic and educational tools, but also for the psychology of the individual and for society as a whole.

HU 717 - Feminist Linguistics

Feminism in some form or the other is probably as old as the human race itself; of primary interest here are the writings of feminists in the second half of the twentieth century; these showed how deeply-etched attitudes embedded in many major world languages perpetuated and reinforced negative perceptions of women; feminist writings contributed to what is known as ‘political correctness,’ greater care in the use of language in order to avoid exacerbating gender and social sensitivities in discourse.

HU 718 - Language Planning and Education

Language is the primary tool for the acquisition of knowledge—status and corpus planning; the link between language and education in general is highlighted; a brief overview of official policy in Pakistan since its inception is included; ideology, early planning, changing emphases for Urdu, English and the regional languages, language policy, successes, partial successes and failures in implementation are evaluated; the present position and implications for education in the country are also discussed.

HU 719 - Language and Power

Language is an important tool of power and commerce. This course includes: governance and language; manipulation; analyses of selected political speeches; analyses of advertising and commercial propaganda; the language of untruth, linguistic smokescreens; ambiguity, the language of negation, innuendo and suggestion, suggestio falsi, suppressio veri; language as an individual or social construct rather than as a reliable reflection of reality; the rhetoric of power; how language uses people--guiding pathways of thinking, suggestibility, subliminal influence; the force of linguistic labels, linguistic categorization and the psychology of power; softening and demonizing things through language—cultural sensitivities, euphemisms, dysphemisms.

HU 720 - Advanced Grammatical Models

Traditional ideas are discussed in this course, starting from old prescriptive, Latinate models; grammar as a tool of language learning; kinds of languages (synthetic, analytic, agglutinative, etc), linguistic descriptive grammar, transformational-generative grammar, systemic grammar, Firthian models, functional grammar and contextualism are included; the potential of these models for teaching/learning languages is explored and compared with approaches in vogue in Pakistan today; has the situation improved?

HU 721 - Philosophy of Language

This course expands on the writings of philosophers over the centuries; the ancient Greeks and Romans; traditional logic; rhetoric in the classical age; in the middle ages; German thinkers, Novalis, the Schlegels, Herder, others; British thinkers, Locke, Hume, Berkeley, others; logical positivism, Wittgenstein, Russell, others; human thinking and language; logical fallacies generated by language; language and theories of knowledge; language as the primary tool of knowledge.

HU 722 - Language Learning & Teaching Paradigms

The purpose of this course is to provide a sequence of readings and learning experiences that will enable consistent application of theories of learning in designing classroom learning experiences, developing a classroom learning community, and assessing progress towards the expected student learning outcomes. Primary theories and perspectives related to learning, including behavioral, developmental, cognitive, social cognitive, socio-cultural, and constructivist learning theories will be covered. In addition, we examine how these different theories address student assessment, motivation, self-regulation, and classroom management. Course contents include: Guiding principles and methodology in a variety of approaches to the teaching of second languages; impact of culture, socioeconomic level and educational background on language and literacy development as well as human development processes and variations. Also included are skills in motivation and communication.

HU 723 - Cognitive Linguistics

Cognitive Linguistics is the study of the mind through language and the study of language as a cognitive function. The course focuses on studying how cognitive mechanisms like memory, categorization, attention, and imagery are used during language behavior; and understanding psychologically viable models of language that cover broad ranges of linguistic phenomena, including idioms and figurative language. Research in Cognitive Linguistics is multidisciplinary; evidence is drawn from text analysis, language acquisition, language change, psycholinguistic experimentation, and brain imaging, among other sources. The purpose of this course is to provide a general orientation in Cognitive Linguistics, an understanding of its central themes and assumptions, and exposure to its empirical methods.

HU 91E - Functional English Level 1

Students who have completed 10 years of education [in their native language] are eligible to apply for this course. It is assumed that these students have a working knowledge of English language so that they follow the instructions in the classroom. Their vocabulary is limited and they cannot identify everyday items in the target language. They cannot form words by joining letters. Their reading exposure is limited (4-5 lettered words only). And if they can read they usually pronounce monosyllabic words correctly but have difficulty with disyllable and trisyllable words. They are not able to continue a conversation only in the target language and may code-switch from their first language to English by using a word or expression and therefore cannot sustain a conversation in the target language. They may distinguish between upper and lower cases, but would not be able to use them appropriately in their writings. All such difficulties will be dealt with in this course.

HU 92E - Functional English Level 2

Students who have completed 12 years of formal education in their native language are eligible to apply for this course. Their secondary school education included English as a compulsory subject. Their communication in English comprises of broken sentences, and incomplete thought in the target language. They do possess a passive vocabulary of everyday items and expressions but are not able to connect thought to speech in the target language. They can form words of 6-7 letters but are unable to always structure a correct sentence. They have limited knowledge/understanding of transitional devices and this hampers their productivity at intra- and inter-sentential level. They may be able to read a text with simple vocabulary, but may not always comprehend it. They find it difficult to speak/pronounce words with disyllable and trisyllables. Code-switching due to better vocabulary is far more frequent than at the first level. Ability to build sentences in the target language is still limited. This course would help learners in all such aforementioned issues.

HU 94E - Conversation Skills in English

Students who have completed at least 10 years of formal education are eligible to apply for this course. This course specifically addresses the need of learners who want to improve their conversation skills in English. They find it difficult to communicate in English due to reasons including: insufficient exposure to English language, dependence on first language to learn second/foreign language, reluctance due to lack of confidence, limited practice and absence of motivational factors. Due to these factors learners hamper at the intra- and inter-sentential level. This course will provide exposure to students in the target language through the direct method to reduce code-switching by providing conducive environment. The course targets at giving confidence to speakers and developing their presentation skills in English language through a variety of activities.

HU 95E - Advanced Oral Communication

The course of Advanced Oral Communication (AOC) is designed to help learners who have insufficient exposure to English language reduce their dependence on the first language to learn and produce the language. In addition to it the learners find it difficult to sustain accuracy as well as fluency when they are dealing with debatable issues. ÊTo cater to these problems AOC is designed to provide information and opportunities to practice the skill in a variety of settings (relationships, groups, and public); direct method is used to reduce code switching, learners are supposed to present as individuals and as members of a small/large groups to build up their confidence, and audio/video aids are used along with numerous other activities to motivate learners to speak. Furthermore, visits to Language Lab are a constant feature of the course that enables learners to improve pronunciation, listening skills and make them independent learners.

HU 97E - Certificate of Technical English

Students who have completed 12 years of formal education are eligible to apply for this course. The course particularly aims at addressing the needs of professionals who are at different stages of their career. Students can understand the basic language structure and are capable of formulating simple sentences in English, using simple expressions of everyday vocabulary and communicating English in the colloquial language. They find it difficult to understand a complex text as an organic whole due to limited readings and less opportunities to critically analyze texts in the target language. The course would help those who need to understand the correct use of technical vocabulary, the writing process, and application of technical documents like official letters, memos, emails, etc. The students will be given practice of language mechanics including aspects of grammar and their usage. Contextual comprehension will also be focused.

HU 98E - Diploma in Technical English

Students who have completed 14 years of formal education and are recruits of some organization are the best candidates for this course. This course will enable learners to use English at advanced levels in business correspondence, technical presentations and field projects. Learners who join this course find it difficult to apply contextually to their vocabulary to technical documents. Students are given practice to strengthen their skills in writing persuasive letters of advanced level, proposals, and feasibility, progress and research reports. They are also guided how to be effective participants and presenters in formal meetings. Through projects/case studies students will be encouraged to learn problem-solving and information-processing.