Foundation Year
Students with no previous background in Hindi or Urdu enter HUF through our Foundation Year, a preparatory year of Hindi or Urdu study (at UT Austin) usually capped by a summer intensive course at the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS) in Jaipur, India. Scholarships are usually awarded for the summer intensive. Provided Foundation Year students reach an intermediate level of fluency by the end of their summer intensive, they will enter first-year HUF classes at the beginning of their sophomore year.
| Semester | Course Number | Course Title | Credits |
| Fall | HIN 506 | First-Year Hindi I
HIN 506 | First-Year Hindi IThis course teaches the four language skills — listening, speaking reading, and writing — through a carefully structured combination of class-work, drills & conversations, role-plays, homework and projects. Required text: Rupert Snell, Teach Yourself Hindi, 2003 or later. Suggested dictionary: Rupert Snell, Teach Yourself Hindi Dictionary, 2004. |
5 |
| or URD 506 | First-Year Urdu I
URD 506 | First-Year Urdu IThis course will introduce students to the script and grammar of Urdu, a language spoken not only in the Indian subcontinent but also in the Middle East, Europe and North America. In addition to the Perso- Arabic script, students will also be introduced to the Devanagari (Hindi) script. By the end of the academic year, students will be able to read and write in both scripts. Conventional teaching materials will be supplemented by popular film songs, clips from Indian and Pakistani films and newspapers, and works of prose and poetry composed by such luminaries as Mirza Ghalib and Munshi Premchand. No prior knowledge of Urdu or Hindi is assumed. |
5 | |
| Spring | HIN 507 | First-Year Hindi II
HIN 507 | First-Year Hindi IIThis course teaches the four language skills — listening, speaking reading, and writing — through a carefully structured combination of class-work, drills & conversations, role-plays, homework and projects. Prerequistes: HIN 506 or consent of the instructor. Required text: Rupert Snell, Teach Yourself Hindi, 2003 or later. Suggested dictionary: Rupert Snell, Teach Yourself Hindi Dictionary, 2004. |
5 |
| or URD 507 | First-Year Urdu II
URD 507 | First-Year Urdu IIThis course will introduce students to the script and grammar of Urdu, a language spoken not only in the Indian subcontinent but also in the Middle East, Europe and North America. In addition to the Perso- Arabic script, students will also be introduced to the Devanagari (Hindi) script. By the end of the academic year, students will be able to read and write in both scripts. Conventional teaching materials will be supplemented by popular film songs, clips from Indian and Pakistani films and newspapers, and works of prose and poetry composed by such luminaries as Mirza Ghalib and Munshi Premchand. Prerequistes: URD 506 or consent of the instructor. |
5 | |
| Summer | AIIS summer program in India | 8-10 weeks | |
1. Academic Year
During the fall and spring of the Foundation Year, students take the Department of Asian Studies introductory Hindi and Urdu classes (HIN 506, HIN 507, URD 506, URD 507). Students also receive weekly individual tutoring from HUF teaching assistants. The focus of the Foundation Year is on gaining literacy in either the Devanagari (Hindi) or Nastaliq (Urdu) scripts, acquiring a solid foundation in Hindi-Urdu grammar, developing correct pronunciation, and practicing everyday conversation.
2. Summer Intensive
Foundation Year students have the opportunity to spend a summer in Jaipur, Rajasthan - a city that blends an extraordinary cultural history with a properous, 21st century economy
The Foundation Year is followed by a summer intensive course in India. The course pays particular attention to advancing students' conversational ability and cultural knowledge. The summer program is a unique opportunity for Foundation Year students and is crucial to gaining the intermediate fluency required to begin HUF courses. The summer intensive is run by the American Institute of Indian Students in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Jaipur is a fascinating city whose blend of remarkable history and 21st-century prosperity forms a perfect introduction to the complex world of Hindi-Urdu. Students who demonstrate commitment to acquiring fluency during the academic year may be offered financial assistance to attend the summer course.
Prospective students interested in entering HUF via the Foundation Year should apply using the standard HUF application for admission.