Alaska Native Language Classes and Degree Programs
There are 20 different Alaska Native languages: Aleut, Alutiiq (also called Aleut or Sugpiaq), Central Yup'ik Eskimo, St. Lawrence Island Eskimo, Inupiaq Eskimo, Tsimshian, Haida, Tlingit and Eyak and 11 Athabascan languages. These languages are becoming recognized as the priceless heritage they truly are.
Since the passage of the Alaska Bilingual Education Law in 1972 there has been a demand for teachers who can speak and teach these languages in the schools throughout the state where there are Native children. Professional opportunities for those skilled in these languages exist in teaching, research and cultural, educational and political development.
Central Yup'ik Eskimo is spoken by the largest number of people, and Inupiaq by the next largest. In these two languages major and minor curricula are now offered. Courses are also regularly offered in Kutchin (Gwich'in) Athabascan. For work in all other languages, individual or small-group instruction is offered under special topics. Thus there have frequently been instruction, seminars, and workshops also in Tlingit, Haida, St. Lawrence Island Eskimo, Aleut and Koyukon, comparative Eskimo and comparative Athabascan.
UAF is unique in offering this curriculum, which benefits also from the research staff and library of the Alaska Native Language Center.
Spring 2009 Language Courses on the Fairbanks Campus
- ANL 142: Beginning Athabascan - Koyukon (Leer)
- ESK 102: Elementary Central Yup'ik (Toopetlook)
- ESK 202: Intermediate Central Yup'ik (Toopetlook)
- ESK 415: Advanced Central Yup'ik (Jacobson)
(Note: course may be cancelled.) - ESK 112: Elementary Inupiaq (Brower)
- ESK 212: Intermediate Inupiaq (Brower)
- ESK 417: Advanced Inupiaq (Brower)
Spring 2009 Distance-delivered Language Courses
- ESK 103: Conversational Central Yup'ik (S. Alexie)
- ESK 104: Conversational Central Yup'ik (S. Alexie)
- ESK 106: Introduction to Inupiaq Eskimo (Cruthers)
- ESK 112: Elementary Inupiaq Eskimo (staff)
- ESK 116: Conversational Inupiaq Eskimo (Williams)
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Register for these distance-delivered courses through your local community campus of the College of Rural and Community Development. Call 1-866-478-2721 for more information.
Spring 2009 Distance-delivered courses at University of Alaska Southeast
- AKL 108: Elementary Haida II (Lachler)
- AKL 306: Advanced Tlingit II (Dauenhauer)
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Contact 1-877-465-4827 for registration information.
Spring 2009 courses at University of Alaska Anchorage
- AKNS 102: Tlingit II (Kendall)
- AKNS 102: Yup'ik II (Meade)
- AKNS 109: Yup'ik Orthography (Meade)
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These courses take place in Anchorage. Contact University of Alaska Anchorage for registration information.
Spring 2009 courses at Ilusaġvik College
- IÑU 103: Conversational Iñupiaq II
- IÑU 112: Elementary Iñupiaq II
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These courses are offered at Ilusaġvik College
