Introduction

The program is designed for students to achieve proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in Hindi and Urdu for personal, academic, and professional needs. The curriculum integrates Standards for Foreign Language Learning and proficiency guidelines by ACTFL.

Students wishing to study above the introductory level must take a placement test before registration. Those seeking to waive a language requirement must take a proficiency test. The placement test is usually given during the week before classes begin.

For placement exam times and locations, click here.

Objectives of the Program

Hindi for Heritage Speakers: MDES UN1608 (Fall) and UN1609 (Spring)

This is a fast-paced course that compresses two years of Hindi into one year. It is for students of South Asian background who already possess limited speaking and listening skills in Hindi or Urdu. Non-heritage students who have some exposure to Hindi or Urdu and South Asian cultures may also take this course.

It begins with an introduction to the Devanagari Script, which enables students to acquire basic reading and writing skills. They then build on their listening and speaking skills. To achieve these goals, students are introduced to a variety of materials, including literature, newspapers, folk tales, jokes, magazine articles, films, songs, commercials, and other kinds of audiovisual materials. These texts are related to language functions in daily personal and social life situations.

It focuses on vocabulary enrichment by exposing students to a variety of cultural topics and developing knowledge of basic Hindi grammar. By the end of the semester, students will develop productive skills in reading, writing, and speaking and will be able to:

• speak about themselves and their environment, and initiate conversations on topics of general interest.
• Understand most of the basic sentence structures of Hindi in formal and informal registers.
• Write correspondence related to daily life, letters, short essays, and compositions on various topics.
• Learn some basic vocabulary related to aspects of Indian life, such as family life, social traditions, and education.
• Initiate and sustain conversations on a range of topics related to different aspects of Indian culture, social, and family life.

On the first day of classes, there will be an interview/placemat test to establish the proficiency level. Please come directly to class. If accepted, the department will register you internally.  

Urdu for Heritage Speakers: MDES UN1614 (Fall) and UN1615 (Spring)

This intensive, fast-paced course condenses two years of Urdu instruction into one year. It is tailored for students of South Asian heritage who possess basic speaking and listening skills in Urdu or Hindi. Non-heritage students with prior exposure to Urdu or Hindi, as well as South Asian cultures, are also encouraged to enroll.

An interview will be conducted on the first day of class to assess speaking and listening comprehension proficiency levels. 

The course begins with an introduction to the Urdu script, enabling students to develop essential reading and writing skills. It then enhances listening and speaking abilities using a diverse range of materials, including literature, newspapers, folk tales, jokes, magazine articles, films, songs, commercials, and other audio-visual resources. These materials are thoughtfully selected to support language development in everyday personal and social contexts.

The curriculum places a strong emphasis on vocabulary expansion, cultural understanding, and a foundational grasp of Urdu grammar. By the end of the first semester, students will have developed practical skills in reading, writing, and speaking. Specifically, they will be able to:

• Speak about themselves, their surroundings, and engage in conversations on general topics.
• Understand and use basic sentence structures in both formal and informal Urdu.
• Write letters, short essays, and compositions on a variety of everyday topics.
• Acquire vocabulary related to key aspects of South Asian life, including family dynamics, social traditions, and education.
• Initiate and sustain conversations about South Asian culture, social life, and family traditions.

Advanced Hindi MDES GU4624(Fall) and GU4625 (Spring)

This is a third year course in the Hindi-Urdu program that aims to continue building upon the existing four language skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing) along with grammar and vocabulary in a communicative approach.  This course will be taught in the target language, Hindi. The objective of this course is to strengthen students’ language skills and to go beyond them to understand and describe situations and the speech community, understand and discuss Hindi literature and films, news items, T.V. shows and current events.

Students will also be given opportunities to work on their areas of interests such as popular culture, professional and research goals in the target language. Students will be expected to expand their vocabulary, enhance grammatical accuracy and develop cultural appropriateness through an enthusiastic participation in classroom activities and immersing themselves in the speech community outside. A variety of topics, for example, issues related to daily life, academic, social and public interests will be included in the discussion.

Advanced Urdu (MDES GU4640)

This is a one-semester advanced Urdu language course offered in the fall semester. Enrollment requires two years of prior study in Urdu, completion of Urdu for Heritage Speakers I & II at Columbia University, or approval from the professor.

The course aims to enhance students’ linguistic skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—while enhancing both literary and cultural understanding of Urdu. It offers in-depth exposure to some of the finest works of classical and modern Urdu prose, including authors such as Mir Amman, Premchand, Ghalib’s letters, Sir Syed, Nazir Ahmad, Saadat Hasan Manto, Ismat Chughtai, Qurratul Ain Hyder, Patras Bukhari, and Mushtaq Ahmed Yousufi. Students will also engage with newspapers, texts, and video materials to discuss politics and contemporary social and political issues related to South Asia, with a particular focus on India and Pakistan.

Special emphasis is placed on building high-register vocabulary. Grammar points are explained as needed to develop an accurate and nuanced understanding of the language. Written assignments will be completed in Urdu.

By the end of the course, students will:

• Be able to read and appreciate Urdu classics and critical academic texts across various genres, including old tales, short stories, essays, history, satire, criticism, and discussions of politics and current issues.
• Acquire effective speaking skills for active interaction in Urdu-speaking communities and advanced academic discussions.
• Gain a deeper understanding of South Asian society and culture.

Readings in Hindi Literature (MDES GU4610)

This is a third/fourth year course which focuses to strengthen students’ literary skills at the higher level. Writing in the target language is emphasized throughout the semester to enable students to use their diverse vocabulary and grammatical structures. Materials for reading and discussion are selected from literature, magazines, historical documents and/ or journalistic texts. Students who have completed Hindi or Urdu for Heritage Speakers or Advanced Hindi-Urdu may take this course.

Since the content changes each term, the course may be repeated for credit.

Readings in Urdu Literature (GU4636)

This stand-alone course, offered in the spring semester, is open to students who have completed Urdu for Heritage Speakers or Advanced Urdu, or who have obtained the instructor’s permission.

The course is designed to cultivate an appreciation for various genres of Urdu poetry, with a particular focus on ghazals and nazms. It examines major poets in chronological order, starting with Vali Dakni (late 17th and early 18th century) and progressing to modern poets such as Parveen Shakir, Kishwar Naheed, and Jaun Elia. Along the way, students explore the works of Khwaja Mir Dard and Mir Taqi Mir (18th century), Mirza Ghalib (19th century), and Muhammad Iqbal and Faiz Ahmed Faiz (20th century).

While this is not primarily a language skill development course, all classes and discussions are conducted in Urdu. A strong emphasis is placed on students learning and using Urdu terminology to critically analyze and appreciate poetry. Assignments, which involve analyzing Urdu verses and exploring their multiple interpretations, are submitted in English. Students are also required to write their midterm and final papers in English.