Esperanto, A Common Language for All People

Instructor: Henry Studer, Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and College of Engineering

Description: This course will present the origin, history, and basic grammar of the Esperanto language. Students will acquire speaking, writing and reading skills through active participation in small discussion groups, writing of compositions, and reading of short stories. The goals of the seminar are to introduce students to the idea of a world language as a means of enhancing communication and understanding between peoples and to introduce them to the beautiful structural simplicity of the Esperanto language.

Format: The class will meet for 1 1/4 hours, twice each week, for the first eight weeks of the quarter. Weekly reading assignments will form the basis for small group discussion in Esperanto. Frequent, short compositions and grammar exercises will be assigned during the quarter, and a short quiz will be given each week. "Esperanto: Learning and Using the International language," by David Richardson will be the required text.

Grading: Students will be graded on grammatical exercises (25%), written compositions (25%), and the weekly quizzes (50%).

About the Instructor: Henry Studer is an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. He is a member of several local, national and international Esperanto organizations. His is pleased to share his interest in this amazing language with anyone seeking another way of communicating with non-English speakers around the world.