The Language Workshop's Special Topics courses provide practical, online instruction in languages of high practical or academic relevance that are not taught in US universities. The 2022 offering is Zapotec, specifically Dizhsa, or Western Tlacolula Valley Zapotec, a language spoken in San Lucas Quiaviní, in Oaxaca State, Mexico, and in diaspora communities in the United States.

Preference will go to applicants who seek Zapotec skills for work in, with, or around the community, including those who come from Zapotec communities and want to learn Zapotec for personal reasons.

Deadline to apply for admission: May 18, 2022.

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ABOUT THE LEVEL 1 COURSE

RCAZU YSEIDYU DIZHSA E?

This intensive online course on Dizhsa (Western Tlacolula Valley Zapotec, as spoken in San Lucas Quiaviní) will give participants an opportunity to develop their Zapotec language skills and cultural literacy, through formal instruction, extensive use of open access educational materials, and real-time interactions with instructors and presenters from Zapotec communities in Oaxaca and the diaspora. Participants will also have the opportunity to connect with speakers and learners of other Zapotec language varieties through an intentional educational community on Twitter (#UsaTuVoz). Classes emphasize the development of both oral and written communication skills. Participants who complete this course will be able to communicate in familiar day-to-day situations in Dizhsa, will be able to exchange information on familiar topics, and will have a solid foundation for further study or work with Western Tlacolula Valley Zapotec-speaking communities.

Zapotec is being offered in Workshop for the first time in 2022, in honor of the start of the UN Decade of Indigenous Languages. The course may be of interest to Zapotec heritage speakers and those with interest in Oaxaca, Mexico, Mesoamerica, Indigeneity, linguistics, anthropology, and ethnobotany. The course will make use of freely available educational resources, including Cali Chiu: A Course in Valley Zapotec, Valley Zapotec Language Lessons (https://www.youtube.com/valleyzapoteclanguagelessons), and Dizhsa Nabani(https://www.youtube.com/c/DizhsaNabani/videos).

Participation is limited to 13 and admission is competitive. Preference will go to applicants who seek Zapotec skills for work in, with, or around the community. We strongly encourage applicants to apply by the first application deadline (below) and to take care in their application to describe the reasons for their interest in Zapotec.

Class Dates: June 6 – July 1, 2022

Online Class Times: Monday – Friday, 11:00am-3:00pm, eastern daylight time

For full list of important dates: 2022 STUDENT HANDBOOK

This course is online.

This course is open to all, including

• Students from Indiana University
• Students from other universities and colleges
• Graduate, undergraduate, and community college students
• Life-long learners
• High-school students over age 16

ESTIMATED TUITION & FEES

• $1244 (4 undergraduate credits)
• $450 (IU summer 2021 combined mandatory fee for 3-6 credits)
• $100 (Language Workshop fee)

All rates are subject to change. Participants are responsible for checking current rates before signing billing, housing, or meal contracts. The rates cited here are based on data available in autumn 2021 at Indiana University Student Central.

*Indiana University students may enroll for graduate credit. Regular graduate tuition and fees apply.