Background

The department of Amharic language and literature has started its function in 2007 in Dire Dawa University. It started its function by offering Amharic as a major and English as a minor. During that time the department has only four graduate assistants. Now, almost all instructors in the department are second and third degree holders in Amharic Language Teaching, Linguistics, Literature, and folklore. In Ethiopia more than eighty nations and nationalities are living, having their own languages and cultures. The ministry of education has designed Amharic curriculum in order to teach Amharic as a first and second language throughout the country.

By taking this into account, for the last eight years the department has graduated more than 750 students both in regular and summer programs. Now, I line with the policy and program of teaching preparatory level students with teachers having MA degree, it is imperative that the department upgrades its curriculum to postgraduate level to further enhance its positive contribution to the fulfillment of the national goals in the education center. 

Graduate Profiles

Up on successful completion of the program, students should be able to acquire the following list of competencies as they work their way through the modules:

ü  Analyze reading texts for structure and content

ü  Read texts to assess how writers achieve their purpose with their intended audiences

ü  Demonstrate ability to analyze and write for various rhetorical situations

ü  Develop efficient and effective techniques for generating, organizing, drafting, and editing written texts

ü  Specify a purpose, audience, and format for a given writing and speaking tasks

ü  Evaluate and edit self and other’s writings

ü  Develop interpersonal communication skills

ü  Develop persuasive argument and support it with evidence and effective appeals that target (their) intended audience

ü  Write an essay using multiple sources and appropriate techniques and styles

ü  Write an essay with a thesis, supporting argument, introduction and conclusion

ü  Undertake translation activities

ü  Demonstrate ability to critically analyze and interpreted literary texts

ü  Understand how to conduct qualitative and quantitative researches

ü  Understand multilingual and multicultural issues in multilingual and multicultural countries understand basic features of Ethiopian languages

Carrier Opportunities

Graduates of Ethiopian language(s) and Literature – Amharic are expected to demonstrate the ability to:

ü  Prepare literary materials, works as literary critic showing the value of various texts of prose and poetry

ü  Actively participate in editing activities

ü  Work in organizations that require translation

ü  Work as public relation officers

ü  Write reports

ü  Conduct researches in the arena of linguistics, literature and public relations

 General information:

Degree nomenclature: Bachelor of Art in Ethiopian Language(s) and Literature - Amharic 

Program type: regular, summer, distance

o   3 years degree

o   180 EtCTS required

o   A minimum CGPA of 2.00 with no “F” required for graduation

o   Admission requirement is based on the criteria set by the department DDU and MoSHE