About
Oct. 1, 2023, 11:23 a.m.

The College of Languages – University of Duhok

Dr. Abuobaida Abdulla dheyab

E-mail: aboobaid.dyab@uod.ac

phone: 07504559108

1- History The College of Languages – University of Duhok- was formally established in 2016 when the English department, the translation department and the Kurdish department were separated from the College of Human Sciences to form the cornerstone of the new College of Languages. However, the actual date of the establishment of its current departments goes back to earlier times. In 1994, the department of Kurdish was introduced in the college of Arts, and in the following year, the department of English Language and Literature was established, while the department of Translation was introduced in 2010.  The aim of the college is to teach English and Kurdish languages, and to graduate qualified students in the fields of translation, interpretation and teaching. The college, however, assumes as its future task expanding the spectrum of the languages it teaches to include several of the most common living international and local languages. In 2017, the college of languages started an MA TESOL program and a PhD program in applied linguistics and translation in 2020 to satisfy the increasing need to qualified teachers of English as a foreign language in the University of Duhok.   Studying languages is a gateway to understanding the diversity of the world. The mission of the Language programs in the College of Languages is to provide students with a rigorous program wherein they perfect their abilities to communicate in the languages they study, to create and sustain an intellectually challenging and diverse academic environment through excellent teaching. In today's global economy the demand for language skills continues to grow as governments, businesses and organizations build relationships that are increasingly international ; therefore, as college, we dedicate ourselves to fostering students’ progress in the four skill areas — reading, writing, listening, speaking and through a series of courses which include language, linguistics, literature, translation and pedagogy, and through extra-curricular activities, we prepare students for entrance into the global work force.

1V. Goals and Objectives

The department strives to fulfill its mission by pursuing the following goals. Within each area, students should: Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English Language and Literature Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Kurdish Language and Literature Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Translation Master of Arts (MA) TESOL Master of Arts (MA) in Linguistics PhD program in applied linguistics and translation The MA program in Translation PhD in Kurdish language The courses offered for Bachelor of Arts candidates in English, Kurdish and Translation qualifies graduates for a variety of employment opportunities. Possible industries include, but aren't limited to, media, business, public relations, translation and communications, while others enter the fields of education and journalism. The MA programs in English language, translation and Kurdish language qualifies students for various career options. Those graduates can pursue an academic career by applying for a PhD program in Linguistics and Translation, or they can use their linguistic and analytical skills for a non-academic career in fields related to language and communication. MA holders are able to work on linguistic topics at an academic level, they learn to abstract and synthesize information, to evaluate explanations critically, and are competent in the planning and execution of research and project work. With these abilities they are qualified for positions, among others, in teaching Institutions, translation agencies, and journalism.   College of Languages has 62 employees, 21 of them are now postgraduate students.

V1. Departments College of languages Kurdish Language Department

Historical summary about the Kurdish Language Department

The Department of Kurdish Language and Literature, with the establishment of the University of Duhok in 1994, it was opened in an academic and scientific manner as a department affiliated to the College of Arts and continued until 2006, when the department became affiliated with the College of Languages ​​and separated from the College of Humanities and is still continuing until now. Students are accepted annually in the three levels of Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate. The undergraduate study system in this department consists of four years, and each year consists of two semesters, with 8 semesters as whole. In the end, the student obtains a bachelor's degree in Kurdish language and literature. Also, students in this department can continue their postgraduate studies at the master’s and doctoral levels with two specialists (general specialization of language and general specialization of literature), each of which falls into many specific and precise specializations that students can study. The master’s study began in the year 2000 in this department, and the doctoral study began in the year 2011, and so far, students are accepted in both specializations and at both academic levels, and the study is continuing. In this department, there are a good number of qualified teachers with postgraduate degrees who teach at the department, and 21 teachers in this department have doctorate degrees, 2 of whom have their scientific title as Professor, and 15 of them have their scientific title as Assistant Professor, in addition to 20 teachers from holders of a master's degree, 10 of whom have the scientific title of teacher and 10 of whom have the title of assistant teacher

Vision of the department

The department's vision is to produce people specialized in the field of Kurdish language and literature to try to develop the Kurdish language, because the language issue is related to national security, especially in light of this current sensitive situation. We also seek to give more attempts to further serve the Kurdish language by continuing education and academic research in the field of the Kurdish language, so that the Kurdish language does not break from the evolving movement of international languages. The other goal is for the Kurdish language to become, like other international languages, the language of science and knowledge, and to open important centers for learning the Kurdish language in foreign countries in order to learn more closely about Kurdish culture, history, dictionary and civilization. The time has come for us, as Kurds, to translate, through scientific products, as well as through specialists in the Kurdish language and literature, the Kurdish language and literature into foreign languages ​​in order to deliver them to the whole world and to introduce our culture and our view to the whole world. This is because language and literature in all countries are among the most important axes for defining the identity, culture and civilization of the country. Therefore, for us as Kurds, in addition to the scientific value of language and literature, there is a national value as well, because through our language and literature we must defend our identity, culture and existence. Thus, the people who work in this field and who will come to this department in the future should carry out this task with Kurdish beliefs and ideas. Undoubtedly, a nation that does not pay attention to its language and literature in terms of defining its identity and culture is a backward nation. Likewise, countries that were unable to defend their culture and identity, the reason is that they were not able to define their language and literature as they should and looked down on their language and literature. Therefore, it is very important for us as Kurds to serve our language and literature better and to make them known for others. Bearing this burden is considered heavy and full of responsibility, but with that we must be aware that this service to our country and our nation is a great service.

Mission of the department

The department's mission is to provide a study program in order to obtain a bachelor's degree, a master's degree and a doctorate, with a specialist in literature and language in the field of Kurdish literature and language. This program consists of lectures and modern study in detail about the specialization of literature in stages, types and literary fields, as well as language at the three levels, in addition to an attempt to provide students with experience in practical aspects, criticism and analysis in a sophisticated manner in order to carry out successful work and gain an expanded knowledge. Certainly, the interest in the Kurdish language is according to the theories by which world languages ​​are analyzed, and the application of these theories to the Kurdish language better shows us the negative and positive aspects of the Kurdish language. On the other hand, this thing is considered an interest in literature and educating students about the methods and foundations of criticism and world literature and analyzing Kurdish texts and literary topics according to these theories and methods with the aim of enabling students from this aspect to serve the Kurdish language and literature.

The labor market for graduates of the department

Of course, the labor market for this department is different from the rest of the departments, but despite that, the chances of finding work for this department are more related to government institutions, because the places where graduates of this department work are mostly affiliated with government agencies. But perhaps there are other job opportunities related to the capabilities and skills of graduates. After the student graduates from this department, he/she is able to work as a teacher in a particular school in order to take charge of the Kurdish language and literature lectures that are studied at all academic levels up to the twelfth grade in schools affiliated with the Ministry of Education. Also, graduates can work as a literary critic, writer, translator or researcher in a cultural or educational center. Graduates can also work in the field of language assessment in a government institution, especially media institutions, as well as in offices and printing and publishing institutions. Therefore, the best place to work after graduation is the work of teaching, printing, publishing and media institutions for graduates of this department, where they can work in literary programs on radio and television and in cultural centers in all departments and ministries in the country. Objective of the department The main objective of establishing the department is to prepare students about linguistic capabilities and prepare the foundations for cultural and literary lessons in the field of Kurdish language and literature, in order to continue developing the study process and strengthening the scientific movement on an academic basis. Another goal of the department is also to develop the cultural level of students and to develop their scientific foundations, especially in the necessary fields related to Kurdish culture. Gaining the necessary information on the basis of strong and mother tongue and using scientific language in order to serve the Kurdish language and literature is also one of the goals of the department.

The study credits

  1. Vision
  2. Mission
  • Be familiar with a variety of linguistic principles in both the target language and their own.
  • Make and formulate linguistic judgments.
  • Understand the major literary movements of the target culture.
  • Demonstrate reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in the target language.
  • Think critically, analytically and objectively.
  • Use computers effectively for a variety of purposes.
  • Respect diversity among cultures and within any given culture.

  1. 2- The Department of English Language and Literature

In times of growing language internationalization, the department of English seeks to advance foreign language proficiency and cross-cultural competence. Speaking a foreign language is a privilege for the speakers; there are great opportunities for those who know a foreign language. Nowadays, the demand for language professionals is immense in every aspect of life, including public service, media and communication, travel and tourism,  science and technology, and research and education, to name only a few. Therefore, a BA degree in English language provides solid language skills and intercultural abilities that are much needed in all these fields. It also prepares teachers of English as a foreign language at secondary, and high school levels, as well as researchers and scholars at the academic circle of the university.

The English department was founded in 1994 as part of the College of Arts. It began as a small department with very limited capacities. But in the course of time, the department grew bigger and the number of faculty members and students increased substantially. Today, the English Department has 28 teachers: 6 PhD, and 22 MA holders. It has graduated hundreds of undergraduate students since 1996, and tens of postgraduate students since 2007 when the MA programme was first started.

Recently, in 2016, the English department has become affiliated to the newly- established College of Languages. Below is a brief description of the focus, aims and objectives, vision and mission statements of the English Department, College of Languages, University of Duhok.

  • Focus of study:

-   Undergraduate: English Language, Linguistics and Literature

-   Postgraduate: Masters in Linguistics, and TESOL.

-    PhD program in applied linguistics and translation

  • Duration of study

-Undergraduate: 4 years (morning and evening classes)

- Postgraduate (MA): 2 years

- Postgraduate (PhD): 3 years

  • Department aims and objectives

- To enhance and encourage continual professional development of the faculty.                    

- To provide a curriculum that serves the needs of all emphasized areas in the department.          - To develop the students’ communication skills and mastery of the English language.            - To foster the students’ ability to read closely, think critically, and write persuasively through the disciplined study of English language and literature.                                                  - To train the students to conduct correct linguistic and/or literary research by finding and using sources in the library, on the internet, and in the field.

  • The Vision of the English Department

We seek to foster knowledge and a love of language and literature in our students. To this end we

- provide students with a coherent curricular framework and relevant, well-structured courses.                                                                                             

- teach a variety of linguistic and literary analytical, pedagogical, and theoretical skills.                                                                                                      - teach students to speak, read, and write effectively.                                                         

- encourage students to think deeply and to reflect on what they have learned.                                                                                                                                  - encourage a love of, and an appreciation for learning and education.

As teachers at the English Department, we also seek:

- To welcome the responsibility for always placing quality as the most important  goal in all activities.

- To foster a climate of trust, peace and understanding that enhances the learning experience for all students.

- To cherish and constantly renew team spirit and supportive attitude among all members of the English department family.

  • The Mission Statement of the English Department

- To build and foster language competency in students.

- To develop critical thinking and cultural awareness through foreign language learning.

- To acquaint students with English literature on the understanding that literature is employed for the sake of building language skills.

  • Curriculum and Credits

The MA Linguistics Programme at English Department, College of Languages University of Duhok, 2020-2021

An MA in linguistics can cover different aspects of language study including the study of a selected language, the comparison of various languages, the study of the acquisition and learning of language, the study of various language theories, and in effect, the application of those theories in numerous areas, including artificial intelligence, computational linguistics and cognition.

In the process of language study, students may opt to describe a language, or to conduct an in-depth analysis in one in every of the areas of linguistics; namely, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics and discourse analysis.

A Masters’ degree in Linguistics provides the graduate with a wide range of interesting and highly demanded careers worldwide, since the world is changing and progressing at high speed in many aspects, language and linguistics being at the core of this change.

The MA Linguistics at English Department, College of Languages at Duhok University is a two -year programme that consists of two stages. The first stage comprises two courses, an autumn course and a spring course- each of 15 weeks duration-and a research (or a thesis) stage. The courses expose the students to the core subjects of linguistics, engage them in critical academic discourse and reasoning, and prepare them for the next stage. In addition, it trains them in advanced research writing, as the students produce a term paper in each of the core subjects in fulfillment of one of the requirements of the programme. In the thesis stage, the students are expected to employ the knowledge and the training they have obtained from the first stage to conduct and produce original research that contributes to the field.

Our MA Linguistics programme has the following goals:

  1. To train students to demonstrate analytic knowledge of language structures and to relate them to theoretical perspectives. In other words, the programme seeks to train the students to transmit in-depth knowledge of the structure and function of language and its use from various theoretical perspectives. 
  2. To train students to demonstrate understanding of the social and cultural dimensions of language use in everyday contexts and to instill in them an appreciation for the diversity and dynamic nature of human languages and cultures.
  3. To train the students to use advanced critical thinking and analytical skills in reading, writing and research skills, demonstrated in their understanding of research methodologies in linguistics and carrying out original and independent research on a linguistic topic.

The tables below show the items of the MA Linguistics programme at English Department, College of Languages:

The PhD program in English department

The PhD in applied Linguistics is a research training program which combines foundational and advanced courses in the core areas of linguistics, training on research methods and research work leading to a dissertation. The program is in applied Linguistics and translation with the focus on the study of English language and the application of that study in teaching. The curriculum will provide training in English linguistics and applied linguistics with focused research in several areas such as phonetics, the phonology of English, syntax, semantics, pragmatics. Second language teaching and learning, TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages), sociolinguistics, discourse analysis, or any field of linguistics that matches the interests of one of our members of staff. The PhD in Applied Linguistics and translation is designed to enhance specialized linguistic knowledge through academic study and research. The program is suitable for all those interested in exploring how linguistic knowledge can be applied to everyday real-life phenomena such as language learning, language policy or translation. The course emphasizes state-of-the-art research methodology appropriate for conducting linguistic research projects, using a wide range of linguistic research methods.

3- Department of  Translation, College of Languages, University of Duho

. Mission statement

Translation Department strives to offer internationally recognized undergraduate/ postgraduate programs in English Language and Translation. The programs basically tries to foster in BA, MA, and PHD students an interest in theories of translation, approaches to translation, types of translation, and interpretation. These programs incorporate courses in linguistics and modern English literature. They also develop student's language (both native and foreign), critical thinking, critical analysis, and academic research skills.

  1. Vision

To ensure the graduation of competent translators and interpreters that contribute to the intellectual development of the society, the enhancement of intercultural communication, and meeting the needs of the labor market in aspects pertaining to foreign language issues.

III. Goals and Objectives

Upon completing the designed courses, the graduates will be able to do the following:

1- Bridge the gap between their native cultures and foreign cultures.

2- Master the basic academic skills needed in doing communicative, semantic, journalistic, literary, scientific, at sight, consecutive, etc. translation and interpretation.

3- Get acquainted with different concepts related to the levels of linguistic analysis of modern English language.

4- Develop their spoken and written language skills as well as translation and interpretation skills and techniques.

5- Conduct research studies that meet the academic standards.

Syllabus of the Department of Translation, College of Languages, University of Duhok

The MA Programme in Translation and Interpreting

The Department of Translation/ College of Languages/ University of Duhok offers a two-year program of study leading to an MA degree in Translation and Interpreting by courses and research. The language combination is English and Kurdish. This program is designed to equip the students with a thorough knowledge in translation through an examination of translation studies and other relevant linguistic topics, on the one hand, and practice, on the other hand. Additional topics also include at- sight translation, consecutive interpreting, simultaneous interpreting, academic writing, and research methods. The students who finish successfully this program are well-prepared to work as translators and translation/ interpreting instructors.   

Syllabi of MA Program in Translation and Interpreting (20220- 2021) / Course 1