Languages Across the Curriculum
The Languages Across the Curriculum (LxC) Program is an initiative that gives undergraduate students the opportunity to use their skills in a language other than English to enhance their learning in courses across disciplines in the College.
In LxC sessions, students discuss texts and other resources about the course content in the target language. Through this additional practice, students broaden their knowledge of the subject matter, improve their language skills, and deepen their understanding of the course content in relation to other cultures.
Sessions are led by teaching assistants and are held separately from the regular class. Participation in the LxC sessions is elective. Previous knowledge of the target language is required, and the level of language required will depend on the goals of the LxC sessions. Successful completion of the LxC component will be recorded in student transcripts.
For further information, please contact Veronica Vegna, LxC Program Coordinator, at vvegna@uchicago.edu.
Click here to read some comments by students who attended LxC courses, and view the video below to hear what graduate students serving as LxC Teaching Assistants had to say about this experience.
Duties of Language and Course Assistants in the LxC Program
Workload: 60 hours per quarter (approximately 10 hours per week, wks 4-9 of the academic quarter)
- attend classes taught by the course instructor
- lead a weekly 1-hour language-based session (wks 4-9); the session typically includes reading and discussion of course materials in the target language and additional resources in the target language related to the course content
- select additional materials for the LxC sessions in collaboration with the course instructor
- meet with students in office hours
- develop, correct and grade specific assignments for the LxC sessions in consultation with the course instructor
Additional Information for Course Instructors
Funding for LxC TA positions is contingent upon having a minimum enrollment of five students in the LxC session, so it is important that course instructors advertise the LxC session to students during the first week of classes. Enrollment in the LxC session is finalized by the end of the first week of classes.
It is preferable to have a graduate student with the requisite language skills from the same department or program offering the course. Instructors can encourage graduate students to apply for the TA positions.