2-Unit Classes for Linguaphiles

By Talia Walters ‘20

As class registration periods are quickly approaching, we’re all in the middle of the frantic search for classes that meet our GE requirements, finish our majors, and aren’t at 8am. Each semester we settle on four classes that meet our expectations and get us a little closer to graduation. However, we’re always left with those pesky two extra units. We’ve already paid for them, so not using them is a waste, but they’re not enough to take another full class. And when you start looking at all the options, you have almost 20 pages of classes in hundreds of different departments each with their own focuses, pre-requisites, and grading systems.

But I have some good news for you! I love digging through WebReg for very specific classes, and you’re looking for a place that has very specific 2-unit options. Thus, I present to you: Talia’s List of 2-Unit Classes for the Average Linguaphile!

EALC 101x – Conversational Chinese and Intercultural Communication

This class, offered by the East Asian Languages and Culture Department, focuses on basic Mandarin conversational skills in order to communicate effectively in everyday Chinese contexts. The goal is to use content-based language acquisition in order to better understand intercultural communication. The class is graded credit/no credit, which means it won’t affect your GPA at all. If you’re a East Asian Area Studies, East Asian Languages and Culture, or East Asian Studies major or minor, you’re unable to take this class for credit.

Would recommend if: You learn language best by reading or listening to primary sources and looking up the vocabulary you don’t know.

Professor rating on Rate my Professor: Christopher Magriney 5.0

Best Comment about the Professor:

“One of the best professors I’ve ever had! He really cares about his students and getting them to speak the best Chinese they can. Super helpful and gives great feedback in class and during office hours. Very clear rubrics for homework, tests, and projects.” 

Dates and Times: Tuesdays from 2pm-3:50pm

EALC 103A – Fundamental Chinese 1

This class is similar to other forms of language classes offered at USC, but it just happens to be only 2 credits instead of 4. It’s focused on basic language skills – reading, writing, listening, and speaking – all in Mandarin Chinese. After EALC 103A, you’re able to take EALC 103B in order to continue your language-learning journey next year. It does not state whether or not this class is available for credit for EAAS, EALC, or EAS majors or minors, so I would recommend speaking to your advisor about that.

Would recommend if: You’ve always wanted to learn Chinese, but you don’t know where to start. You also know you would like to continue after one class.

Professor rating on Rate my Professor: Xianxian Fang N/A

Best Comment about the Professor: N/A

Dates and Times: Monday and Wednesday from 11am-11:50am OR Tuesday and Thursday from 11am-11:50am

EALC 119 – Essential Communications in Korean II 

This class focuses on necessary communications skills to ensure that you can survive if you traveled to Korea. You’ll be practicing simple conversation skills with other students, and you’ll also be learning cultural aspects through Korean drama clips. This class is also graded credit/no credit, so it will also not affect your GPA, but this also means that EAAS, EALC, and EAS majors or minors are unable to take the class for credit. This class does not duplicate Korean 1, since it’s not as extensive. EALC 119 has a prerequisite of EALC 118, so many of you might be unable to take it this semester, but this actually means two things. 1) If you know the Korean alphabet and also basic sentence structure, you might be able to skip EALC 118 and register for EALC 119 this semester, so speak to the department if this is you. 2) EALC 119 is offered in the Fall, so if this interests you, wait until next semester and register for the first one then.

Would recommend if: You, too, have taken to the recent obsession following BTS, K-dramas, or K-beauty!

Professor rating on Rate my Professor: Hyunjung Ahn 5.0

Best Comment about the Professor:

“Professor Ahn is very encouraging and a well-respect professor in the classroom. She makes the concepts in Korean very easy to understand and will take time to explain anything. If you need to take Korean, take her!” 

Dates and Times: Monday and Wednesday from 1pm-1:50pm

EALC 121 – Extensive Reading in Japanese I 

This class focuses on building low-level reading skills through reading stories written for the Japanese-learner and authentic materials written for native speakers. It specifically focuses on reading skills, so don’t expect too much writing, speaking, or listening in the class, though I’m sure there will be some. This class also does not specify if it can be taken for credit fo EAAS, EALC, or EAS majors or minors, so speak to your advisor if you’re interested in taking it for credit. It does have a prerequisite of at least Japanese 1, so if you’ve already taken Japanese 1 or tested out of it through the school, you should be able to enroll in the class.

Would recommend if: You’ve already taken the first level of Japanese, don’t have room in your schedule for Japanese 2, and love to read.

Professor rating on Rate my Professor: Yuka Kumagai N/A

Best Comment about the Professor: N/A

Dates and Times: Thursdays from 3pm-4:50pm

FREN 235x – Intermediate Conversational French 

This class, specifically for non-majors/minors, is built to increase conversational fluency and competency in the French language. You’ll be building your vocabulary knowledge, cultural knowledge, and communication abilities while in this class. Not only is this class not available for major credit, it’s not even open for French majors. This class is also graded credit/no credit, so it won’t affect your GPA. It does require at least three semesters of French as a prerequisite.

Would recommend if: You finished your Foreign Language Requirement with French, and you want to keep learning, but you don’t have time in your schedule for a major.

Professor rating on Rate my Professor: Julia Chamberlin 4.8

Best Comment about the Professor:

“Julia is the best professor you could ever ask for! She’s the best one in the department. She is very helpful and engaging; her classes are fun and you learn a lot with her explanations. She’s also understanding and reasonable with turning in homework and the like.” 

Dates and Times: Monday and Wednesday from 2pm-2:50pm

ITAL 235 – Intermediate Conversational Italian 

This class uses discussion of contemporary topics to build and maintain Italian competency. There’s a focus on using specific vocabulary, idioms, communication skills, and cultural knowledge. Similarly to French, you must have completed three semesters of Italian in order to register for this class. However, it does specify if this class is available for credit for Italian minors, or if it’ll affect your GPA, so be sure to speak with your advisor before registering.

Would recommend if: You finished your foreign language requirement in Italian, and you would like to continue, but you don’t have room in your schedule for another 4-unit.

Professor rating on Rate my Professor: James Fortney 4.5

Best Comment about the Professor:

“James has been one of my best professors at USC! He spends a lot of time really trying to get students to understand class material. Rarely does he ever sit and lecture. Instead, class is very conversation based and it’s a great opportunity to practice new tenses and vocabulary. James will challenge you, but he is also always very willing to help.” 

Dates and Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm-1:50pm

SLL 260x – The Trans-Siberian Experience 

This class is really neat. It’s an introduction to Russian language and culture through a study-tour on the Trans-Siberian Railway. No prior knowledge of the language is required, as you will meet together 6 times before departing for Russia where you’ll get the basics of communications. Then, for spring break, you travel with the class to Moscow. There is an application due on November 1^st which you can find here and you turn into THH 255. The program has an estimated cost of about $2000, so totally reasonable for an informative and unique spring break trip abroad! Of course, if you have any other questions, I’m sure the professor (below) is willing to answer them!

Would recommend if: You’ve always wanted to go to Russia and want a spring break story that will top every one else.

Professor rating on Rate my Professor: Tatiana Akishina 4.8

Best Comment about the Professor:

“Simply put, she has been a precious gem in my education. She is enthusiastic, knowledgeable, both gifted and experienced in teaching. She also shows an interest in her students, and I’ve remained friendly with her even after finished with her class.” 

Dates and Times: Wednesdays from 6pm-7:50pm

SPAN 280x – Conversational Spanish 

This class is also built to increase conversational fluency in Spanish, as the other two classes in French and Italian. It’s a similar idea – they use short films, cultural and literary texts, and other activities in order to become more familiar and comfortable in the language. In the same way as all of the other classes like this, Spanish 3 is a prerequisite before you can take this course. While it does not say it’s closed to Spanish majors, it does specify that Spanish majors cannot get credit for taking the class.

Would recommend if: You finished your foreign language requirement with Spanish, and you’d like to continue learning it, but you don’t have room in your schedule for a major.

Professor rating on Rate my Professor: N/A

Best Comment about the Professor: N/A

Dates and Times: Mondays from 12pm-1:50pm OR Mondays from 4pm-5:50pm OR Tuesdays from 10am-10:50pm

Not all language-lovers are only looking for foreign languages to take – sometimes the art and the history behind language is just as interesting as different types of communication. Thus, the next two suggestions are not necessarily language that you can learn, but instead a study of language manipulation that can be just as interesting.

THTR 421 – Public Speaking as Performance: A Course for Non-Majors

This class focuses on teaching Public Speaking as a performance, giving tricks and tips that are used by Theater performers in order to build speaking abilities. There’s a focus on speaking with confidence, clarity, and charisma. This class does specify in the title that it’s for non-theater majors, but there’s nothing in the description that says it’s closed to theater majors, so if you’re really interested, I would recommend speaking to your advisor.

Would recommend if: You see speaking and communication as an art that you’d like to get better at.

Professor rating on Rate my Professor: N/A

Best Comment about the Class: N/A

Dates and Times: Monday and Wednesday from 2pm-3:50pm OR Monday and Wednesday from 4pm-5:50pm

MPVA 441 – English and German Diction

This class focuses on the principles of pronunciation and enunciation and uses the international phonetic alphabet, so if you’re interested in diction through vocal performance, then this class is right up your alley. That being said, I have very little information on the class. It does require a D-Clearance, but I’m unsure whether that’s because the class is closed to only MPVA majors (in which case, if you’re a MPVA major and interested in language and how it works, then this class is a great option) or if there are pre-requisites (there are classes MPVA 440 and MPVA 442 which are similar in idea and might have to come before) or what the deal really is. I would recommend, if the class interests you, that you reach out and ask what the D-clearance is for.

Would recommend if: You’re a vocal performer and are interested in diction in multiple languages.

Professor rating on Rate my Professor: Angela Blasi N/A

Best Comment about the Class: N/A

Dates and Times: Monday from 12pm-1:50pm

Of course this list is nowhere near exhaustive of every 2-unit option you have, but if you’re looking for a class to further you language-learning journey, then these are a few choices for you! If you have other interests, feel free to check out the rest of Trojans360 as I know a lot of my fellow writers are also tackling the problem that is 2-unit courses.

In the end, I don’t care what class you take or if you take my advice about language classes, just don’t let those 2-units (THAT YOU’VE ALREADY PAID FOR!!!!) go to waste!

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