Swahili course attracts low turnout; professor expects more registrants

The introductory Swahili course students campaigned last year to secure had attracted only seven students as of the start of classes yesterday, according to the Registrar's Office and course professor Ephraim Isaac.

The course — titled AFS 199: Introduction to African Languages: Swahili — initially was offered last year as a one-time student-initiated seminar. Because of student demand last spring, the University reinstated the class for this year through the African studies program.

Isaac, however, said he is not worried about the low enrollment for the course. "I really expect that we will be enrolling some more students," he said.

He added that many students interested in the class chose other courses last spring because the University did not approve the course in time to include it in the printed student course guide.

Misha Charles '01, who took the course last year and was instrumental in seeing that it was offered again, said many students are interested in the class but are unable to take it because of scheduling conflicts.

"A lot of departments on campus are small but we can't continue to ignore the language of the second largest continent in the world," she said.