Romani studies
An undergraduate course in Romani Studies (listed as "Gypsy Language and Culture," LIN 322) is offered nearly every year in either the Fall or the Spring semester, while specialized seminars are periodically available as conference courses at the graduate level. There are several faculty members who deal with Romanies in their own courses and who have served on Roma-related doctoral and masters' committees, making the University of Texas an ideal choice for your graduate degree. The home department is Linguistics, and the undergraduate course is cross-listed with Asian Studies, European Studies, Ethnic Studies, RTF, Anthropology and Sociology.
It is constructed around the Romani language, and students are expected eventually to be able to translate texts, using a dictionary, from Romani to English and vice-versa. Language units are spread across the semester, interspersed with units on history, migration, culture, politics, religion, music, cuisine, livelihood, the Holocaust, slavery, antigypsyism, the Gypsy image and education. A 390-page book is required, which may be purchased (or ordered by anyone by mail) from Speedway Copy in Dobie Mall (512-478-3334).
A list of other recommended or required readings is provided at the beginning of the class. It is an intensive writing course, requiring three substantial papers, two research-oriented (or one research oriented plus rewrite following discussion), and one an in-depth review of a book or film.
In addition, 50% of the final grade comes from four in-class, closed-book, period-long hand-in exams across the semester. The University of Texas has determined that it will substantially increase its focus on South Asian languages in the next few years, thus emphasis on Romani is likely to further increase. Other institutions in the US offering limited courses in Romani Studies or courses with Roma content include The New University, Washington State, UCLA, Princeton, Michigan, Chicago, Maryland and Pittsburgh.