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Department of Sidaamu Afoo and Literature

 The Department of Sidaamu Afoo and Literature is one of the seven departments within the College of Social Sciences and Humanities at Hawassa University.


Department of Sidaamu Afoo and Literature

The Department of Sidaamu Afoo and Literature is one of the seven departments within the College of Social Sciences and Humanities at Hawassa University. Established in 2011, the department has been actively engaged in teaching, research, and community service for more than a decade. It was founded with the primary goal of promoting and preserving the Sidaamu language and culture while training professionals who can contribute to education, research, and cultural development. The department offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programs designed to provide students with solid theoretical foundations and practical skills in language, literature, and pedagogy. Its undergraduate programs include a BA in Sidaamu Afoo and Literature and a BEd in Sidaamu Afoo and Literature, while the postgraduate program focuses on a MA in Teaching Sidaamu Afoo. Programs are available in regular, evening, weekend, and summer modalities, creating flexible opportunities for a wide range of learners. Through its academic and research activities, the department fosters an appreciation of indigenous knowledge systems, literature, and cultural heritage, while also preparing graduates for careers in education, cultural institutions, research, and public service. By producing skilled professionals and advancing scholarship in Sidaamu studies, the department plays a vital role in preserving Ethiopia’s linguistic and cultural diversity. 

Graduate profile of each program

1

Undergraduate

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sidaamu Afoo and Literature
  • Bachelor of Education (BEd) in Sidaamu Afoo and Literature
2

Masters or Specialisations

  • Masters of Arts (MA) in Teaching Sidaamu Afoo

Graduate profile of each program

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sidaamu Afoo and Literature

Graduates of the BA program are equipped to:

  • Identify the characteristics of the language and culture of Sidaamu Afoo speakers.
  • Write, edit, and broadcast news and develop materials for various language- and culture-related issues.
  • Translate texts between Sidaamu Afoo and other languages.
  • Analyze discourse for different forms of consumption, including news and media content.
  • Produce professional and standardized reports.
  • Examine linguistic features to support decision-making.
  • Teach Sidaamu Afoo in secondary schools.
  • Provide consultancy in tourism, education offices, and communication bureaus.
  • Lead communication initiatives with community leaders, governmental, and non-governmental organizations to promote cultural and language studies.
  • Train others in the language and culture when needed.
  • Conduct research on cultural and linguistic issues related to the Sidaama community.
  • Conduct research on cultural and linguistic issues related to the Sidaama community.
Bachelor of Education (BEd) in Sidaamu Afoo and Literature

Graduates of the BEd program acquire competencies to:

  • Analyse reading texts for structure and content and assess how writers achieve their purpose with intended audiences.
  • Develop and write for diverse rhetorical situations, generating, organising, drafting, and editing texts effectively.
  • Strengthen oral communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Specify purpose, audience, and format for written and spoken tasks and evaluate/edit self and others’ work.
  • Develop persuasive arguments supported with evidence and write essays with clear thesis, introduction, supporting arguments, and conclusion.
  • Undertake translation activities between Sidaamu Afoo and English.
  • Understand linguistic principles and analyze literary works for stylistic features and conventions.
  • Critically interpret literary works and master literary criticism techniques.
  • Conduct quantitative and qualitative research, collecting, evaluating, and interpreting valid and reliable data.
  • Understand multilingual and multicultural issues in Ethiopia.
  • Reflect on teaching practice to improve professional knowledge and skills, demonstrating ethical and professional responsibilities as educators.

Master of Arts (MA) in Teaching Sidaamu Afoo (TeSA)

Graduates of the MA program are expected to:

  • Demonstrate mastery of theories, issues, and practices related to teaching and learning Sidaamu Afoo, particularly in the Ethiopian context.
  • Teach effectively at secondary schools, colleges, and universities.
  • Train Sidaamu Afoo teachers at teacher training colleges and university levels.
  • Plan and design curricula and syllabi for Sidaamu Afoo education.
  • Produce teaching materials for secondary schools, colleges, and universities.
  • Conduct research in Sidaamu Afoo teaching and learning, contributing to the development of language education in Ethiopia.

Potential employers of graduates from each program

Graduates of the BA in Sidaamu Afoo and Literature and BEd in Sidaamu Afoo and Literature, as well as the MA in Teaching Sidaamu Afoo, can pursue careers in a wide range of government, public, and private sectors, including:

  • Regional and city education bureaus – such as Sidaama Regional State Education Bureau and Hawassa City Education Department, serving as teachers, curriculum developers, or education specialists.
  • Media and broadcasting organisations – including Sidaama Broadcasting Corporation Bureau, producing, editing, and managing language-specific content.
  • Culture, tourism, and sports offices – regional and city offices focusing on language, cultural heritage, and tourism-related programs.
  • Judicial and legal offices – such as the Sidaama Regional State Court Bureau and Hawassa City High Court Office, providing language support, translation, or documentation services.
  • Communication bureaus – including regional and city offices, managing public relations, documentation, and community engagement activities.
  • Governmental and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) – engaging in language preservation, cultural promotion, education, community development, and advocacy programs.