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BTAA CourseShare FAQ

CourseShare is a program established and managed by the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) to share course offerings in less commonly taught languages among member universities.  

Degree-seeking students at Northwestern, both undergraduate and graduate, can enroll in language courses through the CourseShare Program, provided the language is not taught at Northwestern.  CourseShare is available only during regular academic quarters (i.e., Fall, Winter, and Spring) but not during the summer months.  

In collaboration with the Office of the Registrar, the Language Resource Center coordinates the enrollment of Northwestern students in CourseShare courses.  

 
Participating Universities

 Current BTAA CourseShare member institutions include: 

  • Indiana University  
  • Michigan State University  
  • Northwestern University  
  • Ohio State University  
  • Pennsylvania State University  
  • Purdue University  
  • Rutgers University - New Brunswick  
  • University of Chicago  
  • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 
  • University of Iowa  
  • University of Maryland  
  • University of Michigan  
  • University of Minnesota  
  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln  
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison 

The following universities will join CourseShare soon: 

  • University of California, Los Angeles 
  • University of Oregon  
  • University of Southern California 
  • University of Washington 
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Northwestern Students
I am interested in studying a language not offered at Northwestern.  Where can I start?  

If you are interested in taking a language class not available at Northwestern, you must first discuss your plan with your academic advisor and/or department chair (if you are a graduate student). Once you receive approval, submit the course request through the Languages Not Offered at Northwestern page by the stated deadline.  
What languages are available through CourseShare?

BTAA member institutions offer a variety of less commonly taught languages at different levels (e.g., beginning, intermediate, advanced). Course offerings vary each year. In recent years, Northwestern students have enrolled in languages such as Armenian, Catalan, Dakota, Indonesian, Modern Greek, Kazakh, Ojibwe, Quechua, Ukrainian, Swedish, and Thai.

Please submit a course request by the deadline. The Language Resource Center will work to identify a member institution offering a language course you are seeking. Please note that a language listed in a member institution’s course catalog does not guarantee its availability through CourseShare.
Is CourseShare available during the summer?  

No.  CourseShare is only available during regular academic quarters: Fall, Winter and Spring.  
Can I fulfill the Weinberg language proficiency requirement through CourseShare?  

Completing the equivalent of a second-year language sequence through CourseShare with passing grades does not automatically satisfy the Weinberg language proficiency requirement. You must validate your proficiency by taking a proficiency exam administered by a qualified tester who is not your CourseShare instructor.  Please refer to Proficiency in a Language Not Taught at Northwestern for further information about this language validation process  
Most member institutions are in a semester system. How does it work for Northwestern students?

You must follow the academic calendar of the host institution. Most member universities operate on a semester system.

  • Completion of a Fall semester course will result in a grade and credit for Northwestern’s Fall quarter.
  • Completion of a Spring semester course will result in grades and credits for Northwestern’s Winter and Spring quarters.

Please note that you will not receive a grade or credit for Winter Quarter until the Spring semester course is completed, and the host institution posts your final grade.

Students should review the host institution’s academic calendar and class meeting times to ensure they can attend all sessions.
How will a CourseShare class appear on my transcript?  

CourseShare classes will appear on your transcript as:  

  • GEN_LA 111-1, 2, 3 for beginning-level courses  
  • GEN_LA 121-1, 2, 3 for intermediate-level courses  

The name of the language will be listed as the course topic.  
How are CourseShare classes taught?  

Northwestern students join CourseShare classes online and synchronously. You may be the only one online student or one of several, while students at the host institution attend in person. In some cases, the course may be fully online for all students. Class size and online participation vary by language and institution.   
How do I enroll in a CourseShare class?  
  1. Consult with your academic advisor to confirm that enrolling in a CourseShare class aligns with your academic plan.  
  2. Submit a course request by the deadline.  
  3. Once the Language Resource Center identifies a BTAA institution offering the course, you will be notified.  
  4. Northwestern’s Office of the Registrar will handle your registration.  
I am not a beginner learner.  How do I know which level to take? 

When submitting a course request, choose “Intermediate” or “Advanced” depending on your current proficiency.  If your level falls between “Beginning” and “Intermediate,” choose “Beginning” and describe your proficiency level in the comment section of the course request form. Once a host institution is identified, they may require you to take a placement test to determine your eligibility for the available course.  
How do I access the host institution’s leaning management system (LMS) (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard, etc.)?  

Once enrolled, you will receive a temporary NetID that will grant you access to the host institution’s LMS.  
Should I contact the CourseShare instructor directly?  

After your enrollment is confirmed, it is strongly encouraged to contact the CourseShare instructor to obtain course information before the first day of classes.  

  Please do not contact the CourseShare instructor until you receive confirmation from the Language Resource Center or the Office of the Registrar to avoid confusion and ensure an efficient process.  
Who should I contact if I have questions or issues?  

Please contact the Language Resource Center at <languageresourcecenter@northwestern.edu >