The modern language curriculum is designed to give students an opportunity to become conversant in one or more languages from linguistic, literary and cultural perspectives. We encourage serious students to examine the social, philosophical and aesthetic themes in literature and to acquire fluency and sensitivity to structure and style in the languages offered which include French, German, and Spanish.

Careers in such fields as government, law, business, medicine, social service, journalism, or education are enhanced by the knowledge of foreign languages. Many graduate programs require proficiency in a foreign language.
Majors are offered in French, German, and Spanish, and also in modern languages and literatures (the study of three languages). Students should spend their junior year in an approved program of studies abroad, or participate in an approved program of summer studies. Minors are offered in French, German, and Spanish. In cooperation with other academic departments, the department also participates in programs providing a major in German Studies and a minor in Latin American Studies. The programs are designed to encourage the student to combine her interests in a language with other disciplines. The student considering such a program, or planning to study abroad, should consult the department chair as soon as possible to assure proper preparation.   

A student who chooses one of these majors is expected to achieve a reading, writing, and speaking knowledge of the language (or languages) in which she concentrates. The foreign language is used exclusively in all advanced courses and as much as possible in the others. Not more than one approved course given in English may be credited toward the major. The department recommends participation in a Junior Year Abroad program or a residence of six weeks or more in a summer school where the exclusive use of the foreign language is required. Courses taken in programs abroad must be evaluated and approved by the appropriate departmental faculty before credit is granted toward the major. A student who has begun the study of a language in college will still find it possible to fulfill the major requirement in the language by arranging her courses in consultation with her major professor.

The Department of Modern Languages does not approve credit for online courses taken at any level.  No course being counted toward the V.3 general education knowledge area may be taken on a P/CR/NC grading option.

The French Major
(33 semester hours)

Required:
FREN 213    (3)    Studies in French Literature I
FREN 214    (3)    Studies in French Literature II
FREN 232    (3)    Thematic Survey of Culture and Civilization: Middle Ages-World War I

Senior Exercise:
FREN 452    (3)    Senior Seminar

Choose 1 three-credit course in advanced French culture from the following:
FREN 323    (3)    Beyond Paris: The Regions of France and the French-Speaking World
FREN 325    (3)    Literary Art Criticism
FREN 327    (3)    France Today: Media Texts and Social Contexts
FREN 329    (3)    Semiotics of French Culture
FREN 331    (3)    Representations of the French Revolution
FREN 333    (3)    Existentialism and Postmodernism

Choose 2 three-credit courses in French literature at or above the 300-level.

Choose 4 additional three-credit courses in French numbered 204 or above.

Note: A French major is expected to take at least one course in French each term during her junior and senior years.

The French Minor
(18 semester hours)

Required:
FREN 213    (3)    Studies in French Literature I
FREN 214    (3)    Studies in French Literature II

Choose 1 three-credit course in French literature at or above the 300-level.

Choose 3 additional three-credit courses in French numbered 204 or above.

The German Major
(30 semester hours)

Senior Exercise:
GRMN 452 (3) - Senior Seminar

Choose 9 additional three-credit courses in German numbered 205 or above.

The German Minor
(18 semester hours)

Choose 2 three-credit courses in  German at the 300-level or above.
And choose 4 additional three-credit courses in German above GRMN 202.

The Spanish Major
(33 semester hours)

Required:
SPAN 222    (3)    Introduction to Hispanic Literatures

Senior Exercise:
SPAN 452    (3)    Senior Seminar

Choose 1 of the following courses:

Peninsular Literature
SPAN 316    (3)    Cervantes: Don Quijote
SPAN 326    (3)    Early Spanish Culture: Heritage and Identity
SPAN 330    (3)    Topics in Hispanic Culture, Language, and Literature (approval required)
SPAN 349    (3)    Realism, Naturalism, and Regeneration: Spanish    Literature 1850-1914
SPAN 353    (3)    The Novel and Short Story in Contemporary Spain
SPAN 357    (3)    Poetry and Theater in Contemporary Spain

Choose 1 of the following courses:

Latin American Literature
SPAN 330    (3)    Topics in Hispanic Culture, Language, and Literature (approval required)
SPAN 382    (3)    The Latin American Novel
SPAN 384    (3)    The Latin American Short Story and Essay
SPAN 386    (3)    Latin American Theatre
SPAN 388    (3)    Latin American Poetry

Choose 1 additional three-credit course at the 300-level in Spanish or Latin American literature or culture.

Choose 1 course in Latin American studies.

Choose 5 additional three-credit courses in Spanish numbered 215 or above.

Note: Spanish majors are strongly advised to take at least one course in Spanish during the fall term of the senior year.

The Spanish Minor
(21 semester hours)

Required:
SPAN 222    (3)    Introduction to Hispanic Literatures
Choose 6 additional three-credit courses in Spanish  numbered 215 or above, of which at least two courses must be at the 300-level.

Note: One course taught in English may be counted toward the minor by permission when the topic is appropriate.
The Italian Minor
(18 semester hours)

Choose 6 three-credit courses in Italian numbered 201 or above, of which two must be at or above the 300-level.
The Modern Languages and Literatures Major
(45 semester hours)

Choose 21 credits in a language of principal concentration (French, German, Italian or Spanish), including only courses creditable to the major in that language of which at least 6 credits must be in literature and one course must be the senior seminar.

Choose 15 credits in courses creditable toward the major in a second language (French, German, Italian or Spanish).

Choose 9 credits in courses above the intermediate level (202) in a third language (French, German, Italian or Spanish).

Teacher Licensure French
(33 semester hours in addition to required professional courses in education)

Required:
FREN 213    (3)    Studies in French Literature I
FREN 214    (3)    Studies in French Literature II
FREN 232    (3)    Thematic Survey of Culture and Civilization: Middle Ages-World War I
FREN 315    (3)    Literatures of the French-Speaking World
FREN 452    (3)    Senior Seminar

Choose 1 of the following courses:
FREN 216    (3)    France in the 2000s: Society, Government, and Technology
FREN 217    (3)    Francophone Cinema
FREN 233    (3)    Contemporary French Culture

Choose 1 three-credit course in advanced French culture from the following:
FREN 323    (3)    Beyond Paris: The Regions of France and the French-Speaking World
FREN 325    (3)    Literary Art Criticism
FREN 327    (3)    France Today: Media Texts and Social Contexts
FREN 329    (3)    Semiotics of French Culture
FREN 331    (3)    Representations of the French Revolution
FREN 333    (3)    Existentialism and Postmodernism

Choose 2 three-credit  courses in French literature at or above the 300-level.

Choose 2 additional three-credit courses in French numbered 204 or above.

Recommended: The student is encouraged to spend a full year’s or a term’s study in an environment where French is the principal language spoken. Degree credit is granted for participation in an approved program abroad.

Teacher Licensure German
(30 semester hours in addition to required professional courses in education)

Required:
GRMN 225    (3)    Readings in Modern German Literature I
GRMN 226    (3)    Readings in Modern German Literature II
GRMN 231    (3)    German Conversation and Composition
GRMN 251    (3)    Introduction to German Culture I
GRMN 252    (3)    Introduction to German Culture II
GRMN 452    (3)    Senior Seminar

Choose 2 three-credit  courses in German literature at or above the 300-level.

Choose 2 additional three-credit courses in German numbered 205 or above.

Recommended: The student is encouraged to spend a full year’s or a term’s study in an environment where German is the principal language spoken. Degree credit is granted for participation in an approved program abroad.

Teacher Licensure Spanish
(33 semester hours in addition to required professional courses in education)

Required:
SPAN 215    (3)    Spanish Conversation
SPAN 216    (3)    Advanced Grammar and Composition
SPAN 222    (3)    Introduction to Literary Analysis
SPAN 452    (3)    Senior Seminar

Choose 1 of the following courses:
SPAN 219    (3)    Hispanic Themes: Spain
SPAN 221    (3)    Hispanic Themes: Latin America

Choose 1 of the following courses:

Peninsular Literature
SPAN 316    (3)    Cervantes: Don Quijote
SPAN 326    (3)    Early Spanish Culture: Heritage and Identity
SPAN 330    (3)    Topics in Hispanic Culture, Language, and Literature (approval required)
SPAN 349    (3)    Realism, Naturalism, and Regeneration: Spanish Literature 1850-1914
SPAN 353    (3)    The Novel and Short Story in Contemporary Spain
SPAN 357    (3)    Poetry and Theater in Contemporary Spain

Choose 1 of the following courses:

Latin American Literature
SPAN 330    (3)    Topics in Hispanic Culture: Heritage and Identity (approval required)
SPAN 382    (3)    The Latin American Novel
SPAN 384    (3)    The Latin American Short Story and Essay
SPAN 386    (3)    Latin American Theatre
SPAN 388    (3)    Latin American Poetry

Choose 1 of the following courses:
LAST 201    (3)    Latin American Culture I
LAST 202    (3)    Latin American Culture II

Choose 3 additional three-credit courses in Spanish numbered 215 or above.

Note: In some cases, depending on the student’s background and proficiency, a student may receive a departmental exemption for one or more of the following: SPAN 215, SPAN 216, SPAN 219, or SPAN 221. The exemption is for the course(s), not the credit; students still need a minimum of 30 semester hours in Spanish numbered 215 or above and 3 semester hours in Latin American studies.

Recommended: The student is encouraged to spend the junior year or one term of that year in a Spanish-speaking country. Degree credit is granted for participation in an approved program abroad.   

The following area studies programs offer an opportunity to concentrate on the primary aspects of language, civilization, and culture. They are intended to result in majors consisting of a nucleus of courses in one of the foreign languages, its literature, and its culture, around which a body of courses in not more than two other related fields is constructed.
It is essential that the student consult with the advisors for the major early in her course of study, preferably in the first year. In any case, admission to the program is contingent upon her obtaining written approval from the major advisor of each of the cooperating departments by the end of the fall term of the sophomore year. Courses prerequisite to the major in each of the related areas should be completed by the conclusion of the sophomore year.

The German Studies Major
(36 semester hours)

Choose 18 credits in the foreign language of concentration which may include courses in literature or culture or both.
These courses must be normally creditable to the major in that language.

Choose 18 credits in not more than two other related fields. These courses must be normally creditable to the major in each of the areas of concentration.

Recommended: It is strongly recommended that the student participate in an approved program of studies in an area where the language of concentration is primarily used.