Academic Departments and Programs

Modern Foreign Languages

Courses in modern foreign languages provide students with the cross-cultural understanding and communication skills expected of world citizens. Proficiency in speaking and writing is emphasized in all language skill classes and is a prerequisite for continuation in any sequence of courses.

Upper division courses, while refining language skills, introduce students to the literature and civilizations of the respective linguistic groups. Modern language courses are an excellent preparation, but not a substitute, for foreign study. Students who elect a major or minor in modern languages are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one term of study in a culture where their target language is dominant. On a rotating basis, the Department offers off-campus programs in countries of the target languages and cultures.

Note: For students entering the Modern Foreign Language program with proven proficiency in the target language, a maximum of 10 credits may be waived toward the major or minor requirements.

Majors

Spanish Major

Students pursuing a Spanish major must satisfy a course requirement of 33 total credit hours, of which 30 must be in Spanish and 15 must be in upper-division Spanish. For students entering the program with proven proficiency in Spanish language skills, a maximum of 10 lower-division credits may be waived. MFL-233.1 or MFL-235 is recommended as the initial course for students entering with strong language proficiency through previous high school study, immersion experiences, or native speaker family backgrounds. MFL-330.1 and MFL 331.1 and the capstone MFL-490 are required for the major.

Students are encouraged to decide early in their educational career to major or minor in Spanish, as they must follow the prescribed course sequence and assure an adequate number of semesters to complete prerequisites to upper division courses. Independent study is not a viable substitute for the coursework offered to fulfill the Spanish major or minor. Only students who have diligently planned with a Spanish advisor and consistently followed the course sequence may be granted an independent study. In such rare, exceptional cases when an independent study is approved, no more than one independent study (maximum three credit hours) shall count toward the Spanish major or minor.

Students who elect a major in Spanish are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one term of study abroad or living in a community where Spanish is dominant.

A liberal arts curriculum values breadth and exposure to both the Fine Arts & Humanities. Therefore, any student completing a major in Spanish must also complete three (3) credits in Fine Arts.

Note: Students who elect to major in the Spanish Humanities & Fine Arts PEAK may not minor in the Spanish Foundations Professional PEAK.

Major Requirements:

Courses are to be selected from the following offerings in consultation with a Spanish Major advisor.

Students wishing to teach Spanish at the secondary level must complete the Spanish major and MFL/EDU-444.1 and MFL/EDU-445.1. Please consult with the Education Department for specific certification requirements.

Other programs of study that may be of interest to students studying Spanish include:

  • Additional Foreign Languages
  • Anthropology/Sociology
  • Latin American Studies
  • Bilingual Education
  • Business
  • Education
  • Elementary Precertification
  • Health Professional Studies
  • International Political Economy
  • Latin American Studies
  • Literature in English
  • Teaching English as a Second Language

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Indicators 1.3, 2.2, 3.2, 4.2, and 5.2 as described in Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century (National Standards in Foreign Language Education Project, 3rd. Ed. [1999]) and "Advanced Mid" Spanish proficiency of the ACTFL Guidelines (American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, 1983, Revised 1985).
  • The study of Spanish language, culture, and literature enhances student competency in critical thinking, analytical writing, problem solving, and written communication by requiring students to perceive, process, and articulate ideas within a linguistic and cultural framework different from their own.
  • Students pursuing a Spanish major must submit a portfolio consisting of six papers, including two research summaries, two descriptive works, and a selection of in-class direct writing assessments and revised papers.

Minors

French Foundations Minor

A minor in French Foundations provides a solid foundation of language skills and cultural acumen to complement specializations in both the Liberal Arts and professional fields. Modern foreign language study enhances critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and written communication skills by requiring students to perceive, process, and articulate ideas within a  linguistic and cultural framework different from their own. Important components of this enhancement are the systematic study of vocabulary and syntax, the discussion of cultural issues, the introduction to literature, and the redaction of compositions in the target language. In addition to courses offered on campus, students are strongly encouraged to study and travel abroad to apply and enhance their knowledge through cultural immersion in French-speaking communities.

The French Foundations minor requires a minimum of 15 credits. A maximum of 10 credits may be waived toward the minor requirements for students entering the program with proven proficiency in the target language.

Note: Students may elect to minor in the French Foundations Professional PEAK OR the Humanities & Fine Arts PEAK, but not both.

Minor Requirements (15 credits):

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Indicators 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, and 4.1 (National Standards in Foreign Language Education Project, 3rd. Ed. [1999]).
  • Intermediate-Mid French language proficiency (American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, 1983, Revised 1985).

German Foundations Minor

A minor in German Foundations provides a solid foundation of language skills and cultural acumen to complement specializations in both Liberal Arts and professional fields. Modern foreign language study enhances critical thinking , analytical reasoning, and written communication skills by requiring students to perceive, process, and articulate ideas within a  linguistic and cultural framework different from their own. Important components of this enhancement are the systematic study of vocabulary and syntax, the discussion of cultural issues, the introduction to literature, and the redaction of compositions in the target language.In addition to courses offered on campus, students are strongly encouraged to study and travel abroad to apply and enhance their knowledge through cultural immersion in German-speaking communities.

The German Foundations minor requires a minimum of 15 credits. A maximum of 10 credits may be waived toward the minor requirements for students entering the program with proven proficiency in the target language.

Note: Students may elect to minor in the German Foundations Professional PEAK OR the German Humanities & Fine Arts PEAK, but not both.

Minor Requirements (15 credits):

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Indicators 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, and 4.1 of the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century (National Standards in Foreign Language Education Project, 3rd. Ed. [1999]).
  • Intermediate-Mid German language proficiency (American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, 1983, Revised 1985).

Spanish Foundations Minor

A minor in Spanish Foundations provides a solid foundation of language skills and cultural acumen to complement specializations in both the Liberal Arts and professional fields. Modern foreign language study enhances critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and written communication skills by requiring students to perceive, process, and articulate ideas within a  linguistic and cultural framework different from their own. Important components of this enhancement are the systematic study of vocabulary and syntax, the discussion of cultural issues, the introduction to literature, and the redaction of compositions in the target language. In addition to courses offered on campus, students are strongly encouraged to study and travel abroad to apply and enhance their knowledge through cultural immersion in Spanish-speaking communities.

Note: Students may elect to minor in the Spanish Foundations Professional PEAK OR the Spanish Humanities & Fine Arts PEAK, but not both. Spanish majors may not minor in the Spanish Professional Foundations PEAK or the Spanish Humanities & Fine Arts PEAK.
 

Minor Requirements (15 credits):

The Spanish Foundations minor requires a minimum of 15 credits. A maximum of 10 credits may be waived toward the minor requirements for students entering the program with proven proficiency in the target language. The 15 credits in Spanish must include the following courses or their equivalent:

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Indicators 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, and 4.1 of the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century (National Standards in Foreign Language Education Project, 3rd. Ed. [1999]).
  • Intermediate-Mid" Spanish language proficiency (American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, 1983, Revised 1985).

French Minor

Essential components of the French Minor include the study of vocabulary, structures, and syntax, the discussion of cultural issues, the introduction to literature, and the redaction of compositions in French.

The minor requires a minimum of twenty-four credits of which twenty-one must be in French. Six of these language credits must be in the upper-division (300- and 400-level). For students entering the program with proven proficiency in French, a maximum of 10 credits may be waived toward the minor requirements.

Students wishing to teach a modern foreign language at the secondary level shall complete the language minor and MFL-444 Second Language Acquisition Theory & Practice and MFL-445 Foreign Language, ESL & Bilingual Methods as well as completing the requirements for a first teaching field in another content area. Please consult with the education department for specific certification requirements.

A liberal arts curriculum values breadth and exposure to both the Fine Arts and Humanities. Therefore, any student completing a minor in Modern Foreign Languages must also complete three credits in a Fine Arts course that complements the language of the minor.

Note: Students may elect to minor in the French Humanities & Fine Arts PEAK OR the French Foundations Professional PEAK, but not both.

 

Minor Requirements (24 credits):

Courses are to be selected from the following offerings in consultation with a French Minor advisor.

Even the most rigorous domestic courses in Modern Foreign Languages are not a substitute for immersion in a community where the target language is dominant. Students who elect a minor in Modern Foreign Languages are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one term of study abroad or living in a community where their target language is dominant.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Critical Thinking
  • Analytical Writing
  • Problem Solving
  • Written Communication
  • Indicators 1.2, 2.2, 3.2, and 4.2 of the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century (National Standards in Foreign Language Education Project, 3rd. Ed. [1999]) and "Intermediate-High" language proficiency of the ACTFL Guidelines (American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, 1983, Revised 1985).

German Minor

Essential components of the German Minor include the study of vocabulary, structures, and syntax, the discussion of cultural issues, the introduction to literature, and the redaction of compositions in German.

The minor requires a minimum of twenty-four credits of which twenty-one must be in German. Six of these language credits must be in the upper-division (300- and 400-level). For students entering the program with proven proficiency in German, a maximum of 10 credits may be waived toward the minor requirements.

Students wishing to teach a modern foreign language at the secondary level shall complete the language minor and MFL-444 Second Language Acquisition Theory & Practice and MFL-445 Foreign Language, ESL & Bilingual Methods as well as completing the requirements for a first teaching field in another content area. Please consult with the education department for specific certification requirements.

A liberal arts curriculum values breadth and exposure to both the Fine Arts and Humanities. Therefore, any student completing a minor in Modern Foreign Languages must also complete three credits in a Fine Arts course that complements the language of the minor.

Note: Students may elect to minor in the German Humanities & Fine Arts PEAK OR the German Foundations Professional PEAK, but not both.

 

Minor Requirements (24 credits):

Courses are to be selected from the following offerings in consultation with a German Minor advisor.

Even the most rigorous domestic courses in Modern Foreign Languages are not a substitute for immersion in a community where the target language is dominant. Students who elect a minor in Modern Foreign Languages are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one term of study abroad or living in a community where their target language is dominant.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Critical Thinking
  • Analytical Writing
  • Problem Solving
  • Written Communication
  • Indicators 1.2, 2.2, 3.2, and 4.2 of the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century (National Standards in Foreign Language Education Project, 3rd. Ed. [1999]) and "Intermediate-High" language proficiency of the ACTFL Guidelines (American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, 1983, Revised 1985).

Spanish Minor

Essential components of the Spanish Minor include the study of vocabulary, structures, and syntax, the discussion of cultural issues, the introduction to literature, and the redaction of compositions in Spanish.

The minor requires a minimum of twenty-four credits of which twenty-one must be in Spanish. Six of these language credits must be in the upper-division (300- and 400-level). For students entering the program with proven proficiency in Spanish, a maximum of 10 credits may be waived toward the minor requirements.

Students wishing to teach a modern foreign language at the secondary level shall complete the language minor and MFL-444 Second Language Acquisition Theory & Practice and MFL-445 Foreign Language, ESL & Bilingual Methods as well as completing the requirements for a first teaching field in another content area. Please consult with the education department for specific certification requirements.

A liberal arts curriculum values breadth and exposure to both the Fine Arts and Humanities. Therefore, any student completing a minor in Modern Foreign Languages must also complete three credits in a Fine Arts course that complements the language of the minor.

Note: Students may elect to minor in the Spanish Humanities & Fine Arts PEAK OR the Spanish Foundations Professional PEAK, but not both.

 

Minor Requirements (24 credits):

Courses are to be selected from the following offerings in consultation with a Spanish Minor advisor.

Even the most rigorous domestic courses in Modern Foreign Languages are not a substitute for immersion in a community where the target language is dominant. Students who elect a minor in Modern Foreign Languages are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one term of study abroad or living in a community where their target language is dominant.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Critical Thinking
  • Analytical Writing
  • Problem Solving
  • Written Communication
  • Indicators 1.2, 2.2, 3.2, and 4.2 of the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century (National Standards in Foreign Language Education Project, 3rd. Ed. [1999]) and "Intermediate-High" language proficiency of the ACTFL Guidelines (American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, 1983, Revised 1985).