Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures

Instructor Ozment, Chair
Professors Geiser, Jogan, Incledon, Myers and Perrin
Associate Professor Melendez
Instructor Bronfman
Lecturers Bates, Haftel, Minervini and Wittels

French	German	Italian	Spanish
What Can I Do With A Major In Modern Foreign Languages?

The department of modern foreign languages and literatures offers a full range of French and Spanish courses dealing with language, literature, and culture, as well as more specialized courses in areas such as translation and intensive conversation. In the field of literature, both language areas offer courses in theatre, drama, the novel, and poetry. Cultural study can be undertaken in 300-level courses as well as in the senior seminar.

Graduates in foreign languages are prepared to go on to positions in elementary and secondary education, to law school and graduate school, and into travel and related service areas. Those students who have combined language study with other disciplines such as business, accounting, or medicine often find greater career opportunities because of their skill in foreign languages.

Concentration may be taken in French or Spanish. All concentrators in a modern language are urged to spend one semester or one year in the appropriate foreign country. Students preparing for careers in education are required to spend a semester abroad in an approved study program. Each foreign study program must be approved prior to the student’s departure by the Academic Dean and the department chairperson.

Combined concentrations (not including education) include 301, 302, four 300-level courses, and one 400-level course. The conversation practicum and/or 202 may be substituted for two of the 300-level courses; however, at least one of the 300-level courses must be in literature or civilization. Students in combined concentrations are
encouraged, but not required, to study abroad.

Education Requirements

Secondary education foreign language candidates must complete 301, 302, four 300-level courses, one additional 300-level elective in the foreign language, and 492 (or 491 plus Anthropology-ANT 204). Minimum related coursework must include 371 (Applied Linguistics) or IDS 201 (General Linguistics); and one additional course in 300-level foreign language, European Studies or Latin American Studies. An extensive study abroad experience is required prior to student teaching (8-week summer program or one full semester abroad). Candidates must satisfy entrance and exit level testing requirements established by the department and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Students pursuing a combined concentration in foreign language and elementary, early childhood and/or special education must complete 301, 302, two 300-level literature or culture courses, one additional 300-level elective, one 300-level course in an approved study abroad program, and 491 or 492. A study abroad experience (Interim, summer, or semester) is required.

General Studies

General studies courses are offered in French, German, Italian, and Spanish. The general studies foreign language requirement may be satisfied in the following ways:

1. one course on the 300 level (language or literature)
   
2. two courses at the intermediate level (201, 202 or 203, 204)
   
3. three courses beginning at the elementary level (101, 102, 201)
   

Exemptions from the foreign language requirements are granted to students who demonstrate competency by scoring at an adequate level on the SAT II Foreign Language Achievement Test; by having learned English as a second language; or by having adequate previous experience in a foreign language. Such students are strongly encouraged to continue their language study on the advanced level. Foreign language literature courses may be taken to fulfill the general studies humanities requirement in literature.

The department includes a new 25-position state-of-the-art all-digital learning system that allows student access to a variety of audio, video, and interactive multimedia materials. Our facilities help bring authenticity and excitement to the experience of foreign language study at all levels. Our growing film library is an additional resource for the study of both culture and language, and the department sponsors a film series each semester.

The modern foreign language department sponsors two honor societies, which are active on campus: Pi Delta Phi, in French; and Sigma Delta Pi, in Spanish. Both concentrators and non-concentrators are eligible for membership.
All courses are conducted in the target language unless otherwise stated. Some foreign language courses at the 300-level may not be offered every year; consult the department for more information on course availability.

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