Academic Bulletin Modern Languages & Literatures - 2007-08

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Faculty: D. Rogers (chair),  J. Byrnes*, G. Gómez, J. Hardy, I. Jaén-Portillo, G. Redding, T. Stokes, B. Tucker, V. Zara
* Sabbatical leave, full year

The Department of Modern Languages and Literatures at Wabash College prepares students for citizenship in a multi-cultural, multi-lingual global community. The Department promotes proficiency in languages, expands knowledge of cultures and literatures, and enables students to actively engage in cultural and linguistic exchanges. Our faculty work with students to provide a greater understanding of world affairs in an historical context, an enhanced knowledge of the traditions, achievements, and lifestyles of the international community, and an appreciation of differences and similarities among peoples and nations.

Language Studies Requirements: Proficiency in a Foreign Language: The Wabash curriculum requires that all students demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language. Students who fulfill this requirement in Modern Languages usually do one of the following:

• Earn a passing grade for the elementary sequence (101 and 102, or Spanish 177) of any language that we offer (French, German, or Spanish).
• Earn a passing grade for any single course beyond 102 (e.g. Spanish 201, German 201, or French 301).

Students may also fulfill this requirement by passing a proficiency exam with written and oral components. Students interested in pursuing this option should contact the department chair prior to mid-semester break in the fall of their freshman year.

Placement: Students who wish to continue at Wabash with a language studied in high school must enroll at the level determined by the departmental placement policy. Students who have taken at least two years of a language in high school will begin at the 201 level or higher. Placement beyond the 201 level is determined by the Computerized Adaptive Placement Exam and reference to high school transcripts.

Any student may begin at the 101 level in a language that is new to him. For example, a student who is placed in Spanish 301 can choose to enroll in French or German 101 and complete the requirement with the elementary sequence.

Background Credit: A student who starts with the third semester course or higher (201 or 301 level) of a language and completes that course with a B-or better also receives one elective credit for the course immediately preceding the one he has taken. SUCH CREDIT DOES NOT COUNT TOWARD A MAJOR OR MINOR IN THE LANGUAGE.  

A student need not earn a grade of B- or better to fulfill the language requirement. Any non-failing grade in the appropriate courses will satisfy the language proficiency requirement.

Comprehensive Examinations: Majors in a modern language must successfully complete a two-day written comprehensive examination. In keeping with the goals of the Department, the student must demonstrate his proficiency in the language in which he is majoring, as well as his knowledge of its culture and his critical appreciation of its literature.

Requirements for the Major: Nine courses beyond the 101-102 Elementary sequence. Specific course requirements for a major in French, German, or Spanish follow. BACKGROUND CREDIT DOES NOT COUNT TOWARD A MAJOR OR MINOR IN THE LANGUAGE.  

Requirements for the Minor: Five courses beyond 101. Specific course requirements for a minor in French, German, or Spanish follow. BACKGROUND CREDIT DOES NOT COUNT TOWARD A MAJOR OR MINOR IN THE LANGUAGE.  

Study Abroad: Modern language students are strongly encouraged to study abroad. Students in modern languages and literatures should meet with a member of the department as early as possible to develop an appropriate plan for study abroad.

An Area of Concentration and High School Teaching licensure in this discipline is awarded by the Teacher Education Program. For licensure information please see the Indiana Teacher Licensing Requirements for Adolescent and Young Adult License section and for information on this specific discipline see the Content Area Course Requirements for Teaching at the Adolescent and Young Adult Licensure Level section.

French

Requirements for a Major: Nine courses beyond French 101 and 102. French 202, 302, and 401 are required. BACKGROUND CREDIT DOES NOT COUNT TOWARD A MAJOR OR MINOR IN THE LANGUAGE.  

Requirements for a Minor: Five courses beyond French 101. BACKGROUND CREDIT DOES NOT COUNT TOWARD A MAJOR OR MINOR IN THE LANGUAGE.  

German

Requirements for a Major: Nine courses beyond German 101 and 102. German 302 and 401 are required. BACKGROUND CREDIT DOES NOT COUNT TOWARD A MAJOR OR MINOR IN THE LANGUAGE.  

Requirements for a Minor: Five courses beyond German 101. Minor concentrators are encouraged to take courses beyond 302. BACKGROUND CREDIT DOES NOT COUNT TOWARD A MAJOR OR MINOR IN THE LANGUAGE.  

Russian

Requirements for a minor: Minor program not offered 2007-2008. 

Spanish

Requirements for a Major: Nine courses beyond Spanish 101 and 102. Spanish 302, 303, 304, 401 and either 402 or 403 are required. BACKGROUND CREDIT DOES NOT COUNT TOWARD A MAJOR OR MINOR IN THE LANGUAGE.  

Requirements for a Minor: Five courses beyond Spanish 101. Minor concentrators are encouraged to take courses beyond 302. BACKGROUND CREDIT DOES NOT COUNT TOWARD A MAJOR OR MINOR IN THE LANGUAGE.